Whatever It Takes

"Whatever It Takes" is a powerful anthem about ambition, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of one's goals against all odds. At its core, the song is an ode to frontman Dan Reynolds's personal struggles with self-confidence and his determination to succeed. It conveys a message of embracing challenges and pain as necessary components of growth and achievement. The lyrics reject mediocrity ("a fear of being typical") and celebrate the arduous journey toward greatness. The song's meaning is not just about reaching the destination but about loving the process—the “adrenaline in my veins” and the feeling of breaking free from self-imposed or external limitations (“break the chains”). It’s a declaration of accepting personal flaws and external negativity as fuel, transforming them into strength to create a meaningful legacy. The song champions an unapologetic drive to fulfill one's potential, no matter the cost.

The song opens with a feeling of being thrown into a chaotic and perilous world unprepared. The narrator describes the environment as treacherous and filled with opportunistic, cynical people who seem to be anticipating failure and disaster. He sees those around him as “vulturous,” “negative,” and “nepotist,” all waiting for the downfall of others. Despite this bleak outlook, there's an immediate assertion of self-belief and purpose: “I was born to run, I was born for this.”

This declaration leads into a pre-chorus that expresses a desire to be tested and forged through hardship. The lyrics use forceful metaphors like being run like a racehorse and pulled like a ripcord. There's a masochistic embrace of being broken down in order to be built back up, stronger than before. The narrator wants to be significant, not just a fleeting word but something that makes an impact, even if it means being torn apart in the process. This intense desire for transformation sets the stage for the song's central theme.

The chorus is a powerful, repeated proclamation of willingness to do anything necessary to achieve his goals. The driving force isn't just the end goal itself, but the thrill of the process. He sings, “'Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins” and “'Cause I love how it feels when I break the chains.” This reveals that the motivation is deeply tied to the feeling of overcoming limitations, the rush of pushing past boundaries, and the raw excitement of the struggle. He is ready to be taken “to the top,” fully embracing the arduous journey.

The second verse delves into the internal struggles that fuel this ambition. The narrator confesses a lifelong “fear of being typical” and feelings of inadequacy, describing himself as “miserable” when looking at his own body and being too focused on superficial appearances. He expresses a desire to be “invisible,” which contrasts with the desire for significance, suggesting a deep internal conflict. He views his past years as a form of martyrdom and references the story of the prodigal son, casting himself as someone who has strayed but is destined for something more, reinforcing the idea that he was born to strive and run.

The bridge is a rapid-fire, almost rap-like delivery of complex self-reflection. The narrator confronts his own contradictory nature, calling himself “hypocritical, egotistical” and rejecting being a mere footnote or a possibility (“parenthetical, hypothetical”). He asserts his dedication to creating something he is proud of, something outside the norm. He uses the metaphor of being an “apostrophe,” a small symbol that signifies there is more to see, a reminder of greater depth. He acknowledges his flaws, describing himself as a “product of the system of catastrophe” and yet, simultaneously, a “masterpiece.” This duality continues with the line “and yet I'm half-diseased,” admitting his imperfections. The verse concludes with a sense of peace about his mortality, stating that when he dies, he will do so happily, leaving his soul to be a part of a larger whole, having done whatever it took to live a life of meaning.

"Whatever It Takes" was written by all four members of Imagine Dragons—Dan Reynolds, Wayne Sermon, Ben McKee, and Daniel Platzman—along with producer Joel Little. Joel Little is also known for his production work on Lorde's debut album, Pure Heroine. The song was recorded at Little's Golden Age studio in Los Angeles, with additional recording taking place at the band's own Ragged Insomnia Studio in Las Vegas. It was one of the tracks created for their third studio album, Evolve (2017). According to guitarist Wayne Sermon, this song took the longest to complete for the album. Dan Reynolds quickly developed the verse and pre-chorus, but the band struggled to find the right chorus, going through numerous versions before landing on the final melody and chord progression. The song was first released as a promotional single on May 9, 2017, the same day the album Evolve was announced for pre-order. It was later officially released as the album's third single on October 6, 2017.

The song's rhythmic and rhyming structure is a key component of its energetic and compelling nature.

Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme is dynamic. The first verse, for example, heavily uses multisyllabic rhymes at the end of its initial lines (this/dangerous/vulturous/nepotist), creating a dense, flowing sound. The latter half of the verse shifts to repetition ("Everybody waiting... Everybody praying...") before landing on a simple rhyme ("one"/"run"). The pre-chorus and chorus use a more straightforward, memorable rhyme pattern to enhance their anthemic quality. The bridge section is delivered in a style closer to free verse or spoken word, emphasizing its lyrical content over a strict rhyme structure.

Rhythm and Tempo: The song maintains a steady, driving tempo of approximately 136 BPM (or 68 BPM in double time), which is common for upbeat pop-rock tracks. The verses are notable for their fast-paced, sixteenth-note vocal rhythm, which creates a sense of urgency and breathlessness. This lyrical rhythm works in tandem with the driving beat from the drums and bass. The chorus shifts to a more open, soaring feel, with longer vocal notes that encourage singalongs, a hallmark of arena rock. The interplay between the tight, rhythmic verses and the expansive chorus creates a powerful dynamic that propels the song forward.

"Whatever It Takes" employs a variety of stylistic techniques to create its high-energy, anthemic feel.

• Vocal Delivery: Dan Reynolds' vocal performance shifts dramatically throughout the song. The verses feature a rapid-fire, rhythmic, almost rap-like delivery that creates a sense of urgency and lyrical density. This contrasts with the powerful, sung chorus, which is designed to be anthemic and memorable.
• Rhythmic Lyrics: The verses are constructed with a strong, syncopated rhythm, focusing on internal rhymes and repetition ("Falling too fast to prepare for this / Tripping in the world could be dangerous / Everybody circling, it's vulturous / Negative, nepotist"). This technique gives the lyrics a percussive flow that drives the song forward.
• Instrumentation: The song blends traditional rock elements with electronic production. It features prominent, driving drums, bass, and electric guitar, characteristic of arena rock, but also incorporates synthesizers and electronic textures, particularly in the build-ups and chorus, aligning it with modern pop-rock.
• Dynamic Contrast: The song's structure creates significant dynamic shifts. The verses are tense and rhythmically dense, leading into an explosive, expansive chorus. The bridge offers another change of pace with its spoken-word, confessional style before building back into the final, powerful chorus. This contrast helps to build and release tension, making the song more engaging.
• Repetition (Anaphora): The first verse uses anaphora with the repetition of "Everybody" to emphasize a sense of universal negativity and pressure from the outside world.

"Whatever It Takes" achieved significant commercial success and cultural penetration. It peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped multiple rock and pop charts, solidifying its status as a major hit from the album Evolve. The song's anthemic and energetic nature made it a popular choice for use in various media. It was selected as the official theme song for the WWE's Battleground pay-per-view event and was featured in the popular video game Madden NFL 18. Its music video, directed by Matt Eastin and Aaron Hymes, won for Best Rock Video at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards. The song is frequently used in sports montages and promotional materials, becoming synonymous with high-stakes competition and perseverance. The band also notably requested that the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) stop using the song on their website in 2018. Along with "Believer" and "Thunder," "Whatever It Takes" cemented the Evolve era as a high point in Imagine Dragons' commercial success and global reach.

"Whatever It Takes" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that enhance its theme of striving and perseverance.

• Racehorse and Ripcord: The lines "Run me like a racehorse / Pull me like a ripcord" symbolize a desire to be pushed to the absolute limit, embracing intense pressure and speed to achieve a goal. The racehorse implies endurance and a life lived at a fast pace, while the ripcord suggests a sudden, decisive action that leads to a significant change or a 'parachute' from failure.
• Breaking Chains: This is a powerful and classic metaphor for liberation. It represents overcoming any obstacle holding the narrator back, whether it's self-doubt, societal expectations, fear, or depression.
• Adrenaline: The recurring mention of loving "the adrenaline in my veins" symbolizes an addiction to the struggle itself. It's not just about the victory but the thrill, excitement, and raw feeling of pushing through challenges.
• The Prodigal Son: By identifying as "the prodigal son," the narrator alludes to the biblical parable, casting himself as someone who may have strayed or been flawed, but is still destined for greatness and acceptance.
• Apostrophe: In the bridge, the line "I'm an apostrophe" is a unique metaphor. It suggests being a small but significant symbol that indicates something more is present—a reminder "that there's more to see," representing depth and hidden complexity.
• Masterpiece and Half-Diseased: This juxtaposition symbolizes the inherent contradiction of the human condition. It acknowledges being a work of art, a unique creation, while also being flawed and imperfect, a "product of the system of catastrophe."

The most prominent recurring phrase and central motif is the title itself, "Whatever it takes." This phrase is repeated extensively throughout the chorus, acting as the song's core thesis and an unwavering declaration of commitment. Its repetition drills the message of absolute determination into the listener's mind, making it a powerful and memorable hook.

Another key recurring motif is the lyrical dyad of loving the struggle, expressed through the lines: "'Cause I love the adrenaline in my veins" and "'Cause I love how it feels when I break the chains." This pair of lines, repeated in every chorus, is crucial because it reframes the narrative from one of simple endurance to one of finding exhilaration and purpose in the hardship itself. It defines the motivation behind doing "whatever it takes."

The phrase "I was born to run, I was born for this" appears at the end of both verses. Its recurrence serves as a personal mantra for the narrator, reinforcing a sense of destiny and innate preparedness for the challenges he faces. It acts as a moment of self-affirmation before launching into the pre-chorus and the song's central declaration.

Finally, the phrase "Break me down and build me up" is repeated in the pre-chorus, encapsulating the theme of transformative struggle and the willingness to be deconstructed in order to become stronger.