Southtown girls won't blow you away
But you know that they'll stay (x4)

Take Lyndale to the horizon.
Take Nicollet out to the ocean.
Take Penn Ave out to the 494.
Meet me right in front of the fabric store.
Don't look me in the eye.
Look over at the theater.
I'm a little bit surprised.
You didn't tell me there'd be three of you.
Hey Bloomington, what'd you let them do to you?
I think they're almost through with you.

Southtown girls wont blow you away
But you know that they'll stay.

Take Lyndale back to the southside.
Take Nicollet up to the Vietnamese.
Take Penn Ave back up to the northside.
Take Lowery east to the quarry.

Meet me right in front of the rainbow foods.
I got a brown paper bag and black buckle shoes.
If anything seems weird then just cruise.

Meet me right in front of the party city.
That two sided tape it gets way too sticky.
I got a bad case of noisemaker blues.

Southtown girls wont blow you away
But you know that they'll stay



Lyrics submitted by kemekongka

Track duration: 05:53

"Southtown Girls" as written by Craig Finn, Tad Kubler

Lyrics © Chrysalis One Music, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Southtown Girls song meanings
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17 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I really do like this song. The harmonies are superb; such delicious hooks! There is a nostalgic element I feel in this song. There is a sort of defeated sense.

    I put this track on my Autumn 2006 mix.
    Flag NativeIndieon October 06, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I believe this song is about selling drugs...


    "I got a brown paper bag and black buckle shoes.
    if anything seems wierd then just cruise."


    "don't look me in the eye.
    look over at the theater."

    just sayin...
    Flag concentratedkisson March 16, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Is this about picking up a prostitute?
    Flag against_me44on July 10, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Is this about picking up a prostitute?
    Flag against_me44on July 10, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:uhhh i don't think the song is talking about the "great" things about bloomington...
    Flag crooked_rainon May 19, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Yep, sounds like it is about the South Town shopping center in Bloomington. Thank god we have the Current in Mpls or I would've never heard this song!
    Flag sassafrassyon April 25, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:This song is all about the town I live in: Bloomington. It talks about all the great things about it, not just the Mall of America which everyone associates the city with. Brings back such good memories. :)
    Flag joeb223on March 04, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is incredible live, holy shit.
    Flag Alejoon November 12, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I'm from MPLS too, and I've never heard it called "the 494," or any highways called"the ___." It's just 494. I have no idea what inspired Craig to say it differently, like someone else said he must've picked it up living somewhere else. Also, for those not from the twin cities, Bloomington is a suburb south of Minneapolis, so it fits with the "southtown" references. Three of the streets he name-drops, Lyndale, Nicollet, and Penn, will take you down there. Most of the MN references aren't terribly important to understanding Hold Steady songs though, it's just nice to hear when your'e a local...
    Flag grampa69on October 16, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I've heard people outside CA say "the _____," although I can't give an example of where they're from. Friends of friends from outta town at the colleges around here will say "the 490" etc., bugs the crap outta me! But anyway, no, it's not exclusive to California.
    Flag z4ckm0rrison May 17, 2007   Link

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