Top 10 Best Cage the Elephant Songs

Cage the Elephant has built a devoted following with their unique blend of alternative rock, blues, and punk. Their unpredictable energy and raw vocals are totally infectious. With so many awesome songs to choose from, deciding the absolute best is tough.

Do you love the gritty vibes of Ain't No Rest for the Wicked? Maybe the dreamy melancholy of Cigarette Daydreams does it for you? Or perhaps you're all about the high-energy anthems like Come a Little Closer.
The Top Ten
1 Ain't No Rest for the Wicked

These guys are very talented artists and true Rock Stars in their own right. I vote this song #1 because it put them on the world map, and for true music lovers, this is the song that initially made many of us immediately think, "Wow, this song rocks, and who the hell are these guys?" It was around the same time I started seeing the most beautiful girl in the world, or at least top 10, and she was from Colombia. This was back in July of 2009, and Cage the Elephant were relatively unknown, or not recognized yet by the masses for their ability to compose such masterful music. Ms. Colombia and I attended their 91X Show, which was part of the Street Festival in downtown San Diego, where Cage The Elephant played in the back of the park at the Padres Petco Park.

We got there 5 minutes before they started playing, and there may have been 50 people there, tops. When they appeared on the small stage (if you could even call it a stage), we casually walked right to the front of the stage, with only a few other people bothering to stand up off the grass they were perched on. Eventually, all 50 of us were going nuts and dancing our hearts out. That day was special, and it cemented my love for my beautiful Colombian, and our "blended families" both love these gifted and talented artists. Thanks for making the planet a more entertaining place.

2 Shake Me Down

Ok, I'm so sick of EVERY top ten songs list having their most popular song at number one. Every band, Green Day, Papa Roach, Metallica, Coldplay. No way in hell is Ain't No Rest for the Wicked their best song. It's a good song, but it doesn't compete with Shake Me Down.

Shake Me Down is art, beautiful lyrics that captivate, telling a story about the lead singer when he was caught in his drug addiction. The energy in the song and the emotion of his voice make this song truly their best song.

I was going to vote for "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" but I saw this and thought, "Hell, I'll listen to it again to see what all the fuss is about." I listened once and then again, and again. Great song, really needs to be the TOP of the TOP 10 list.

3 Come a Little Closer

Lyrically and sonically haunting, I got full body chills the first time I heard the song. Very powerful track with a very good chorus and absolutely fantastic verses.

Seriously shows the potential of Cage the Elephant's latest album. The lyrics are fantastic, and the song has great meaning as well.

Creative lyrics, musically beautiful, this is by far the best song of the album. But don't get me wrong, I still love Take It or Leave It.

4 Cigarette Daydreams

It isn't even close. This song is by FAR their best. It seems so much more sincere than most of their material. It has a great soft opening and kicks in at the perfect time. It has great refrains, and the lyrics are meaningful, relatable, and deep. This song is mesmerizing and gives you that feeling inside that you can't explain. It tugs at the corners and makes your heart ache in such a beautiful way. Amazing song.

There is no way this song is 6th. Shake Me Down - good but not good enough for second. It gets boring after time. Ain't No Rest for the Wicked? Sure, you can probably relate to it, but music-wise? Not the best. Come a Little Closer? That's pretty good, but still. I've long since deleted all the top 3, but this one still remains. By far the best song. Great lyrics, mesmerizing music, and just all around awesome.

5 In One Ear

"Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" got me to take a look at this band (Borderlands, don't judge me), but this was the first song I took a look at afterward and it completely sucked me into the band. It has a good pace, wonderful lyrics, and has that glorious punk mixed with indie sound. This song is the "sound" of this band.

CTE's debut album is definitely the one that most captures their garage rock essence. It carries such power, such lyrics... And this particular song should be its highlight for it fully shows its true sounds, plus it gives the listener a glimpse of Cage's potential.

6 Aberdeen

Although it's a new song, it takes me back to the 90s, when Grunge was a very popular genre. Seeing as Aberdeen, Washington, was where the most famous Grunge band of all time started: Nirvana. Great song, great band, I love this song!

Such a heart-moving song. I was addicted to Cage after this. Tichenor's bass, Parish's guitar work, and Matt's vocals all blend together amazingly to create a masterpiece.

7 Back Against the Wall

Epic lyrics that everyone can draw their own unique meaning or realization from the song. I actually had an epiphany listening to this song for the first time. It was dope.

It's scary how good the lyrics to this song are. Everyone can determine their own meaning from the lyrics and relate to it. Amazing!

This song is unreal. The lyrics, the guitar, how it's composed is absolutely amazing. The way Matthew Schultz writes this song is unparalleled.

8 Telescope

I get that this isn't a hit single top song, but it deserves much more recognition nonetheless. This is one of the most beautiful, rawest, most punch you in the face songs that I've ever heard. When they're screaming/chanting the bridge before the last chorus, my whole life flashes by my eyes and everything makes sense. This song just sounds and feels so IMPORTANT. The lyrics, the riffs. The passion.

My favorite song by them by far. Love the slow and nostalgic beginning and has such a good bridge and chorus that hits very hard.

9 Right Before My Eyes

This song makes you think about your own control of life and the things that happen in it. The world cannot be predicted and it will hurt you a lot of the time, but this song helps realize that when everything else around is failing and nothing is going right, there is always music and it won't ever leave your side.

To all fans who want to know what's nice by Cage the Elephant. I definitely point this song to you!

My favorite song by them, the lyrics mean so much.

10 Always Something

This right here is some top tier. I can understand maybe not top 5, but not even top 15? Come on y'all.

The Contenders
11 Trouble

This should be top 10 for sure. This song got me into the band along with "Come a Little Closer." If you like this vibe, I recommend the entire "Tell Me I'm Pretty" album, but most of all, "Sweetie Little Jean," "Punchin' Bag," and "How Are You True."

I've never had a song that made me feel this way, and it's so hard to describe unless you give it a listen yourself. It's so unique and my favorite song of all time.

Great song! Gets better each time I listen to it.

12 Spiderhead

The dynamics of this song, the lyrics (especially "I am the one you left for dead"), and everything just really leaves me wanting to replay it. The unpeeled version of the song is just amazing too.

I just don't get how this could NOT be in the top 10. Not their best, but definitely top 10.

Cage the Elephant managed to take basic chords and turn it into a masterpiece.

13 Skin and Bones
14 Lotus

Incredible, even better if listened to directly after Tiny Little Robots, since it starts off where that one began.

The song overall just has an excellent feel to it.

15 Black Madonna

Black Madonna is a fantastic song for people who are new to the genre of alternative. Its lyrics are written after Matt Schultz's (the main vocalist) divorce from his wife and the lyrics reflect his depression, but the song is overall surprisingly fun to listen to.

16 Around My Head

Punk rock vibe, beautiful sound. I listen to this song anytime, and the music video is hilarious.

17 Hypocrite
18 Mess Around

Great song, a little Black Keys influenced but a great catchy song. Not the absolute greatest though, would place amongst top ten.

19 Broken Boy
20 Take It or Leave It

One of the best songs on the new album! These guys have an energy that is missed by many bands, they rock!

When I listen to this song, "Wow." Wish I was in front of Matt so I can take him with me.

Why is this song 18 and not 1? My favorite.

21 Cry Baby

Best song on Tell Me I'm Pretty, no doubt about that!

22 Halo

Definitely underrated in the album!!

23 Soil to the Sun
24 Flow

This song comes on whenever you need it. It's a pretty song, and people deserve to see this side of Cage.

So good. Dreamy and melodic. Definitely one of their best.

Such a calming song with a catchy and dreamy rhythm.

25 Cold Cold Cold

So catchy, should be higher in my opinion!!

My favorite off of Tell Me I'm Pretty.

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