The album that changed Cage The Elephant

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Opening Theme by Matthew McClelland
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From their punk-filled debut (“Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked”) to the fine pop melodies of Melophobia (“Come A Little Closer”) and the sulkier songs of Social Cues (“Ready To Let Go”), Cage The Elephant are one of the most consistently entertaining bands of this generation.
Their five records have covered a ton of sonic ground making it difficult to corner them into just one subgenre of rock. They arrived at precisely the time when “post punk revival” began seeing a bit of a suppression -- and it’s clear the group saw this coming, as they transitioned towards a more pop-centric sound as time went on. Looking a little closer at the group’s songwriting, reveals frequent reflections on their thoughts and feelings on making music, their attempts at maintaining creative freedoms and realizing an overall musical identity.
Let’s uncage the elephant and take a look at what the former punk band had to become in order to stay relevant.
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#Middle8 #CageTheElephant
This video is sponsored by CuriosityStream
Written by Daniel Rosen and Frank Furtado
Voiced and edited by Frank Furtado
Additional Music by Matthew McClelland

[@evanb7449]

The fifth studio album was a answer to Matt's recent divorce, going through all the different phases throughout the breakup.

[@Boombadbecks]

^ in addition to loosing 2 of his friends to suicide

[@sammysalami2340]

I also thought Cold Cold Cold was also partially about who How Are You True is about, hence the lyric "the problems in my chest". could be wrong though

[@robjohnson1996]

yeah I think m8 missed the mark on this video

[@robjohnson1996]

not bashing at all. Quality as always!

[@RobbieRottun]

@@robjohnson1996 Yeah I feel as though he tried to analyze each album and place it within the journey of the band through the music industry which doesn’t necessarily work for a lot of songs.

[@lennajune]

I love bands that can successfully evolve and change to stay relevant, without making music that feels empty or sold-out. Cage the Elephant is one of the best In my opinion.

[@lostdilettante]

They’re one of the only groups who can make two songs be polar opposites right next to each other and still have them both be my favorite songs of all time (Teeth and Cigarette Daydreams) such an insanely talented group

[@Sophie_Pea]

arctic monkeys are another perfect example of this

[@TST0475]

@@Sophie_Pea I dont think the Arctic Monkeys try to change to stay relevant, all their albums are different and theyre all great, but Humbug wasnt really relevant back when it was released, people even got angry at the change of style. TBHC is the same, its weirdly different and pretty much not relevant, but it does sound great in its style. Its definitly not a bad thing though, they change their style just because they want it, because they want to make new music in different styles, which really is what you want as a artist.

[@Sophie_Pea]

@@TST0475 that thought crossed my mind too, especially with tranquility base. That was a pretty big shot in the dark and they would’ve known that. But like you said they more so did it because they want to I was mainly trying to point out just how often they have changed genres and people still really enjoy it

[@TST0475]

@@Sophie_Pea Yeah its definitly true that they can make great songs in lots of different kind of styles, its definitly a very great band. Im very curious about what they are going to do for their next album.

[@littlepip8343]

Cage the Elephant is my comfort music. No matter at what point in my life I am, I can always go back and find something of theirs to listen to.

[@gabeburch8234]

Fun fact, Matt Shultz actually changes the story about how the band got its name like every time someone asks him

[@Jacob-il6cq]

I was gonna say I remember something about a magazine.

[@mixalisss6216]

cage the elephant one of the most energetic bands out there.

[@sMaShEdToMaToS]

They are very interesting to watch live

[@aohall]

then and arctic are the best out there rn

[@ChristianUrea]

Nice profile picture

[@aohall]

@@ChristianUrea who

[@peteroneill5426]

Certainly, but no one is close to the manic energy of the Hives!

[@adrianw.8410]

cage the elephant is one of the few bands that i enjoy songs from every single one of their albums

[@firstlast9078]

Right that's why I can't pick a favorite lol.. you got "back against the wall" on this one "Aberdeen" over here "Halo" right there "That's right" where it's supposed to be and more recently "ready to let go"

[@j.g5934]

Tame Imapala is up there too.

[@racistpixel1017]

What is the song at 13:20?

[@gdsupreme5040]

​@@racistpixel1017sounds like a slow+reverb of come a little closer.

[@chaeritea]

I still find it crazy that TMIP and Social Cues both won best rock album while Melophobia wasn't even nominated

[@LuminousVeil]

Right? I think Melophobia was their magnum opus and well-deserving of many accolades

[@elihanchey7679]

SC and TMIP were both really good but Melophobia was insanely good

[@matthewkiker665]

Melophobia is my fav album

[@richardrodriguez8526]

it was nominated in 2015, lost to St.Vincent

[@nickgreen2905]

I disagree that "Tell me I'm pretty" was a redundant release. I think it is their most emotional and polished album. It's the most sonically ambitious after social cues. The narrator also states that shake me down was about not being stuck in the past while a lot of people think it's about drug addiction or being trapped by other people's expectations. I get that this video is one person's personal opinion but it seems extremely reductive for such an enigmatic band.

[@timbosubs7622]

i completely agree, it was tell me i'm pretty that made me fall in love w them, the first song of theirs i rlly fell in love with was sweetie little jean, the emotion poured into that song is so real i can almost feel the pain that those lyrics represent

[@aimeeveal4627]

@@timbosubs7622 yeah that album is quality as, i felt attacked when middle 8 was discrediting it and pretty much calling it sad and boring lol

[@JesusGomez-ob2qt]

Tell me im pretty is their best album wbk

[@3scrs334]

Sonically Melophobia is much richer than Tell Me I'm Pretty, but narratively it's definitely their best record. It's normal that after you establish yourself with a big record you pour all your hooks and ideas into the next to keep people hooked. AM and FF did the same.

[@PerkyPineapple]

Yeah the downplaying of how great Tell Me I'm Pretty and Social Cues are is really strange to me. It's like I couldn't tell what he was trying to say because he calls them redundant and then praises them for allowing the band to stay true to themselves and try new things which is not redundant and just seemed like it was contradicting himself.

[@olavsveras5415]

I think you misinterpreted some of the songs from Social Cues a bit. Most of the songs are about Matt’s recent dicorce from hus long time wife. Especially the song Goodbye is definetly about her more than their sound

[@Cass1DyTho]

Isn't that song about the life losses of closest to band people? I definitely heard it being this way in one of Matt's interviews.

[@psychotropicstate]

@@Cass1DyTho Probably a bit of column a, column b

[@tashaneumann42]

i think rather than a misinterpretation it was more likely he knew what he was expected to say but wanted to find new interesting ways of finding a message. even if there really was or wasn't one there.

[@agrippa.the.cosmonaut-wiz]

Cage the Elephant sorta got me into music. When I first came across their sound my young pop-sick-mind instantly attached itself to their sound. First band I called my favorite.

[@Lisa-gp4gl]

Same they got me into rock

[@Nergal_Slayer]

They really broadened my music taste. I was tired of the white stripes.

[@abbedurgut3743]

Tha was Arctic Monkeys for me XD

[@Significantmiddle]

Same here, man.

[@floppavevo5920]

for me gorillaz did that it made me realize that there was more out there than pop and it completely opened my eyes to how much i did actually care for music and that i was just looking in the wrong places

[@tykabot5520]

Kinda feels like Middle 8 is reaching a lot of the time to fit his own narrative. Goodbye is not them saying goodbye to their music, it’s about Matt’s divorce. Kinda discredits the entire video when you’re frequently picking and choosing lyrics to fit a narrative they’re not a part of.

[@olivermuz4454]

Was thinking the exact same thing

[@moth9659]

I also got really confused when they used cigarettes daydream like that

[@Mystic_Apollo]

Well you know what they say, every person interprets songs different and as we aren't in the writers heads, they could well have been thinking of both things at the same time

[@guntbuckler2890]

@@Mystic_Apollo Ok... but if we can’t know what’s in the writer’s head, you shouldn’t just assume a narrative and present it so confidently like middle 8 did

[@Mystic_Apollo]

@@guntbuckler2890 yeah I understand that, I'm just presenting the point that it fits his narrative surprisingly well, and with how well crafted the song lyrics have been throughout cage's discography I would be suprised if it was written with both intentions in mind

[@ratk1ng.0]

Love or hate them, they have some good ass singles. People dont listen to songs over and over for no reason

[@realityjay6300]

honestly cigarette daydreams is so different from any of their other songs,and that’s what makes it so good

[@topgoose4818]

They seem to have at least one simplistic acoustic song per album Debut Album - Cover me Again Thank you happy birthday - Rubber Ball Melophobia - Cigarette Daydreams Tell Me I'm Pretty - How Are You True Social Cues - Love's the Only Way

[@wynks5456]

@@topgoose4818 or even the end of flow has an acoustic cover of right before my eyes which is fire. Comes as a single if you buy the record

[@dk0139]

@@wynks5456 it’s called shiver- or originally that’s what they choose to call it

[@anthonygroll8221]

Melophobia is easily my favorite album. It’s so unique

[@anthonygroll8221]

@@evanismakingmusic Favorite out of their music but it’s definitely in my top 3 favorite albums of all time

[@nicholasboatwright5407]

I don't think halo got enough love.

[@racistpixel1017]

What is the song at 13:20?

[@dirtfromabyssaldark]

samee i especially love halo and teeth

[@dirtfromabyssaldark]

@@racistpixel1017 its this guys intro and outro or smth its def not cage the elephant

[@jbryant5253]

My dad played "Ain't no rest for the Wicked" when I was smaller and the sing will forever be an onportant part of me brigning me back to the early 2010's, God I love that song

[@6eggsinmybrain]

As a huge CTE fan, calling them a punk band is quite the overstatement. In One Ear is their only real punk song. They don't even really have any pop-punk songs. They're absolutely a rock band, though they are absolutely going to pop-rock, but they aren't punks.

[@zackzallie8735]

They have the proto-punk/garage rock sound of the 60's like The Stooges and MC5.

[@timdupre3799]

They have undeniable punk influence but I wouldn't call them a punk band. Sell yourself, teeth, sabertooth tiger, and in one ear are a few examples of that. I still hear light punk influences in their polished and poppy stuff, like the house of glass.

[@LondonBeaty]

I disagree, I think japanese buffalo is quite punk

[@A0Fz99]

To be honest I thought they were a punk band but that was just when I met their first album, post punk/garage punk are not even my favorite genres but I loved their music back them, I still like some of their "new" music like "cold cold cold" and "mess around" but not as much as their first album, I understand why they changed now at least

[@nicholasboatwright5407]

I think Matt brings the punk charisma sometimes when he is on stage. He seems like a true to who he is kinda guy

[@Camds1111]

Melophobia is one my favorite albums of all time.

[@dillpi8866]

melophobia is a top ten album of the 2010s

[@raynebirkin6726]

Honestly their peak imo

[@JesusGomez-ob2qt]

@@raynebirkin6726 imo their peak was tell me im pretty

[@gjmcgee]

Blurryface #1 Though I’m extremely bias :/

[@log549]

This is a band I will always want to listen to, their music always feels fresh to me even when its been out for years!

[@Dom404]

Unpeeled is literally the greatest live album i've ever listened to, their own discography plus the covers are just amazing from start to finish

[@Owen_DAP]

I think instant crush sucks, but other than that I agree

[@jennyneon]

*Middle 8* but their videos are a Top 10 in quality each time.

[@Leon-zl1iv]

ethan

[@anthonmecham5390]

hey

[@carissanami5824]

love your username. the pride of extraversion is underrated

[@aliyamaryiwska]

@@carissanami5824 you're right, being introverted is kinda a trend now, but what about extroverts

[@TommCC]

I think Social Cues is the album that made me like Cage The Elephant, it is so sincere, still experimental. I saw in this record a real evolution in sound and themes, something unique.

[@PerkyPineapple]

Yeah really strange he called it and Tell Me I'm Pretty redundant

[@Aaron8ishop]

I don’t think I’ve ever clicked a video as quickly as I did on this when I saw it. Cage have been one of my favourite bands since I was 14 (7 years). Seen them twice and both times were some of the best gig experiences I’ve ever had. Truly one of the less mainstream greats. ‘In One Ear’ and ‘Aberdeen’ will always be two of my favourite songs

[@DAZUNIVERSALINDUSTREIS]

I clicked so fast too

[@anishka4207]

I FUCKING LOVE ABERDEEN SO SO SO SO MUCH

[@Wildwonkywhack]

Matt crowd surfed at a concert I was at and I got to touch him, I’ve never fan boyed so hard in my life. The show was amazing and they all seem so genuine

[@holdensaunders1008]

Same, in New York 2019

[@garriteinig3445]

Cage the Elephant has long been my favorite band, and it's been great to grow up with their music. I latched onto them in middle school shortly after "Thank You, Happy Birthday" came out, and their sonic evolution and growing up coincided with my own growing up and change into adulthood. I love how each one of their albums is so different from any of the others, but always sounds exactly how Cage the Elephant should sound.

[@OpTicShame]

Love the artists and bands ya pick to do these on

[@billmcgrane5659]

This is one of the only bands that will come out with a new record and I'll listen to it on repeat CONSTANTLY

[@samuelalejandrojurado9847]

Your videos are always so eye openning. Every time you cover a band I love , I found much more significance and meaning in their work. Please never stop making these

[@josiahclagett1105]

The quick zoom into the eyeball when he says "looking a little closer." @0:51

[@keegenhill5885]

Thank you so much for making this! Cage has always been one of my most favorite bands and I always wanted you to make a video about them!! You've made my night!

[@bramwal2380]

I had the chance to see Cage the Elephant with 50 or so people in a small acoustic set on a festival in 2019, one of the most surreal moments ever. Really intimate setting but with the amazing stage presence of Matt.

[@fbrazz9927]

When I got borderlands 1 I was introduced to one of the greatest video games ever and one of my favorite bands ever.

[@abdeldorado]

The quality you put in your work is absolutely stunning, congratulations really, love what you do and simply, keep it up!

[@andrescamilonavarroorjuela6312]

I love that you make appreciate more the music I already enjoy, while also encouraging me to explore different kinds of music I don't usually enjoy. Great.

[@Mrrossthaboss2000]

I think in order to fully appreciate the second album, you have to see them, performing those songs live. Those songs sounded a lot better when you could see Matt in front of you pouring sweat, singing his head off and interacting with the crowd.

[@ORYAN99]

The second album is the best one

[@NoiseThatLaughs]

Thank You Happy Birthday was the soundtrack to my angsty teen period. Easily my favorite CTE album.

[@eugenioporgenio263]

Still the best concert I've been to, such an amazing raw energy. Matt pours his heart out with every song. Its damn beautiful

[@The1920sChannel]

Man, their first two albums will always be near the top of my albums list

[@frontrowruby6725]

agreed!

[@cyan-eyes6317]

i've been waiting for one of these on cage the elephant

[@olavsveras5415]

Thank you! I have been begging for this video❤️

[@watchtheworld7840]

The song "Shake me down" always brings tears to me..

[@willymunksby7518]

Middle 8, you're bloody epic, sick vids man, dont ever change

[@howyanow1993]

Seeing these live in The Academy in Dublin a few years ago was an amazing an experience. In between songs they interacted with the crowd telling them how much they love their Irish fans. And the Irish fans gave the love right back. Great night.

[@argxz4200]

Accidentally came across this band and I've loved their songs for about 3 years now

[@eugenecooper6395]

It’s so sad that there are so less videos about them

[@farandowski]

I love how you meticulously deep dive and highlight musical acts that aren't in the mainstream line of sight! It's awesome and opens up your viewers to new acts. Keep up the good work! Hopefully you'll be able to make a video on the likes of AJR & Nothing but thieves in the future.

[@alexanderamaya6977]

Discovered them 3-4 years ago, and now they are my favorite band. Melophobia is such a good record with it's Beatles esque sound. Still their best record. There is something about their music that feels genuine, raw, real and uplifting, they have evolve but have not lost their essence.

[@action8071]

Your video editing is fantastic, very nice edit

[@TheFakePenguin]

I’ve been waiting for a cage the elephant video and I’m so happy it is here

[@flaresparksstudios1199]

Finally, I was waiting for you to do a video on this band

[@ezekielv4226]

Finally a new video on KZbin of Cage! Fell in love with cage the elephant when I was 10yo in 2008 when I saw Aint No Rest For the Wicked on MTV early one morning, I remember going to target the next day and being so excited to see their self titled album and bought it instantly and fell in love with them and Matt since. I’ve seen them 4 times and even met Matt years ago the second time I saw them, very amazing and down to earth guy. I’m happy he’s doing better and happy now, proud to be an OG cage lover hahaha

[@prer_m]

This was very well made. Thank you!

[@cyclonasaurusrex1525]

Great band, but they were never “punk” or even punk-adjacent. Bluesy-garage at first.

[@pepijnh5276]

I would call them a lil punk, if you listen to their song 'free love' its pretty punkrock to me. But genres are always hars to define

[@nietaiden4436]

wasnt Thank You Happy Birthday based on punk rock?

[@powertothepeople447]

These guys are awesome, I love how they've evolved and I love all their music, haven't heard all their songs but I've heard a little of each album, phenomenal, and honestly deserve alot more credit in my opinion.

[@coletrainhetrick]

I love cage the elephant so much, I want them to get all the recognition they deserve

[@joeltravis9446]

I love this band so much. I saw them live at the music hall on my college campus and was like 5 rows from the stage and Matt and Brad came out into the crowd, Matt was stage diving, Brad stood in the seat next to me and they played Ain't No Rest For The Wicked while they did that. Like, I was legit touching brad and turned around and saw the whole venue staring at where we were. It was an awesome experience.

[@CNRMAX]

god i love this channel so much thank you for making videos about the literal best stuff

[@jackbrown4697]

When I first read the description, I thought it was about the Talking Heads album

[@sarahdevos245]

thank you for this video :) this is one of my fav band and you bring an interesting pov love u

[@Franceypants10]

i really want them to tour in the UK, been wanting to see them Live for Years

[@ForkySeven]

I'm so happy that i've been able to see this band live twice!

[@lizzzzzzzzzzzzzzz]

This band has so much importance to me, I truly love them and can only be thankful for the day we met. Beautiful video, congrats from Brazil!

[@edenbru11]

Made me so happy when I saw the thumbnail I love Cage The Elephant!! They’re one of my favorite bands for sure they’re super talented and have a variety of sounds that I all enjoy and they’ve made some of my all time favorite songs like Cigarette Daydreams and Ready To Let Go

[@zkingsalsa]

come a little closer is my favorite song to play on guitar

[@truecanadian1615]

This is my favorite band for sure. I've know that for years now. I dont know why but it speaks to me.

[@azzytheangel5494]

always love seeing a new middle 8 upload

[@amandakimble1529]

Great video 😁 I know the requests get old but I would love to see a video on any aspect of Bastille. I’m very curious about the little samples they use from films (I assume), some of the time and how these enhance the songs. The band is just so cinematic. 💚

[@drivingwithcoolcody]

Yes I've been waiting for them

[@LoganHimesShow1]

I’m from close to bowling green KY where cage is from and have loved them from the day I first saw perfect confusion play for free on the lawn at WKU and I’ve got to say Mellophobia is my absolute favorite album of theirs.

[@thomasdelege2382]

One of my favorite bands right from the start. Seen them live three times and loved it everytime!

[@gabbo3.070]

God oh god what a ride this video was. Just like Cage, you keep churning out bangers.

[@212ollie]

Yo dude, love the way you tell a story, you should put a playlist of the songs in order in the description. Good look with the podcast, n keep doing you dude.

[@dantedowney]

You’re so talented man

[@countingcoup]

One of my favorite live performance bands, but I still am more drawn to their original material.

[@maple8040]

Thanks for showing me this band

[@q-uivs]

always cool to see fountain square show up in videos

[@user-vv7og1gt7t]

Love the mix of genres I hear very different sounds that sound like other bands Keep it up 👍

[@larkvonseggen6977]

i love this band more than i love anything it’s all so perfect and i love the chaos

[@lukesalazar9283]

An interesting connection you might look at is how CTE moved to a sound like Modest Mouse

[@TheShadowNetwork.]

Cage the Elephant we're at their best with "In one ear"

[@daviskampschror4874]

cant wait for their next album

[@bherrin67]

The album Social Cues was a revelation! 👍🏻🎸

[@bigaleinstein4639]

Thank you happy birthday is probably my favorite album of all time. And for a while i put off listening to it

[@guit4rguy]

Video on Modest Mouse? I love your videos so much, you put so much effort into them and they’re always enjoyable. Have a great day!

[@BruteForceIt]

Saw them in concert at the NORVA and he was standing on the crowd it was awesome they danced hard the whole time

[@joshdutton4899]

The fear of music? Let me tell you about Jorge Elbrecht, the Costa Rican singer head of iconic indie bands Violens and Lansing-Dreiden. Elbrecht’s disaffection with popular music and internet culture developed into a pathology by his late twenties, resulting in dangerously high levels of stress and anxiety as the thematic content of his work grew darker. His deterioration culminated in the onset of rapid aging that saw his health decline markedly. This, according to his estate, is confirmed by a test of Elbrecht’s DNA which shows his genetic age at 76. That’s what I call the fear of music. His music is amazing, by the way, look him up!

[@Ty-hu4pd]

This is the video I’ve been waiting for

[@sambruchhaus1510]

Cage the Elephant is one of the best live acts I’ve ever seen. It is a huge part of why they got big.

[@caperise]

loved them since middle school

[@austinf.243]

Was JUST watching your video on Coldplay.

[@andreja9425]

this is so odd, I just listened to melophobia (an album I used to listen to constantly) for the first time in YEARS like 2 day’s ago and remembered why I loved it as much as I did. This video came out at such a perfect time Im shook

[@AnyAndEverything101]

THANK YOU!!! I love Cage the Elephant and you just gave me a new album to listen to!! Perfect Confusion is kickass!! Love watching your videos man! Can you make a video about the Growlers? I wanna know what you think of them and there as they call it "beach goth" music.

[@ftb7986]

Cage The Elephant refers to the "Elephant in the room" being the horrible atrocities that are going on in the world. The Cage refers to the media covering up these atrocities. In their song "Tiny Little Robots" they sing 'they'll keep you so amused, you'll never taste the truth." Their entire first album is very radically driven.

[@Arewethereyet69]

Next album should pay tribute to their the album

[@gianlucaarbexfierro1011]

sooooo good the video omg

[@user-mc9tp1we1i]

My favorite band, fantastic video!

[@TappCorporation]

I'm so gutted that their concert that I had tickets for was cancelled :(

[@liamcauley6661]

god bless you for making this

[@rodrigodelpradom4499]

The video was great! Please make a video about AM's tranquility base hotel & casino

[@lastmatch1111]

Would love to see a video on Cloud Nothings

[@peymickey]

I was about to cry when I saw a video got made on my fav band