Text: The Hold Steady. Boys and Girls in America. Hot Soft Light.

I was not involved up at the north town mall
As a matter of fact I didn't even know that that's where it happened

I was France Ave when they came out dancing
I was Lyndale South, I was kicking it with cousins
We were talking about going clubbing
But instead we just started drinking

I've been straight since the Cinco de Mayo
Before that I was blotto, I was blacked out
I was cracked out, I was caved in
You should have seen all these portals that I've powered up in

Started recreational
It ended kinda medical
It came on hot and soft and then
It tightened up its tentacles

I wasn't there, I was blind high, I was scared
I was lake and Columbus, I was cutting off all my hair
I was unfurling a flag of defiance
Aimed at my guidance guy

So this is it
This is the end of the session
And I ain't gonna be taking any more questions
I think my attorney's gonna second that notion

Started recreational
It ended kinda medical
And it came on hot and soft and then
It tightened up its tentacles

Now the band played screaming for vengeance
And we agreed this world is mostly manacled
Well it started ice cream social nice
It ended up all white and ecumenical

There are guys, there are guys, there are guys, there are guys
With wild eyes when they ask to get you high
There are girls, there are girls, there are girls, there are girls
That will come to you with comfort in the night, that's right

We started recreational
It ended up all medical
It came on hot and soft and then
It tightened up its tentacles

Now the band played sabbath bloody sabbath
You thought it was stoney and adorable
But it started in the vestibule
It ended in the hospital

There are guys, there are guys, there are guys, there are guys
With the wild eyes when they ask to get you high
There are girls, there are girls, there are girls, there are girls
That will come to you with comfort in the night

There are nights, there are nights, there are nights, there are nights
Where it all comes on a little bit too bright
There's a cross, there's a cross, there's a cross, there's a cross
And in the center there is a hot soft light