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Cigarette Daydreams
Cage the Elephant Lyrics


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Did you stand there all alone?
Oh, I cannot explain what's goin' down
I can see you standin' 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

Do-do-do
Do-do-do

You can drive all night
Lookin' for the answers in the pourin' rain
You wanna find peace of mind
Lookin' for the answer

Funny how it seems like yesterday
As I recall, you were lookin' out of place
Gathered up your things and slipped away
No time at all, I followed you into the hall
Cigarette daydream
You were only seventeen
Soft speak with a mean streak
Nearly brought me to my knees

Do-do-do
Do-do-do

You can drive all night
Lookin' for the answers in the pourin' rain
You wanna find peace of mind
Lookin' for the answer
If we can find a reason, a reason to change
Lookin' for the answers
If you can find a reason, a reason to stay
Standin' in the pourin' rain

Do-do, do, do, do
Do-do, do, do-do, do-do
Do-do, do, do, do
Do-do, do, do-do, do-do

You can drive all night
Lookin' for the answers in the pourin' rain
You wanna find peace of mind
Lookin' for the answer
If we can find a reason, a reason to change
Lookin' for the answer
If you can find a reason, a reason to stay
Standin' in the pourin' rain

Overall Meaning

The song "Cigarette Daydreams" by Cage the Elephant is a reflective track that explores feelings of loss and the search for answers. In the first verse, the singer addresses someone who he believes is lost in their own thoughts and emotions. He can see them standing next to him but realizes they are "in and out somewhere else right now". He recognizes their fear and vulnerability, urging them to close their eyes and not be afraid. The chorus offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that they search for peace of mind and answers but warns that it may take time to find a reason to change.


The second verse opens with an evocative memory of someone who the singer recalls as "looking out of place", which signals that they were going through a tough time. They eventually slipped away, leaving the singer to follow them only to be stunned by the combination of their charm and cruelty. The chorus repeats two more times, with a sense of urgency and desperation building towards a resolution. The final lines suggest that finding a reason to change or stay may involve standing in the pouring rain, indicating that the journey may be difficult but necessary.


Overall, the lyrics of "Cigarette Daydreams" offer a poignant reflection on the challenges of self-discovery and finding a sense of purpose in life. The song's melancholic tone and introspective lyrics strike a deep chord with listeners who are struggling with similar feelings of uncertainty and longing.


Line by Line Meaning

Did you stand there all alone?
Did you feel alone and abandoned?


Oh, I cannot explain what's goin' down
I don't know how to describe the current situation


I can see you standin' next to me
I saw you standing beside me


In and out somewhere else right now
You're here physically, but your mind is elsewhere


You sigh, look away
You exhaled dramatically and turned your head


I can see it clear as day
It's obvious to me


Close your eyes, so afraid
You shut your eyes out of fear


Hide behind that baby face
You're using your innocent face to conceal something


You can drive all night Lookin' for the answers in the pourin' rain You wanna find peace of mind Lookin' for the answer
You're willing to go through a physical journey in search of inner peace and answers


Funny how it seems like yesterday
It's surprising how recent the memory feels


As I recall, you were lookin' out of place
I remember you seemed out of your element


Gathered up your things and slipped away
You packed up and left unnoticed


No time at all, I followed you into the hall
I chased after you immediately after you left


Cigarette daydream You were only seventeen Soft speak with a mean streak Nearly brought me to my knees
The memory of you smoking a cigarette as a teenager with hidden aggression is so powerful that it almost overwhelmed me


If we can find a reason, a reason to change Lookin' for the answers If you can find a reason, a reason to stay Standin' in the pourin' rain
We're both looking for a compelling reason to make a change or stay in the current situation, even if it's uncomfortable




Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Matthew Ray Shultz, Donald Bradley Shultz, Jared Lloyd Champion, Daniel Andrew Tichenor, Lincoln Parish

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@joshuawong2305

This was a song my girlfriend played numerous times over the course our 2-year relationship, we broke up for what seems like silly reasons now. When I hear this song, I feel enormous amounts of guilt and regret of not fighting for her yet at the same time, I feel an overwhelming burst of happiness, about all the experiences and adventures we've had together. I hope one day I could come back to this video and only think of those happy times.

@purgat0ryy

This made me cry

@chiarachillura

you made me cry i hope you will eventually reunite omgšŸ„² šŸ’“

@GBean-yg4hj

The same thing happens to me man

@extillallis

this makes me so sad because you saying this makes me think about how this is probably how my boyfriend feels. well, now ex :/ we dated for 3 years as well and broke up because he wanted to live his life differently than how i want to live mine. i see this song from his perspective, and he left me just weeks before my 18th birthday. everything just fits, even if it's not 100%. your comment has brought a whole other perspective for me. i hope you're okay and you're healing well, everything will get better. someday those sad memories won't be as potent and you'll just be happy that you guys had good times. im still getting there too :') you got this.

@naturalphilosiphers9848

Thatā€™s beautiful man, just because you donā€™t end up with someone doesnā€™t mean you canā€™t look back at them chearfully and without anger :)

32 More Replies...

@charlottesealey3384

this song was played at my friends funeral and memorials. she was 17 when she died. this song has a bittersweet feeling. rest in peace hollie baby i honestly hope youā€™re okay. i still think of you. this never deserved to happen to her. she was killed by someone in authority who she was meant to trust. she died by anaphylaxis. please be more aware of the effects of anaphylaxis and what it can do. even tho this person did it deliberately, i hope atleast one person becomes educated from her story. i love and miss you hollie. #justiceforhollie.šŸŒ»

@jessicalucas5245

This song was also played at my best friends funeral, she passed at 17 as well.. Iā€™m so sorry for your loss:( this song will always hit different for people like usā¤ļø

@radberryz

im so sorry :(

@ash-rt5cy

R.i.p. šŸŖ½

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