House of Glass

Album: Social Cues (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Singer Matt Shultz worked on the Social Cues album during the unraveling of his marriage to the French actress and model Juliette Buchsa. He created different fictional people to illustrate the breakdown of their relationship and this gothic, agitated track is spoken-sung from the perspective of a "soft-spoken murderer."
  • The character was inspired by the Netflix show I Am a Murderer in which people on death row are interviewed. Guitarist Brad Scultz explained to Consequence of Sound that he and his brother Matt were watching the program while recording Social Cues.

    "During that time period, Matt created the character of a shy-eyed, soft-spoken murderer, a person who truly lives polar lives," he said. "The character undeniably has a duality of heart, and is kind by all respects publicly, but inwardly is a monster and yet still very relatable. In many regards he seems lovable, though this is not deserved."
  • The unsettling song's ghoulish feel was inspired by John Carpenter's horror films. The movie director is actually from Cage the Elephant's home town of Bowling Green, Kentucky and he dated the mom of the band's bass player Daniel Tichenor.
  • Social Cues' lead single, "Ready To Let Go," is also sung from the perspective of the murderer character.
  • Matt Schultz told The Independent the song is about him isolating himself, "and learning that, inside and outside my house, love exists."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.