Recording mostly live, the band released its debut, Almost Killed Me, on French Kiss Records in March 2004 and Separation Sunday a year later. In April 2006 the band signed to Vagrant Records and entered the studio on the 1st of May to begin work on their third record, Boys and Girls in America. Released in October, it was one of the most critically acclaimed records of 2006 and reached a much larger audience than its predecessors.
The band released their fourth album, Stay Positive, recorded again with Boys and Girls in America producer John Agnello. Nicolay left the group and on May 4, 2010 the band released their fifth studio album, Heaven Is Whenever, recorded with producer Dean Baltulonis.
On July 15, 2008, Stay Positive was released. It debuted at #30 on the Billboard 200. It debuted on the UK Album Chart at #15 on July 20, the third-highest new entry. It ranked #1 on the UK Indie Chart. The album was named the best of 2008 by Entertainment Weekly. The song "Constructive Summer" was number 56 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.
Their seventh album, Thrashing Thru the Passion, was released in 2019. Among its songs, "Entitlement Crew" and "Confusion in the Marketplace," were considered standouts.
Crucifixion Cruise
The Hold Steady Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Infested with infections and smiling on an abscessed tooth
Running out on residue and crashing through the vestibule
The crucifixion cruise, she climbed the cross and found she liked the view
And sat reflecting on the resurrection and dreaming about an old connection
And talking loud over lousy connections, she put her mouth around a difficult question
She said Lord, what do you recommend to a real sweet girl who's made some not-sweet friends?
The opening lines of The Hold Steady's song "Crucifixion Cruise" introduce us to a character who finds herself in a state of spiritual unrest, seeking guidance and redemption. She is in the confession booth, surrounded by her own physical decay, yet her smile suggests that she has found some measure of peace in this place of absolution. We are then transported to a scene of frenzied motion as she runs through the church, her mind racing with thoughts of resurrection and old connections. She climbs the cross, an act of devotion that quickly becomes a source of pleasure as she revels in the view from above.
As she sits there, contemplating her past and her present struggles, she turns to the Lord and asks for advice. She is a sweet girl who has found herself in the company of not-so-sweet friends, and she is struggling to find her way through difficult times. Her question is one that speaks to the universal struggles of the human experience, as we all seek guidance in navigating the complexities of our relationships and our place in the world. Her plea is heartfelt and genuine, and we are left to wonder what the answer might be.
"Crucifixion Cruise" is a powerful and provocative song that explores themes of redemption, faith, and human connection. Through its vivid imagery and evocative lyrics, it captures the spirit of a seeker who is trying to find her way through a world of darkness and confusion, seeking the light of hope and salvation.
Line by Line Meaning
Hallelujah came to in the confession booth
Hallelujah woke up inside the confession booth
Infested with infections and smiling on an abscessed tooth
Hallelujah had been plagued with diseases and had an infected tooth that made her smile
Running out on residue and crashing through the vestibule
She left quickly without finishing her business and made a loud entrance in the vestibule area
The crucifixion cruise, she climbed the cross and found she liked the view
On entering, she imagined herself being crucified and enjoyed the view of it
And sat reflecting on the resurrection and dreaming about an old connection
Hallelujah thought about the resurrection event and reminisced about an old relationship
And talking loud over lousy connections, she put her mouth around a difficult question
Speaking loudly over poor phone connections, she posed a challenging question
She said Lord, what do you recommend to a real sweet girl who's made some not-sweet friends?
She asked the Lord for advice on how a genuinely sweet girl can handle being friends with unpleasant people
Lord, what do you prescribe to a real soft girl who's having real hard times?
She asked for the Lord's guidance on how a gentle girl can cope with difficult situations
Contributed by Elizabeth H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.