| The Hold Steady – First Night Lyrics | 18 years ago |
|
Although Craig Finn doesn't really give us much of a timetable, I see this as coming pretty directly after "How A Resurrection Really Feels," which would explain how Holly got in the hospital. There are a lot of lyrical touchstones from previous tracks- while Gideon's pipe may seem like a bit of debris from the party in "Same Kooks," the lines echoing from "Stuck Between Stations" give the song a haunting, sad quality that is uncommon in pop music. There's a price to pay for everything. Gideon, Charlemagne, and Holly are learning that. |
|
| The Hold Steady – Multitude of Casualties Lyrics | 18 years ago |
|
"Multitude of Casualties" is the beginning of Holly's redemption and, most likely, is the counterpoint to "Your Little Hoodrat Friend." There is a hint that Holly's previous life- the suburban "good girl" who attended Mass- is something she actually wants once again. Holly makes her way back to church services while Holly's boyfriend- the narrator from "Hoodrat" and, presumably, Gideon- is shown for what he is. This is the bridge between the early half of the record and "Crucifixion Cruise." |
|
| The Hold Steady – Charlemagne in Sweatpants Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| Charlemagne is the ne'er do well drug dealer who turns up in Craig Finn's songs, usually heralding a turn for the worse- in "You Gotta Dance...," he winds up flushing $7k worth of drugs down the toilet when he gets busted, for example. Here, we see that he's probably Holly's connection. | |
| The Hold Steady – Hornets! Hornets! Lyrics | 18 years ago |
|
It's pretty reasonable to assume that "Hornets! Hornets!" is meant to set the tone for Holly's misadventures throughout the album and as a contrast to her apparent redemption in the last few songs. Also: Craig Finn is a Hornet, hailing from Edina. |
|
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.