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

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.

Daryl Hall

Daryl HallSongwriter Interviews

Daryl Hall's TV show is a hit, and he's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - only one of these developments excites him.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.