this is what craig finn (the lead singer of the hold steady) said about this song:
"This one was inspired by two things: 1. This kid I knew that asked everyone to call him Diamond Dave. It didn't work. 2. Some good friends of mine thought I was named Fred for some reason before we met. I used to see them around in the hardcore scene in the late '80s and when we finally met, they said, "I thought your name was Fred." That's some of the inspiration for this song. Meanwhile, Damon Locks from Trenchmouth and the Eternals gave me the line, "I've been trying to get people to call me Sunny D. 'cause I got the good stuff that kids go for." I added "People keep calling me Five Alive." I think Damon thought it was a terrible line. I think it's so bad it's great. He told me that one years ago and I kept it with me."
this is what craig finn (the lead singer of the hold steady) said about this song:
"This one was inspired by two things: 1. This kid I knew that asked everyone to call him Diamond Dave. It didn't work. 2. Some good friends of mine thought I was named Fred for some reason before we met. I used to see them around in the hardcore scene in the late '80s and when we finally met, they said, "I thought your name was Fred." That's some of the inspiration for this song. Meanwhile, Damon Locks from Trenchmouth and the Eternals gave me the line, "I've been trying to get people to call me Sunny D. 'cause I got the good stuff that kids go for." I added "People keep calling me Five Alive." I think Damon thought it was a terrible line. I think it's so bad it's great. He told me that one years ago and I kept it with me."