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 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
I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust
I’m breathing in the chemicals
This is it, the apocalypse
Whoa
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
It’s a revolution, I suppose
We’ll paint it red to fit right in
Whoa
This is it, the apocalypse
Whoa
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
Deep in my bones, straight from inside
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
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
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.
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So good. Can’t believe they are this good with only bass guitar and keyboards