Feature Photo: Caitlin Ison, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Cage the Elephant was formed in 2006 in Bowling Green, Kentucky, by brothers Matt and Brad Shultz, along with Jared Champion, Daniel Tichenor, and Lincoln Parish. After building a following locally, the band made a decisive move to London in 2008, shortly before releasing their self-titled debut album. That record introduced their blend of garage rock, punk blues, and psychedelic influences, and spawned several successful singles including “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” which broke into the Billboard Hot 100 and became a defining song of the late 2000s alternative scene. Their energetic live shows and raw, dynamic sound helped them quickly find an audience in both the U.S. and the U.K.
Their second album, Thank You, Happy Birthday, arrived in 2011 and reflected a louder, more chaotic punk influence, inspired by bands like Pixies and Nirvana. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and featured standout tracks such as “Shake Me Down” and “Around My Head.” As their profile rose, so did their reputation for unpredictable, emotionally charged performances, often led by frontman Matt Shultz’s unhinged stage presence. During this period, their creative direction evolved, culminating in a turning point with their third album.
In 2013, Melophobia was released, showcasing a major shift toward a more deliberate exploration of sonic identity. With songs like “Come a Little Closer” and “Cigarette Daydreams,” the band crafted a more nuanced and introspective style that retained their signature edge while embracing melodic complexity. The album marked a critical breakthrough and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album, proving their evolution was resonating beyond just radio play and festival slots.
The 2015 album Tell Me I’m Pretty, produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, leaned even more heavily into vintage rock and blues textures. It won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2017, elevating the band’s credibility among critics while maintaining their mainstream appeal. Around this time, original guitarist Lincoln Parish departed to pursue a production career, replaced by Nick Bockrath, whose presence added new dimension to the band’s sound.
Cage the Elephant continued their upward trajectory with the release of Social Cues in 2019, an emotionally raw and sonically polished record born out of personal turmoil, including Matt Shultz’s divorce and the death of a close friend. Tracks like “Ready to Let Go” and “Skin and Bones” explored grief, identity, and self-destruction, wrapped in a refined production aesthetic. The album won the band their second Grammy for Best Rock Album in 2020, solidifying their place among modern rock’s most decorated and respected acts.
In 2024, they released Neon Pill, their sixth studio album. Though still fresh in the public ear, the record represents another bold chapter in their stylistic evolution. With nearly two decades of constant reinvention behind them, the band continues to defy genre conventions while maintaining a connection to the raw spirit that first brought them attention. Their catalog reflects a willingness to grow artistically while never losing sight of their foundational grit.
Beyond their musical output, the members of Cage the Elephant have also engaged in artistic pursuits outside of the studio. Matt Shultz has become known for his visual art, fashion-forward performances, and outspoken personality, while other members have pursued producing, side projects, and collaborations with a wide range of artists. The band has remained an active presence on the festival circuit and has performed on major stages worldwide, bringing a visceral, unpredictable energy to every show.
Cage the Elephant’s longevity and critical acclaim can be attributed not only to their musical versatility but also to their relentless commitment to authenticity. They’ve consistently taken creative risks while staying rooted in the emotional honesty and raw expression that defined their early work. Through six studio albums, two Grammy wins, and a dynamic career spanning almost 20 years, they’ve proven themselves as one of the most adaptive and enduring rock acts of their era.
Complete List Of Cage The Elephant Songs From A to Z
- 2024 – Thank You, Happy Birthday – 2011
- 2024 (Acoustic) – Thank You, Happy Birthday (Acoustic Bonus Disc) – 2011
- Aberdeen – Thank You, Happy Birthday – 2011
- Aberdeen (Acoustic) – Thank You, Happy Birthday (Acoustic Bonus Disc) – 2011
- Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked – Cage the Elephant – 2008
- Always Something – Thank You, Happy Birthday – 2011
- Around My Head – Thank You, Happy Birthday – 2011
- Around My Head (Acoustic) – Thank You, Happy Birthday (Acoustic Bonus Disc) – 2011
- Baby Blue – Melophobia (B-Side) – 2013
- Back Against the Wall – Cage the Elephant – 2008
- Back Stabbin’ Betty – Cage the Elephant – 2008
- Ball and Chain – Neon Pill – 2024
- Black Madonna – Social Cues – 2019
- Black Widow – Melophobia – 2013
- Broken Boy – Social Cues – 2019
- Broken Boy (featuring Iggy Pop) – Non-album single – 2020
- Carry Me In – Thank You, Happy Birthday (B-Side) – 2011
- Cigarette Daydreams – Melophobia – 2013
- Cold Cold Cold – Tell Me I’m Pretty – 2015
- Come a Little Closer – Melophobia – 2013
- Cover Me Again – Cage the Elephant (CagetheElephant.com bonus track) – 2008
- Cry Baby – Tell Me I’m Pretty – 2015
- Dance Dance – Social Cues – 2019
- Doctor Doctor Doctor, Help Me Help Me Help Me – Thank You, Happy Birthday (B-Side) – 2011
- Drones in the Valley – Cage the Elephant – 2008
- Float Into the Sky – Neon Pill – 2024
- Flow – Thank You, Happy Birthday – 2011
- Free Love – Cage the Elephant – 2008
- Good Time – Neon Pill – 2024
- Goodbye – Social Cues – 2019
- Halo – Melophobia – 2013
- HiFi (True Light) – Neon Pill – 2024
- House of Glass – Social Cues – 2019
- How Are You True – Tell Me I’m Pretty – 2015
- Hypocrite – Melophobia – 2013
- In One Ear – Cage the Elephant – 2008
- Indy Kidz – Thank You, Happy Birthday – 2011
- It’s Just Forever – Melophobia – 2013
- James Brown – Cage the Elephant – 2008
- Japanese Buffalo – Thank You, Happy Birthday – 2011
- Jesse James – Melophobia (B-Side) – 2013
- Judas – Cage the Elephant – 2008
- Lotus – Cage the Elephant – 2008
- Love’s the Only Way – Social Cues – 2019
- Mess Around – Tell Me I’m Pretty – 2015
- Metaverse – Neon Pill – 2024
- Neon Pill – Neon Pill – 2024
- Night Running – Social Cues – 2019
- Out Loud – Neon Pill – 2024
- Over Your Shoulder – Neon Pill – 2024
- Portuguese Knife Fight – Tell Me I’m Pretty – 2015
- Punchin’ Bag – Tell Me I’m Pretty – 2015
- Rainbow – Neon Pill – 2024
- Ready to Let Go – Social Cues – 2019
- Right Before My Eyes – Thank You, Happy Birthday – 2011
- Right Before My Eyes (Acoustic) – Thank You, Happy Birthday (Acoustic Bonus Disc) – 2011
- Right Before My Eyes (alternate take) – Thank You, Happy Birthday (Hidden track) – 2011
- Rubber Ball – Thank You, Happy Birthday – 2011
- Sabertooth Tiger – Thank You, Happy Birthday – 2011
- Same – Neon Pill – 2024
- Sell Yourself – Thank You, Happy Birthday – 2011
- Shake Me Down – Thank You, Happy Birthday – 2011
- Shake Me Down (Acoustic) – Thank You, Happy Birthday (Acoustic Bonus Disc) – 2011
- Shiver – Thank You, Happy Birthday (B-Side) – 2011
- Shy Eyes – Neon Pill – 2024
- Silent Picture – Neon Pill – 2024
- Skin and Bones – Social Cues – 2019
- Social Cues – Social Cues – 2019
- Soil to the Sun – Cage the Elephant – 2008
- Spiderhead – Melophobia – 2013
- Sweetie Little Jean – Tell Me I’m Pretty – 2015
- Take It or Leave It – Melophobia – 2013
- Teeth – Melophobia – 2013
- Telescope – Melophobia – 2013
- That’s Right – Tell Me I’m Pretty – 2015
- The Unforgiven – The Metallica Blacklist – 2021
- The War Is Over – Social Cues – 2019
- Tiny Little Robots – Cage the Elephant – 2008
- Tokyo Smoke – Social Cues – 2019
- Too Late to Say Goodbye – Tell Me I’m Pretty – 2015
- Trouble – Tell Me I’m Pretty – 2015
- What I’m Becoming – Social Cues – 2019
Albums
Cage the Elephant (2008): 12 songs
Thank You, Happy Birthday (2011): 21 songs (including acoustic versions and B-sides)
Melophobia (2013): 12 songs (including B-sides)
Tell Me I’m Pretty (2015): 10 songs
Social Cues (2019): 13 songs
Neon Pill (2024): 12 songs
Complete List Of Cage The Elephant Albums And Discography
Cage The Elephant Songs Ranked
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