Continuing my look at the albums of 2006…
Memory is a funny thing.
When I saw that the Brooklyn-based Hold Steady released a well-received album in 2006 — their third record, Boys and Girls in America — I thought it would be a great opportunity to listen to a band I’ve heard a lot about.
So listen I did, and I really enjoyed the clever, narrative songwriting, lead singer Craig Finn’s brusquely emotive vocals, and the band’s muscular performances. It’s a gritty, cinematic treat. Bruce Springsteen on a bender.
When I got around to writing this blog entry, I discovered this was actually the third Hold Steady song I’ve featured. And not only that, I’ve apparently owned Boys and Girls in America for years — possibly even all 20 years since its release.
Back in 2022, first single ‘Chips Ahoy!’ popped up as a Random Weekend selection and I noted that I’d never heard the album despite owning it. I really dug the song, too.
I can forgive myself for forgetting I’d bought (or otherwise come into possession of) this album 20 years ago. But I have a harder time letting myself off the hook for not recalling that blog post. Sure, four years isn’t nothing. But I should be better than that.
At any rate, I hope I remember this album four years from now, and maybe even listen to it a few more times by then. It’s a good one.
There are nights when I think that Sal Paradise was right
Boys and girls in America—they have such a sad time together
Sucking off each other at the demonstrations
Making sure their makeup’s straight
Crushing one another with colossal expectations
Dependent, undisciplined, sleeping late
[Chorus]
She was a really cool kisser, and she wasn’t all that strict of a Christian
She was a damn good dancer, but she wasn’t all that great of a girlfriend
He likes the warm feeling, but he’s tired of all the dehydration
Most nights are crystal clear, but tonight, it’s like he’s stuck between stations
On the radio
[Verse 2]
The Devil and John Berryman, they took a walk together
And they ended up on Washington, talking to the river
He said, “I surrounded myself with doctors and deep thinkers
But big heads and soft bodies make for lousy lovers”
There was that night that we thought John Berryman could fly
But he didn’t, so he died
She said, “You’re pretty good with words, but words won’t save your life”
And they didn’t, so he died
[Chorus]
Yeah, he was drunk and exhausted, but he was critically acclaimed and respected
He loved the Golden Gophers, but he hated all the drawn-out winters
He likes the warm feeling, but he’s tired of all the dehydration
Most nights were kind of fuzzy, but that last night, he had total retention
[Bridge]
Yeah, these Twin City kisses, they sound like clicks and hisses
We all come down and drown in the Mississippi River
[Bridge]
We drink and we dry up, and now we crumble into dust
We get wet and we corrode, and now we’re covered up in rust
We drink and we dry up, and now we crumble into dust
We get wet and we corrode, and now we’re covered up in rust
[Chorus]
She was a really cool kisser, and she wasn’t all that strict of a Christian
She was a damn good dancer, but she wasn’t all that great of a girlfriend
He likes the warm feeling, but he’s tired of all the dehydration
Most nights are crystal clear, but tonight, it’s like he’s stuck between stations
[Outro]
These Twin City kisses, they sound like clicks and hisses
We all come down and drown
Meet Me In Montauk 
Well, I don’t remember your previous posts or this band either but apparently I wasn’t all that impressed four years ago. I do hear the Bruce Springsteen in this track and that’s a positive thing.
You can’t really be expected to remember blogs when you have 18 years worth to go through 😊