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.
First Night
The Hold Steady Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gideon makes love to the suites
And Holly's not invincible
In fact she's in the hospital
Not far from that bar where we met
On that first night
Charlemagne pulls street corner scams
Holly's insatiable, she still looks incredible
But she don't look like that same girl we met
On that first night
When she was golden with (?) and beer
On that first night
She slept like she'd never been scared
And then last night
She said "Words so long never could save us."
And then last night
She cried and she told us about Jesus
Holly's inconsolable
Unhinged and uncontrollable
'Cause we can't get as high as we got
On that first night
Boys and girls in America
Boys and girls in America
Boys and girls in America
Boys and girls in America
Boys and girls in America
Don't bother talking to the guys
With their (?) eyes
You know they're already taking on
Don't even speak to all those sequin-surfed beach boys
When they kiss they spit white noise
When they kiss they spit white noise
When they kiss they spit white noise
When they kiss they spit white noise
Yeah, when they kiss they spit white noise
Now when they kiss they spit white noise
When they kiss they spit white noise
The Hold Steady's 'First Night' is one of the most interesting songs of the 21st century. The song tells a story of Charlemagne, Gideon, and Holly, who they met on their first night at a bar where they were in love, drugs, and rock music. Charlemagne and Gideon make ends meet by means of petty theft while Holly is insatiable and still looks stunning, though her situation has deteriorated as she is in the hospital. The song explores themes of inadequacy, lost potential, and the inability to return to the euphoria of past experiences.
The song begins with a line, "Charlemagne shakes in the streets." Charlemagne is a reference to Charles the Great of France, who was an iconic figure of the Middle Ages. The lyrics suggest that time is passing by rapidly, and even renowned figures like Charlemagne, once celebrated in the streets, are now reduced to petty scammers. The song also reflects that they can't go back to how things were initially. The characters are still searching for that feeling they had on their first night, when Holly was vivacious, and Charlemagne had a certain flair.
The lyrics are a reflection of the youth culture and the way society shapes the lives of people. Holly's character represents young people across the world who are crippled by the pressure to always keep pace with the constantly-changing demands of society. The song has a sense of nostalgia that permeates throughout. The band recognizes that no matter how hard they try, they can't reclaim the magic of the past. In essence, the song speaks to the reality of life that change is inevitable, and we have to keep moving.
Line by Line Meaning
Charlemagne shakes in the streets
Charlemagne is involved in fraudulent activities in the streets and is nervous about getting caught.
Gideon makes love to the suites
Gideon is engaging in sexual activities with wealthy and influential people in high-class hotels.
And Holly's not invincible
Holly is vulnerable and not immune to life's struggles and problems.
In fact she's in the hospital
Holly is currently hospitalized and receiving medical treatment.
Not far from that bar where we met
The hospital where Holly is being treated is located near the bar where the artist and their friends first met her.
On that first night
Referring to the night when the singer and their friends first met Holly.
Charlemagne pulls street corner scams
Charlemagne is involved in fraudulent activities on street corners to make money.
And Gideon's got a (?) from a Pringles can
Gideon is using a makeshift pipe made from a Pringles can to smoke drugs, possibly crack cocaine.
Holly's insatiable, she still looks incredible
Holly's attractiveness and charm have not diminished despite her current struggles and vulnerability.
But she don't look like that same girl we met
Holly's physical appearance has changed, possibly due to her hospitalization and/or substance abuse.
When she was golden with (?) and beer
Referring to the night when the singer and their friends first met Holly, she was drunk and had a carefree, youthful energy about her.
She slept like she'd never been scared
Holly slept peacefully and calmly, without any fear or worries bothering her.
And then last night / She said "Words so long never could save us."
Holly expressed her belief that words and promises are not enough to solve problems or save people.
And then last night / She cried and she told us about Jesus
Holly shared her religious beliefs and sought comfort from her friends during a vulnerable moment when she was emotional and crying.
Holly's inconsolable / Unhinged and uncontrollable
Holly is extremely upset and emotionally unstable, making it difficult for her friends to comfort her or calm her down.
'Cause we can't get as high as we got / On that first night
The artist and their friends are unable to recreate the sense of carefree happiness and excitement they experienced when they first met Holly.
Boys and girls in America
Referring to young people in America, particularly those who are carefree and enjoy partying and socializing.
Don't bother talking to the guys / With their (?) eyes / You know they're already taking on
The singer advises not to engage with guys who have dishonest intentions or ulterior motives, as they are likely already involved in shifty activities.
Don't even speak to all those sequin-surfed beach boys / When they kiss they spit white noise
The singer advises not to interact with people who are shallow and superficial, as they are vapid and lacking substance. Their kisses are empty and meaningless, like white noise.
Yeah, when they kiss they spit white noise / Now when they kiss they spit white noise / When they kiss they spit white noise
Reiterating the idea that the kisses of shallow and superficial people are empty and meaningless, like white noise.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jermaine Dupri, Marilyn Mc Leod, Pamela Joan Sawyer, Tamara Savage
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind