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.
Sequestered In Memphis
The Hold Steady Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It got heavy when we got to the bathroom
We didn't go back to her place
We went to some place where she cat-sits
She said, "I know I look tired, but everything's fried here in Memphis"
Man, they want to know exactly which bathroom
Dude, does it make any difference?
Yeah, sure, I'll tell my story, again
In bar-light, she looked all right
In daylight, she looked desperate
That's all right, I was desperate too
I'm getting pretty sick of this interview
Subpoenaed in Texas, sequestered in Memphis
Subpoenaed in Texas, sequestered in Memphis
I think she drove a new Mustang
I guess it might be a rental
I remember she had satellite radio
I guess she seemed a bit nervous
Do you think I'm that stupid?
Well, what the hell
I'll tell the story, again
In bar-light, she looked all right
In daylight, she looked desperate
That's all right, I was desperate, too
I'm getting pretty sick of this interview
Subpoenaed in Texas, sequestered in Memphis
Subpoenaed in Texas, sequestered in Memphis
Subpoenaed in Texas, sequestered in Memphis
Subpoenaed in Texas, sequestered in Memphis
I went there on business
Subpoenaed in Texas, sequestered in Memphis
I went there on business
Subpoenaed in Texas, sequestered in Memphis
I went there on business
Subpoenaed in Texas, sequestered in Memphis
I went there on business
Subpoenaed in Texas, sequestered in Memphis
The Hold Steady's song "Sequestered In Memphis" tells the story of a man who meets a woman while dancing at a bar in Memphis. It gets "heavy" when they go to the bathroom, but rather than going back to her place, they end up at someplace where she cat-sits. The woman confesses that she's tired, but everything's "fried" in Memphis. The mood of the song changes when the man is subpoenaed in Texas and sequestered in Memphis, and he recounts his story of meeting the woman to the authorities. The lyrics hint at a possible infidelity between the man and the woman he meets in Memphis, although the details are intentionally vague.
The song explores themes of deception, infidelity, and legal trouble. The lyrics suggest that the man is not entirely truthful with the authorities when recounting his story, which adds to the ambiguity and tension of the song. The repetition of the phrase "Subpoenaed in Texas, sequestered in Memphis" towards the end of the song becomes almost hypnotic, adding to the sense of being trapped and under scrutiny.
Line by Line Meaning
It started when we were dancing
The events of this story began when we were dancing.
It got heavy when we got to the bathroom
Things started to get intimate and intense once we made it to the bathroom.
We didn't go back to her place
Instead of going to her house, we ended up going to a place where she watches a cat.
We went to some place where she cat-sits
We ended up at a place where she watches a cat.
She said, "I know I look tired, but everything's fried here in Memphis"
She acknowledged that she looked tired and blamed it on the fact that everything is greasy/overcooked in Memphis.
Man, they want to know exactly which bathroom
The interrogators are fixated on the details, wanting to know exactly which bathroom we were in.
Dude, does it make any difference?
However, it seems irrelevant to me which bathroom it was.
It can't be important
The bathroom's location must not be significant in any way.
Yeah, sure, I'll tell my story, again
Even though I feel like I've said this before, I'll recount the events again to the interrogators.
In bar-light, she looked all right
While we were in dim lighting at the bar, she looked attractive to me.
In daylight, she looked desperate
However, when we were out in the daylight, she seemed more desperate or needy.
That's all right, I was desperate too
I could relate to her feelings of desperation as well.
I'm getting pretty sick of this interview
I am starting to become tired of repeating myself and being interrogated.
Subpoenaed in Texas, sequestered in Memphis
I had to go from Texas to Memphis due to a subpoena and am now being held in seclusion.
I think she drove a new Mustang
I believe she was driving a brand new Mustang.
I guess it might be a rental
Though it could also be a rental car, I am unsure.
I remember she had satellite radio
I recall that her car had satellite radio installed.
I guess she seemed a bit nervous
She appeared to be slightly on edge or uncomfortable.
Do you think I'm that stupid?
I find it insulting that the interrogators would ask such a question.
Well, what the hell, I'll tell the story, again
Despite my annoyance, I will go ahead and retell the story once more.
I went there on business
The reason for my journey to Memphis was work-related.
Subpoenaed in Texas, sequestered in Memphis
I was compelled to travel to Memphis from Texas and am now being held in isolation.
I went there on business
My purpose for coming to Memphis was strictly for work reasons.
Subpoenaed in Texas, sequestered in Memphis
Due to a subpoena, I had to come to Memphis from Texas and am now being held in confinement.
I went there on business
My trip to Memphis was solely for professional purposes.
Subpoenaed in Texas, sequestered in Memphis
I was required to come to Memphis from Texas for legal reasons and am now being held in isolation.
I went there on business
The reason for my journey to Memphis was work-related.
Subpoenaed in Texas, sequestered in Memphis
I was summoned to come to Memphis from Texas and am now being kept apart from others.
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Craig Finn, Tad Kubler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rayrichards5375
Now this is what you call a song. Respect to the Hold Steady
@birdzzzondayflu2489
Wow. Remember listening to this 14 years ago
@conmccormack3159
Just top class. Top class song writing and musicians. Love this band
@bugmanuk
These boys are the NUTS!
@TheGBs1972
Saw them in Leeds at the Cockpit on 19th. Tiny venue which made it brilliant, up close...Best band i have ever seen.
@jonathanhall6163
Saw them on that tour in Sheffield. Banging.
@TheGBs1972
@@jonathanhall6163 I missed the Sheffield gig and I’m from Sheffield...Christ was this 12 years ago????
@Salem
this song keeps my hope in the music biz alive.
@Jaimelapoesie
Not how I expected that dude to look w/ that voice... maybe more awesome because of that.
@dunkafelic
so much of being a "good" rock vocalist is in the singer's vocal stylings, and his is off the charts...off the grid....addictive.