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.
Greater Than 84
AFI Lyrics
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Where the rain falls every night
Upon precious flames we once found so pretty
Our frail and only light
Love is all that's left and I'm emotionless
You won't read it in the papers
In this time, keep your hands clean, just read my mind
And I fear the future's here
It's 1985 (and it feels like, feels like survival)
It's 1985 (and it feels like, feels like survival)
Can you read my mind?
Can you read my mind?
Oh, the emptiness overfills this city
So you'll be queen tonight
As you overthrow, looking pale and pretty
I welcome your requite
They told us love can save
So we prepared our graves
You won't read it in the papers
In this time, keep your hands clean, just read my mind
We're trapped between the nightmares
And I fear the future's here
It's 1985 (and it feels like, feels like survival)
It's 1985 (and it feels like, feels like survival)
Can you read my mind?
Will you hold my hand as we count the hours, the hours
Will you hold my hand as we count down the hours, the hours
Standing beneath the meteor showers?
You won't read it in the papers
In this time, keep your hands clean, just read my mind
We're trapped between the nightmares
And I fear the future's here
It's 1985 (and it feels like, feels like survival)
It's 1985 (and it feels like, feels like survival)
Can you read my mind?
The lyrics of AFI's song "Greater Than 84" paint a picture of a desolate city, where rain falls every night upon once-beautiful flames that are now frail and flickering. Love is the only thing left, but the singer feels emotionless. The year is 1985, a time when the world was on the brink of major changes, both culturally and politically. The singer is trapped between the nightmares of the past and the fear that the future is already here.
The desperation in the singer's voice is palpable as he begs someone to read his mind, to understand what he's going through. He longs for someone to hold his hand as they count down the hours beneath the meteor showers. But ultimately, he knows that they'll have to keep their hands clean in this time, because the world is a dangerous place.
The lyrics of "Greater Than 84" are haunting and thought-provoking. They offer a glimpse into a world that is both familiar and alien, a world where love is all that's left and the future is uncertain. They ask us to consider what it means to survive in a world that often feels like it's crashing down around us.
Line by Line Meaning
There's an open sky and an empty city
The city is empty, with an open sky where the rain falls every night.
Upon precious flames we once found so pretty
We used to find some things beautiful but now they have lost their value.
Our frail and only light
Love is the only thing we have left to hold onto.
Love is all that's left and I'm emotionless
Despite being surrounded by love, I feel empty inside.
You won't read it in the papers
The news doesn't report the things we're going through.
In this time, keep your hands clean, just read my mind
To stay safe, don't touch anything and just listen to my thoughts.
We're trapped between the nightmares
We are stuck in a terrible situation that feels like a nightmare.
And I fear the future's here
I am afraid that the worst is yet to come.
It's 1985 (and it feels like, feels like survival)
Even though it's 1985, it feels like we are just trying to survive.
Can you read my mind?
Can you understand what I am going through without me having to say it?
Oh, the emptiness overfills this city
Despite being empty, the city feels overwhelmed with emptiness.
So you'll be queen tonight
You will be powerful and in charge tonight.
As you overthrow, looking pale and pretty
As you overthrow someone, you will do so looking beautiful and calm.
I welcome your requite
I respond warmly to your actions.
They told us love can save
We were told that love can be a saving grace.
So we prepared our graves
Instead of fighting, we prepared for the worst.
Will you hold my hand as we count the hours, the hours
Will you stay with me as we face the ticking clock?
Standing beneath the meteor showers?
Despite the chaos around us, will you stay by my side?
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind