Stream a Song From Franz Nicolay's Concept Album

Click to listen to Franz Nicolay's Have Mercy.

Luck and Courage, the latest LP from prolific ex-Hold Steady keyboardist Franz Nicolay, is ambitious: It"s a concept album centered around the characters Felix and Adelita, stand-ins for luck and courage, respectively. (Read Nicolay"s detailed recap of the album here). This track is an excellent introduction to the sound and the story. The album, recorded this past spring and released earlier this month, features contributions from members of the Dresden Dolls, Son Volt, Gutbucket and others.

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

More Song Stories entries »

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