Matt Shultz told Consequence Of Sound that it was an attempt to blend a Jay Reatard riff with Outkast’s energy and the “stylistic color” of The Byrds and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
In an interview with iHeartRadio, Cage addressed (but mostly avoided) the meaning of “Mess Around.”
"It’s not about what you would think it’s about. We’ll put it that way. There are some clues in the lyrics. It was one of the last songs that we recorded, and it almost didn’t make the record. Just seeing other people’s responses to the song, it felt like a no-brainer to us [to make it the first single]."
The official music video for “Mess Around” was released prior to the official release of "Tell Me I’m Pretty", on October 29, 2015. The video contains silent film footage from French filmmaker Georges Méliès. The two silent films featured in the video are entitled "The Impossible Voyage" and "A Trip to the Moon". The two share the influence of esteemed author Jules Verne, and a theme of unlikely, pataphysical adventures. Cage the Elephant creatively and jokingly matches up their lyrics to be portrayed by particular scenes in the silent films.
Mess Around
Cage the Elephant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Oh no)
(Oh no)
(Oh no)
Ah (oh no)
Ah (oh no)
Ah (oh no)
No, she don't mess around
Oh, St. Louis, California
Blue eyes, yeah, she comin' for ya
Land of Mary, Charm City
Oh Lord, wish she was my baby
You know she'll drive you crazy
Yeah, she comin' for ya
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
Ah (oh no)
Ah (oh no)
Ah (oh no)
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
The heat is risin' and only gettin' hotter
Ready to blow
I think I'll pour myself a glass of water
Let it flow
She'll show you what she's made of
Yeah, she comin' for ya
She's gonna try to break ya
Yeah, she comin' for ya
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
Ah (oh no)
Ah (oh no)
Ah (oh no)
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
(Oh no)
(Oh no)
(Oh no)
(Oh no)
Ah (oh no)
Ah (oh no)
Ah (oh no)
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
Ah (oh no)
Ah (oh no)
Ah (oh no)
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
The lyrics of Cage the Elephant's song Mess Around describe a woman, with blue eyes and from a variety of different American cities, who seems to be both alluring and formidable. The phrase "Oh no" is repeated throughout the song, hinting that the singer is simultaneously drawn to and frightened by this woman. The chorus emphasizes that "she don't mess around" and seems to warn the listener that if they pursue her, there will be consequences.
The second verse adds to the sense of danger, with the heat rising and the woman in question being described as someone who will "try to break ya". Despite this warning, the singer seems to be unable to resist her, even as he acknowledges that "she'll drive you crazy". Overall, the lyrics of Mess Around evoke a sense of excitement, danger and uncertainty - a kind of electric charge that comes with being in the presence of someone who is at once alluring and unpredictable.
Line by Line Meaning
(Oh no)
The song starts with the repeated phrase 'oh no', suggesting that something ominous or troubling is about to happen.
Ah (oh no)
The singer expresses a sense of panic and dread with the repeated phrase 'ah (oh no)'.
No, she don't mess around
The singer is describing a woman who is confident and in control of her actions, and doesn't waste time with frivolous behavior or games.
Oh, St. Louis, California
The singer mentions two locations that are far apart from each other, emphasizing the woman's powerful presence that reaches across distance.
Blue eyes, yeah, she comin' for ya
The woman has striking blue eyes that draw attention, and she is actively pursuing someone.
Land of Mary, Charm City
The singer references two cities that are known for their strong personalities and cultural significance, further emphasizing the woman's impressive qualities.
Oh Lord, wish she was my baby
The singer is expressing his desire and admiration for the woman, wishing that he could be with her.
You know she'll drive you crazy
The woman has a powerful and alluring energy that can have an intense effect on those around her.
The heat is risin' and only gettin' hotter
The situation described is becoming more intense and pressing.
Ready to blow
The singer and those around him are nearing a breaking point, where emotions will likely overflow.
I think I'll pour myself a glass of water
The singer is trying to cool down and find some relief from the intense situation, using water as a metaphor for calming energy.
Let it flow
The singer is suggesting that everyone should let their emotions flow naturally, without trying to hold back or suppress them.
She'll show you what she's made of
The woman will demonstrate her impressive and powerful qualities to those around her.
She's gonna try to break ya
The singer is cautioning that the woman's energy can be overwhelming and potentially damaging to others.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Daniel Andrew Tichenor, Jared Lloyd Champion, Donald Bradley Shultz, Matthew Ray Shultz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@VEHICLEFAN5500
[Intro]
Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no
[Chorus]
Ahhhhh (oh no)
Ahhhhh (oh no)
Ahhhhh (oh no)
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
[Verse 1]
Oh St. Louis, California
Blue eyes, yeah, she's comin' for ya
Land of Mary, Charm City
Oh lord, wish she was my baby
You know she'll drive you crazy
Yeah, she's comin' for ya
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
[Chorus]
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
[Verse 2]
The heat is rising and only getting hotter, ready to blow
I think I'll pour myself a glass of water, let it flow
She'll show you what she's made of
Yeah, she's comin' for ya
She's gonna try to break ya
Yeah, she's comin' for ya
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
[Chorus]
Ahhhhh (oh no)
Ahhhhh (oh no)
Ahhhhh (oh no)
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
[Bridge]
Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no
[Chorus]
Ahhhhh (oh no)
Ahhhhh (oh no)
Ahhhhh (oh no)
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
[Chorus]
Ahhhhh (oh no)
Ahhhhh (oh no)
Ahhhhh (oh no)
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
[Outro]
No, she don't mess around
@AmandaLogan1225
Ahhhhh, oh no
Ahhhhh, oh no
Ahhhhh, oh no
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
Oh St. Louis, California
Blue eyes, yeah she's comin' for ya
Land of Mary, Charm City
Oh lord, wish she was my baby
You know she'll drive you crazy
Yeah she's coming for ya
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
Ahhhhh, oh no
Ahhhhh, oh no
Ahhhhh, oh no
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
The heat is rising and only getting hotter, ready to blow
I think I'll pour myself a glass of water, let it flow
She'll show you what she's made of
Yeah she's comin' for ya
She's gonna try to break ya
Yeah she's comin' for ya
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
Ahhhhh, oh no
Ahhhhh, oh no
Ahhhhh, oh no
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
Ahhhhh, oh no
Ahhhhh, oh no
Ahhhhh, oh no
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
Ahhhhh, oh no
Ahhhhh, oh no
Ahhhhh, oh no
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
No, she don't mess around
@shmovenub
This song rocks my fucking socks off
@fatcatcooper3060
Me2
@georgiannaw5891
Me too!
@ThatMumboJumbo
Contrary to a lot of the comments, I like this.
@rainfop
+Mumbo Jumbo Didnt expect to see anyone interesting here.
@bencabral9079
Hey mumbo, fancy seeing you here
@manicdepressive
Where did you come from :o
@sarahb.9245
Me too
@heyheymymind4642
+Mumbo Jumbo I really like too
@vicrattlehead8665
Why is this so nostalgia inducing? First time even hearing this