☝️ Key Points
- The song tells the story of singer Dan Reynolds, who dreamed big and sought to shape his own identity rather than just being a compliant member of society.
- It deals with Reynolds' experiences with rejection and challenges as he pursued his dreams.
- The chorus 'Thunder, feel the thunder, Lightning and the thunder' is a metaphor for Reyonlds' success, being 'lightning before the thunder', meaning he worked hard before the success came.
- By the end of the song, Reynolds has overcome those critics and is in the spotlight, while those who once mocked him now applaud him.
- 'Thunder' is overall an anthem to perseverance, dreaming big, and overcoming obstacles.
Interpretation
The lyrics of 'Thunder' by
Imagine Dragons are about the singer Dan Reynolds and his experiences when he was younger and dreamed of being a star. He was 'just a young gun with a quick fuse' who longed for freedom and greatness ('I was dreaming of bigger things'). He didn't want to just be a follower ('Not a yes sir, not a follower'), but to forge his own identity and life.
The song also addresses the challenges and ridicule he faced while pursuing his dreams. In the lines 'Kids were laughing in my classes, while I was scheming for the masses', he remembers how his classmates laughed at him while he had big dreams.
The chorus 'Thunder, feel the thunder, Lightning and the thunder' is a metaphor describing Reynolds' success. He was 'lightning before the thunder', meaning he worked hard and strived before the success (the 'thunder') came.
In conclusion, the song shows how Reynolds overcame his critics and is in the spotlight ('Now I'm smiling from the stage'), while those who mocked him before ('You were clapping in the nose bleeds') now applaud him. Overall, 'Thunder' is an anthem to perseverance, dreaming big, and overcoming obstacles to achieve success.