The Hold Steady: Sketchy Metal

she only pays attention to the prices of cigarettes. she says she hopes they get cheaper. she only takes the pick me uppers to counteract all the put me to sleepers. she used to be a receiver. she went out deep for guys that looked like johnny fever. last winter i swear i thought she might be our savior.

went through a skater phase. went through a raver phase. went through a razor blade phase. i guess i went through a hundred dollars a day. it was dark along the edges of the city but the light shined through behind the reinforced doorways. they're tipping over in the taprooms. theyre shooting through the ceiling and bleeding on the floor for sure.

we got dosed. we hung out pretty close with some questionable folks. we got ideas from some dangerous thinkers. we put our mouths up to some dangerous drinks. some nights we almost froze but we rubbed up pretty close to some rock and roll promoters. stayed up pretty late with some rock and roll performers. it's always entertaining when you're hanging out with entertainers.

went through the publicist. to try to get through to the rhythm guitarist. we got so high the audience looked just like ants. woke up with the backstage pass in my pants. she said i used to be a speed shooter. went out deep for guys that looked like alice cooper. last winter they had my heart all hooked up to computers.

we didn't see the holy ghost. but the father and the son they seemed like regular folks. jesus rolled his eyes when his dad made jesus jokes. he forgave me for my sins. he said let this famine end and let the 2 for 1s begin. bless the beasts and the children and the water and the waiters. it's always so creative when you hang around with our creator and his son our savior. you get your picture in the paper if he lets you in his trailer. it's always so amazing when you're finally coming down with entertainers.