Joke About Jamaica
The Hold Steady Lyrics

They used to think it was so cute
People used to find her saying "Dyer Maker" very charming

When she said "Dyer Maker"
Her pronunciation of "Dyer Maker" was so endearing that people loved it

All the boys knew it was a joke about Jamaica
Everyone was aware that her saying "Dyer Maker" was actually a reference to a reggae song by the same name

She'd always find a ride back home from the bar
She was never stranded and always managed to find a ride home when she went out drinking

She used to feel so stupid
She used to feel unintelligent in the company of her friends

When they'd talk about the music
Whenever her friends talked about music and bands, she felt left out

Born into every single tune
Each and every song seemed to be a part of her soul

They used to hum against her lips
Her friends would often hum along to songs and place their lips on hers as a playful gesture

With their hands on her hips
When they kissed, they would hold her by the hips

They used to kiss in the car
They often made out in the car while driving around

Dancing days, houses of the holy
The days of dancing and going to concerts were filled with a sense of sanctity and purity

Hot-shot in the city in the middle of the prairie
Despite being in a small town, they felt like hot-shots in the city

Floating with the boys, with all her charms
She easily attracted the attention of boys wherever she went

At first the laugh, then the eyes
Boys would start by laughing with her, but eventually their gaze would shift

Then the touch-em-on-the-arm's
The flirtation would progress to a light touch on the arm

And the drinks, they'd never seem to cost money
Drinks seemed cheaper back then, as if they almost didn't have to pay for them

And Saturday night was a runway
Saturday nights were an opportunity to shine and show off

That extended into Sunday
The partying would continue from Saturday night into Sunday

And sometimes Monday
Occasionally, the partying would even continue into Monday

Back then it was beautiful
In the past, everything seemed idyllic and perfect

The boys were sweet and musical
The boys were kind and talented musically

The laser lights looked mystical
The laser lights at concerts appeared otherworldly and magical

Messed up stuff felt magical
Even negative experiences felt somehow special and beautiful

Girls didn't seem so difficult
Girls didn't appear as complicated and intimidating back then

Boys didn't seem so typical
Boys didn't all seem the same or fit into the same stereotypical roles

It was warm and white and wonderful
The time period conveyed a sense of warmth, purity, and wonder

We were all invincible
Everyone felt like they could take on the world and overcome any challenge

Tired eyes, trampled under foot
She is exhausted and feels crushed by life

Dazed and confused
She's feeling lost and bewildered

C-C-C-C-Cocaine blues
She's been taking cocaine and feeling down as a result

She hasn't got any eye contact tonight
People aren't giving her any attention or making eye contact

The boys are getting younger
The men she used to be with are now young boys, reflecting her age

And the bands are getting louder
The music she used to enjoy now feels too loud and overwhelming

And the new girls are coming up
Young women are now taking her place as the center of attention

Like some white unopened flowers
These new girls are pure, unspoiled, and unfamiliar with the world

She's pretty sure that that's where their power is
She believes that their power lies in their newness and freshness

Back then it was unified
In the past, the different music scenes all seemed to come together as one

The punks, the skins, the greaser guys
Different subcultures all coexisted and interacted

Then one summer, two kids died
Two tragic deaths occurred, changing the dynamics between the different groups

And one of them was crucified
One of the young people who died became a martyr, fueling the conflict

Now it's so competitive
Now, the different groups seem to be fighting against each other more than coming together

The sleeplessness and sedatives
She can't sleep and needs to take sedatives to calm herself down

I know it sounds repetitive
She's aware that she's repeating herself by talking about the past so much

Every show can't be a benefit
Not every concert or event will lead to some sort of personal gain or success

We were kids in the crowd
In their youth, they were just one of many fans in the audience

Now we're dogs in this war
Now, they feel like beaten and weakened soldiers in the ongoing conflict between different groups

We were wasps with new wings
They used to feel empowered and free, like wasps with new wings

Now we're bugs in the jar
Now, they feel trapped and powerless

We were hot, soft and pure
They were once full of life, energy, and innocence

Now we're scratched up in scars
Now, they've experienced pain and trauma and bear the marks of that experience

We were counting cards
They used to feel in control of their fate and decisions

Now we eat in our cars
Now, they've lost that sense of control and find themselves eating in their cars, away from others

The boys in the band
The male musicians in the band she's currently watching

They know they'll never be stars
They're aware that they won't reach the same levels of fame and success as some other musicians

Back then they were quite convinced
Everyone was so sure of themselves and their beliefs in the past

Flyerin' and stickerin'
Promoting concerts using posters and stickers, as was common in the past

The front row girls were posturing
The women in the front rows were trying to look cool and attractive

We were all imagining
They were all dreaming of a bright future full of possibility

And man, we had some massive nights
They had many wild and unforgettable nights in the past

Some bashes and some bloody fights
These nights often involved partying and violence

Back before those two kids died
The past felt much more innocent and carefree before the tragic deaths of two young people