Cage The Elephant's "Out Loud": A Compelling Sonic Journey
Cage The Elephant's new release, "Out Loud", delivers a potent blend of their signature energy and surprising emotional depth. The song opens with a driving, almost urgent, guitar riff that sets a tone of restless ambition. This energy builds relentlessly, punctuated by Matt Shultz's raw, yearning vocals.
Expert Instrumentation and Dynamic Shifts
The instrumentation is expertly layered. Distorted guitars and crashing drums create a sense of controlled chaos, perfectly mirroring the song's underlying themes. However, during the bridge, the band unexpectedly pulls back, revealing a more vulnerable sonic space. Simple piano chords and soaring strings create a moment of reflective introspection.
This dynamic shift is one of the song's strongest points. It demonstrates both Cage The Elephant's enduring ability to write adrenaline-pumping anthems and a newfound willingness to showcase a more delicate side of their musicality. "Out Loud" isn't just a catchy track; it's a compelling sonic journey that skillfully balances power and vulnerability.
Listen To Out Loud by Cage The Elephant
Cage The Elephant Out Loud Lyrics Meaning
"Out Loud" is a song steeped in themes of regret and unfulfilled dreams. The speaker wrestles with the consequences of choices that have left them feeling lost and disillusioned. There's a palpable sense of having pursued a dream, perhaps escaping their hometown or chasing fame, only to discover a deep hollowness where fulfillment should be. This struggle with past decisions is compounded by a crisis of identity. The poignant question "I can barely breathe, who'm I tryin' to be?" reveals a profound disorientation, a sense of self lost amidst ambition.
The lyrics hint at a lingering presence that haunts the speaker. The repeated longing of "Wish you were right in front of me/ Wish you were still in front of me" could refer to a lost person, a place left behind, or even an abandoned sense of stability. This longing magnifies the regret and adds a layer of unresolved grief.
The song's symbolism reinforces these themes. "Angry wings" embody a reckless ambition and a desire to break free. In contrast, "clipped wings" become a jarring metaphor for a thwarted return, ambition crushed by consequence. The mention of "stick-and-poke tattoos" adds a touch of rebellion, suggesting a period where impulsive decisions might have further muddled the speaker's path
Cage The Elephant Out Loud Meaning
The song seems to be about someone who left their hometown with big dreams, only to find themselves struggling with the consequences. They're filled with regret for past mistakes and perhaps actions that alienated those who were important to them. Amidst this disorientation, the song captures their struggle to find their way, figure out who they truly are, and mend broken connections.
Connection to Matt Shultz
Matt Shultz, the frontman of Cage the Elephant, has spoken about the song being inspired by the death of his father. This adds a layer of grief and longing for guidance to the lyrics.
Cage The Elephant Out Loud Lyrics
[Verse 1]
With angry wings, I flew out of that town
I promised you I'd never turn around
Cocaine buzz and a caffeine high
Open all the windows under midnight skies
With angry wings, I flew out of that town
[Pre-Chorus]
Chasing down a dream
Like a shadow in the breeze
From a thousand miles away
Wish you were right in front of me
[Chorus]
Man, I really messed up now
Too afraid to say it out loud
I can barely breathe, who'm I tryin' to be?
I'm still tryin' to figure it out
Man, I really messed up now
[Verse 2]
Clipped those wings and I came back home
Tried my best just to carry on
Stick-and-poke tattoos meant nothin' to me
As far as east to west and not a memory
Mm, mm
[Chorus]
Man, I really messed up now
Too afraid to say it out loud
I can barely breathe, who'm I tryin' to be?
I'm still tryin' to figure it out
Am I too proud to say it out loud?
[Pre-Chorus]
Chasing down a dream
Like a shadow in the breeze
From a thousand miles away
Wish you were still in front of me
[Chorus]
I don't wanna mess up now
Too afraid to say it out loud
I can barely breathe, who'm I tryin' to be?
I'm still tryin' to figure it out
Man, I really messed up now
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