A Slight Discomfort
The Hold Steady Lyrics

I thought you're through with all the bougie guys, don't you wonder about the other side?
A question posed to the listener about their romantic preferences, wondering if they have ever considered a different type of person than the ones they usually choose, specifically referencing those who are wealthy and pretentious.

They only get invited 'cause they think that they might buy
The reason the aforementioned bougie guys are around is because they have money, and people only tolerate them in hopes of getting some of it.

Ain't it sad about these metro guys, don't it hurt to watch them moisturize?
A lamentation about the existence of men who are overly concerned with their appearance and hygiene, and how it is somewhat pitiable to see them constantly grooming themselves.

They're never funny and they're all so scared to die
A commentary on how these men who obsessively clean themselves are usually not very amusing and also very anxious about their mortality.

We're not afraid, we have our faith
The artist and those they identify with are not scared of the unknown or the future because they have faith in something.

We've seen scattered action and we've mostly come out unscathed
The group the singer is part of has experienced some chaotic situations, but they have largely escaped without harm.

We'll be alright, we'll get through the night
An assurance that everything will be fine, even in difficult situations.

Our struggle still feels wonderful most days, most days
Despite the challenges faced by the artist and their group, most days they are content with their struggle and see it as something worthwhile.

Don't it suck about the succubi, the bloodsuckers and the parasites?
A complaint about people who use others for their own advantage, equating them to mythical creatures like succubi and literal parasites.

They're never funny and they're all so scared to die
A repeated critique of individuals who are afraid of death and not enjoyable company.

All the small talk seems like suicide, the spiderwebs with the legs and eggs and eyes
A lamentation about the tedium of small talk and the comparison of the mundane to creepy spider webs.

They creep up from behind
The aforementioned parasites are sneaky and manipulative in their tactics.

If I were you I wouldn't get too close
A warning to be wary of the parasitic individuals being discussed.

I've seen how they eat and it gets pretty gross
The singer has witnessed first-hand how these people take advantage of others, and it is not a pretty sight.

They slip their tongue and they hitch onto their host
A vivid description of how these individuals exploit others for their own gain.

Hey New York City, I love it when you turn on your lights
A statement of appreciation for the bustling city and its bright lights.

Our struggle still feels wonderful tonight
Despite any difficulties faced, the artist still finds their current situation fulfilling and worthwhile.

And you say you're a princess
The singer addresses someone who claims to be a princess, likely in a metaphorical sense.

But I remain unconvinced
The claim of being a princess is met with skepticism by the singer.

I've seen the guys that you've been with
The artist has seen the people this individual has surrounded themselves with and is not impressed.

They don't much like princes
The people this person associates with do not seem to be of high calibre or quality themselves.

And you say you're much better
The person being addressed claims to be superior in some way or another.

But I don't quite believe it
The singer is not easily swayed by this person's claims of superiority.

I saw the girls that you came with
The artist has seen the women this person associates with and may not view them positively.

I saw the guy that you left with
The singer has observed the person's behaviour, such as who they choose to spend their time with.

And you say you tried Jesus but it was too inconvenient
The singer references the person having tried religion but finding it too much of a bother or inconvenience.

You just didn't have the patience
The person did not have sufficient patience to continue with religious practices or beliefs.

You say you said prayers but it felt like there was nobody there
The person claims to have prayed but felt as though their prayers were unheard or unanswered.

I didn't think that you'd get it
The artist is not surprised that this person did not have a positive religious experience but may not empathize with them.

This shouldn't hurt
A reassurance that what comes next will not cause physical pain, potentially in reference to a medical procedure or similar experience.

But you might feel a slight discomfort
Despite the harmless nature of what follows, there may be some minor discomfort or unpleasantness involved.

This shouldn't hurt
A repetition of the previous reassurance.

But you might feel a slight discomfort
Another reminder that there could still be some mild discomfort involved.