Joke About Jamaica Lyrics - Stay Positive - The Hold Steady

They used to think it was so cute 

When she said "Dyer Maker" 

All the boys knew it was a joke about Jamaica 

She'd always find a ride back home from the bar 

She used to feel so stupid 

When they'd talk about the music 

Born into every single tune 

They used to hum against her lips 

With their hands on her hips 

They used to kiss in the car 

Dancing days, houses of the holy 

Hot-shot in the city in the middle of the prairie 

Floating with the boys, with all her charms 

At first the laugh, then the eyes 

Then the touch-em-on-the-arm's 

And the drinks, they'd never seem to cost money 

And Saturday night was a runway 

That extended into Sunday 

And sometimes Monday 

Back then it was beautiful 

The boys were sweet and musical 

The laser lights looked mystical 

Messed up stuff felt magical 

Girls didn't seem so difficult 

Boys didn't seem so typical 

It was warm and white and wonderful 

We were all invincible 

Tired eyes, trampled under foot 

Dazed and confused 

C-C-C-C-Cocaine blues 

She hasn't got any eye contact tonight 

The boys are getting younger 

And the bands are getting louder 

And the new girls are coming up 

Like some white unopened flowers 

She's pretty sure that that's where their power is 

Back then it was unified 

The punks, the skins, the greaser guys 

Then one summer, two kids died 

And one of them was crucified 

Now it's so competitive 

The sleeplessness and sedatives 

I know it sounds repetitive 

Every show can't be a benefit 

We were kids in the crowd 

Now we're dogs in this war 

We were wasps with new wings 

Now we're bugs in the jar 

We were hot, soft and pure 

Now we're scratched up in scars 

We were counting cards 

Now we eat in our cars 

The boys in the band 

They know they'll never be stars 

Back then they were quite convinced 

Flyerin' and stickerin' 

The front row girls were posturing 

We were all imagining 

And man, we had some massive nights 

Some bashes and some bloody fights 

Back before those two kids died