The official music video for , directed by Michael Muller , was released on January 24, 2013, as the lead single for their third album, Native . While the song’s euphoric dance-pop production suggests a standard party anthem, it is anchored by a darker, more personal inspiration. The Meaning and Inspiration
Frontman Ryan Tedder has stated that the song is rooted in his "buried, latent fear of flying".
Tedder describes it as a "morbid concept" turned into a celebration of the present moment—if life only has 60 to 90 seconds left, you spend them in total connection with another person. Video Concept and Plot OneRepublic - If I Lose Myself (Official Music Video)
The music video avoids literal depictions of a plane crash, which Tedder felt would be too difficult for fans to watch repeatedly. Instead, it uses a scavanger-hunt narrative:
The core message is about finding peace in a moment of sheer panic because the person you love is by your side. The official music video for , directed by
The lyrics describe a plane going down from 40,000 feet.
The story follows a group of fans in a city chasing clues—spray-painted symbols on hydrants and street signs—inspired by films like 12 Monkeys and the "Follow the White Rabbit" scene from The Matrix . Tedder describes it as a "morbid concept" turned
The clues lead the group to a secret, underground OneRepublic concert in a dark, smoke-filled room.