Dave Pirner Books

Soul Asylum has been a prominent force in the alternative rock scene since the 1980s, driven by Dave Pirner's passionate songwriting. Starting with his high school band, the Schitz, and then Loud Fast Rules, Pirner's work spans punk rock anthems, soulful ballads, humorous tunes, and intense social commentary. This collection features the complete lyrics from over forty years of his songwriting. It includes early Twin/Tone releases like *Say What You Will*, *Made to Be Broken*, and *While You Were Out*, up to the latest release, *Hurry Up and Wait*. Pirner provides firsthand commentary on each album and song, detailing the band's indie success and the tracks that propelled them into the mainstream, such as *Hang Time*, *And the Horse They Rode in On*, and the triple-platinum *Grave Dancers Union*, which includes the Grammy-winning "Runaway Train." The 1990s brought two more albums, followed by three full-length records, two live albums, and several compilations leading to the 2020 release. Pirner also revisits the 1986 cassette-only release, *Time's Incinerator*. This collection offers insight into the mind and creative process of one of America's great songwriters, featuring over 150 songs from this enduring band.