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Our 10 Best Cage The Elephant Songs Ranked list takes a look at the best songs released from a great rock and roll band that seems to be inspired by many different styles of music and musical artists. The band Cage The Elephant sound very much like a British born band when actually the group comes from the great State of Kentucky in the United States. Nonetheless, the group did move to Britain before the release of their first album and have been clearly inspired by the sounds of Britpop. Cage The Elephant released their first album in 2008 entitled Cage The Elephant. Since then, the band has released six studio albums and are currently very much an active contributing band to the rock and roll scene, We will undoubtedly have to update this list multiple times over the years as we await to see what they will do next.
# 10 – Around My Head
Opening up our Cage The Elephant Songs Ranked list is the rocking song “Around My Head.” The song was released on the album Thank You, Happy Birthday. The album was released in 2011. The song “Around My Head,” was released as the second single from the album. This is what we would call one of the freakiest videos we have ever seen. If you have a weak stomach, you probably should not watch it. It definitely does define this band’s morbid sense of humor.
# 9 – Cold Cold Cold
Continuing with our Cage the Elephant songs list we turn to the song “Cold Cold Cold.” The song was released as a single in 2017. The song was issued on the album Tell Me I’m Pretty. The album was originally released in 2015. This is another very dark video from Cage the Elephant which actually works perfectly with this song. Cold Cold Cold,” is a dark song that actually reminds us a little bit of Ozzy Osbourne, especially in the vocal. Once again, it’s a video that you might want to think twice about watching.
# 8 – Trouble
In the number eight spot on our Cage the Elephant songs list we continue with another song from the album Tell Me I’m Pretty. The song “Trouble,” was released as the second single from the album. This was a big hit for the band as it hit number one on the US Billboard Alternative Airplay charts. Death and despair play a role in this western-themed video representing this really well-written song. There seems to be a pattern emerging here with this band’s music.
# 7 – Back Against the Wall
The band Cage the Elephant brings out their inner Beatles or at least Oasis on this great song entitled “Back Against The Wall.” The song was released on the album titled Cage the Elephant. It was the band’s debut album released in 2007. The song “Back Against The Wall,” was released as the fourth single from the record two years after the album had already been issued.
# 6 – Mess Around
You gotta love the opening riff on this great song entitled “Mess Around.” However, it just feels like we have heard that riff somewhere before especially with the ending hook. Hmmmmm. Nonetheless, this is a very cool song that was released on the album Tell Me I’m Pretty. It’s the third straight song from the album that we have presented on this top 10 Cage The Elephant songs list. It also happens to be the biggest hit on the record. Released as the album’s lead single, the song “Mess Around” went all the way to number one on the US Billboard Adult Alternative and Alternative Airplay music charts.
# 5 – In One Year
Moving along on our Cage The Elephant songs list we present another great rock and roll Cage The Elephant song that starts out with a killer guitar riff entitled In One Year. The band sounds very much like Oasis on this one in the vocal arrangement during the song’s chorus. The song “In One Year,” was released on the band’s debut album entitled Cage the Elephant. “In One Year,” was released multiple times as a single from the album. The song would hit number one on the Billboard Adult Alternative Airplay charts in 2008. It would become the band’s first Gold selling single.
# 4 – Come a Little Closer
In the number four spot on our Cage The Elephant songs list is the cool minor key song “Come A Little Closer.” We really like this song, It’s got a great mysterious verse that explodes into a powerful chorus that works so perfectly. And yet, another freaky video that seems to be one of the hallmarks of this band. The song “Come A Little Closer,” was released in 2013 on the album entitled Melophobia. The song was a monster hit for the band hitting number one on the US Billboard Adult Alternative and Alternative Airplay music charts. The song also hit number two on the Canadian Rock music charts. The song would become the band’s third platinum selling single of their career.
# 3 – Shake Me Down
As we move closer to the number one spot on our Cage The Elephant Ranked songs list, we keep showcasing some of the band’s most successful and popular songs. The song was released on the band’s third album titled Thank You, Happy Birthday. The song would become the band’s second platinum selling single of their career. The song was a huge rock hit in the United States and Canada hitting number one on multiple rock and roll music charts. This was a really good one.
# 2 – Cigarette Daydreams
Well, this one has an interesting title and is probably something many people can relate to. The song “Cigarette Daydreams,” was released on the album Melophobia in 2013. The song was released as the record’s third single. It would become the album’s second platinum selling single. As an acoustic ballad, this was a bit of an outlier in the band’s catalog. There is a bit of a Kinks vibe on this one. Nonetheless, in the end, this is a wonderful song and one of the favorites we have heard from the band. And finally a video without puking, zombies, and scary figures.
# 1 – Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked
We close out our Cage The Elephant songs list with this killer song entitled “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked.” Pretty much every musical style from the past forty years finds its way into this song and we love it. The song was released as the third single from their debut album. It would become the band’s biggest selling single of their career going platinum twice in sales.
Updated October 31, 2023
Cage The Elephant Songs Ranked article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
Please add more artists like ABBA Bee GeeS Run DMC Montgomery Gentry and others
Add Cardi B Lizzo and others
We already did Cardi B