Constructive Summer, by The Hold Steady, lifts me like few songs do. It offers a way to cope with life's realities...with friends, conversation, throw in an Iggy reference, religious conflicts, a raised glass to Strummer, a drink recommendation, and special guest Frank Turner... what's not to like?
Peter T.
Me and my friends are like the drums on "Lust for Life?We pound it out on floor tomsOur psalms are sing-along songs
And this whole town is like thisBeen that way our whole livesJust work at the mill until you dieWork at the mill, and then you die
We're gonna build something, this summerWe're gonna build something, this summerWe'll put it back together raise up a giant ladderWith love, and trust, and friends, and hammers (this summer!)We're gonna lean this ladder up against the water towerClimb up to the top, and drink and talk (this summer!)
Me and my friends are like "Double-whiskey-coke-no-ice."We drink along in double time, might drink too much, but we feel fineWe're gonna build something, this summer.Gonna build something, this summer.
This summer, grant us all the power to drink on top of water towers,With love, and trust, and shows, all summer (get hammered!)Let this be my annual reminder that we can all be something bigger
I went to your schools, I did my detentionBut the walls are so gray, I couldn't pay attentionI heard your gospel it moved me to tears,But I couldn't find the hate, and I couldn't find the fearI met your Savior, I knelt at his feet,And he took my ten bucks, and he went down the streetI tried to believe all the things that you said,But my friends that aren't dying are already dead.
Raise a toast to St. Joe StrummerI think he might've been our only decent teacherGetting older makes it harder to remember we are our only saviorsWe're gonna build something, this summer
