The band consists of Matt Shultz (vocals), Brad Shultz (guitar), Nick Bockrath (guitar), Daniel Tichenor (bass, vocals), Jared Champion (drums) and Matthan Minster (keyboard, vocals, guitar).
Their breakthrough single was Ain't No Rest For The Wicked, which peaked at #83 on the Billboard Hot 100, #32 on the UK Singles Chart and #3 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. This song was also featured as the intro song for the 2009 video game "Borderlands."
Psycho Killer
Cage the Elephant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm tense and nervous and I can't relax
I can't sleep cause my bed's on fire
Don't touch me I'm a real live wire
Psycho Killer, qu'est-ce que c'est
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
You start a conversation you can't even finish it
You're talkin' a lot, but you're not sayin' anything
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed
Say something once, why say it again?
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
Ce que j'ai fait, ce soir-là
Ce qu'elle a dit, ce soir-là
Réalisant mon espoir
Je me lance, vers la gloire OK
We are vain and we are blind
I hate people when they're not polite
Psycho Killer, qu'est-ce que c'est
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
Psycho Killer, qu'est-ce que c'est
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
The song "Psycho Killer" by Cage the Elephant is a cover of the original song by Talking Heads. The lyrics describe the thoughts and feelings of someone with a violent and unstable personality, often referred to as a "psycho killer." The opening lines suggest the singer is struggling to come to terms with their behavior, feeling tense and anxious and unable to relax or sleep. They feel like they are on fire and cannot be touched because they are dangerous.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Psycho Killer, qu'est-ce que c'est" which means "Psycho Killer, what is it" in French. This phrase is so catchy that even people who don't speak French often find themselves humming it. The singer repeats "run run run away" as if urging the listener to escape from them because they are dangerous.
The bridge of the song introduces some French lyrics that mean "What I did that night, what she said that night, realizing my hope, I am launched towards glory." This adds some mystery to the song and suggests that the singer may have committed a violent act in pursuit of fame or recognition. The final line expresses the singer's dislike of impolite people, adding a touch of irony to the violent and aggressive tone of the rest of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't seem to face up to the facts
I am struggling to confront reality
I'm tense and nervous and I can't relax
I am anxious and unable to calm down
I can't sleep cause my bed's on fire
I am filled with turmoil, preventing rest
Don't touch me I'm a real live wire
I am on edge and easily agitated
Psycho Killer, qu'est-ce que c'est
What is a psycho killer?
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Nonsensical filler words
Run run run run run run run away
Escape from danger or fear
You start a conversation you can't even finish it
You lack the ability to fully communicate
You're talkin' a lot, but you're not sayin' anything
You are speaking without substance
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed
I prefer silence to meaningless chatter
Say something once, why say it again?
Repetition is pointless if the message is clear
Ce que j'ai fait, ce soir-là
What I did that night
Ce qu'elle a dit, ce soir-là
What she said that night
Réalisant mon espoir
Realizing my hope
Je me lance, vers la gloire OK
I launch myself towards glory
We are vain and we are blind
We are self-absorbed and ignorant
I hate people when they're not polite
I have a strong aversion to rude behavior
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, Chris Franz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hayley Martin
anyone else notice how freaking great the bass is in this?
Robyn Rose
Hayley Martin acoustic bass guitar is such an underrated instrument and it was played beautifully here
Un Egg
Lol this comment is 7 years old
Steven Llewellyn
Braeden Spradley why do people say this? Yet here you are looking at the video. Who cares when the comment is from. It will most likely be here for another 7 years...this isn’t like a forum where someone asked a question and 7 years later someone answered.
ThiefOfNavarre
Don't you remember Tina Weymouth in the talking heads original? She was the star of the show!
BrianBinOR
As an old dude, I still prefer the Talking Heads version, but the fact that this version is so amazing bears witness to how good this band is and how much they respect the original.
Minty Fresh
thumbs up if you think Cage The Elephant is one of the BEST modern day bands
Zack Fortier
Imperfections are what make this band one of my favorites. They may not sound the best like but they way they interact with the crowd, The way they just connect with you on stage and just the energy they produce is amazing!
FINN
Then you’re not calling them a band you’re calling them a circus act
ShadowPlay1919
They actually do sound good Why say they may not sound the best?