Ready to Let Go

"Ready to Let Go"
Single by Cage the Elephant
from the album Social Cues
ReleasedJanuary 31, 2019
GenreAlternative rock
Length3:08
LabelRCA
SongwriterCage the Elephant
ProducerJohn Hill
Cage the Elephant singles chronology
"Cold Cold Cold"
(2017)		 "Ready to Let Go"
(2019)		 "Social Cues"
(2019)

"Ready to Let Go" is a song by American alternative rock band Cage the Elephant. It was produced by John Hill and was released as the lead single from the band's fifth studio album Social Cues on January 31, 2019. It reached number five on Billboard Alternative Songs chart in the United States.

Background

The song was born from frontman Matt Shultz's as he was inspired to write the song after a trip to Pompeii with his former wife, during which he realized their relationship was falling apart. The song is characterized by its indie-rock sound with a haunting Pompeii-inspired theme and a theme of moving on from a broken relationship. Its composition features a signature indie-rock style with a catchy, rhythmic texture, a chugging bassline, and a distorted guitar melody that contribute to its hypnotic sound.

Music video

The songs official music video was directed by lead singer Matt Shultz, the video features several horror themes throughout.

When asked about the video Shultz stated:

I think the truth is just scary as hell, Things you think about — betrayal, murder, redemption, forgiveness, love, hate — evoke all these actions and words. So at first I was really leaning into symbolism and I think we bring to light some pretty heavy truths, pretty scary. I'm glad it came across that way.

Reception

Laura Anaya-Morga of Highlander News noted that the song features "the bands signature indie-rock sound" adding "The song’s scrappy electric guitar and rhythmic texture make it a catchy tune for anyone to enjoy." Similarly Abbie Jennings of When the Horn Blows wrote "it is a seriously catchy, toe tapping come back single. The song itself could easily be a forgotten B-side from their previous album ‘Tell Me I’m Pretty’, or earlier material. Their distinct sound is instantly recognizable." The Independent dubbed "Ready to let Go" "the most explicit song" on the album describing it as "a moody swamp-rock jam where Shultz comes to terms with his impending divorce."

However Consequence gave the song a more negative review stating its "Predictable and innocuous, it doesn’t do anything to advance Cage the Elephant’s stylistic evolution."

Charts

Chart performance for "Ready to Let Go"
Chart (2019) Peak
position
Canada All-format Airplay (Billboard)[failed verification] 45
Canada Rock (Billboard)
[failed verification]		1
Iceland (RÚV) 6
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)7
US Rock & Alternative Airplay (Billboard)1

Certifications

Certifications for "Ready to Let Go"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) Gold 40,000‡
United States (RIAA) Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and formats for "Ready to Let Go"
Region Date Format Label
United States January 31, 2019 Modern rock radio RCA

References

  1. ↑ Spates, Lauren; Kapukui, Jesse (February 7, 2019). "Cage the Elephant drops new single "Ready To Let Go"". The Oak Leaf. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  2. ↑ Doyle, Patrick (January 31, 2019). "Cage the Elephant Let It Bleed on New Album 'Social Cues'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  3. ↑ Anaya-Morga, Laura (February 12, 2019). "Cage the Elephant get personal on new single, "Ready To Let Go"". Highlander. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Cage the Elephant on Horror-Themed Video: "The Truth is Scary"". Loudwire. April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  5. ↑ Anaya-Morga, Laura (February 12, 2019). "Cage the Elephant get personal on new single, "Ready To Let Go"". The Highlander Newspaper. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Cage The Elephant - 'Ready To Let Go'". When The Horn Blows. February 4, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Album reviews: Lizzo, Fat White Family and Cage the Elephant". The Independent. April 18, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  8. ↑ Sharples, Grant (April 19, 2019). "Album Review: Cage the Elephant Stay in Their Comfort Zone on Social Cues". Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Cage The Elephant Canada All Format Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Cage the Elephant Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Vinsældalisti Rásar 2 - RÚV". RÚV. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Cage the Elephant Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Cage the Elephant Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Cage the Elephant – Ready to Let Go". Music Canada. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  15. ↑ "American single certifications – Cage the Elephant – Ready to Let Go". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 7, 2024.