Imagine Dragons: America Meaning

America Lyrics

Is this just an illusion
That I made inside my head to get me by?
Twenty years in debt
Twenty years in the government
Twenty years can never get me by

Then I feel you close
Feel you close like you wanted me to
Feel you close like you...

1. 1TOP RATED

   #1 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

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   Oct 9th 2014 !⃝

   I think this song is about America for one, but the history of America. "1776, the names upon the list, of all the ones who gave until they died." 1776 was the year the Declaration of Independence was signed, which was pretty much the start of America as a free country. "Rise to the top of the world" is how we think America is the best country, with rights, freedom, and other things. "To the tallest of the towers that fall and rise" was the 9/11 terrorist attack, when two planes crashed into the World Trade Center twin towers. "Don't you hold back. I can see in your mind, and your mind will set you free." Is how we're fighting in the wars to keep our freedom and to help other countries get their freedom. "America don't you cry" is talking about how no matter what happens, we stand together as a nation with our heads up. And ultimately, which I find the most touching, is the guitar solo, symbolizing 'MURICA! (I'm just kidding on the last part please don't hate me for that)

2. 2TOP RATED

   #2 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

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   Apr 19th 2017 !⃝

   1776 is the year of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but also the height of the World Trade Center. "Of all the ones who gave until they died" is referring both to the founding fathers, who contributed to America's growth until they died, but also the heroes of 9/11, as it goes after 1776. "To the tallest of towers that rise and fall" is talking about the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and how America fell but rebuilt itself through its strength.

3. 3TOP RATED

   #3 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

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   Apr 14th 2016 !⃝

   A Patriotic song in the mindset of AMERICA and our people, still being in disillusionment 11 years after the 911 Tragedy, where the Protagonist was 20 years in DEPT with a government job that would've never got him by, by his sacrifice to make his American dream. But still optimistic with emphaty for the American people in AMERICA that will get it's will back and rise with HER like in the Spirit of 1776, when we the people faught proudly in the struggle against the OPPRESORS that were against FREEDOM that we died for then, and now for our INDEPENDENCE that we fell in the fear losing too these OPPRESORS that we will fight them and OVERCOME to obtain our Freedoms.
4. anonymous

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   Dec 7th 2017 !⃝

   I really think this song is just about how a guy is trying to get through something and is kind of looking to America. “Lift me up, give me strength to press on.” Also, he mentions some reminiscent to 9/11 and the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
5. anonymous

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   Sep 9th 2015 !⃝

   I think this song is about how he is let down by what America could be and what is has become. The obvious 1776 is the year the Declaration was signed. I think he is saying that he is disappointed by what it has come to.
6. anonymous

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   Feb 7th 2015 !⃝

   "1776 the names upon the list, of all those who gave until they died". The signing of the Declaration of Independence and then all those who fought in the American Revolution/wars. The height of the Freedom Towers purposely is 1176 feet tall, "buildings rise and fall" America overcoming the attacks on 9/11. I use these lyrics in my history class. Love the interpretations and the song.
7. anonymous

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   Jan 16th 2015 !⃝

   To me, this song is about how the singer feels like America is not what it was, how much it's changed and not necessarily for the better since its founding. However badly he may think things are though, he has faith that the country pull up and out, into a brighter future.
8. anonymous

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   Jan 2nd 2015 !⃝

   It's 9/11. The world trade centers were 1,776 feet tall. (Debt)
   
   Then, it's also about the signing of independence.
   
   Though it is mostly the 9/11, as it took a lot of debt.. Millions, billions of dollars.
9. anonymous

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   Nov 28th 2014 !⃝

   1776 is also the amount of feet high the One World Trade centre is.
10. anonymous

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    May 20th 2014 !⃝

    It's obviously about America, and how it uplifts the singer.
11. anonymous

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    May 18th 2014 !⃝

    I think this is a song about America. " 1776 and names upon the list of all the ones who gave until they died" 1776 was the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
12. anonymous

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    Oct 16th 2013 !⃝

    The song is basically just talking about America, the present and past. It says "1776, the names upon the list, of all the ones who gave until they died." 1776 was when the Declaration of Independence was signed. It also talks about the current national debt and whatnot.

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