The Hold Steady – First Night

‘Charlemagne shakes in the streets, Gideon makes love to the sweets, Holly’s not invincible, in fact she’s in the hospital, not far from that bar where we met, on that first night’.

No, it’s not Springsteen but Brooklyn bar music band The Hold Steady, one of rock’s finest – and most under-rated – groups.

I first saw them supporting Counting Crows and took a shitload of flak for daring to suggest they held the upper hand. First Night is from their third album Boys and Girls in America.

Press play – and be hooked.