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."
Sell Yourself
Cage the Elephant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But now I'm stuck here in the middle
Got this scalpel in my hand
I'm operating on this riddle
Got my tongue on tight-knot
On my forehead placed a label
Took all my inspiration
Cause your name was on the table
Let's talk about me,
Let's talk about you,
I know your type
I know exactly what you wanna do
And if the money's right
You think I'd disagree
So sell your single twenty
Pop a head and sell the script?
And sell yourself
Don't be a fool
Sell yourself
?
Sell yourself
Don't be a fool
Sell yourself
Sell yourself
All my memory shard becomes dirty little pieces
Choking on your cancer, waitin' on to new releases
No more need to operate
You are ready for the masses
Nothing more to give you
You are ready for the masses
Let's talk about me,
Let's talk about you,
I know your type
I know exactly what you wanna do
And if the money's right
You think I'd disagree
So sell your single twenty
Pop a head and sell the piece?
And sell yourself
Don't be a fool
Sell yourself
?
Sell yourself
Don't be a fool
Sell yourself
Sell yourself
Sell yourself
Sell yourself
Sell yourself
Sell yourself
Don't be a fool
Sell yourself
?
Sell yourself
Don't be a fool
Sell yourself
Sell yourself
The lyrics of "Sell Yourself" by Cage the Elephant convey a sense of cynicism towards the entertainment industry and the pressure on artists to conform and sell out for financial gain. The opening lines suggest the struggle to balance artistic integrity with commercial success, as the singer is "stuck here in the middle" and using a "scalpel" to operate on a "riddle." This could refer to the challenge of creating something meaningful within the constraints of the industry.
The chorus implies the pressure to compromise one's values in order to sell more records, with the singer addressing a hypothetical individual who is "ready for the masses" and willing to "sell your single 20" and "pop a head" (i.e. create a catchy radio-friendly song) in order to achieve commercial success. The repeated phrase "sell yourself" is a call to action, urging the listener not to succumb to this pressure and betray their artistic vision.
The final verse suggests that this struggle can take a toll on the artist's mental health, with the "memory shard" becoming "dirty little pieces" and the singer feeling like they have "nothing more to give you." The repeated refrain to "sell yourself" reinforces the societal expectation to prioritize financial gain over artistic expression, but the admonition to "not be a fool" hints at the possibility of resistance and defiance.
Overall, "Sell Yourself" is a commentary on the intersection of art and commerce, and the ways in which the latter can compromise the former. The lyrics evoke a sense of frustration and disillusionment with the pressure to conform, while still offering a glimmer of hope that listeners can resist this pressure and stay true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I tried to paint my mind
I attempted to express myself creatively
But now I'm stuck here in the middle
I am currently trapped or unable to move forward
Got this scalpel in my hand
I have a tool to dissect and analyze my situation
I'm operating on this riddle
I am trying to solve a problem or puzzle
Got my tongue on tight-knot
I am holding back what I truly want to say
On my forehead placed a label
I have been branded or categorized by others
Took all my inspiration
I have lost my motivation or creativity
Cause your name was on the table
Your influence or presence caused me to lose focus
Let's talk about me,
I want to focus on myself and my own interests
Let's talk about you,
I am aware of your intentions and actions
I know your type
I am familiar with your behavior and motivations
I know exactly what you wanna do
I understand your plans and goals
And if the money's right
I will consider a deal or agreement
You think I'd disagree
You assume that I will refuse your offer
So sell your single twenty
You should market and promote yourself or product
Pop a head and sell the script?
You want to create and sell a successful story or concept
Don't be a fool
Do not make a foolish or regrettable decision
Sell yourself
Promote and market yourself or your product
?
This line is unclear and can be interpreted in different ways
All my memory shard becomes dirty little pieces
My memories and experiences have become corrupted or fragmented
Choking on your cancer, waiting on to new releases
I am being suffocated or hindered by your negative influence or presence
No more need to operate
I no longer need to dissect or analyze my situation
You are ready for the masses
You are prepared to achieve widespread success or acceptance
Nothing more to give you
I have nothing left to offer or contribute to your success
Sell yourself
Promote and market yourself or your product
Sell yourself
Promote and market yourself or your product
Sell yourself
Promote and market yourself or your product
Don't be a fool
Do not make a foolish or regrettable decision
?
This line is unclear and can be interpreted in different ways
Sell yourself
Promote and market yourself or your product
Don't be a fool
Do not make a foolish or regrettable decision
Sell yourself
Promote and market yourself or your product
Sell yourself
Promote and market yourself or your product
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRAD SHULTZ, DANIEL TICHENOR, JARED CHAMPION, LINCOLN PARISH, MATT SHULTZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind