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.
Spinners
The Hold Steady Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They put another record on.
She picks it up and she carries the cross.
Heartbreak hurts but you can dance it off.
Sure some nights she'll curse these clubs
She's two years off some prairie town
She goes out most every night.
She dresses up and she spins around.
The same guy buys another round
To let her know he's interested.
The nights go on forever now
But the morning comes up quick.
You've got to loosen your grip.
Never let them tie you up
It's a big city, there's a lot of love.
Salted rims and frosted mugs.
You gotta get back out there.
Flat champagne and inbound trains.
Soft hands and phantom pains.
Never let them tie you up.
It's a big city, there's a lot of love.
Once she's pretty sure it's safe
She goes to a different place.
Decides she's gonna get some guy
Before she even finds him.
Then she's got him if she wants him
But she cant decide if she wants him.
She goes out almost every night.
She cuddles up and she spins aside.
Never let them tie you up
It's a big city, there's a lot of love.
Salted rims and frosted mugs.
You gotta get back out there.
Flat champagne and inbound trains.
Soft hands and phantom pains.
Never let them tie you up.
It's a big city, there's a lot of love.
She's two years off some prairie town.
She dresses up and she spins around.
Little looks and smaller talk.
Heartbreak hurts but you can dance it off.
She's two years off some prairie town.
She dresses up and she spins around.
She never lets them tie her down.
Its a big city and there's just so much love.
Once you're out there everything is possible.
There might be a fight. There might be a miracle.
Loosen your grip, it feels so incredible.
Let the city live your life for you tonight.
Once you're out there everything is possible.
Even the bad nights they aren't all that terrible.
Loosen your grip, it feels so incredible.
Let the city live your life for you tonight.
Never let them tie you up.
It's a big city, there's a lot of love.
Salted rims and frosted mugs.
It's a big city there's a lot of love.
Tavern wine and tiny bugs.
It's a big city there's a lot of love.
Never let them tie you up.
It's a big city.
The song Spinners by The Hold Steady is about a young woman who has recently moved to a big city, looking for a fresh start after leaving her hometown. She goes out almost every night and dances, hoping to find something or somebody to connect with. The song talks about her disillusionment with the club scene and her need to keep moving forward. Her encounters with men are fleeting and superficial, but she continues to search for something more meaningful. The repeated refrain of "never let them tie you up" is a reminder to her to stay free and not become trapped in any one person or situation.
The lyrics describe the big city as a place of endless possibilities, both good and bad. The fast-paced, transient nature of city life is both exhilarating and daunting. The singer is trying to find her place in this new environment, and the lyrics suggest that she is both excited by and apprehensive about what she might find.
Line by Line Meaning
Before she figures out what's wrong
Before she realizes what's causing her pain
They put another record on.
The music continues to play despite her struggles
She picks it up and she carries the cross.
She takes on the burden of her emotional turmoil
Heartbreak hurts but you can dance it off.
She copes with heartbreak by dancing and living in the moment
Sure some nights she'll curse these clubs
She occasionally questions the nightlife scene and its role on her well-being
She's two years off some prairie town
She's a newcomer to the city, having come from a rural area two years prior
She goes out most every night.
She's a frequent party-goer
She dresses up and she spins around.
She takes pleasure in getting dressed up and dancing
The same guy buys another round
A persistent man buys her another drink, trying to win her over
To let her know he's interested.
He's making an effort to show her that he's attracted to her
The nights go on forever now
The parties seem to last forever and blend together
But the morning comes up quick.
Suddenly it's morning and the night is over
You've got to loosen your grip.
She needs to let go of her fears and worries and live in the moment
Never let them tie you up
She refuses to let anyone hold her down or limit her experiences
It's a big city, there's a lot of love.
The city offers endless opportunities to meet new people and experience new things
Salted rims and frosted mugs.
A reference to margaritas and beer, popular drinks in social settings
You gotta get back out there.
She's determined to continue to socialize and experience the nightlife
Flat champagne and inbound trains.
A reminder that not every night is perfect, and the reality of public transportation in the city
Soft hands and phantom pains.
She meets people with different backgrounds and stories, but carries her own emotional pain
Once she's pretty sure it's safe
She's cautious about who she spends time with
She goes to a different place.
She seeks out new experiences and people
Decides she's gonna get some guy
She sets her sights on a potential romantic interest
Before she even finds him.
She begins making plans and dreaming about the possibilities
Then she's got him if she wants him
She feels in control of the situation
But she cant decide if she wants him.
She's uncertain if she truly likes the person or is just caught up in the moment
She goes out almost every night.
She continues to live a social and active lifestyle
She cuddles up and she spins aside.
She seeks comfort and enjoys dancing and moving her body
Its a big city and there's just so much love.
She acknowledges that the city offers endless possibilities for love and connection
Once you're out there everything is possible.
The city offers infinite experiences and opportunities
There might be a fight. There might be a miracle.
Anything can happen in the vibrant city
Let the city live your life for you tonight.
She loses herself in the excitement of the city and its offerings
Even the bad nights they aren't all that terrible.
She has a positive outlook, even in difficult situations
Tavern wine and tiny bugs.
An odd pairing of drinks and insects, symbolizing the unexpected and unusual experiences the city can offer
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: CRAIG FINN, TAD JASON KULBER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Graeme Stuttaford
Excellent and superb!!!
David Buck
Holy crap. This is an amazing video.
Zak C
I'm so glad Soupy from the Wonder Years mentioned these, amazing song!
OakRidgePunk777
Not sure everyone's gonna get the purpose of the human sketches. I'm not sure everyone's gonna get the purpose of the human sketches. hahaha
Vance Hutchison
Sounds like a cross between Husker Du and Bruce Springsteen
MagusMirificus
Vance Hutchison That could apply to most of The Hold Steady's career. And that's not a bad thing.
Matt Hueneman
+Vance Hutchison Absolutely!
Julian Manley
this is the most accurate thing i think ive ever read in a comments section
Joshua Beachy
Yeah, that's The Hold Steady.
John Manuel
Is that why I like it?