Demons

I have interpreted that the song reveals a true key to living a happy life: everyone has flaws and we have to accept it.

In the beginning, it mentions that "the saints we see are all made of gold." To me, this says that people who we think are perfect (or close to perfect) have a greedy side too (because they are metaphorically made of gold). It is also possible that the song may mean that something is causing the person to be nice that most people may be disappointed in. For example, if a teenager's parents pay them to be nice, are they really nice?

Later, it states that our role models are the worst ones to follow: "When your dreams all fail and the ones we hail are the worst of all." This line simply says that idols are dangerous. If you really look up to someone who has flaws (because everyone has flaws), you will eventually, whether you know it or not, take on those flaws in an effort to be like that person. It's sad but true. It has also given me second thoughts about role models.

Later on, it says, "I wanna hide the truth/I wanna shelter you/But with the beast inside/There’s nowhere we can hide." Basically, the person singing the song wants to help the one they love, but end up confessing that there's nothing they can do to shelter them from the cruel and unforgiving world. The singer knows that, although they try to be as good of a human as they can, there is no way to stop the sin that is waiting to emerge from inside. The singer could try to protect them from the world, but it would be pointless because the flaws would emerge on the person they were trying to protect. This is also sad but true, but reenforces the idea of the song interpreting that no one is perfect.

Thus, the chorus to the song: "When you feel my heat Look into my eyes It’s where my demons hide It’s where my demons hide Don’t get too close It’s dark inside It’s where my demons hide It’s where my demons hide"

Of course, the author does not actually mean that they have physical demons inside of them, but demons are a reference to the sin and flaws that rest within. The rest is pretty much self explanatory:)

The rest of the song goes on to support the "thesis" more if you take the time to read into it.

Overall, the singer loves the person they are singing to, the intended audience. He wants to protect the intended audience from the darkness of the world, but it comes out as warning of the lingering dangers because he can not do anything to prevent his inner "demons" from hurting them.

If you ask me, this is a pretty depressing song. It is also and eye opener to see that other people actually notice that this world has become crueler over the years.

If you were to take away one thing from reading this (if you actually did read this!), then I would like you to know this: Nobody's Perfect. But, more importantly, the reason Imagine Dragons even decided to write this song in the first place is because Hannah Montana failed to get that point across while people actually liked her. Just kidding! Kind of...

Well, anyway, thanks for reading!

~Carly

PS-This is my first review, so I would really appreciate any feedback given. I'm super new to this, so I have no idea if I'm doing this right. Oh well! Thanks!