AFI (A Fire Inside) is an American punk rock band from Ukiah, California, f… Read Full Bio ↴AFI (A Fire Inside) is an American punk rock band from Ukiah, California, formed in 1991. The band's lineup stabilized in 1998 with lead vocalist Davey Havok, drummer and backing vocalist Adam Carson, bassist, backing vocalist and keyboardist Hunter Burgan, and guitarist, backing vocalist and keyboardist Jade Puget. Havok and Carson are the sole remaining original members. Originally a hardcore punk band, they have since delved into many genres.

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.

Catch a Hot One
AFI Lyrics

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Let's tap your heart
So, we can paint the walls
And see if anybody likes the tone
(Or the pain)

The hungry eyes
Waiting for your life flash
Now, they're gonna see it

(Now, they're gonna see it)

Open your veins
So, we can make a pool and bathe
And see if anyone complains
(Of the stain)

Let's strip you down
So, we can see your old scars
Now, you're gonna feel it
(Now, you're gonna feel it)
Show me how to shine now

Have you turned, turned to dust?
I saw an insect learn to fly
Have you ever seen the kingdom of the flies?
(It's form was scorned)

Have you lost the sense of touch?
I saw it stay in sovereignty
Have you ever turned to dust?

Let's lift you up
So, we can see how fast you fall
We always thought that you could fly
(Now, you'll crawl)

The lack of loyalty
You thought, you once felt
Now, you're gonna feel it
(Now, you're gonna feel it)
Show me how to shine now

Have you turned, turned to dust?
I saw an insect learn to fly
Have you ever seen the kingdom of the flies?
(It's form was scorned)

Have you lost the sense of touch?
I saw it stay in sovereignty
Have you ever turned to dust?

Now, show me, now, show me
Now, show me how to shine

Now, show me
(Oh)
Now, show me
(Oh)
Now, show me
(Oh)
How to shine

Now, show me
(Oh)
Now, show me
(Oh)
Now, show me
(Oh)
How to shine

Have you turned, turned to dust?
I saw an insect learn to fly
Have you ever seen the kingdom of the flies?
(It's form was scorned)

Have you lost the sense of touch?

I saw it stay in sovereignty
Have you ever turned to dust?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of AFI’s song "Catch A Hot One" touch upon themes such as pain, self-destruction, and vulnerability. The verses describe a perversion of intimacy and trust, where the singer demands to see the worst parts of someone in order to prove they are worthy of love or attention. The first two lines of each verse set up the scene, suggesting a kind of twisted art project or experiment in which the subject's pain or blood is used as material. The chorus, with its repeated questions about turning to dust or losing touch, speaks to the fear of disappearing or losing oneself in the face of violence or trauma.

The bridge takes a surreal turn, with references to insects and a "kingdom of flies" that embodies an imagined society built on decay and disgust. The final lines return to the demand for self-exposure, asking to be shown how to shine despite the darkness surrounding them. The lyrics of "Catch A Hot One" are up for interpretation, but they seem to reflect a fascination with the ways in which we hurt ourselves and others in order to understand the depths of emotion, sensation, and experience.

Line by Line Meaning

Let's tap your heart
Let's explore your emotions and feelings

So, we can paint the walls
To express yourself and see the outcome

And see if anybody likes the tone
To see if anyone can relate or understand

(Or the pain)
Regardless if it hurts or not

The hungry eyes
The audience eagerly waiting to see your performance

Waiting for your life flash
Curious to know how your life plays out

Now, they're gonna see it
Now they will witness the truth about you

(Now, they're gonna see it)
The audience will be given a glimpse into your world

Open your veins
Expose your vulnerabilities

So, we can make a pool and bathe
So the audience can immerse themselves in your feelings

And see if anyone complains
To see if anyone will criticize or judge

(Of the stain)
Of the mark you leave behind

Let's strip you down
To take away everything that conceals your true self

So, we can see your old scars
So we can witness the pain and struggles you've been through

Now, you're gonna feel it
Now you will experience the exposure of your past

(Now, you're gonna feel it)
The truth about your past will be revealed and felt by you

Show me how to shine now
Demonstrate how to embrace your inner light

Have you turned, turned to dust?
Have you lost hope, passion, or motivation?

I saw an insect learn to fly
Even the tiniest and weakest can overcome their limitations

Have you ever seen the kingdom of the flies?
Have you ever felt like you are insignificant or worthless?

(It's form was scorned)
The appearance or image was rejected or ridiculed

Have you lost the sense of touch?
Have you become numb or desensitized?

I saw it stay in sovereignty
I witnessed it remain in control

Now, show me, now, show me
Now it's time to prove yourself

Now, show me how to shine
Now demonstrate how to embrace your inner light

(Oh)
Interjection to express emotion

Now, show me
Demonstrate it now

Have you turned, turned to dust?
Have you lost hope, passion or motivation?

I saw an insect learn to fly
Even the tiniest and weakest can overcome their limitations

Have you ever seen the kingdom of the flies?
Have you ever felt like you are insignificant or worthless?

(It's form was scorned)
The appearance or image was rejected or ridiculed

Have you lost the sense of touch?
Have you become numb or desensitized?

I saw it stay in sovereignty
I witnessed it remain in control

Have you ever turned to dust?
Have you ever felt like you are nothing?

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: ADAM A CARSON, DAVID PADEN MARCHAND, HUNTER LAWRENCE BURGAN, JADE ERROL PUGET

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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