Studio Album · No. 3

Melophobia Songwriting Credits by Cage the Elephant

2013 RCA Records 10 tracks 37 min

Produced by Jay Joyce  ·  Engineered by Jason Hall, Matt Wheeler

RCA Records Alternative RockIndie Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 10 of 10 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 10 / 10 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Cage the Elephant carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
10 trackswritten by Cage the Elephant 0 tracksoutside writers
Cage the Elephant's roles on this album

Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

10
Tracks
2
Lyricists
1
Producers
2
No.1 Singles
2013
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

Grammy nomination - Best Alternative Music Album (57th Annual Grammy Awards)
Data Insight

Melophobia follows the same authorship pattern as the rest of the Cage the Elephant catalog: Wikipedia attributes every track's writing credit to the band collectively, and the two singles with individually documented songwriter splits, 'Come a Little Closer' and 'Cigarette Daydreams,' both list all five members active on the album - Matt Shultz, Brad Shultz, Lincoln Parish, Daniel Tichenor, and Jared Champion. Within that shared credit, Matt Shultz has been singled out specifically as the lyricist on 'Cigarette Daydreams,' consistent with his role as the band's primary lyricist, while Brad Shultz functions as his main songwriting and musical foil. 'It's Just Forever' is the one outlier, carrying an additional writing credit for guest vocalist Alison Mosshart. Lincoln Parish's departure from the band in December 2013, shortly after release, makes Melophobia his last album as a member.

Melophobia is the third studio album by Cage the Elephant, released October 8, 2013 on RCA Records. Produced by Jay Joyce and recorded at St. Charles in Nashville, the record traded the band's earlier garage-rock bite for a wider, more psychedelic and melodic palette. Wikipedia credits every song on the album to the band collectively, with frontman Matt Shultz as primary lyricist and Brad Shultz as his chief songwriting partner, alongside Lincoln Parish, Daniel Tichenor, and Jared Champion. The title reflects a fear of making music that projects a premeditated image of self rather than a literal fear of music. Singles 'Come a Little Closer' and 'Cigarette Daydreams' both topped the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, and the album went on to Grammy-nominated and RIAA-platinum success.

Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Spiderhead
Matt Shultz Matthew Ray ShultzDonald Bradley Shultz Jr.Lincoln ParishDaniel TichenorJared Lloyd Champion Jay Joyce Matt Shultz (Lead Vocals)Lincoln Parish (Lead Guitar, Keyboards)Brad Shultz (Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards)Daniel Tichenor (Bass, Backing Vocals)Jared Champion (Drums)
2
Come a Little Closer #1
Matt Shultz Matthew Ray ShultzDonald Bradley Shultz Jr.Lincoln ParishDaniel TichenorJared Lloyd Champion Jay Joyce Matt Shultz (Lead Vocals)Lincoln Parish (Lead Guitar, Keyboards)Brad Shultz (Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards)Daniel Tichenor (Bass, Backing Vocals)Jared Champion (Drums)
3
Telescope
Matt Shultz Matthew Ray ShultzDonald Bradley Shultz Jr.Lincoln ParishDaniel TichenorJared Lloyd Champion Jay Joyce Matt Shultz (Lead Vocals)Lincoln Parish (Lead Guitar, Keyboards)Brad Shultz (Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards)Daniel Tichenor (Bass, Backing Vocals)Jared Champion (Drums)
4
It's Just Forever
Matt ShultzAlison Mosshart Matthew Ray ShultzDonald Bradley Shultz Jr.Lincoln ParishDaniel TichenorJared Lloyd ChampionAlison Nicole Mosshart Jay Joyce Matt Shultz (Lead Vocals)Alison Mosshart (Featured Vocals)Lincoln Parish (Lead Guitar, Keyboards)Brad Shultz (Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards)Daniel Tichenor (Bass, Backing Vocals)Jared Champion (Drums)
5
Take It or Leave It #7
Matt Shultz Matthew Ray ShultzDonald Bradley Shultz Jr.Lincoln ParishDaniel TichenorJared Lloyd Champion Jay Joyce Matt Shultz (Lead Vocals)Lincoln Parish (Lead Guitar, Keyboards)Brad Shultz (Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards)Daniel Tichenor (Bass, Backing Vocals)Jared Champion (Drums)
6
Halo
Matt Shultz Matthew Ray ShultzDonald Bradley Shultz Jr.Lincoln ParishDaniel TichenorJared Lloyd Champion Jay Joyce Matt Shultz (Lead Vocals)Lincoln Parish (Lead Guitar, Keyboards)Brad Shultz (Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards)Daniel Tichenor (Bass, Backing Vocals)Jared Champion (Drums)
7
Black Widow
Matt Shultz Matthew Ray ShultzDonald Bradley Shultz Jr.Lincoln ParishDaniel TichenorJared Lloyd Champion Jay Joyce Matt Shultz (Lead Vocals)Lincoln Parish (Lead Guitar, Keyboards)Brad Shultz (Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards)Daniel Tichenor (Bass, Backing Vocals)Jared Champion (Drums)Jeff Coffin (Saxophone)Roy Agee (Trombone)Mike Haynes (Trumpet)
8
Hypocrite
Matt Shultz Matthew Ray ShultzDonald Bradley Shultz Jr.Lincoln ParishDaniel TichenorJared Lloyd Champion Jay Joyce Matt Shultz (Lead Vocals)Lincoln Parish (Lead Guitar, Keyboards)Brad Shultz (Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards)Daniel Tichenor (Bass, Backing Vocals)Jared Champion (Drums)Jeff Coffin (Saxophone)Roy Agee (Trombone)Mike Haynes (Trumpet)
9
Teeth
Matt Shultz Matthew Ray ShultzDonald Bradley Shultz Jr.Lincoln ParishDaniel TichenorJared Lloyd Champion Jay Joyce Matt Shultz (Lead Vocals)Lincoln Parish (Lead Guitar, Keyboards)Brad Shultz (Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards)Daniel Tichenor (Bass, Backing Vocals)Jared Champion (Drums)Jeff Coffin (Saxophone)Roy Agee (Trombone)Mike Haynes (Trumpet)
10
Cigarette Daydreams #1
Matt Shultz Matthew Ray ShultzDonald Bradley Shultz Jr.Lincoln ParishDaniel TichenorJared Lloyd Champion Jay Joyce Matt Shultz (Lead Vocals)Lincoln Parish (Lead Guitar, Keyboards)Brad Shultz (Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards)Daniel Tichenor (Bass, Backing Vocals)Jared Champion (Drums)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 14 contributors

More from Cage the Elephant

Frequently Asked Questions Melophobia

Who wrote Come a Little Closer?
It carries a collective Cage the Elephant writing credit shared by Matt Shultz, Brad Shultz, Lincoln Parish, Daniel Tichenor, and Jared Champion, produced by Jay Joyce.
What does the title Melophobia mean?
It refers to a fear of making music that projects a premeditated image of self, not a literal fear of music.
Who produced Melophobia?
Jay Joyce produced the entire album, recorded at St. Charles in Nashville, Tennessee.
Who sings on It's Just Forever?
Alison Mosshart of the Kills and the Dead Weather guests on lead vocals and carries an additional writing credit on the track.
Did Melophobia earn any award recognition?
It was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.
How did Melophobia perform commercially?
It reached number 15 on the Billboard 200 and was later certified platinum by the RIAA in the United States, platinum in New Zealand, and gold in Brazil.
Was this Lincoln Parish's last album with the band?
Yes. Parish left Cage the Elephant in December 2013, shortly after Melophobia's release, to focus on record production.
What is the songwriting split between Matt and Brad Shultz?
Matt Shultz is the band's primary lyricist, singled out specifically for lyrics on 'Cigarette Daydreams,' while Brad Shultz is his main songwriting partner; both share the album's collective writing credit with the rest of the band.

Sources