Machine

Album: Origins (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Imagine Dragons singer Dan Reynolds is a frustrated man here, trapped in a system, caught up in the titular machine. Reynolds longs to break free, to live outside the box others had put him in, so that he can "paint this town with my very own vision."
  • The defiant, drum-heavy song was written by Imagine Dragons with Alex Da Kid. the English producer has collaborated with the group on several of their previous hits including "Radioactive," "Demons," "Sucker For Pain" and "Thunder."
  • Guitarist Wayne Sermon told Beats 1's Zane Lowe that the song "started with that simple drum thing at the beginning." Dan Reynolds then started vocalizing in the studio and Sermon quickly latched onto and laid down some guitar. Reynolds matched what Sermon was coming up with vocally and "Machine" took off from there.

Comments: 2

  • Bridget from CoOh wait, I didn't even know what human trafficking is
  • Bridget from CoI always thought that this song was about being bullied and human trafficking. The lyrics that made me think that are, "'Cause I've been wondering when you're gonna see I'm not for sale, I've been questioning when you're gonna see I'm not a part of your machine."
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Boy Bands

Boy BandsFact or Fiction

From NKOTB to 1D, how well do you know your boy bands?