Cages

"**cages**" is a song by Maggie Lindemann, written by herself, Alex Lahey, John Feldmann & Rachel West and produced by Feldmann, Dylan McLean & Scot Stewart, from her debut studio album, *SUCKERPUNCH*. Taken from Lindemann's debut album *SUCKERPUNCH*, the song was released as the album's sixth and final single on September 16, 2022.

## Background

In a track by track interview with Alternative Press, Lindemann explained the meaning behind the song:

I wanted to make a song that had the same principle and sentiment as “Pretty Girl” but felt more like where I am at in my life as a 24-year-old vs. being 17. “cages” is about being free and doing what you want, whether it's dyeing your hair, drinking or crashing your car just to see who’s really there for you. It's me saying, "No, there's nothing wrong with me. I'm not going through anything — this is just who I am. Let me live!" I did the song with John Feldmann, who is such a legend and so fun to write with, Alex Lahey, who I wrote "Knife Under My Pillow" and "Crash and Burn" with, and Rachel West. It was [also] inspired by the movie 13. I love that movie, and for some reason, when I was writing it, I kept seeing the movie in my head. The music video is heavily inspired by “Sk8er Boi” by Avril Lavigne. I love that old MTV music video feel, with the filter and the early 2000s energy. I’m heavily inspired by Avril, so I wanted to do something to give my respects [and] be able to do a fucking cool, fun video.
## Lyrics

[Verse 1]

Your condescending undertone

So overplayed, leave me alone

You hate me, but you watch my shit

You say my music sucks, then copy it

I wanna wear the things I wanna wear

Without your comments in my ear

All the whispering is loud as fuck

But who are you to even judge?

[Pre-Chorus]

Don't ask if I'm okay

'Cause I'm never gonna change

[Chorus]

I don't live for you, I live for me

Can't shut me up, you'll hear me scream

Woah, lions aren't meant for cages

Let me live my life

Don't need approval, not from you

Don't need your take on what I do

Woah, lions aren't meant for cages

Let me live my life (Let me live my life)

[Verse 2]

I'm gonna crash my car into the wall

Just to see who cares at all

I'll take a one way ticket out of here

And if I want, I'll fucking disappear

[Pre-Chorus]

Don't ask if I'm okay

'Cause I'm never gonna change

[Chorus]

I don't live for you, I live for me

Can't shut me up, you'll hear me scream

Woah, lions aren't meant for cages

Let me live my life

Don't need approval, not from you

Don't need your take on what I do

Woah, lions aren't meant for cages

Let me live my life

[Bridge]

They say I've gone crazy

They say I've gone downhill

I'm still the same, baby

But I'm just way more real

Real

[Chorus]

I don't live for you, I live for me

Can't shut me up, you'll hear me scream (Hear me scream)

Woah, lions aren't meant for cages

Let me live my life

Don't need approval, not from you (Not from you)

Don't need your take on what I do

Woah, lions aren't meant for cages

Let me live my life

### Background

Lindemann mentioned in her interview with Alternative Press that the video is an homage to Avril Lavigne's *Sk8er Boi*.

Maggie Lindemann - cages (lyric video)