Peak
6
Weeks
61
Score
8,500
Chart Year
2013
An MTV report on the "Demons" music video stated that it would "fit nicely with the artful imagery of 'It's Time' and the thoroughly out-there puppet grappling of 'Radioactive'."[8] Released on May 7, 2013 and shot in Las Vegas, Nevada at the band's performance at The Joint on February 9, 2013, the video features a mix of live footage of the band and a companion narrative.[4] Various characters with personal hardships are depicted, including a grieving daughter, a man with Marfan syndrome who stares at himself in a mirror, a victim of parental abuse and a military veteran.[4][9] The meaning imposed is that most do not see beyond the face that everyone puts on for the public. The clip ends with a dedication to Tyler Robinson (1995–2013), a fan of the band who died at the age of 17 in March 2013 following a battle with cancer.[4] The music reached the one billion view milestone on July 18, 2022.
Imagine Dragons linked up with Alex Da Kid for this track, one of four Night Vision cuts that he contributed towards. The English Hip-Hop producer is best known for co-writing Eminem's hit single "Love The Way You Lie" and Dr Dre's successful tune, "I Need A Doctor." Alex Da Kid and the producer's engineer Josh Mosser wrote the song along with the band. It finds lead singer Dan Reynolds warning a loved one not to get too close to him as he is "dark inside." He is more than aware of his imperfections and wants to protect the loved one from himself. Running just 2:55, this is one the shortest hit songs of its era. It shaves time by bypassing an intro and going right into the verse ("When the days are cold..."). The song relies on its story, so getting right into it plays to its strength. The song also ends abruptly, punctuating the theme: "It's where my demons hide." The Night Visions album title came together organically and ties into this song. Vocalist Dan Reynolds explained: "We all sat in a room and wrote out what the band and sound of the album means to us. We all deal with our own demons and anxieties but we find that nothing calms the mind more than creating. Many of the songs on the album were written late into the night, and some of the lyrical themes came from dreams I've had, even some nightmares. So when the title Night Visions came up, it just seemed to fit perfectly. We hope it inspires other to create, and push through their own struggles." The song's music video depicts images of Imagine Dragons performing the song at a hometown show in Las Vegas mixed with scenes of audience members thinking about their own personal demons. Director Isaac Halasima added a snippet at the clip's conclusion showing the band dedicating their hit "It's Time" to cancer victim Tyler Robinson. The 17-year-old fan subsequently died from the illness. The song logged 61 weeks on the Hot 100. In doing so, Imagine Dragons became the first act to have two songs that spend at least 60 weeks on the chart. ("Radioactive" spent a record-breaking 87 weeks on the Hot 100.) This featured in the official theatrical trailer for the 2012 film The Words as well as the soundtrack for the 2012 movie What to Expect When You're Expecting.
When the days are cold And the cards all fold And the saints we see Are all made of gold When your dreams all fail And the ones we hail Are the worst of all And the blood's run stale I wanna hide the truth I wanna shelter you But with the beast inside There's nowhere we can hide No matter what we breed We still are made of greed This is my kingdom come This is my kingdom come When you feel my heat Look into my eyes It's where my demons hide It's where my demons hide Don't get too close It's dark inside It's where my demons hide It's where my demons hide At the curtain's call It's the last of all When the lights fade out All the sinners crawl So they dug your grave And the masquerade Will come calling out At the mess you've made Don't wanna let you down But I am hellbound Though this is all for you Don't wanna hide the truth No matter what we breed We still are made of greed This is my kingdom come This is my kingdom come When you feel my heat Look into my eyes It's where my demons hide It's where my demons hide Don't get too close It's dark inside It's where my demons hide It's where my demons hide They say it's what you make I say it's up to fate It's woven in my soul I need to let you go Your eyes, they shine so bright I wanna save that light I can't escape this now Unless you show me how When you feel my heat Look into my eyes It's where my demons hide It's where my demons hide Don't get too close It's dark inside It's where my demons hide It's where my demons hide
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 26, 2013 | 99 | 27 |
| 2 | Feb 2, 2013 | 97 | 29 |
| 3 | Feb 9, 2013 | 93 | 33 |
| 4 | Feb 16, 2013 | 89 | 37 |
| 5 | Feb 23, 2013 | 90 | 36 |
| 16 | May 11, 2013 | 96 | 30 |
| 17 | May 18, 2013 | 91 | 35 |
| 18 | May 25, 2013 | 64 | 62 |
| 19 | Jun 1, 2013 | 68 | 58 |
| 20 | Jun 8, 2013 | 73 | 53 |
| 21 | Jun 15, 2013 | 73 | 53 |
| 22 | Jun 22, 2013 | 74 | 52 |
| 23 | Jun 29, 2013 | 67 | 59 |
| 24 | Jul 6, 2013 | 67 | 59 |
| 25 | Jul 13, 2013 | 63 | 63 |
| 26 | Jul 20, 2013 | 64 | 62 |
| 27 | Jul 27, 2013 | 63 | 63 |
| 28 | Aug 3, 2013 | 59 | 67 |
| 29 | Aug 10, 2013 | 68 | 58 |
| 30 | Aug 17, 2013 | 63 | 63 |