Cigarette Daydreams Lyrics
Did you stand there all alone?
Oh, I cannot explain what's going down
I can see you standing 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
[Pre-Chorus]
Do-do-do, do-do-do
[Chorus]
You can drive all night
Looking for the answers in the pouring rain
You wanna find peace of mind
Looking for the answer
[Verse 2]
Funny how it seems like yesterday
As I recall, you were looking out of place
Gathered up your things and slipped away
No time at all, I followed you into the hall
Cigarette daydreams
You were only seventeen
So sweet with a mean streak
Nearly brought me to my knees
Do-do-do, do-do-do
[Chorus]
You can drive all night
Looking for the answers in the pouring rain
You wanna find peace of mind
Looking for the answer
If we can find a reason, a reason to change
Looking for the answer
If you can find a reason, a reason to stay
Standing in the pouring rain
[Bridge]
Do-do, do-do-do
Do-do, do-do-do-do
Do-do, do-do-do
Do-do, do-do-do-do
[Chorus]
You can drive all night
Looking for the answers in the pouring rain
You wanna find peace of mind
Looking for the answer
If we can find a reason, a reason to change
Looking for the answer
If you can find a reason, a reason to stay
Standing in the pouring rain
About
“Cigarette Daydreams” presents the pain of one’s search for identity through the musings of a parted lover. The song itself has a softer, more brooding sound than most of Cage the Elephant’s work. In the words of Brad Shultz, the band’s rhythm guitarist:
Why do we have to write Cage The Elephant songs? We can just write songs, regardless of what style of music they might be. I like the idea of doing things that people might not expect from us. So we decided to take a whole new approach to writing, and this song is a good example of that. It’s just about being honest.
These themes are visualized in the song’s music video, presented in nostalgic black and white, disappointing only for its notable lack of rain.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
This is a song that Matt had written and had played to me on his phone. He was talking about maybe using it for something other than Cage, but I was an instant fan of the song. This was a moment of realization like, ‘Why do we have to write Cage The Elephant songs? We can just write songs, regardless of what style of music they might be.'
I like the idea of doing things that people might not expect from us. So we decided to take a whole new approach to writing, and this song is a good example of that. It’s just about being honest.
I’m really happy about how we came through the process and opened ourselves up to new ways of accepting any kind of song. This one almost fell through the cracks, but here it is.
Brad Shultz via MusicRadar (September 2013)
Yes! When the official music video was uploaded, the band also uploaded an accompanying behind the scenes video to their YouTube channel:
“Cigarette Daydreams” was certified platinum by the RIAA on August 16, 2019.
- 1.Spiderhead
- 3.Telescope
- 6.Halo
- 7.Black Widow
- 8.Hypocrite
- 9.Teeth
- 10.Cigarette Daydreams
