What makes Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons notable?

The song became a commercial success, peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and dominating streaming platforms. Its use in various media, including sports broadcasts and advertising campaigns, highlighted its cultural resonance and cemented its role as an anthem for perseverance. By the time 'Whatever It Takes' was released in 2017, Imagine Dragons had already achieved significant commercial success with their previous albums, particularly the breakout 'Night Visions'. This track marked a shift toward a more assertive and motivational sound, coming just before their third studio album, 'Evolve', which further solidified their place in the pop-rock landscape.

How many songs are on Whatever It Takes?

Whatever It Takes has 2 tracks, running approximately 6 minutes.

Whatever It Takes

Imagine Dragons · 2017

6 min · 2 tracks · alternative rock

Anthemic melodies and driving rhythms fuse with introspective lyrics, creating a powerful backdrop for resilience and determination.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Whatever It Takes — This title track showcases the band's signature blend of soaring choruses and motivational themes, encapsulating the spirit of resilience that defines the album.
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Thunder — This remix elevates the original’s infectious beat while reinforcing themes of self-empowerment, making it a staple in the band's live performances.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The track combines energetic rhythms with motivational lyrics, making it a strong anthem but not deeply complex.

What we noticed

The song features a steady, driving beat that maintains an energetic pace throughout its duration.
Chorus sections are marked by layered vocal harmonies that create an anthemic quality, inviting listener participation.
The lyrics focus on themes of resilience and determination, with a repetitive structure that emphasizes key phrases.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This single solidified their mainstream success after 'Night Visions'.
Themes: arena rock anthems· motivational resilience· electronic pulsations
Career context: By the time 'Whatever It Takes' was released in 2017, Imagine Dragons had already achieved significant commercial success with their previous albums, particularly the breakout 'Night Visions'. This track marked a shift toward a more assertive and motivational sound, coming just before their third studio album, 'Evolve', which further solidified their place in the pop-rock landscape.
Stylistic neighbors: OneRepublic· X Ambassadors· Awolnation