Rusty Cage
Soundgarden
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You wired me awake And hit me with a hand of broken nails You tied my lead and pulled my chain To watch my blood begin t boil But I'm gonna break I'm gonna break my I'm gonna break my rusty cage and run Yeah I'm gonna break I'm gonna break my I'm gonna break my rusty cage and run Too cold to start a fire I'm burning diesel burning dinosaur bones I'll take the river down to still water and ride a pack of dogs But I'm gonna break I'm gonna break my I'm gonna break my rusty cage and run Hit like a Phillips head into my brain It's gonna be too dark to sleep again Cutting my teeth on bars and rusty chains I'm gonna break my rusty cage and run When the forest burns along the road Like God's eyes in my headlights When the dogs are looking for their bones And it's raining ice picks on your steel shore I'm gonna break I'm gonna break my I'm gonna break my rusty cage and run I'm gonna break I'm gonna break my I'm gonna break my rusty cage and run
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8 fans
Written by: Chris Cornell
Lyrics © HIPGNOSIS SONGS GROUP, BMG Rights Management
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Release and Achievements"Rusty Cage" is a song by the American rock band Soundgarden, featured on their third studio album, Badmotorfinger (1991). The song reached number 48 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
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Chris CornellThe song was written by the band's frontman, Chris Cornell. Chris Cornell was a well-known figure in the grunge music scene of the 80s and 90s, also known for his work with the bands Audioslave and Temple of the Dog.
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Track UsageJohnny Cash covered "Rusty Cage" in his 1996 album "Unchained", for which he won a Grammy Award. The song was also used as a playable track in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, further expanding its recognition and appeal.
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Distinctive Structure"Rusty Cage" is recognized for its unusual structure. It builds from a slow and ominous opening, into a frenzied, speed-metal-style climax before fading out with a brief folk-style coda.
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Lyrics and InspirationCornell himself has explained that the lyrics of "Rusty Cage" are about escaping the constraints and troubles of life, and finding freedom.
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Music VideoThe music video for "Rusty Cage" was directed by Eric Zimmerman, who also directed the music videos for Badmotorfinger's other two singles, "Outshined" and "Jesus Christ Pose."
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Guitar WorkThe song is noted for its layered guitar parts and odd time signatures. The riff in the fast section of the tune is played in 19/8 time signature.
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RecognitionRolling Stone magazine included "Rusty Cage" in its list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Songs," highlighting its aggressive dual-guitar assault as particularly notable.
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Impact on Other ArtistsThe song's fast-paced, heavy sound has inspired numerous other bands and artists. For instance, Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins has cited the song as an influence.
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Live PerformanceSoundgarden performed the song on their appearance on British TV show The Word in 1992, helping to expose the band to a wider audience. Despite the band's dissolution in 2017 following Chris Cornell's death, "Rusty Cage" remains a beloved and influential track in the rock genre.
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