Wikipedia

It's Time (song)

For other songs with the same title, see It's Time (disambiguation) § Songs.

"It's Time" is the debut single by American rock band Imagine Dragons, released on February 6, 2012, as the lead single from the band's first major label EP, Continued Silence. Later that year the song was included on the band's first full album Night Visions. The song had already been included on the band's independently released EP It's Time (2011), and it had been available on YouTube since 2010.[1]

"It's Time"
Single by Imagine Dragons
from the EP Continued Silence
ReleasedFebruary 6, 2012 (2012-02-06)
Recorded2010
StudioStudio at the Palms (Paradise, Nevada)
Genre
Length4:00
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Imagine Dragons singles chronology
"It's Time"
(2012) 		"Radioactive"
(2012)
Music video
"It's Time" on YouTube

The song's production was handled by Brandon Darner, and its lyrics describe the narrator's resistance to change in the face of great turmoil. The single was created without Daniel Platzman who joined the group later, and it includes contributions from early band members Andrew and Brittany Tolman.

After the song was covered on Glee in September 2012 and gained heavy rotation in commercials and television shows, it reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the band's first Top 40 single. It also hit number 4 on Alternative Airplay,[2] number 2 on Adult Alternative Airplay,[3] and number 3 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. Lasting 32 weeks, it had the longest run on the Alternative Songs Top 10 in 2012.[4] The single reached the top 10 in Austria (number 6), Czech Republic (number 10), Ireland (number 9), India (number 17) Japan (number 7), Billboard Pop Songs (number 10), and Portugal (number 6) and peaked at number 23 in the United Kingdom. It was certified Platinum by the RIAA and CRIA, and Platinum by the ARIA. It was also nominated for Best Rock Video at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards.[5]

In February 2021, for the 25th anniversary of Adult Alternative Airplay, Billboard ranked "It's Time" at number 7 on its list of the 100 most successful songs in the chart's history;[6][7] in September 2023, the magazine ranked the song at number 87 on a similar retrospective list for the 35th anniversary of Alternative Airplay.[8][9]

Background

edit

Dan Reynolds told The Huffington Post about the writing process for the song:

There's so many times you wake up at 3 a.m., grab a recorder on the iPhone and say something—a lyrical idea or melody—and then you lay it out in Logic later on and sometimes it makes no sense. We sat with 'It's Time' for a year or year-and-a-half. Sometimes you just have to let a song sit for a while. There's just something really special about it. I wrote it during a very hard time in my life. I had dropped out of college, and I was just sitting down at my computer, and I came up with this rhythm. And the words just wrote themselves. I knew I had something special coming. When a song is most honest and most raw that's when you know you're doing something right. A lot of my favorite artists are able to be in touch with their problems and put it through melodies. It happens all the time with bands."[10]

Music video

edit

The music video debuted on April 17, 2012, on all MTV affiliates and the band was named PUSH Artist of the Week and later featured on PUSH Live.[11][12] A first teaser released March 28, 2012. The video also reached number 1 on Yahoo Music's Top Videos.[13]

The video starts with the band walking through a barren wasteland beneath a dark and ominous looking sky. The sky begins to grow more turbulent as the band walks past flags and boat wreckage, a destroyed bridge, and dead trees. Bassist McKee opens a box he has been carrying and a pale light glows from within. The band removes a pebble-sized, glowing orb from the box. The band members dig a hole for it with their hands, and then drop the orb into the ground. Lead singer Dan Reynolds then shouts, and in the next scene the band members are shown running away from their dig site. A large explosion throws Reynolds into the air where he seems to levitate (similarly to the Continued Silence album cover). Finally, the sky begins to part and the sunlight shines through.

The music video was produced by Todd Makurath and directed by Anthony Leonardi III. Ian Clemmer, who created some of the visual effects, wrote on his website that he "was asked to create big, large scale smoke explosions in a short amount of time, these are the end shots of the video ...."[14]

About two months after the original music video, another one was created for the Jailbreaks remix.[15]

Usage in media

edit

Live performances

edit

On July 16, 2012, Imagine Dragons performed "It's Time" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.[24][25] They also performed the song live on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 4, 2012, and on Conan on January 9, 2013. They also performed the song on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on October 29, 2012, notable for being broadcast during Hurricane Sandy. As a result, they performed the song to an empty audience, with only the cast and crew of Late Night being present. The band also performed and singer Dan Reynolds was interviewed on Norwegian and Swedish television show Skavlan on February 1, 2013.[26]

Imagine Dragons plays "It's Time" at its live concerts, and although it's a "bigger single", the band plays it early in their set list rather than last, as might be expected.[27]

On December 5, 2014, the group played an acoustic version at the end of The Game Awards (the inaugural ceremonies of said award show), with Nintendo composer Koji Kondo playing on the piano as part of a medley of music from The Legend of Zelda series.

Personnel

edit

Track listing

edit

All tracks are written by Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Ben McKee, Daniel Platzman, except where noted.

Digital download
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."It's Time"Reynolds, Sermon, McKee, Platzman, Brandon Darner4:00
Total length:4:00
Maxi digital download
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."It's Time"Reynolds, Sermon, McKee, Platzman, Darner4:00
2."It's Time" (Passion Pit Remix)Reynolds, Sermon, McKee, Platzman, Darner, Michael Angelakos, Ian Hultquist, Jeff Apruzzese, Xander Singh4:30
3."It's Time" (Jailbreaks Remix)Reynolds, Sermon, McKee, Platzman, Darner, Jailbreaks4:26
4."Round and Round" (written by Reynolds, Sermon, McKee, Platzman, Alex da Kid)Reynolds, Sermon, McKee, Platzman, Kid3:17
Total length:16:23
Remixes EP
No.TitleLength
1."It's Time" (Penguin Prison remix)4:23
2."It's Time" (Kat Krazy Remix)3:28
3."It's Time" (Jailbreaks Remix)4:26
4."It's Time" (StunGun and Jailbreaks Remix)5:06

Charts

edit

Certifications

edit
Certifications and sales for "It's Time"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[73] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[74] Gold 15,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[75] Diamond 250,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[76] 3× Platinum 240,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[77]
Streaming 		Platinum 1,800,000†
Germany (BVMI)[78] Platinum 300,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[79] Platinum 50,000‡
Mexico (AMPROFON)[80] Gold 30,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[81] Platinum 60,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[82] Platinum 40,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[83] Gold 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[84] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[85] 7× Platinum 7,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Accolades

edit
Year Ceremony Award Result
2012 MTV Video Music Awards Best Rock Video Nominated
Publication Country Accolade Year Rank
Z100 United States Most Played Tracks of 2013[86] 2013 9

Release history

edit
Release dates for "It's Time"
Country Date Format Label
United States[87][88] February 6, 2012 Submodern rock radio Interscope Records
February 20, 2012 Modern rock radio
Canada[89] September 2, 2012 Digital download (Cherry Cherry Boom Boom remix)
United States[90]
United States[91] September 18, 2012 Contemporary hit radio Interscope Records
Canada[92] October 2, 2012 Digital download (Passion Pit remix)
  • Interscope Records
  • KIDinaKORNER
United States[93]
Australia[94] November 9, 2012 Digital download
Brazil[95]
France[96]
Italy[97]
New Zealand[98]
Philippines[99]
Russia[100]
South Africa[101]
Spain[102]
Switzerland[103]
Mexico[104] November 13, 2012
Germany[105] December 7, 2012
Italy[106] January 11, 2013 Contemporary hit radio Universal Music
United Kingdom[107] August 2, 2013 Digital download
  • Interscope Records
  • KIDinaKORNER

References

edit
  1. ^ ""It's Time" by Imagine Dragons (w/ visuals)". YouTube.
  2. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  3. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  4. ^ "Imagine Dragons Enjoy Longest Run In Alternative Top 10". AllAccess.com. November 13, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  5. ^ Grein, Paul (September 3, 2012). "Previewing The VMAs". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  6. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (February 18, 2021). "Dave Matthews Band & The Wallflowers' 'One Headlight' Top Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Charts". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  7. ^ "Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  8. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (September 7, 2023). "Alternative Airplay Chart's 35th Anniversary: Foo Fighters Remain No. 1 Act, 'Monsters' New Top Song". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  9. ^ "Greatest of All Time Alternative Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  10. ^ Chattman, Jon (May 2, 2012). "'It's Time' for Imagine Dragons: An Interview With Front Man Dan". HuffPost. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  11. ^ "Watch Imagine Dragons' 'PUSH Live' 'It's Time' Performance (VIDEO)". Buzzworthy.mtv.com. 2012-06-15. Archived from the original on June 17, 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-22.
  12. ^ "MTV PUSH Artist Of The Week: Imagine Dragons". Buzzworthy.mtv.com. 2012-04-16. Archived from the original on 2012-08-08. Retrieved 2012-07-22.
  13. ^ Sarath, Daniel (August 24, 2012). "6 pop acts who should be huge: Janelle Monae to Natalia Kills". omg!. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  14. ^ Clemmer, Ian (n.d.). "IMAGINE DRAGONS - It's Time". Ian Clemmer website. Archived from the original on June 21, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  15. ^ "Imagine Dragons - It's Time (Jailbreaks Remix)". YouTube. June 29, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  16. ^ "The Best Singles of 2012". Entertainment Weekly. No. #1239–1240. December 21, 2012. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  17. ^ "Imagine Dragons". Audio-Files. Season 1. Episode 1. April 10, 2012. BYU Television. Archived from the original on March 17, 2016.
  18. ^ "Gossip Girl Pays Homage To Sex and the City: The Music Behind The Finale!". PerezHilton.com. December 18, 2012. Archived from the original on December 30, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  19. ^ Warner, Kara (June 5, 2012). "'Perks Of Being A Wallflower' Trailer: What's That Song?". MTV. Archived from the original on June 7, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  20. ^ "D8 I LA NOUVELLE GRANDE CHAINE". YouTube. 20 September 2012.
  21. ^ Beth Douglass (14 September 2012). "Watch: Blaine (Darren Criss) Sings Imagine Dragon's "It's Time" in Glee's Season 4 Premiere: "The New Rachel" (VIDEO)". Wetpaint.
  22. ^ Richenthal, Matt (August 16, 2012). "Glee Season 4 Preview: First Footage!". TV Fanatic. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  23. ^ "Glee - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  24. ^ Duck, Allison (18 July 2012). "Imagine Dragons are Leno tested, Warlock approved". Las Vegas Weekly. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  25. ^ Smith, Harper (19 July 2012). "In rise to prominence, Imagine Dragons prove they can pack — and take — a punch". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  26. ^ Imagine Dragons - "It's Time" (Live @ «Skavlan» - February 1st 2013) - YouTube
  27. ^ Smith, Bethany (September 27, 2012). "Imagine Dragons & AWOLNATION leave Kansas City fans feeling 'On Top of the World'". Midcoast Station. Archived from the original on March 28, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  28. ^ "Imagine Dragons – It's Time". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  29. ^ "Imagine Dragons – It's Time" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  30. ^ "Imagine Dragons – It's Time" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  31. ^ "Imagine Dragons – It's Time" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  32. ^ a b BPP, ed. (November–December 2013). "Billboard Brasil Hot 100 Airplay". Billboard Brasil (46): 88.
  33. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  34. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  35. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  36. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 10. týden 2013 in the date selector. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  37. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 25. týden 2014 in the date selector. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  38. ^ "Imagine Dragons – It's Time" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  39. ^ "Imagine Dragons – It's Time" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  40. ^ "Imagine Dragons This Chart History". RÚV. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  41. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Imagine Dragons". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  42. ^ "Imagine Dragons – It's Time". Top Digital Download.
  43. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  44. ^ "Imagine Dragons Lebanese Chart Top 20 History". The Official Lebanese Top 20. February 17, 2013. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  45. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Imagine Dragons" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  46. ^ "Imagine Dragons – It's Time". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  47. ^ "Imagine Dragons – Chart history: Mexico Ingles". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  48. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Portugal Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2013. [dead link‍]
  49. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  50. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201311 into search. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  51. ^ "Imagine Dragons – It's Time" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  52. ^ "Imagine Dragons – It's Time". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  53. ^ "Imagine Dragons – It's Time". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  54. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  55. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  56. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  57. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  58. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  59. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  60. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  61. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  62. ^ "Best of 2012 – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  63. ^ "Best of 2012 – Rock Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  64. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2013". austriancharts.at. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  65. ^ "Best of 2013: Canadian Hot 100". Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  66. ^ "End of Year 2013" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  67. ^ "Best of 2013 – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
  68. ^ "2013 Year End Charts - Top Billboard Hot Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  69. ^ "Rock Airplay Songs: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  70. ^ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  71. ^ "Best of 2013 – Pop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  72. ^ "Decade-End Charts: Hot Rock Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  73. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  74. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Imagine Dragons – It's Time" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  75. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Imagine Dragons – It's Time" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  76. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Imagine Dragons – It's Time". Music Canada. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  77. ^ "Danish single certifications – Imagine Dragons – It's Time". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
  78. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Imagine Dragons; 'It's Time')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  79. ^ "Italian single certifications – Imagine Dragons – It's Time" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  80. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved January 11, 2014. Type Imagine Dragons in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and It's Time in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  81. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Imagine Dragons – It's Time". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  82. ^ "Sverigetopplistan – Imagine Dragons" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  83. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('It's Time')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  84. ^ "British single certifications – Imagine Dragons – It's Time". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  85. ^ "American single certifications – Imagine Dragons – It's Time". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  86. ^ "Ross On Radio: It's Just Another New Year's Eve?: Z100's year-end shows New York is still different". Billboard. 2013-12-30. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
  87. ^ "Available for Airplay Archive – SubModern Rock". FMQB. Mediaspan. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  88. ^ "Available for Airplay Archive – Modern Rock". FMQB. Mediaspan. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  89. ^ "It's Time (Cherry Cherry Boom Boom Remix) – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (CA). Apple. January 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  90. ^ "It's Time (Cherry Cherry Boom Boom Remix) – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (US). Apple. January 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  91. ^ "Available for Airplay Archive – CHR". FMQB. Mediaspan. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  92. ^ "It's Time (Passion Pit Remix) – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (CA). Apple. January 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  93. ^ "It's Time (Passion Pit Remix) – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (US). Apple. January 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  94. ^ "It's Time – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (AU). Apple. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  95. ^ "It's Time – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (BR). Apple. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  96. ^ "It's Time – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (FR). Apple. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  97. ^ "It's Time – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (IT). Apple. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  98. ^ "It's Time – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (NZ). Apple. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  99. ^ "It's Time – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (PH). Apple. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  100. ^ "It's Time – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (RU). Apple. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  101. ^ "It's Time – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (ZA). Apple. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  102. ^ "It's Time – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (ES). Apple. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  103. ^ "It's Time – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (CH). Apple. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  104. ^ "It's Time – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (MX). Apple. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  105. ^ "It's Time – EP by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (DE). Apple. January 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  106. ^ Forastiero, Eleonora. "Imagine Dragons – It's Time (Universal)" (in Italian). Radio Airplay SRL. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  107. ^ "It's Time – EP by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store (GB). Apple. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
Retrieved from "https://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=It%27s_Time_(song)&oldid=1257417852"