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.
Navy Sheets
The Hold Steady Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But they all seemed kinda fat and fatigued
And now we're trying to match their mouths to the screens
Match their heads to their dreams
Everybody's searching out the softest seat
All dialed up for the funeral feast
Everyone's stabbing at the biggest piece
Now I'm not really sure we were lovers
Or if it was just some kind of car crash
And now we're trying to find a DNA match
To match their heads to their hats
Everybody's reaching for the sharpest knife
Legs wide open on the opening night
Everybody's bathing in the laser lights
Clever kids screwing with some [unknown] bites
Sunday morning, sidewalks flattered
Feverish in stylish tatters
Damn, this used to seem like [unknown]
I remember when it mattered
Can't get over what's transpired
Left home virgins, came back vampires
Built it out like back-scratched choirs
Really dead or really tired
Everybody's coming on their navy sheets
Everybody's coming on their navy sheets
Everybody wants to suck on something sweet
Everybody's coming on their navy sheets
Everybody's coming on their navy sheets
Everybody's coming on their navy sheets
The Hold Steady's song Navy Sheets explores the unfulfilling and self-destructive nature of the quest for pleasure and purpose. The opening lines suggest that the singer and their companions have encountered some “bona-fide angels” but are disappointed by their appearance and weariness. They then attempt to find meaning and satisfaction through various means, such as trying to match their verbal commitments to their ambitions, reaching for the sharpest knife and the most significant piece, or kissing on some unknown retreat. However, their efforts are futile, and they end up indulging in hedonistic pleasures, represented by the imagery of “coming on their navy sheets.”
The chorus repeats the phrase “everybody’s coming on their navy sheets,” emphasizing the universality of the frustration and hopelessness of their situation. The final verse describes the aftermath of their experiences, with the singer feeling disillusioned and nostalgic for a time when things “mattered.” They are unable to come to terms with the transformation that they have undergone, likening themselves to vampires and questioning whether they are “really dead or really tired.”
Overall, Navy Sheets presents a bleak commentary on the human condition, particularly the tendency to seek out pleasures and thrills without regard for their consequences. The repetition of certain phrases and the use of ambiguous language reflects the fragmented mindset of the singer and their inability to find meaning in their experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess we met a couple a bona-fide angels
We met some genuinely good people
But they all seemed kinda fat and fatigued
However, they appeared tired and unhealthy
And now we're trying to match their mouths to the screens
Now we're struggling to make sense of their words
Match their heads to their dreams
We're trying to understand their motivation
Everybody's searching out the softest seat
Everyone is looking for an easy way out
All dialed up for the funeral feast
Prepared and eager for disaster
Everyone's stabbing at the biggest piece
Everyone is fighting over the top spot
Clever kids kissing on a [unknown] retreat
Smart kids scheming behind the scenes
Now I'm not really sure we were lovers
I'm not sure if we were truly in love
Or if it was just some kind of car crash
Or if it was just a disastrous relationship
And now we're trying to find a DNA match
Now we're searching for common ground
To match their heads to their hats
To understand why they act the way they do
Everybody's reaching for the sharpest knife
Everyone is trying to outdo each other
Legs wide open on the opening night
Being vulnerable in a risky situation
Everybody's bathing in the laser lights
Everyone is caught up in the moment
Clever kids screwing with some [unknown] bites
Smart kids causing trouble
Sunday morning, sidewalks flattered
The calm after the storm
Feverish in stylish tatters
Disheveled and excited
Damn, this used to seem like [unknown]
This used to feel important
I remember when it mattered
I remember when things were meaningful
Can't get over what's transpired
Can't forget what's happened
Left home virgins, came back vampires
Innocent youths turned into something darker
Built it out like back-scratched choirs
Making something out of nothing
Really dead or really tired
Feeling completely drained
Everybody's coming on their navy sheets
Everyone is finishing up their business
Everybody wants to suck on something sweet
Everyone is seeking pleasure
Everybody's coming on their navy sheets
Everyone is done for the night
Everybody's coming on their navy sheets
Everyone is finished and ready for rest
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: C FINN, J KUBLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind