Back Against The Wall by Cage the Elephant

Album: Cage The Elephant (2008)

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Cage The Elephant had a lot going for them when they released this song on their self-titled debut album in 2008. Still, lead singer Matt Shultz felt like there were forces working against them, which kept his "back against the wall" in a defensive position. Perhaps he felt better when the song reached #1 on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart (the band's first release to top the chart).
Cage The Elephant write as a group, but the lyrics are often specific to Matt Shultz, which seems to be the case here. He told TheyWillRockYou: "Most of the time everything I write is pretty personal. I just write it in code... make it really cryptic so it doesn't hurt the people that are around me or expose myself too much."
In the song's music video, the band wages war against some gnomes. Shultz told Metmomix: "My grandmother had several gnomes in her yard. I'm not completely sure why but they creeped me out. They had those painted eyes that always seemed to follow you no matter where you stood. I hate that. I can't stand the Travelocity gnome either."

Comments: 1

Elmer H from Westville, OkNumber One hit song from Cage The Elephant & I love it. "Back Against The Wall" is still played on the alternative rock stations in my area which speaks to the popularity of the song & this band. Their new album is due out soon (2013).

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