Meaning of "Cry Baby" by Cage The Elephant

The lyrics of "Cry Baby" delve into the existential nature of life, questioning its purpose and the actions of individuals. The opening lines highlight the strangeness of watching people rushing through life, competing with one another. The repetition of the days of the week and the mention of illness and death creates a sense of the monotonous and fleeting nature of life. The chorus urges the listener to fight against this passivity and embrace life, emphasizing the need to open one's eyes and experience it fully. The song suggests that people often hide their true selves and desires, symbolized by the mention of a house in the desert or on top of a mountain, lost in a deep-sea dive. This highlights the tendency for individuals to bury their desires and live in a state of detachment from their true selves. The repetition of "like it or not, it's a matter of time" reinforces the inevitability of death and the need to live authentically, not wasting time on idle talk. The song's underlying message centers around the importance of love, with the lyrics stating that without love, nothing else will ever be enough. This suggests that love provides meaning and fulfillment in an otherwise tumultuous and uncertain existence.