Follow You

"Follow You" is a deeply personal song about reconciliation and the endurance of a realistic, imperfect love. Lead singer Dan Reynolds wrote the song for his wife, Aja Volkman, after a period of separation. The couple had been apart for seven months and were on the verge of finalizing their divorce when Volkman sent Reynolds a "life-changing" text message. In it, she expressed her love for him without expectation or a need for ownership, which profoundly affected Reynolds. They decided to forgo the divorce, went to lunch, and began to rebuild their relationship. Reynolds has stated he wanted the song to represent a love that is realistic, acknowledging that relationships aren't always perfect or pretty but can endure through pain and hardship. The lyrics are a direct promise of loyalty and a commitment to stand by someone through their 'deepest low,' reflecting his renewed dedication to his marriage. It's a testament to choosing to love someone, flaws and all, and sticking together through difficult times.

The song's narrative begins with a heartfelt pledge of unwavering support. The speaker assures their partner they are always on their side, ready to bear any hardship or 'loss' if it means the partner's well-being. There's a desire to see this person shine, to put them 'into the spotlight,' recognizing a hidden strength or beauty that the world doesn't see. This is underscored by the observation that the partner is holding back, suffering silently through 'heart attacks every night,' a metaphor for intense anxiety and emotional pain that the speaker acknowledges is profoundly unfair.

The chorus serves as the song's central vow, a powerful and repetitive promise of steadfast companionship. The speaker pledges to 'follow' their partner everywhere, not just to pleasant places, but 'way down to your deepest low.' This isn't a promise of fair-weather friendship but of profound loyalty that will persist through the darkest and most difficult times. It’s an assurance of a constant presence, no matter where life's journey leads, a simple yet profound declaration: 'You know I'll follow you.'

The second verse deepens the portrayal of the partner's struggle. The speaker calls them to find them crying, not out of anger at the world, but from self-disappointment. Again, the speaker reiterates their commitment to stand by them through these 'losses,' this time with the goal of bringing them 'into the sunlight'—a shift from the 'spotlight' of public recognition to a more personal space of warmth, healing, and happiness. The pre-chorus repeats, emphasizing the recurring nature of this hidden pain.

A short bridge offers further insight into the partner's character. They are described as someone who doesn't give themselves enough love, who lives life with a 'hand in a tight glove,' suggesting they are guarded, restrained, and perhaps afraid to be vulnerable or accept affection. The speaker expresses a wish to be able to 'fix it' for them, to take away their pain, but acknowledges the limitation of their power. Instead of offering a cure, they offer something more tangible and arguably more meaningful: their presence. They promise to be 'right here comin' through,' not as a savior, but as a constant, reliable support system, reinforcing the core message of the chorus which follows once more to close out the song's emotional arc.

"Follow You" was written by Dan Reynolds after a significant turning point in his personal life. In April 2018, Reynolds and his wife, Aja Volkman, had publicly announced their separation. After seven months of not speaking, Reynolds was on his way to his lawyer's office to sign the final divorce papers when he received a transformative text from Volkman. The message, which conveyed her unconditional love, led them to call off the divorce and reconcile. Reynolds wrote "Follow You" shortly after they got back together, intending it as a present for his wife that captured the essence of their renewed commitment. The song was released on March 12, 2021, as one of two lead singles (along with "Cutthroat") from their fifth studio album, Mercury – Act 1. It marked the band's first new music since their 2018 album, Origins. The track was written by all four members of Imagine Dragons (Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Ben McKee, and Daniel Platzman) along with Joel Little, Elley Duhé, and Fran Hall. Production was handled by Joel Little. Reynolds mentioned that producer Rick Rubin, who was heavily involved in the album, encouraged him to be less metaphorical and more direct in his songwriting, a quality evident in the straightforward and honest lyrics of "Follow You".

The song follows a relatively simple and effective structure, contributing to its catchy, anthemic feel. The rhyme scheme in the verses is roughly AABB (night/alright, right/spotlight). This straightforward pattern makes the lyrics easy to follow and remember. The pre-chorus uses a near rhyme with back/attacks and a perfect rhyme with night/right. The chorus itself is built more on repetition and lyrical parallelism ('I'll follow you way down wherever you may go / I'll follow you way down to your deepest low') than on a strict rhyme scheme, emphasizing the central message. The rhythm is rooted in a pop-rock beat that remains steady and driving, particularly as the song builds. The tempo is moderate, creating a feeling that is both uplifting and resolute. There is a strong interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical arrangement; the direct, declarative phrases of the chorus land squarely on strong beats, giving the promises a sense of conviction and power. The use of staccato elements and pauses, characteristic of some of the band's work, adds a modern, clean dynamic to the rhythm.

"Follow You" blends pop accessibility with alternative rock sensibilities, creating a distinctive sound. Musically, the song begins with a gentle, synth-organ arrangement inspired by The Beach Boys, which gradually builds in intensity. It employs a minor progression, which is somewhat unusual for a love song and adds a poignant layer, suggesting that true love involves overcoming adversity. Dan Reynolds' vocal delivery is direct and emotive, moving from a softer tone in the verses to a powerful, soaring vocal in the catchy chorus, which serves as a powerful hook. The track incorporates non-lexical vocables ('La-da-da-da-da') in the post-chorus, which adds to its melodic catchiness and gives it a sing-along quality. Lyrically, the song showcases a direct and earnest narrative voice, a result of producer Rick Rubin's influence, which urged Reynolds to move away from his more typical metaphorical style. This directness makes the declaration of love and loyalty feel authentic and raw.

Upon its release, "Follow You" was commercially successful and marked a significant return for Imagine Dragons. It peaked at number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the band's quickest climb to number one on Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart, a record previously held by their own songs "Believer" and "Natural". It also reached number one on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart. In September 2023, Billboard ranked it at number 49 on its list of the 100 most successful songs in the history of the Alternative Airplay chart. The song's music video gained notable attention for its comedic concept, starring real-life married couple Rob McElhenney and Kaitlin Olson from the sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The video, which features the couple at a private Imagine Dragons concert, playfully satirizes the band's public image and was praised for its humor and self-deprecation. "Follow You" was also featured as a downloadable content (DLC) track in the music video game Fuser.

While Dan Reynolds was encouraged to be more direct with his songwriting on this track, some symbolism and metaphors remain.

• 'Deepest low' and 'Sunlight': The recurring promise to 'follow you way down to your deepest low' is a powerful metaphor for unwavering support during periods of depression, self-doubt, or any form of personal struggle. It contrasts with the desire to bring the person 'into the sunlight,' which symbolizes hope, healing, and happiness. This juxtaposition highlights the dual commitment of being present in darkness and striving for light.
• 'Heart attacks every night': This phrase is a hyperbolic metaphor for severe anxiety and emotional distress. It conveys the intensity of the silent suffering the person is enduring, making the speaker's empathy and loyalty even more poignant.
• 'Hand in a tight glove': This image symbolizes a personality that is guarded, emotionally restrained, and perhaps self-protective to a fault. It suggests an inability to 'give herself enough love,' reinforcing the theme of loving someone through their insecurities.

The most significant recurring motif in "Follow You" is the central promise of the chorus: 'I'll follow you'. This phrase is repeated extensively throughout the song, acting as its emotional core and memorable hook. Its repetition, especially the lines 'I'll follow you way down wherever you may go / I'll follow you way down to your deepest low,' drills home the theme of unconditional loyalty and support in the face of any adversity. Another recurring phrase is 'Taking those, taking those losses if it treats you right,' which appears in both verses. Its repetition emphasizes the speaker's willingness to endure hardship for the sake of their partner's well-being. The musical motif of the catchy 'La-da-da-da-da' post-chorus is also a key recurring element, providing an uplifting, anthemic release after the emotional weight of the chorus and making the song highly memorable.