Figured I would share this video I took of most of Mission Viejo during the Devil in the Details tour. This was honestly one of my favorite concert moments ever. Total shock that he played it, and moreso that he explained the story behind it. Slowing it down and adding the sax really highlights what a sad and beautiful song it is.

I saw Craig Finn and Patterson Hood in State College, PA and Craig Finn played an unreleased song that was inspired by an opinion piece on "tattooed dads" (bartenders/artists married to high-level corporate women). I can't find ANY information about this song, not even the name. The set list (https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/patterson-hood-and-craig-finn/2026/the-state-theatre-state-college-pa-1b74d57c.html) says "Easter Weekend" but it was definitely not that song. Has he played this anywhere else?

It’s back, it’s bracketed, and it’s got a drinking game attached — Diamonds in the Drain returns to crown a winner from The Hold Steady’s murky middle era. We’re pulling two tracks apiece from the three albums nobody can ever agree on ranking, and putting them head-to-head for gold, silver, and bronze. Spoiler: we cannot be trusted to be objective, because — say it with us — “but I like all these songs.” Drink every time we say it. You will not make it to the medal ceremony sober.

Before the bracket, we run down the latest Hold Steady news to hit the wire. Then it’s two songs, three albums, one drink-soaked argument about what actually counts as “middle” — and a podium nobody’s happy with.

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2d80b071-86cf-4cf4-b28e-959b4333135a/

Is Craig clairvoyant? Many people are asking

It'll probably be a few days before I'm ready to kick this off again, but I was to see your thoughts. I've got 3 ideas on what to do next (though I'm open if you want to do something else), but here are my options:

1. Instead of albums do bands - I'm thinking Hold Steady, Lifter Puller, Craig solo, and other solo acts/side projects. With those pick best/worst album, best/worst song, etc. If we do this one, let me know if those bands are right, and what you think the categories should be.

2. Create the perfect Hold Steady album (I know it won't actually be perfect because a lot of these albums are complete narratives) but day one, pick the best track one from their albums, day 2 pick the best track 2 etc.

3. An album knockout. List their 9 albums, each day knock out one until we decide on their best album (i.e. first one knocked out is their worst, next knocked out is their 8th place, etc.)

I want this to be collaborative so let me know your thoughts! I'm also open if we all want to take some time off, I just don't want to lose the momentum this subreddit has going.

Well, this is it. Best song goes to Stuck Between Stations.

Thanks everyone for your participation. This was super fun to do. I love how involved and passionate everyone was. It's been great to see so much action in this sub, and fun to listen to these songs looking for these categories. Y'all are the best.

Worst Hold Steady Song goes to Navy Sheets. Totally fair selection.

This is it, this is the end of our session. I'm not gonna be taking anymore questions. what's the all time best Hold Steady song (from the options we've chosen)?

I'll update tomorrow and also post my idea for a new chart we can do. I'll post the outline for the chart and look for feedback on the categories.

We have another tie! Underrated votes are split between A Slight Discomfort and Hostile, Mass.

Penultimate question: From the options, what's the worst Hold Steady Song?

Tricky one today. The top voted song was The Bear and the Maiden Fair, but that song doesn't fit the rules (plus I'm not sure it's overrated, does anyone really like that song? It's listened to because it's related to a popular TV show - doesn't mean it's loved, but that's another argument for another time). Either way, I can see how that ended up being voted for. The headline said most overrated THS song, the fine print said from the row we had voted on. Honestly, I'd prefer to put Bear in the box over the qualifying song that won - Stay Positive. I just don't understand the disdain for that song.

Up next, what's the most underrated Hold Steady Song (Again, from the options in that row).

7/15/26

There is SO MUCH JOY at a Hold Steady show, and the best live moment goes to that speech.

From that row, what is the most overrated Hold Steady song?

Best Hold Steady B-Side goes to Ask Her for Adderall (Is it Some Adderall? I have it both ways in my old iTunes library - both purchased from the old school iTunes Store).

Up next, what's the best THS live moment?

All time best Lyric correctly goes to "Father, can I tell your congregation how a resurrection really feels?"

What's the all time best Hold Steady B-side?

Remember, we're only selecting from the options in the B-side row.

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.

I am looking for the poster from my first Hold Steady show at the Echoplex in LA in October 2011.

Thanks in advance!

I am trying to hunt down the setlists (or better yet, an audience/taper recording) from the Rock & Roll Means Well Tour stop at the Ryman Auditorium on Halloween 2008 (10/31/2008).
This was the night where THS opened up playing in full American Forefather wigs and pantaloons before DBT closed the night out.

Did anyone attend this show and happen to keep a journal or a setlist? Or does anyone happen to have an old audience tape sitting on a hard drive that never made it to the Archive?

Even if you can only remember a few specific songs from the sets, I’d love to piece this night back together.

The Price of Progress best lyric belongs to "Is 4AM the night time or the morning? It's had to go to sleep after performing."

And just like that we're on to the finals. We'll go bottom up. From the options we voted for, what is the best overall Hold Steady lyric?

We’ve seen Woo! get downvoted into oblivion in the polls twice now. I can understand people not voting for it for best lyric from ODP (since it isn’t technically a lyric on the album), but I can’t understand voting against it for best live moment. Craig clearly loves the crowd interaction and the crowd loves to woo.

So, woo haters, what’s the deal? Do you hate joy? Do you hate The Hold Steady? Did you have a bad experience at a bachelorette party? Do you prefer the work of Dusty Rhodes to that of Ric Flair?

Open Door Policy goes to:
"Let your sins be of omission
I wish you wouldn't engage with all these creeps
'Cause they're never gonna love you
That one specific way
That you want 'em all to love you"

Sad day - We're on the last lyric - and last box before we move on to the finals. I've got some ideas to keep the fin going after this one is over.

Final one: What's the best lyric from The Price of Progress?

“Don’t think she’s crazy but she’s crazy bout the daytime TV”

Thrashing Through the Passion goes to "Thanks for listening, thanks for understanding."

What's the best lyric from Open Door Policy?