In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I was not involved at the Northtown Mall.
As a matter of fact I didn't even know that's where it happened.
I was France ave when they came out dancing.
I was Lyndale south. I was kicking it with cousins.
We were talking about going clubbing.
Instead we just started drinking.
I've been straight since the Cinco de Mayo.
Before that I was blotto.
I was blacked out. I was cracked out.
I was caved in.
You should have seen all these portals
That I've powered up in.
We started recreational.
It ended kinda medical.
It came on hot and soft and then
It tightened up its tentacles.
I wasn't there
I was blind high. I was scared.
I was Lake and Columbus.
I was cutting off all my hair.
I was unfurling a flag of defiance
Aimed at my guidance guy.
So this is it.
This is the end of the session.
I ain't gonna be taking any more questions.
I think my attorney's gonna second that notion.
It started recreational.
It ended kinda medical.
It came on hot and soft and then
It tightened up its tentacles.
The band played screaming for vengeance
And we agreed. this world is mostly manacled.
It started ice cream social nice.
It ended up all white and ecumenical.
There are guys
With wild eyes when they ask to get you high.
There are girls
That will come to you with comfort in the night.
That's right.
We started recreational.
It ended up all medical.
It came on hot and soft and then
It tightened up its tentacles.
The band played 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath'
You thought it was stony and adorable.
It started in the vestibule.
It ended in the hospital.
There are guys
With the wild eyes when they ask to get you high.
There are girls
That will come to you with comfort in the night.
There are nights
Where it all comes on a little bit too bright.
There's a cross
And in the center there is a hot soft light
As a matter of fact I didn't even know that's where it happened.
I was France ave when they came out dancing.
I was Lyndale south. I was kicking it with cousins.
We were talking about going clubbing.
Instead we just started drinking.
I've been straight since the Cinco de Mayo.
Before that I was blotto.
I was blacked out. I was cracked out.
I was caved in.
You should have seen all these portals
That I've powered up in.
We started recreational.
It ended kinda medical.
It came on hot and soft and then
It tightened up its tentacles.
I wasn't there
I was blind high. I was scared.
I was Lake and Columbus.
I was cutting off all my hair.
I was unfurling a flag of defiance
Aimed at my guidance guy.
So this is it.
This is the end of the session.
I ain't gonna be taking any more questions.
I think my attorney's gonna second that notion.
It started recreational.
It ended kinda medical.
It came on hot and soft and then
It tightened up its tentacles.
The band played screaming for vengeance
And we agreed. this world is mostly manacled.
It started ice cream social nice.
It ended up all white and ecumenical.
There are guys
With wild eyes when they ask to get you high.
There are girls
That will come to you with comfort in the night.
That's right.
We started recreational.
It ended up all medical.
It came on hot and soft and then
It tightened up its tentacles.
The band played 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath'
You thought it was stony and adorable.
It started in the vestibule.
It ended in the hospital.
There are guys
With the wild eyes when they ask to get you high.
There are girls
That will come to you with comfort in the night.
There are nights
Where it all comes on a little bit too bright.
There's a cross
And in the center there is a hot soft light
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
When We Were Young
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"I was cutting off all my hair." Craig Finn was involved in the Minneapolis hardcore scene in the late 80's/early 90's and a big part of that crew favored shaved heads. I'm not sure if he was involved in the antiracist skinhead scene at all at that time, but it was at it's height in the local hardcore scene at that time, so he clearly would have been aware of it.
I absolutely love this song. Currently my favorite track on the new album. "It started recreational......then it ended medical"---Brilliant!
This is one of my favorite rock songs ever.
This song, as well as this entire album, is absolute proof that The Hold Steady is the best rock band in existence today.
i think this is one of, if not the best song on the album. it starts out as told by a guy being interrogated by the police for a robbery that he denies being involved in, but he plainly was (he knows where it took place then hurries to say "i didn't even know that's where it happened"). probably to get drug money. then he recounts how he started using drugs for fun but it became a necessity, like medicine. i loooooove the line "it started hot and soft and then it tightened up its tentacles." that's brilliant.
everyone of there lyrics are fuckin amazing and have so much meaning. i jus got back from seeing the hold steady in frisco FUCKING AMAZING
Northtown Mall, Lyndale Ave, Lake St... The second best thing about this song (besides the melodic aspects) is all of the Twin Cities references.
the band played screaming for vengeance and we agreed. this world is mostly manacled.
JUDAS PRIEST HELL YEAH
I love the opening lines. It seems he's being interrogated, and it sounds like it's not going so well for him. "I was not involved with what went on there...uhh, I mean, let alone I don't know what you're talking about..."