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.
Party Pit
The Hold Steady Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She said those kids she's with were sellin' it
And so we sailed off on some separate trips
And she got pinned down at the party pit
I went away to school that fall
She stuck around with all those stick-pin dolls
Sped through the scene until the engine stalled
Some suburban shopping mall
Sailed away on separate trips
And she got pinned down at the party pit
Sailed away on such separate trips
And she got pinned down at the party pit
I came back to start a band, of course
I saw her walking through the crystal court
She made a scene by the revolving doors
She's gonna walk around and drink some more
So I walked across that grain bell bridge
In a brand new Minneapolis
She said "I think of all those things I did
With just momentum from the party pit"
Sailed away on separate trips
And she got pinned down at the party pit
Sailed away on such separate trips
And she got pinned down at the party pit
Sailed away on such separate trips
And she got pinned down at the party pit
Sailed away on such separate trips
And she got pinned down and I'm pretty sure we kissed
And I'm pretty sure we kissed
Gonna walk around and drink some more
Gonna walk around, gonna walk around, gonna walk around and drink some more
The Hold Steady's song "Party Pit" is a nostalgic, bittersweet reflection on the excitement and recklessness of youth, set against the backdrop of a suburban mall. The song tells the story of a young couple who meet at a party and then go their separate ways, only to be reunited later. The singer, who is now in a band, sees his former flame at the mall and reflects on their past.
The song opens with the singer recounting how he met the girl at the "party pit," where the kids were selling drugs. They embarked on separate journeys after the party, with the girl getting stuck and pinned down in the world of drugs and partying. The singer seems to have a sense of regret, but also a sense of distance and detachment from the girl's situation.
The second verse sees the singer returning to Minneapolis to start a band, only to run into the girl again at the mall. She is still drinking and wandering aimlessly, but the singer seems to feel a sense of fondness for the memories they shared.
Overall, "Party Pit" is a deeply evocative song that captures the sense of lost potential and fading memories that come with growing older.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess I met her at the party pit
The singer met the subject at a place where drugs were being sold and consumed.
She said those kids she's with were sellin' it
The subject told the singer that she was with a group of people who were selling drugs.
And so we sailed off on some separate trips
The singer and subject went their separate ways to do their own things.
And she got pinned down at the party pit
The subject got stuck at the drug-fueled party scene.
I went away to school that fall
The artist left to attend school that autumn.
She stuck around with all those stick-pin dolls
The subject remained with the group of drug sellers and users.
Sped through the scene until the engine stalled
The subject partied hard until they couldn't continue anymore.
Some suburban shopping mall
The artist refers to a generic location that represents the sterility of the suburbs.
I came back to start a band, of course
The artist returned to start a band, as is typical of many young people.
I saw her walking through the crystal court
The artist saw the subject walking through a fancy and expensive shopping area.
She made a scene by the revolving doors
The subject caused a commotion in the entrance area.
She's gonna walk around and drink some more
The subject plans to continue drinking and partying.
So I walked across that grain bell bridge
The singer walked across a bridge in Minneapolis.
In a brand new Minneapolis
The singer refers to the city in a positive light and possibly infused with energy.
She said "I think of all those things I did
The subject reflects on her past actions with some regret or nostalgia.
With just momentum from the party pit"
The subject suggests that her actions and experiences have been influenced by the party scene she was involved in.
And I'm pretty sure we kissed
The artist and subject most likely shared a kiss when they reunited.
Gonna walk around and drink some more
The subject plans to continue their partying ways.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: CRAIG FINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind