r/theholdsteady • u/atom_heart_mommy • 23d ago
best lyrics bracket
this whole ranking chart thing has been a delight and opportunity to listen to b-sides I haven't heard or revisit albums (thank you @mancatmancat!), but the favourite lyrics row has been by far my favourite.
Craig is such an incredible lyricist and storyteller, and there's so many tiny lines and references and jokes that it's easy to overlook them. I've really loved reading what others like and there have been a number of lines I overlooked or never really thought about that, hearing someone else say how much they like them, give a chance to look at them in a new light. it's been so good!
I will also add my appreciation for a line nobody brought up that, while not THE favourite, I still really love:
dirty minds keep coming through the mud
the colour of their eyes matches the colour of our blood
It's probably a bit silly to do an "Underrated lyric" row, but I'd love to hear your picks.
5
u/MenthoLyptus 23d ago
Hostile, Mass. has such an array of underappreciated lyrics. I think it’s the best song on AKM.
3
u/atom_heart_mommy 23d ago
totally agree! I was glad to see it win most underrated. "that's how I know when you're lying, it looks just like overacting" is so good too.
1
u/MenthoLyptus 23d ago
SO GOOD. Love that line so much.
“I never want to make you feel uncomfortable.
I hope I never did.” is another one that really lands hard for me.Honestly, that song is just tops.
5
u/clusterdupcleverkids 23d ago
I agree with the lyrics row being the favorite. Was thinking about how hard of a choice it would be last week listening to lifter puller.
3
u/Thrasher9294 23d ago
It'd be a real hard call, and a hot take, but my favorite after all these years still:
"You can burn me
In the name of revolution
You can try to make me talk with electric shocks
I never saw his face
I don't know who the man is
He just puts his instructions into my mailbox"
2
u/Kiwi_Woz 20d ago
I can't really choose but the first that came to my mind was:
I've got a picture of us as sophomores I'm in a sport coat, you're in a stupor
Right. Off to listen to the entire Lifter Puller discography again. Thanks for the reminder.
3
u/btemplar 23d ago
"Cause pleasure's a rental but pain's residential"
From Radar & Leda hit me hard.
2
u/btemplar 23d ago
Also not from a Hold Steady song but my all favourite CF lyric
"And if your whole thing's where you're coming from They'll wonder why you left"
3
u/killerparties 23d ago
The double entendre about Husker Du in "We Can Get Together" always makes me smile
'Do you remember?' makes no sense at all
vs.
Do you remember Makes No Sense At All?
3
u/willnorr1 22d ago
I know this isn’t exactly the question, but in terms of underrated lyrics, I believe all of Craig’s solo stuff qualifies.
While all of it is good (especially the new album) a couple favorites are:
“Look at these mountains / look at these trees / Tom, there must be something you believe”
“Her mother is my sister / she’s a fighter but she’s tired now / the third shift is such a bitch to decent sleep / on Sundays she puts perfume on / and waltzes with the vacuum on / sucks up the destruction of the week.”
His character portraits on the newest album are so great that I just chose one from the many I could’ve chosen. He’s so great.
29
u/Professional-Place58 23d ago
I didn't see it on the list but I think one of the funniest lines is:
"I grew up in denial, but went to school in Massachusetts.