The Meaning Behind “Cigarette Daydreams” by Cage The Elephant and the Growing Pains of Evolving

“Cigarette Daydreams” finds Cage The Elephant expanding its signature indie rock sound. But the song also tells the story of a painful breakup. And how that pain becomes a defining moment in one’s life and ultimately shapes the person they become.

I Can’t Explain

The first verse begins with one partner noticing the other has changed feelings. Perhaps this marks the beginning of the end of the relationship.

Did you stand there all alone?
Oh, I cannot explain what’s going down.
I can see you standing next to me,
In and out somewhere else right now.
You sigh, look away,
I can see it clear as day.
Close your eyes, so afraid,
Hide behind that baby face.

This person searches for answers in the dark, but they are only avoiding a confrontation with the truth. Something has changed here, and procrastinating in the rain won’t offer a resolution to the problem.

You can drive all night,
Looking for the answers in the pouring rain.
You wanna find peace of mind,
Looking for the answer.

As I Recall, You Were Looking Out of Place

When singer Matt Shultz began writing “Cigarette Daydreams”, he didn’t intend it to be a Cage The Elephant song. But his brother and guitarist Brad questioned why there needed to be a “Cage The Elephant” type song.

“I like the idea of doing things that people might not expect from us. So we decided to take a whole new approach to writing, and this song is a good example of that. It’s just about being honest,” he said.

Funny how it seems like yesterday,
As I recall, you were looking out of place.
Gathered up your things and slipped away,
No time at all, I followed you into the hall.

Cigarette daydreams,
You were only seventeen.
So sweet with a mean streak,
Nearly brought me to my knees.

Many relationships expose layers of ourselves we don’t notice until someone else uncovers them. Attempting something new may be one’s true self stepping out from the shadows.

The parallel lines of a splintering relationship and the band reworking its defined sound highlight how each of us contains many iterations if only we allow space for them to appear.

If you can find a reason, a reason to stay,
Standing in the pouring rain.

Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for iHeartRadio