Natural (Imagine Dragons song)

"Natural" is a song by American pop band Imagine Dragons, whose members co-wrote the song with Justin Tranter, Klinsmann Lucas S. Bernardo and their producers Mattman & Robin. It was released by Kidinakorner and Interscope Records on July 17, 2018, serving as the lead single from the band's fourth studio album, Origins (2018), as well as the seasonal anthem of the 2018 ESPN College Football. It became their fifth number one song on the US Hot Rock Songs chart.

"Natural"
Single by Imagine Dragons
from the album Origins
Released	July 17, 2018 (2018-07-17)
Length	3:09
Label	Kidinakorner Interscope
Songwriter(s)	Mattias Larsson Dan Reynolds Ben McKee Justin Drew Tranter Daniel Platzman Wayne Sermon Robin Fredriksson
Producer(s)	Mattman & Robin
Imagine Dragons singles chronology
"Born to Be Yours" (2018) "Natural" (2018) "Zero" (2018)
Music video
"Natural" on YouTube

Background

Lead singer Dan Reynolds noted that "Natural" is about "finding yourself and being willing and able to stand up to whatever adversity comes your way". He said in a press release announcing the song: "Living in a dog-eat-dog world can bring out the worst in you, and sometimes, the best. It would be a lie to tell you I haven't become somewhat skeptical about some things in the last decade of my life. However, I believe that when you truly learn to love yourself, the judging eyes and hateful words become meaningless."[1]

The song was chosen by ESPN as the anthem of the 2018 College Football season.[2][3] It is the second time that an Imagine Dragons song was chosen, the first being "Roots" in 2015.[4] "'Natural' embodies the energy, spirit and drama of each team's journey to the College Football Playoff, and that is why it was chosen as this year's anthem," said Emeka Ofodile, ESPN vice president of sports marketing.[5][6] It is also part of the soundtrack for EA Sports' NHL 19.

Composition

"Natural" features a "mix of explosive drums and inspiring lyrics", with "stadium-rocking instrumentation" over the chorus.[7]

Critical reception

Markos Papadatos of Digital Journal regarded "Natural" as a "well-crafted and well-produced song", writing that "Reynolds' voice is impressive, raw and powerful", and that the song "garners two thumbs up".[8] Sam Tornow of Billboard described the song as "ferocious" and "smash-mouth".[7] Mike Wass of Idolator named the song a "radio-ready anthem", expecting it to be "another smash" following the success of the band's third studio album Evolve (2017).[9] Tiana Timmerberg of Radio.com called the song "energetic and inspiring", deeming it "a feel-good jam with positive and empowering lyrics".[10]

Music video

A music video for the song was released on August 24, 2018. It depicts frontman Dan Reynolds as the apparent owner of a spooky house including shots of a woman in a bathtub, the same woman being pursued by other inhabitants of the house and an abnormally tall man resembling Slenderman, a supposed funeral for the woman, Wayne Sermon, Ben McKee and Daniel Platzman fading into dust, Reynolds digging a grave and burying the woman alive, and other shots no the house and its inhabitants, along with a clip of a lion mauling a zebra.[11] Its music video has received over 350 million views and 3.5 million likes as of May 2020.

Live performances

On July 19, 2018, Imagine Dragons made a live television debut of the single on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[12] The performance featured a guitar solo by lead guitarist Wayne Sermon that expanded on the studio recording.[13]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[14]

• Mattman & Robin – production, engineering
• Serban Ghenea – mixing

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2018–19) Peak position Argentina (Argentina Hot 100)[15] 96 Australia (ARIA)[16] 28 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[17] 9 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[18] 5 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[19] 42 Bolivia (Monitor Latino)[20] 10 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[21] 12 CIS (Tophit)[22] 4 Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[23] 36 Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[24] 21 Croatia (HRT)[25] 19 Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[26] 2 Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[27] 2 Estonia (Eesti Tipp-40)[28] 33 France (SNEP)[29] 31 Germany (Official German Charts)[30] 16 Greece (IFPI)[31] 22 Hungary (Single Top 40)[32] 5 Hungary (Stream Top 40)[33] 3 Ireland (IRMA)[34] 35 Italy (FIMI)[35] 48 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[36] 6 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[37] 17 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[38] 37 Norway (VG-lista)[39] 9 Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[40] 4 Portugal (AFP)[41] 5 Puerto Rico (Monitor Latino)[42] 19 Romania (Airplay 100)[43] 50 Russia Airplay (Tophit)[44] 4 Scotland (Official Charts Company)[45] 44 Serbia (Radiomonitor)[46] 2 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[47] 1 Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[48] 4 Slovenia (SloTop50)[49] 8 South Korea International (Gaon)[50] 87 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[51] 74 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[52] 39 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[53] 3 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[54] 49 Ukraine Airplay (Tophit)[55] 2 US Billboard Hot 100[56] 13 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[57] 28 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[58] 4 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[59] 11 US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[60] 1 US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[61] 1

Year-end charts Chart (2018) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[62] 52 Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[63] 40 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[64] 89 CIS (Tophit)[65] 54 Hungary (Single Top 40)[66] 30 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[67] 18 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[68] 64 Poland (ZPAV)[69] 31 Portugal (AFP)[70] 46 Russia (Tophit)[71] 69 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[72] 24 US Billboard Hot 100[73] 69 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[74] 25 US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[75] 5 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[76] 50 Chart (2019) Position CIS (Tophit)[77] 18 France (SNEP)[78] 136 Hungary (Single Top 40)[79] 78 Portugal (AFP)[80] 103 Russia Airplay (Tophit)[81] 39 Slovenia (SloTop50)[82] 36 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[83] 67 Ukraine Airplay (Tophit)[84] 5 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[85] 35 US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[86] 3 Decade-end charts Chart (2010–2019) Position US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[87] 13

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[88]	Gold	15,000^*
Belgium (BEA)[89]	Gold	20,000^*
Canada (Music Canada)[90]	Platinum	80,000
France (SNEP)[91]	Gold	100,000
Germany (BVMI)[92]	Gold	200,000
Italy (FIMI)[93]	Platinum	50,000
Mexico (AMPROFON)[94]	Gold	30,000^*
Poland (ZPAV)[95]	2× Platinum	40,000^*
Portugal (AFP)[96]	Platinum	10,000^^
United Kingdom (BPI)[97]	Silver	200,000
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Various	July 17, 2018	Digital download streaming	Kidinakorner Interscope	[14]
United States	July 31, 2018	Alternative radio		[98]
	August 28, 2018	Contemporary hit radio		[99]

References

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3. Powers, Christopher (July 17, 2018). "ESPN unveils new college football anthem by Imagine Dragons so get ready to hear it 8 million times this fall (rough estimate)". Golf Digest. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
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External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics
• Audio on YouTube