Written by lead singer Julian Casablancas, the song was released as the second single from the band's third studio album, First Impressions of Earth (2006).

The music video for "Heart in a Cage" was directed by Samuel Bayer, and was shot in New York City.

It was shot in black and white and featured the band members playing in various locations in the city, such as on tall skyscrapers, or, in singer Julian Casablancas's case, lying down on the pavement.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Albert Hammond, Jr. stated he almost died on the set of the shooting of the video when 40 mph winds almost blew him off the top of the building.

7-inch vinyl Japanese CD The single was reworked with traditional bluegrass instrumentation in 2006 by mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile and Punch Brothers on the album How to Grow a Woman from the Ground.