Thunder by Imagine Dragons

This song describes a boy’s journey into being a pop star.

Just a young gun with the quick fuse
I was uptight, wanna let loose
I was dreaming of bigger things
And wanna leave my own life behind
Not a yes sir, not a follower
Fit the box, fit the mold
Have a seat in the foyer, take a number

As a young boy, the poet had all the qualities of a typical teenager. He had a quick temper, was uptight, wanted to be free, and dreamt of ‘bigger’ things. The word ‘bigger’ is comparing his dreams with those of his friends. He wants to leave his present life behind and achieve something big.

He tells us that he is not the usual kind. He is not a follower, not a person who keeps saying ‘yes’ to his leader — not a ‘yes sir.’ You cannot categorize him — you cannot ‘fit him into a box or a mold.’ He is not the kind of person who would wait for his turn — like a person who takes a number and waits for his turn in the foyer of an office, etc. He is the kind who takes the initiative and make things happen.

I was lightning before the thunder

During a thunderstorm, you first see the lightning, and then you hear the thunder. So the lightning indicates to you that the thunder is about to follow. As a teenager, the poet says he was like lightning that indicated that he would soon turn into a ‘thunder.’

Thunder, feel the thunder
Lightning then the thunder

The same phrase appears many times during the song.

Kids were laughing in my classes
While I was scheming for the masses
Who do you think you are?
Dreaming ‘bout being a big star
They say you’re basic, they say you’re easy
You’re always riding in the back seat
Now I’m smiling from the stage while
You were clapping in the nose bleeds

Now, a change of scene. The poet is now a successful pop singer and is recollecting his earlier days, and his classmates laughed at him while he was scheming to be a pop singer to entertain the masses. He was often rebuked, “Who do you think you are? How can you even dream of being a pop star?” They put him down as ‘basic and easy’ — without any real talent.

Now for the final punch. Please note that the nosebleed section is the least desirable section of a stadium or arena, which is farthest from all the action. He is now a successful pop star. He is now on the stage. All the kids who ‘laughed’ at him are now part of the audience, admiring him and listening to him. Not only are they in the audience but relegated to the ‘nose bleed’ section of the stadium, and on top of it, they have acknowledged his success and are even ‘clapping for him.’