REYNOLDS LOST GLORY: Dan Reynolds 27 lost Tracks That Ignited Dragons `Believers’
Sitting in the muted light of a studio that had witnessed more late hours than daylight, Imagine Dragons lead singer Dan Reynolds was around by lyric fragments, unfinished melodies, and the eerie echoes of unfinished songs that would never be heard.
He had struggled for months with his music, the thing that had once defined him. Little did anybody know that “Believer,” one of Imagine Dragons’ most powerful anthems, was birthed out of a creative battleground where twenty-seven other songs were buried before it.
“I destroyed 27 songs before ‘Believer.'” This was the shocking confession that finally came out of Reynolds in a recent interview. So yet, none of them have felt very truthful.
The words sent shockwaves through the music industry, revealing the inner anguish, obsession, and unfiltered honesty that went into creating the band’s most famous song.
Looking for the Truth
“Believer” was being written at a period when Imagine Dragons had already achieved international success.
Their previous singles, such as “Radioactive,” “Demons,” and “It’s Time,” catapulted them to alternative rock stardom. Something was lacking, though, according to Reynolds.
In light of a more profound truth about himself that he was unable to fully express musically, all of the fame, acclaim, and accolades started to seem meaningless.
The point at which Reynolds “didn’t recognise myself anymore” was reached after years of touring and writing, he explained.
Songs I wrote sounded alright—maybe even great—but they lacked authenticity. “Who is this guy singing?” I’d wonder as I played them back. He owes his metamorphosis to that inquiry.
After that, I went through a time of deep self-reflection and creative block. In the studio, a confessional took place.
The goal of writing each of the 27 new songs was to delve farther, to reveal more levels of feeling, and to rediscover what it was like to be alive.
However, Reynolds was never content no matter what. He explained that the abandoned songs weren’t intentionally false, but they also weren’t truthful. There was no danger to them. What I needed was no longer safety.
The Pain That Birthed the Sound
Reynolds’ struggle wasn’t just artistic—it was deeply personal. In the years leading up to “Believer,” he faced battles with depression, chronic pain from ankylosing spondylitis, and the emotional strain of navigating fame while trying to stay grounded as a husband and father.
That physical and emotional suffering eventually became the foundation of “Believer.” “Pain is the thing that connects us,” Reynolds reflected. “It’s universal. And it was through pain that I found clarity.”
When the first pounding drumbeats of “Believer”came together, something shifted. The song’s explosive rhythm mirrored the pulse of his inner storm.
The lyrics—“Pain! You made me a, you made me a believer!”—weren’t just words; they were a declaration of survival.
“For the first time in a long time,” Reynolds said, “I felt like I wasn’t running away from my pain. I was standing in it. And somehow, that made me stronger.”
The 27 Songs That Never Were
The destruction of 27 songs wasn’t an act of failure—it was an act of purification.
According to Imagine Dragons’ guitarist Wayne Sermon, the band watched Reynolds go through a period of intense self-doubt and creative cleansing.
“He would come in with a song that sounded incredible,” Sermon recalled, “but the next day he’d scrap it completely. It wasn’t that it wasn’t good—it just didn’t feel like Dan. He was searching for something brutally honest.”
Each scrapped track became a stepping stone toward “Believer.” Some were upbeat pop anthems, others darker and more experimental. But none carried the emotional truth Reynolds was chasing.
Producer Mattman & Robin, who eventually helped shape the sound of “Believer,” said the turning point came when Reynolds stopped trying to write a hit and started writing his truth. “He just opened up,” they said. “He came into the studio one day and said, ‘Let’s make something that hurts. Let’s make something real.’ That’s when everything clicked.”
A Song That Changed Everything
Released in February 2017, “Believer” became an instant phenomenon. Its thunderous percussion, explosive energy, and emotionally charged lyrics resonated with millions around the world.
It didn’t just top charts—it became an anthem for resilience, a rallying cry for those who had endured suffering and turned it into strength.
The song’s success marked a turning point not only for Imagine Dragons but also for Reynolds personally. It redefined his understanding of artistry and vulnerability.
“I used to think being a musician was about perfection,” he said. “Now I know it’s about honesty. The audience doesn’t want perfection—they want truth.”
The Hidden Message
Beyond its sonic power, “Believer” carries a message that transcends music. It’s a reflection of Reynolds’ philosophy that pain, while destructive, can also be transformative.
“Pain is a teacher,” he said. “It strips you down, takes away everything that isn’t real, and leaves you with who you really are. That’s terrifying—but it’s also freeing.”
This belief has shaped the way Reynolds approaches life and music ever since. The 27 lost songs weren’t wasted; they were necessary. Each one brought him closer to the moment of clarity that became “Believer.”
“They were like ghosts,” he admitted. “Each song whispered something I needed to hear, even if it didn’t belong in the world. Sometimes destruction is part of creation.”
A Legacy of Fire and Faith
Looking back, Reynolds sees that painful chapter as one of the most important of his life. It redefined his relationship with his art, his bandmates, and himself.
“It’s funny,” he said with a smile. “I thought I was breaking things apart. But I was actually rebuilding.”
Since “Believer,” Imagine Dragons have continued to evolve, releasing hits like “Thunder,” “Whatever It Takes,” and “Enemy,” each infused with the same sense of emotional urgency and truth-seeking that defined their rebirth. But “Believer” remains a symbol—a song that rose from ashes, carrying the essence of everything Reynolds fought for.
The story of those 27 destroyed songs isn’t just about music. It’s about the courage to start over, to burn down what isn’t real, and to rebuild from the ruins.
In a world obsessed with instant success, Reynolds’ willingness to fail—again and again—until he found authenticity is a rare act of creative defiance.
The Lesson for Every Dreamer
For artists, dreamers, and anyone chasing purpose, Dan Reynolds’ journey offers a powerful reminder: truth isn’t found in the easy moments—it’s forged in struggle.
“Every song I destroyed was a step closer to finding myself,” he said. “And maybe that’s the point. You can’t create something that matters until you’re willing to destroy what doesn’t.”
As the lights blaze over packed stadiums and the opening beats of “Believer” thunder through the air, Reynolds stands taller, more grounded than ever. To the crowd, it’s an anthem. To him, it’s a confession.
The 27 songs he destroyed may be gone, but their echoes live within the one that survived—the song that made him, and millions of others, believers.
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