Incredible Version Of Radioactive By Imagine Dragons On Howard Stern

In March 2015, the Grammy-winning group Imagine Dragons performed a rare stripped-down version of their hit song “Radioactive” live on The Howard Stern Show. This version of Radioactive by Imagine Dragons was an instant hit with both Howard Stern and Imagine Dragon fans.

Imagine Dragons Perform Incredible Version Of “Radioactive” on The @HowardStern Show … @ImagineDragons #ImagineDragons

Click To Tweet

Imagine Dragons Perform Rare Version Of “Radioactive” On The Howard Stern Show

It’s tempting to label this version of Radioactive “acoustic” but that wouldn’t be accurate. Only three members of the band were in the studio at the Howard Stern Show, Dan Reynolds (vocals), Ben McKee (bass) and touring musician Will Wells (keyboards). There were also no acoustic guitars used during the performance.

Critics Called Radioactive Too Heavy For Top 40

During the interview with Howard Stern, Dan Reynolds and Ben McKee recalled how people in the music industry repeatedly told them that the album version of Radioactive was too heavy for Top 40. The band ignored that feedback and chose to keep the song the way it was originally recorded. Radioactive by Imagine Dragons went on to be an enormous hit and spent a record-breaking 87 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Music Video For Radioactive Breaks 1 Billion Views On YouTube

In September 2019, the music video for Radioactive by Imagine Dragons surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube. Singer Dan Reynolds called the milestone “insane” and beyond the band’s “wildest dreams”.

Dan Reynolds Discusses His Radioactive Lyrics

One of the questions that Howard Stern asked during his interview with Dan Reynolds was about the meaning of his Radioactive lyrics. Reynolds revealed that the lyrics were about people’s mental toxicity towards others in their lives.

Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa, oh, oh
Whoa

I’m waking up to ash and dust
I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust
I’m breathing in the chemicals

I’m breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus
This is it, the apocalypse
Whoa

I’m waking up, I feel it in my bones
Enough to make my systems blow
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I’m radioactive, radioactive
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I’m radioactive, radioactive

I raise my flags, don my clothes
It’s a revolution, I suppose
We’ll paint it red to fit right in
Whoa

I’m breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus
This is it, the apocalypse
Whoa

I’m waking up, I feel it in my bones

Enough to make my systems blow

Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I’m radioactive, radioactive
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh, I’m radioactive, radioactive

All systems go, the sun hasn’t died
Deep in my bones, straight from inside

What It Was Like Growing Up Mormon

The struggles of growing up Mormon is one of the major themes in the music by the Imagine Dragons. Singer Dan Reynolds still considers himself Mormon but wrestles with some parts of the faith.

Howard Stern’s Video Archives

Radioactive By Imagine Dragons Live On Howard Stern — Howard Stern Show

Even though the Imagine Dragon’s appearance on the show was in 2015, video of the performance wasn’t released until August 2019. The Howard Stern Show is sitting on a treasure trove of live musical performances. But as the SiriusXM apps continue to improve their video capabilities, new video content Howard Stern’s archives are slowing being released.

Radioactive By Imagine Dragons – Incredible Rare Version From The @HowardStern Show … @ImagineDragons #ImagineDragons