Here is some background information on Clear Heart Full Eyes from the No Future Songfacts . In early 2011 Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn challenged himself to write a new song every day in his Brooklyn apartment for his first solo album. "I had written a bunch of songs that were outside of the norm for The Hold Steady, a little quieter and perhaps more narrative," he said. "I wanted to gain some experience and insight into the process of making a record by working with new people." Finn enlisted producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon) and traveled to an Austin, Texas studio far away from his New York comfort zone. He hooked up with some local musicians there, including members of Phosphorescent and White Denim and sang his vocals live, keeping takes to a minimum and completed recording in a few days. The resulting album, Clear Heart Full Eyes was released on January 24, 2012 on Vagrant Records.
Newmyer's Roof
Craig Finn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And when they called my name I waved
I thought they might be my old friends
They had the cross in the car
They had the pig in the pen
I was in the bathroom doing my best to ascend
He said he likes how it looks
When I roll back my eyes
The studio sent a car to collect me
When the driver dropped me off at the lot
He said he'd never forget me
The publicist picked up lunch again
I had a Pabst and some pemmican
She said, "Man, you're so damn American."
Doubting Thomas had his eyebrows raised
He says he liked me much better
When I was walking away
No I've never been crucified
I've never suffered or died
I've never been shot
But I've been lied to a lot
Hotel lobby, late night TV
You're either up on the stage
Or you're down on your knees
Blood on my hands, ash in my wine
You can see how I get anxious sometimes
Nails in my hand, blood in my eyes
I feel pretty cool but I know I look fried
All these tall tales and one tiny truth
I saw the towers go down
From up on Newmyer's roof
Yeah, we were frightened
Yeah, we were drinking
It was all so confusing
Doubting Thomas went and talked to the cops
He said this sure seems like an inside job
No I've never been crucified
I've never suffered or died
I've never been shot
But I've been lied to a lot
Hotel bar, the game on TV
You're either up on the lights
Or you're out on the streets
We always want more but we get what we need
I saw your girl at the movies
She seems pretty sweet
Doubting Thomas has the cynical take
He said the more you destroy
The more that you make
No I've never been crucified
I've never suffered or died
I've never been shot
But I've been lied to a lot
Look at these mountains
Look at these trees
Tom, there must be something you believe
Look at these mountains
Look at these trees
Tom, there must be something you believe
Tom, there must be something, yeah
Tom, there must be something, yeah
Tom, there must be something you believe
Tom, there must be something
Tom, there must be something
Tom, there must be something you believe
The lyrics to Craig Finn's song Newmyer's Roof are filled with powerful and poignant imagery, conveying themes of disillusionment, anxiety, and confusion. The song begins with the singer encountering some unsettling characters in the lobby of a building. Despite feeling wary of them, he recognizes them and hesitantly greets them. The next lines are cryptic but appear to be referencing some sort of religious symbols or icons, with the "cross in the car" and "pig in the pen". Meanwhile, the singer is trying to "ascend" in some way, possibly through drug use.
The next few verses chronicle the singer's experiences in the music industry, where he is being supported by a studio and a publicist. Despite this, he feels uneasy and anxious, drinking Pabst and feeling uncomfortable with being described as "so damn American". Doubting Thomas appears again, critical of the singer's behavior and seeming to believe that the music industry will ultimately destroy him.
As the song continues, the singer contemplates mortality and violence. He references the events of 9/11 and how he witnessed them from a rooftop, feeling scared and confused. Doubting Thomas continues to question everything around him, even suggesting that the attacks were an "inside job". The song ends on a somewhat uncertain note, with the singer and Doubting Thomas discussing belief and trying to find something to hold onto.
Overall, Craig Finn's Newmyer's Roof is a complex and thought-provoking song that delves into themes of disillusionment and anxiety, as well as exploring the darker aspects of the music industry and grappling with difficult topics like violence and tragedy.
Line by Line Meaning
There were those same bloodsuckers in the lobby again
The singer encounters unpleasant people in the hotel lobby and recognizes them as past acquaintances.
And when they called my name I waved
The singer acknowledges the presence of his former acquaintances but avoids interaction with them.
I thought they might be my old friends
Despite recognizing the bloodsuckers, the singer still has a shred of hope that they are genuine old friends.
They had the cross in the car
The bloodsuckers possess Christian symbols, likely meant to refer to their supposed piety.
They had the pig in the pen
The bloodsuckers have taken advantage of a situation where a pig can be contained in a pen.
I was in the bathroom doing my best to ascend
The singer is in the bathroom likely handling drugs and trying to elevate his consciousness.
Doubting Thomas had the party supplies
The person named Doubting Thomas has the substances used to party.
He said he likes how it looks
Doubting Thomas appreciates the singer's tripped-out look.
When the driver dropped me off at the lot
The studio sends a car to pick up the singer and take him to the filming location.
He said he'd never forget me
The driver makes a promise to remember the singer.
I had a Pabst and some pemmican
The singer had beer and dried meat at the suggestion of his publicist during their lunch meeting.
She said, 'Man, you're so damn American.'
The publicist comments on the singer's appearance and manner, remarking that he looks distinctly American.
He says he liked me much better
Doubting Thomas prefers it when the singer isn't around, making sarcastic comments in their presence.
When I was walking away
Doubting Thomas misses the absence of the singer.
But I've been lied to a lot
Despite never experiencing physical harm, the singer has been misled numerous times.
You're either up on the stage
One is either performing on stage or relegated to a more subservient position.
Or you're down on your knees
One's status is either as a successful performer or in a more submissive, serviced position.
We always want more but we get what we need
Although people desire more, they will only receive what is necessary.
I saw your girl at the movies
The singer saw someone's partner while at the movies.
She seems pretty sweet
The singer observed that the person's partner is kind-hearted.
Doubting Thomas has the cynical take
Doubting Thomas possesses a negative, skeptically inclined perspective.
He said the more you destroy
Doubting Thomas proves a point that the more something is destroyed, the greater it becomes.
Look at these mountains
The singer draws attention to the grandiosity of the mountains.
Tom, there must be something you believe
Someone is prompting Doubting Thomas to express some form of belief or opinion.
Contributed by Jack B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
taylor rogers
Incredible! Had the privilege of seeing Craig Finn open for Heartless Bastards last week and he told the story that lead him to write this song. Pretty powerful stuff.
dagalagas
Great tune Craig! Look forward to hearing it live in NYC!
dagalagas
The bruising beat shoves along, reminiscent of the great Lou Reed NYC songs.
sotampacane
that is a really good song. Looking forward to the album.
Mike Volpe
I heard this song for the first time this afternoon on the local college radio station. The song caught my ear and I had to hear it again. Kind of a ramped up James McMurtry. I like it. Having lost my buddy on 9/11 I am no truther but after reading the lyrics twice I am not quite positive Finn is either. Could be though...McMurtry writes a lot of lyrics I don't agree with, as does the Boss, but a good song is a good song.
Charlie Bullock
Finn's not a truther. Doubting Thomas isn't someone we're supposed to agree with, necessarily, he's just like an embodiment of American cynicism, or something. He's the one who says "it sure looks like an inside job," but later in the song the narrator hits him with the "Tom, there must be something you believe."
Lewis Davidson
Loved the video!
Karen Knight
Such powerful lyrics - very poignant.
Virtual Martini
I notice a lot of people in the comments who are too afraid a guy might believe something that they don't to enjoy a good song. When you realize that's a problem of your own ego, rather than a problem with the other person's thinking; you'll mature.
Darius
How else here becaus matt bennett