I Bet My Life

"I Bet My Life"
A painting of a man with four arms holing out his hands. His chest is cut out by a black, circular hole and a mockingbird takes its place. The words "Imagine Dragons" and "I Bet My Life" are placed inside the hole as well.
Single by Imagine Dragons
from the album Smoke + Mirrors
ReleasedOctober 27, 2014 (2014-10-27)
Recorded2014
StudioImagine Dragons Studio (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Genre
Length3:12
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Imagine Dragons
Imagine Dragons singles chronology
"Warriors"
(2014) 		"I Bet My Life"
(2014) 		"Gold"
(2014)
Music video
"I Bet My Life" on YouTube

"I Bet My Life" is a song by American pop rock band Imagine Dragons. The track, written by band members Ben McKee, Daniel Platzman, Dan Reynolds and Wayne Sermon, was released as the lead single from their second studio album Smoke + Mirrors (2015) on October 27, 2014. The band's network debut performing the track occurred at the American Music Awards (2014), where they received the award for Favorite Alternative Artist.[3][4]

Composition

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Themes

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Lead singer Dan Reynolds has stated that the song is about his relationship with his parents and explained that while "at times it's been strained and difficult... in the end, 'I Bet My Life' celebrates the bond that we still hold on to."[5]

Music video

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On December 12, 2014, Imagine Dragons released the official music video for "I Bet My Life". The video was directed by Jodeb and features actors Dane DeHaan[6] and Alex Neustaedter.[7] Footage from the video featured in advertising by American automobile manufacturer Jeep at the American Music Awards, prior to the release of the video.[8]

Synopsis

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The beginning and end of the video take place at the Salt River in Arizona. A car is shown driving to the river. The cast are the members of Imagine Dragons, and their relatives and friends. Somewhere else at the river, a boy in a shirt (DeHaan) and a boy in overalls (Neustaedter) are seen fighting at the waterbed. While walking away, Neustaedter eventually pushes DeHaan into the river, and it is implied that DeHaan swims away, while the former stares in shock. DeHaan is pulled towards a dam, in which he is sucked in. He lands in a house, looks out the window, and sees that everything is covered with water. He finds a bed and instantly goes to sleep. The next morning, DeHaan finds himself in a sailboat, and takes control of it. He tries unsuccessfully to avoid a waterfall, but ends up flying over the land in the boat after he goes over the waterfall. While looking over the boat, DeHaan decides to flip it upside down. He falls into a city, where a crowd is shown carrying him. They toss and turn him, until he realizes it was a vision and he was knocked unconscious in the dam. He is pulled back up to the surface by Neustaedter, and survives. The last shot of the video zooms out from the point where DeHaan is picked up, and the video ends.

Reception

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Carolyn Menyes of Music Times called the song "Another [Imagine Dragons] strong armed rolling anthem."[9] James Grebey of www.spin.com called it "Bombastic"[10] and USA Today named it "Song of the week" during October 27-November 4.[11]

Track listing

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Digital download
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."I Bet My Life"
Imagine Dragons3:12

Remixes

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Bastille, Alex Adair, Lost Kings, Imagine Dragons, and Riot Games have all released remixes.

Personnel

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Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[47] 2× Platinum 80,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[48] 3× Platinum 240,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[49] Gold 25,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[50] Gold 20,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[51] Gold 30,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[52] Gold 20,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[53] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[54] 3× Platinum 3,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Accolades

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Year Ceremony Award Result
2015 Teen Choice Awards Choice Rock Song[55] Nominated

Release history

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Region Date Format Label Ref.
Australia October 27, 2014 Digital download
[56]
Canada [57]
United States [58]
Italy Contemporary hit radio Interscope Records [59]
United States November 3, 2014 Adult album alternative radio [60]
November 4, 2014 Modern rock radio [61]
January 27, 2015 Contemporary hit radio [62]
United Kingdom February 8, 2015 Digital download
  • Interscope Records
  • KIDinaKORNER
 [63]

References

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  1. ^ "Imagine Dragons Release Bombastic New Song From Upcoming Album". SPIN.
  2. ^ Bill Lamb (July 6, 2017). "Review and Background of Imagine Dragons' "I Bet My Life"". www.thoughtco.com.
  3. ^ Daniel D’Addario (November 23, 2014). "Imagine Dragons "I Bet My Life" American Music Awards". TIME.com.
  4. ^ "Imagine Dragons Bet It All On A New Sound At The 2014 AMAs!". Archived from the original on December 27, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  5. ^ Grebey, James (October 27, 2014). "Imagine Dragons Release Bombastic New Song From Upcoming Album". Spin. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  6. ^ "Imagine Dragons' 'I Bet My Life' Video Sucks a Kid Into a Dam « Radio.com". Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  7. ^ "Alex Neustaedter « IMDb.com". IMDb.
  8. ^ Pollack, Judann (November 23, 2014). "Chrysler Blitzes American Music Awards With Fergie, Imagine Dragons and More". AdvertisingAge. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  9. ^ "REVIEW: Imagine Dragons Release Fan-Pleasing New Single "I Bet My Life" from New Album 2015 [LISTEN] : Reviews". Music Times. October 27, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  10. ^ "Imagine Dragons Release Bombastic New Song From Upcoming Album". SPIN. October 27, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  11. ^ Mansfield, Brian (October 27, 2014). "Song of the Week: Imagine Dragons' 'I Bet My Life'". USA Today.
  12. ^ "Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  13. ^ "Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  14. ^ "Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  15. ^ "Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  16. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  17. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  18. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  19. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  20. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 51,52. týden 2014 in the date selector. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  21. ^ "Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life" (in French). Les classement single.
  22. ^ "Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  23. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  24. ^ "Chart Track: Week 7, 2015". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  25. ^ "FIMI/GfK Top Digital, Classifica settimanale WK 8 (dal 2015-02-16 al 2015-02-22)" (in Italian). Top Digital Download. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  26. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  27. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Imagine Dragons" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  28. ^ "Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  29. ^ "Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  30. ^ "Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  31. ^ "Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  32. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  33. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  34. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  35. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  36. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  37. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  38. ^ "Imagine Dragons Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  39. ^ "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  40. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 : Dec 31, 2015 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  41. ^ "Adult Alternative Songs : Dec 31, 2015 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  42. ^ "Adult Pop Songs : Dec 31, 2015 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  43. ^ "Alternative Songs : Dec 31, 2015 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  44. ^ "Hot Rock Songs : Dec 31, 2015 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  45. ^ "Rock Airplay Songs : Dec 31, 2015 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  46. ^ "Rock Digital Songs : Dec 31, 2015 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  47. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  48. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life". Music Canada. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  49. ^ "Italian single certifications – Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  50. ^ "Norwegian single certifications – Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  51. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  52. ^ "Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life" (in Swedish). Grammofonleverantörernas förening. Archived from the original on March 31, 2024. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  53. ^ "British single certifications – Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  54. ^ "American single certifications – Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  55. ^ "Teen Choice Awards 2015 Nominees: Wave 2 Revealed! | E! News". Eonline.com. July 8, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  56. ^ "I Bet My Life – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store. Australia: Apple. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  57. ^ "I Bet My Life – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store. Canada: Apple. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  58. ^ "I Bet My Life – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store. United States: Apple. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  59. ^ "Imagine Dragons – I Bet My Life (Interscope Records)" (in Italian). Radio Airplay SRL. Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  60. ^ "Triple A > Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  61. ^ "Alternative > Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  62. ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  63. ^ "I Bet My Life – Single by Imagine Dragons". iTunes Store. United Kingdom: Apple. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
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