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.
On With the Business
The Hold Steady Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm really sorry about that prick in the parking lot.
I wanted this to be our year.
But they cut off supplies and they sent over some guys.
And those guys they made it perfectly clear.
I know I made them a promise but those are just words
And words can get weird.
I think they made themselves perfectly clear.
Blood on the carpet
Mud on the mattress
Waking up with that American sadness.
Dead receptors.
Body limitations.
Weak handshakes and great expectations.
Bountiful chemicals
Beautiful kitchens.
So many choices
Decisions, decisions.
I said a couple things that probably weren't technically true.
They disconnected the phone last week.
That's how we lost the connection
So we went down to the taverns
And tried to make an impression.
I know I made them a promise but those are just words.
And words can get weird.
I think they made themselves perfectly clear.
Blood on the carpet.
Mud on the mattress.
Waking up with that American sadness
Afternoon matinee.
Midnight madness.
Come on everybody, let's get on with the business.
Pledge of allegiance.
War of attrition.
So many choices
Decisions, decisions.
I said a couple things that probably weren't technically true.
Conventional wisdom says we should probably cruise.
We should probably cruise.
Blood on the carpet
Mud on the mattress
Waking up with that American sadness.
Chemistry, currency
Plastic and magic.
Everybody rise, we're an American business.
Great expectations.
La fitness.
So many choices.
Decisions, decisions.
I said a couple things that probably weren't technically true.
I saw that whole crew on the news.
We should probably cruise dude.
Now all our friends are acting
Sketchy and lifeless.
Waking up with that American sadness.
Dead receptors.
Body limitations.
Weak handshakes and great expectations.
Chemistry, currency
Plastic and magic.
Come on everybody, let's get on with the business.
I said a couple things that probably weren't technically true.
The lyrics to "On With the Business" by The Hold Steady have a melancholic undertone while seeming to be optimistic about trying to make a return. In the opening lines, the singer seems apologetic about an altercation that occurred in a parking lot and indicates that he wanted the year to be different. However, the promise he made to his associates falls apart because the supplies were cut off, and these people sent others to convey that they were not pleased. The lyrics reference broken promises, and there is a general sense of emptiness and feeling lost.
As the song goes on, there is even more blood and mud imagery, almost as if the singer is being sucked down into a dark hole of despair. In the second verse, the singer explains the loss of contact with those he was meaning to work with, and in the chorus, he makes reference to war and the burdensome weight of too many options. The final lines seem to signify the inevitable failure of everything that was attempted, and they suggest that it's time to abandon hope and move on.
The overall theme is one of struggle, both personally and within the larger society. The lyrics touch on failing promises, economic distress, and the weight of expectation. It’s a powerful, mournful song that simultaneously draws the listener in and pushes them away as they come to terms with the bleakness of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's get on with the business.
Let's continue with our plans and goals.
I'm really sorry about that prick in the parking lot.
I apologize for the incident that occurred in the parking lot.
I wanted this to be our year.
I had high hopes for our success and growth in this year.
But they cut off supplies and they sent over some guys.
Our supplies were cut off and some men were sent to our location.
And those guys they made it perfectly clear.
Those men made their intentions very obvious and clear.
I know I made them a promise but those are just words.
I made a promise to them, but words can be unreliable.
And words can get weird.
Words can be misunderstood or misinterpreted.
Blood on the carpet
There is blood on the carpet.
Mud on the mattress
The mattress is dirty with mud.
Waking up with that American sadness.
Feeling a sense of sorrow and distress that is typical of American society.
Dead receptors.
Receptors in the body are not working effectively.
Body limitations.
The body has physical limitations.
Weak handshakes and great expectations.
Weak physical interactions with high hopes for the future.
Bountiful chemicals
There are many chemicals present.
Beautiful kitchens.
The kitchens are aesthetically pleasing.
So many choices
There are a lot of options to choose from.
Decisions, decisions.
We need to make choices.
I said a couple things that probably weren't technically true.
I made some false statements that were not correct.
They disconnected the phone last week.
Our phone connection was terminated recently.
That's how we lost the connection.
Our connection was lost because of the phone disconnection.
So we went down to the taverns
We went to taverns to socialize.
And tried to make an impression.
We tried to create an impact or influence on others.
Pledge of allegiance.
We promise our loyalty to the country.
War of attrition.
A prolonged conflict where the weakening of the enemy is the primary objective.
Afternoon matinee.
An afternoon movie or theatrical performance.
Midnight madness.
An event or situation of craziness or unpredictability that occurs at night.
Come on everybody, let's get on with the business.
Let's continue with our plans and goals together.
Chemistry, currency
The interaction of elements and the exchange of money.
Plastic and magic.
Synthetic materials and seemingly impossible wonder.
Everybody rise, we're an American business.
We are all part of a business that operates in America.
La fitness.
A fitness center chain.
Now all our friends are acting Sketchy and lifeless.
Our friends are behaving suspiciously and without energy.
Chemistry, currency
The interaction of elements and the exchange of money.
Plastic and magic.
Synthetic materials and seemingly impossible wonder.
I saw that whole crew on the news.
I saw that group of people on the news.
We should probably cruise dude.
We should probably leave and avoid confrontation.
Conventional wisdom says we should probably cruise.
Traditional beliefs suggest that we should leave.
Great expectations.
There are high hopes and expectations for the future.
So many choices.
There are many options and alternatives available.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tom Brazelton
I've been completely hypnotized by this song since Teeth Dreams came out. I can't stop listening to it.
Chris Glendinning
Only certain ppl get the holy steady ,they are an amazing band and im hoping next album comes out soon . This album is going to be hard to follow . In my opinion one of the best rock bands ive heard i decades ..
Hayley Macdonald
One of my fav songs of this year so far.
Glasgow Gallus
Never gets old this... 👍🏴
hermelmet
listening to the album through right now, so far this is the standout, all good though....this song is just very "Hold Steady"...Craigs lyrics and vocal delivery are classic, showcases the new guitarist a bit too, good stuff!
Darmodien
Can't get over how awesome this one is.
Powell Pressburger
A song that's up there at the level they were on for Separation Sunday and Boys & Girls in America albums.
Scott Lichtenstein
Killer song!
Moises Coelho
this song is brilliant.
Leavemealoneabout Usingmyname
sounds a lot like their old stuff!