Heart In A Cage
The Strokes栀 Lyrics

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Well I don't feel better
When I'm fucking around
And I don't write better
When I'm stuck in the ground
So don't teach me lessons
As I've already learned
Yeah the sun will be shining
And my children will burn

Oh the heart beats in its cage

I don't want what you want
I don't feel what you feel
See I'm stuck in a city
But I belong in a field

[Repeat x7]
And ya left

Now it's three in the morning and
You're eating alone

Oh the heart beats in its cage

All our friends they're laughing at us
All of those you love, you mistrust
Help me I'm just not quite myself
Look around there's no one else there
I went to the concert and I fought through the crowd
Guess I got too excited when I thought you were around

[Repeat x7]
Oh yes I left

I'm sorry you were thinking I would steal your fire.
Oh the heart beats in its cage
Yes the heart beats in its cage

And the heart beats in its cage

Overall Meaning

"Heart In A Cage" by The Strokes explores themes of feeling trapped and disconnected from oneself and one's surroundings. The singer of the song talks about how they don't feel better when they're engaging in self-destructive behaviors, and they don't write better when they're stuck in one place. Despite this, they're resistant to being taught lessons, claiming that they've already learned what they need to know. The song's most poignant lines, "Yeah the sun will be shining / And my children will burn," suggest that despite the singer's desire to break free from their internal cage, their actions might have devastating consequences for those they love.

The repetition of the line "Oh the heart beats in its cage" throughout the song emphasizes the sense of confinement and frustration that the singer feels. They don't want what others want, and they don't feel what others feel - they're out of step with the rest of society. Even when they attend a concert hoping to connect with someone they care about, they feel lost in the crowd and ultimately leave feeling disappointed. The final lines of the song, "I'm sorry you were thinking I would steal your fire / Oh the heart beats in its cage / Yes the heart beats in its cage," reinforce the idea that the singer is struggling to connect with others and feel a sense of purpose.

Line by Line Meaning

Well I don't feel better When I'm fucking around And I don't write better When I'm stuck in the ground
Engaging in unproductive activities doesn't make me feel better, and my creativity doesn't flourish when I'm feeling stuck or stagnant.

So don't teach me lessons As I've already learned Yeah the sun will be shining And my children will burn
I don't need to be lectured because I already know the consequences of my actions, and I'm aware of the harsh reality that even though life goes on, future generations will inherit the damage we've inflicted on the planet.

Oh the heart beats in its cage
Despite my struggles, my heart continues to beat and keep me alive.

I don't want what you want I don't feel what you feel See I'm stuck in a city But I belong in a field
I have my own desires and emotions that are unique to me, and I feel out of place in my current environment.

[Repeat x7] And ya left Now it's three in the morning and You're eating alone
Repeating the phrase emphasizes the feeling of being deserted, and the loneliness that follows is depicted in the image of someone eating alone at three in the morning.

All our friends they're laughing at us All of those you love, you mistrust Help me I'm just not quite myself Look around there's no one else there
We feel like outsiders because our peers are not taking us seriously, and it's hard to trust anyone because of that. The pressure to conform is causing us to feel like we're losing ourselves, and the realization that we're alone only confirms this.

I went to the concert and I fought through the crowd Guess I got too excited when I thought you were around
Even though I was surrounded by people, I was still searching for someone specific, and my eagerness to find them ended up being disappointing.

[Repeat x7] Oh yes I left
Repeating the phrase emphasizes the finality of the situation, and the fact that the artist has left and moved on.

I'm sorry you were thinking I would steal your fire. Oh the heart beats in its cage Yes the heart beats in its cage
The artist apologizes for causing someone else to feel threatened or insecure, but despite all of their struggles, they're still alive and their heart continues to beat.

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JULIAN CASABLANCAS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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