It was released in October 2005 as the lead single from their debut album How to Save a Life and from the soundtrack to the science fiction action film Stealth (2005).

In the United Kingdom, "Over My Head (Cable Car)" was released as the second single from the album, following "How to Save a Life".

[2] It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 2006 but lost to "My Humps" by the Black Eyed Peas.

[6] The song "Over My Head" was written about lead singer and pianist Isaac Slade's relationship with his brother, Caleb, nicknamed "Cable Car".

[12][full citation needed] The song became a top 40 hit on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in late 2005.

[13] The single gained airplay nationally, entering the Billboard Hot 100 chart on the issue marked February 25, 2006.

Internationally, the song was a Top 25 hit in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

The music video was directed by Elliott Lester and was filmed on July 24, 2005, at East High School and at Fox Theatre in Denver and Boulder, respective.

"Over My Head (Cable Car)" was covered by American rock band A Day to Remember and included on their EP, Attack of the Killer B-Sides.