AFI has released eleven studio albums, ten EPs, one live album and one DVD. The band first reached substantial commercial success with their fifth album, The Art of Drowning (2000), which peaked at number 174 on the Billboard 200. They then broke into the mainstream with their sixth, Sing the Sorrow (2003), which peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and remained on the chart for 51 weeks. The album was supported by popular singles "Girl's Not Grey" and "Silver and Cold", both of which peaked at number seven on America's Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart in 2003. "The Leaving Song Pt. II" was also released as a single, reaching number 16 on the chart. Sing the Sorrow was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 2006 and is AFI's best-selling release, having sold over 1.26 million copies as of September 2009.
AFI's seventh album, Decemberunderground (2006), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and featured the hit single "Miss Murder", which topped the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart and reached number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another single, "Love Like Winter", reached number four on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 2013.[6] Decemberunderground was followed three years later by Crash Love (2009), and then four years later by Burials (2013); both albums were also successful, peaking at number twelve and number nine, respectively, on the Billboard 200. The band's tenth and latest album, AFI (The Blood Album), was released in 2017, and peaked at number five on the Billboard 200, making it their second-highest chart position.
Born In The USA
AFI Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Frank quit, bought a goat farm..moved to Ukiah."
"I like really big tits. I like really big tits.
Reading pornos, watchin' girly shows, takin' off their clothes.
I like watchin' gay men fight. I like watchin' gay men fight.
Walk like a macho man, love Hulk Hogan, love the slogan.
"Hulk rules!"
Walkin' in a strut 'cross the side of the bar, drivin' a chevy truck.
You know me with gun racks, got a .40 growin' up eat and live and breath dregs-
I'm born in the US of A, born in the US of A, born in the US of A.
I've been tryin' to be a man. I'm just tryin' to be a man.
Drink from dawn to night, lookin' for a fight, makes everything alright.
I like really big tits. I like really big tits
I think I'll look up to all the girls, a slut might just beat me up.
You know me with gun racks, got a .40 growin' up, even though I've got three ???-
I'm born in the US of A, born in the US of A, born in the US of A.
You know me with gun racks, got a .40 growin' up, eat and live and breath dregs-
I'm born in the US of A, born in the US of A, born in the US of A.
We'll shiiiit."
The lyrics to AFI's "Born in the USA" showcase the toxic masculinity and misplaced patriotism many working-class Americans perpetuate. The lines "Frank wont be coming in today, Joe.. or tomorrow. Frank quit, bought a goat farm..moved to Ukiah" suggest a man leaving his blue-collar job to pursue a simpler life, but this dream is not attainable for everyone. The singer of the song boasts about his love for pornography, watching women take off their clothes, and enjoys watching "gay men fight." He sees himself as God's gift to the Earth, walking like a macho man, and driving a Chevy truck with gun racks.
The chorus repeats, "I'm born in the US of A," emphasizing the character's pride in his country. He tries to be a man by drinking from dawn to night and looking for a fight, but ultimately, he's insecure, feeling that even a "slut might just beat him up." The song's message is that the American Dream is complex, and for some, it leads to toxic behavior that is ultimately unfulfilling.
Line by Line Meaning
Frank wont be coming in today, Joe.. or tomorrow.
Frank has quit his job and moved to Ukiah, he won't be coming in today or tomorrow
Frank quit, bought a goat farm..moved to Ukiah.
Frank quit his job to become a goat farmer and moved to Ukiah
I like really big tits. I like really big tits.
The singer enjoys large female breasts and finds pleasure in viewing pornography and strippers
Reading pornos, watchin' girly shows, takin' off their clothes.
The artist engages in reading pornography and watching shows featuring female nudity, while possibly objectifying the women involved
I like watchin' gay men fight. I like watchin' gay men fight.
The artist enjoys watching homosexual males engage in violent activity, and idolizes figures such as Hulk Hogan
Walk like a macho man, love Hulk Hogan, love the slogan. "Hulk rules!"
The singer presents an image of masculinity through their walk and admiration for the professional wrestler, Hulk Hogan
I'm just God's gift to Earth. I'm just God's gift to Earth.
The singer perceives themselves as a divine gift to the world
Walkin' in a strut 'cross the side of the bar, drivin' a chevy truck.
The artist conveys a sense of confidence and pride in their appearance and possessions, such as a Chevrolet truck
You know me with gun racks, got a .40 growin' up eat and live and breath dregs-
The artist identifies with gun culture and rough living, possibly commenting on their upbringing
I've been tryin' to be a man. I'm just tryin' to be a man.
The artist is making an effort to embody traditionally masculine traits and ideals
Drink from dawn to night, lookin' for a fight, makes everything alright.
The singer engages in heavy drinking and seeks out conflict as a coping mechanism for their problems
I think I'll look up to all the girls, a slut might just beat me up.
The artist expresses an interest in submissive behavior towards women, and suggests a possibility of violence or confrontation with certain individuals
You know me with gun racks, got a .40 growin' up, even though I've got three ???-
The singer once again references gun ownership, although it's unclear what they mean by 'three'
We'll shiiiit.
Unclear, possibly an exclamation of disgust or surprise
Contributed by Nathan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nottusmloclam
The complete version of the song can be heard here: http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/Behind+The+Times+EP/4162044
@waxilliamladrian
its a damn good song thought
@luiszepeda68
hey , thanks for the introduction dude , wow ,,this song i can find it complete ..jaj the lyrics are some strange !!1 but i like
@luiszepeda68
wow!! this is the oldest song of AFI !! and also is cut... i don't why cuz.. nobody has the complete song!!!
@jakesmithsonian388
i do :) (have the complete song)
@griffin324
they should put this on the next EP.
@waxilliamladrian
actually oldest would be either Mini Trucks Suck (from Dork, though it was taken off the record) or Red Hat (also from Dork)
@Afireinside912
Sounds like every other punk song they ever did tbh. That's why I don't get why people want the roots sound so much.. it all sounds like one long song.
@waxilliamladrian
no idea i guess they just weren't happy with it
@griffin324
any idea why mini trucks was taken off dork?