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.
Lord I'm Discouraged
The Hold Steady Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The circles have sucked in her eyes
Lord, I'm discouraged
Her new friends have shadowed her life
Lord, I'm discouraged
She ain't come out dancing for some time
And I'm trying to light candles
And she keeps coming up with
Excuses and half-truths and fortified wine
Excuses and half-truths and fortified wine
Excuses and half-truths and fortified wine
There's a house on the south side
Where she stays in for days at a time
I know I'm no angel
I ain't been bad that way
Can't you hear her?
She's that sweet missing songbird
When the choir sings on Sundays
And I'm almost busted
But I bought back the jewellery she sold
And I come to your altar
And then there's just nothing
And she keeps insisting
The sutures and bruises are none of my business
She says that she's sick
But she won't get specific
The sutures and bruises are none of my business
This guy from the north side
Comes down to visits
His visits, they only take five or six minutes
Lord, I'm sorry to question your wisdom
But my faith has been wavering
Won't you show me a sign,
And let me know that you're listening?
Excuses and half-truths and fortified wine
Excuses and half-truths and fortified wine
Excuses and half-truths and fortified wine
I know it's unlikely she'll ever be mine
So I mostly just pray she don't die
In The Hold Steady's song "Lord I'm Discouraged," the singer expresses his concern for a girl he cares about deeply. He's discouraged by her behavior and the company she keeps, noting how her eyes have lost their spark and she no longer goes out dancing. He tries to help her by lighting candles, but they burn down to nothing, much like his efforts seem to do. She keeps coming up with excuses and half-truths, and he notices the presence of fortified wine. He knows he's no angel, but he can't help but worry about her well-being.
The singer is hopeful of a sign from God, asking Him to show him that He's listening. The girl's situation seems dire as she has sutures and bruises, but insists they're none of his business. A man from the north side visits her, but only for a few minutes, leaving the singer feeling helpless. He apologizes for questioning God's wisdom but admits that his faith has been wavering. He knows it's unlikely that the girl will ever be his, but he prays that she won't die.
This song is a beautifully crafted piece that delves into themes of love, loss, and desperation. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the singer's struggles to help someone he loves and feels helpless to save. The Hold Steady's sound, with its driving guitars and lyrics that tell a story, enhances the emotional weight of the song, drawing the listener in and making them feel the singer's pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord, I'm discouraged
Feeling disheartened and lost
The circles have sucked in her eyes
She looks unhealthy and her condition is deteriorating
Her new friends have shadowed her life
Her new acquaintances have brought darkness and negativity to her life
She ain't come out dancing for some time
She's been missing from places where she used to enjoy dancing and having fun
And I'm trying to light candles
I'm trying to bring light and positivity to the situation
But they burn down to nothing
My efforts are going in vain and nothing is changing
And she keeps coming up with excuses and half-truths and fortified wine
She keeps finding reasons and justifications for her problematic behavior and addiction
There's a house on the south side where she stays in for days at a time
She's spending most of her time in a house on the south side
I know I'm no angel, I ain't been bad that way
I'm not perfect, but I haven't done anything to deserve this situation
Can't you hear her? She's that sweet missing songbird when the choir sings on Sundays
She used to have a beautiful voice and sing with the choir on Sundays, but now she's missing
And I'm almost busted but I bought back the jewelry she sold
I spent a lot of money to buy back the jewelry she sold to support her addiction
And I come to your altar and then there's just nothing
I seek help and guidance from a higher power, but I feel like I'm not getting any response
And she keeps insisting the sutures and bruises are none of my business
She's trying to hide her injuries and doesn't want me to intervene
She says that she's sick but she won't get specific
She's using sickness as an excuse but won't reveal what's really happening
This guy from the north side comes down to visits, his visits, they only take five or six minutes
She's entertaining visits from someone who only stays briefly
Lord, I'm sorry to question your wisdom, but my faith has been wavering
I'm feeling doubtful and confused, and questioning my faith
Won't you show me a sign, and let me know that you're listening?
I'm seeking for a sign or some indication that help is on the way
I know it's unlikely she'll ever be mine, so I mostly just pray she don't die
I'm not expecting to have a romantic relationship with her, but I'm wishing for her survival
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: CRAIG A FINN, KUBLER JASON TAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind