17
AFI Lyrics


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If you had a day
would you give me a moment?
Would you allow our play
to leave no bone unbroken?

Let’s love, like 17
I’m in love with poisoning
Only bring your pretty, frightful gifts to me
Let’s love, and kill like 17 now

If I weren’t so cold
we could unfreeze this moment
And as the world grow old,
We’ll leave no heart unbroken

Let’s love, like 17
I’m in love with poisoning
Only bring your pretty, frightful gifts to me
Let’s love, and kill like 17 now

Tomorrow cannot be like this
And even though it’s such a simple world,
tomorrow cannot be like this
Tomorrow they will take a stand
We’ll leave no heart unbroken

Let’s love, like 17
I’m in love, with poisoning
Only bring your pretty, frightful gifts to me
Let’s love, and kill like 17 now

Let’s love, like 17
I’m in love with your new screams
Only bring those pretty, frightful things to me
Let’s love, and kill like 17 now

Let’s run, and kill like 17 now





Let’s love, and kill like 17

Overall Meaning

Crimes by AFI is a song that presents a highly romanticized view of an intense, violent relationship. The character portrayed in the song is obsessed with his partner and wants to experience a love that is all-consuming and destructive. The song itself is highly energetic, with driving guitar riffs and pounding drums that match the intensity of the lyrics.


The first verse of the song sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The character is asking his partner if they would be willing to indulge in a passionate relationship that would leave them physically and emotionally spent. The second verse is where the character reveals that his cold exterior is preventing him from fully embracing the relationship, but he implores his partner to help thaw his heart. The chorus repeats the request for a love that is as intense as two 17-year-olds, with the added twist that the love must include violence and destruction.


The bridge of the song serves as a warning that tomorrow will be different, which suggests that the character is aware that his behavior is not sustainable. However, it is unclear if he intends to change his ways or if he is resigned to the fact that the relationship will eventually end. The final chorus repeats the request for a love that is both pretty and frightful, which juxtaposes the violent imagery with a certain beauty.


Line by Line Meaning

If you had a day
If you had one day to spare


would you give me a moment?
would you spend some time with me?


Would you allow our play
Would you let us have some fun


to leave no bone unbroken?
to completely let loose and enjoy ourselves


Let’s love, like 17
Let's love with the intensity and recklessness of youth at 17


I’m in love with poisoning
I'm addicted to the dangerous thrill of it all


Only bring your pretty, frightful gifts to me
Only bring me beautiful, terrifying things


Let’s love, and kill like 17 now
Let's indulge in our love and destruction with the abandon of teenagers


If I weren’t so cold
If I wasn't so distant


we could unfreeze this moment
we could let ourselves be present and enjoy this moment


And as the world grow old,
As time passes us by,


We’ll leave no heart unbroken
We won't hold back from living fully and passionately


Tomorrow cannot be like this
We can't keep living this way


And even though it’s such a simple world,
Even though things seem straightforward and easy,


tomorrow cannot be like this
We can't keep doing the same things every day


Tomorrow they will take a stand
Tomorrow people will make a change


We’ll leave no heart unbroken
We won't hold back from living fully and passionately


I’m in love with your new screams
I'm excited by the passion and intensity you bring


Only bring those pretty, frightful things to me
Only bring me beautiful, terrifying things


Let’s run, and kill like 17 now
Let's run away and indulge in our love and destruction with the abandon of teenagers


Let’s love, and kill like 17
Let's indulge in our love and destruction with the abandon of teenagers




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Adam A Carson, David Paden Marchand, Hunter Lawrence Burgan, Jade Errol Puget

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@RockandMetal645

Even on Art of Drowning (which is considered to be the last "Best album" to Punk AFI fans) had some stuff that sounded like it would have belonged on Sing The Sorrow. 

From The Days of The Phoenix:
I fell into yesterday
Our dreams seemed not far away
I want to, I want to, I want to stay 
I fell into fantasy

From Morningstar:
Am I the star beneath the stairs? 
Am I a ghost upon the stage? 
Am I your anything?

From Ever and a Day:
Lie in comfort of sweet calamity with nothing left to lose.
Lie in the darkness, I'm slowly drowned to sleep
Nothing left to lose.



@saoirseandreapatriciacrowl506

"17 Crimes"

If you had a day,
would you give me a moment?
Would you allow our play
to leave no bone unbroken?

Let’s love, like 17.
I’m in love with poisoning.
Only bring your pretty, frightful gifts to me.
Let’s love, and kill like 17 now.

If I weren’t so cold,
we could unfreeze this moment.
And as the world grow old,
We’ll leave no heart unbroken.

Let’s love, like 17.
I’m in love with poisoning.
Only bring your pretty, frightful gifts to me.
Let’s love, and kill like 17 now.

Tomorrow cannot be like this.
And even though it’s such a simple world,
tomorrow cannot be like this.
Tomorrow they will take a stand.
We’ll leave no heart unbroken.

Let’s love, like 17.
I’m in love, with poisoning.
Only bring your pretty, frightful gifts to me
Let’s love, and kill like 17 now.

Let’s love, like 17.
I’m in love with your new screams.
Only bring those pretty, frightful things to me.
Let’s love, and kill like 17 now.

Let’s run, and kill like 17 now.

Let’s love, and kill like 17.



@JojoTaker1999

[Verse 1]
If you had a day
Would you give me a moment?
Would you allow our play
To leave no bone unbroken?

[Chorus]
Let's love, like 17
I'm in love with poisoning
Only bring your pretty, frightful gifts to me
Let's love and kill like 17 now

[Verse 2]
If I weren't so cold
We could unfreeze this moment
And as the world grows old
We'll leave no heart unbroken

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
Tomorrow cannot be like this
And even though it’s such a simple world
Tomorrow cannot be like this
Tomorrow they will take a stand
We’ll leave no heart unbroken


[Chorus]

[Chorus]

Let’s run, and kill like 17 now

Let’s love, and kill like 17



All comments from YouTube:

@I_am_Jordan_K

I legitimately think this is one of their best songs.

@joshuabalsavage4695

You're not wrong!

@matthewthomas1704

Days of the Phoenix pt2

@bharris591

Yep, to be paired with Silver and cold

@kenobibryant1637

I agree 👍

@robbdavis9889

My fiancee isn't a big AFI song but I heard her singing the chorus to this recently. Love it, great song!

25 More Replies...

@RockandMetal645

To all who said "I miss old AFI", they kind of ALWAYS had a different sound with each of their albums. The only albums that sounded the same were when they were punk. I actually like the variety they give. I don't understand why people hate them. 

@endridcold2571

my first time hearing this song man, it's still fucking awesome, sounds like AFI!

@RockandMetal645

Even on Art of Drowning (which is considered to be the last "Best album" to Punk AFI fans) had some stuff that sounded like it would have belonged on Sing The Sorrow. 

From The Days of The Phoenix:
I fell into yesterday
Our dreams seemed not far away
I want to, I want to, I want to stay 
I fell into fantasy

From Morningstar:
Am I the star beneath the stairs? 
Am I a ghost upon the stage? 
Am I your anything?

From Ever and a Day:
Lie in comfort of sweet calamity with nothing left to lose.
Lie in the darkness, I'm slowly drowned to sleep
Nothing left to lose.

@alexeiramone

I miss the old AFI

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