Imagine Dragons: How a text once saved singer Dan Reynolds’ marriage
Three years ago, Dan Reynolds, the frontman of Imagine Dragons, believed his marriage was over. He and his wife, Aja Volkman, had not spoken for seven months, and all communication regarding their three children was managed through a third party. In April 2018, Reynolds announced their separation on Twitter, with divorce papers ready to be signed.
However, as Reynolds was on his way to finalize the divorce, his phone pinged with a life-changing message from Volkman.
“That was the first time she talked to me in seven months,” Reynolds recalls. “The message said something like: ‘I love you. I don’t need to own you to love you. I can love you without expectations.'”
The unexpected message made Reynolds reconsider everything. When he arrived at the lawyer’s office, he asked his wife, “Why are we getting a divorce?” She simply laughed, and the couple decided not to go through with it. Instead of signing the papers, they left together, went to lunch, and treated it as a first date, rekindling their love.
By the end of the year, Reynolds had re-proposed, and the couple was fully back together. Now, they are happily raising their 16-month-old son, Valentine.
“It’s interesting that someone can alter your entire life in a sentence,” Reynolds reflects. “If she hadn’t sent that message, we would have signed those papers.”
As a musician who processes his emotions through music, Reynolds drew inspiration from their reunion. Imagine Dragons’ new single, “Follow You,” is a testament to his renewed commitment to their relationship, with lyrics that convey a deep dedication: “I’ll follow you way down where you may go / I’ll follow you way down to your deepest low.”
“I wanted to represent a love that is realistic,” Reynolds says. “Anybody who’s married and has kids knows that it’s hard. It takes work and it doesn’t always work out, but fortunately for us, it’s fantastic right now.”
Alongside “Follow You,” Imagine Dragons also released another track, “Cutthroat,” which contrasts with the love ballad. Produced by Rick Rubin, “Cutthroat” is a raw and intense song that delves into Reynolds’ insecurities.
“It’s probably the angriest song I’ve ever written,” Reynolds explains. “Rick really pushed me to be more direct in my lyrics, and the result is something that’s honest and cathartic.”
For Reynolds, the last few years have been transformative, both personally and musically. The time spent off the road with his family has brought them closer than ever, and the band’s new music reflects the journey he’s been on.
With a completed new album produced by Rubin, Imagine Dragons is ready to share their evolution with the world. As Reynolds looks back on the past decade, he’s grateful for the highs and lows that have shaped both his life and his music.
