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.
Morning Star
AFI Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Glowin' through the meltin' walls
Who will be the first to begin their fall?
Or will we become one?
Am I the star beneath the stairs?
Am I the ghost upon the stage?
Am I your anything?
I saw a star beneath the stairs
Glowin' bright before descent
And in the morning there is nothing left
But what's inside of me
Am I the star beneath the stairs?
Am I the ghost upon the stage?
Am I your anything?
Am I the star beneath the stairs?
Am I the ghost upon the stage?
Am I your anything?
And I don't want to die tonight, will you believe in me?
And I don't want to fall into the light
Will you wish upon? Will you walk upon me?
I don't wanna die tonight,
Will you believe in me tonight?
Am I the star beneath the stairs?
Am I the ghost upon the stage?
Am I your anything?
Am I the star beneath the stairs?
Am I the ghost upon the stage?
Am I your anything?
The lyrics of AFI's song "Morningstar" are cryptic and open to interpretation, but they seem to revolve around themes of identity, self-doubt, and the fear of being forgotten. The first verse describes a "star beneath the stairs" that is glowing through the walls, possibly symbolizing a hidden or overlooked talent or aspect of oneself. The lyrics then ask who will be the first to fall or whether everyone will become one, potentially alluding to a sense of impending doom or questioning the nature of individuality.
The chorus repeats the central question of the song: "Am I the star beneath the stairs? Am I the ghost upon the stage? Am I your anything?" These lines suggest a sense of uncertainty about one's place in the world and whether one is truly seen or valued by others. The second verse continues this theme, describing the same star now "glowing bright before descent" and emphasizing the emptiness that remains "in the morning" once the star is gone.
The final lines of the song plead for someone to "believe in me" and to not let the singer "fall into the light," implying a fear of death or oblivion. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, again questioning whether the singer is anything to anyone and leaving the meaning open-ended.
Overall, "Morningstar" is a haunting and introspective song that captures the complexities of the human psyche and our innate longing for connection and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw a star beneath the stairs
Glowin' through the meltin' walls
Who will be the first to begin their fall?
Or will we become one?
The singer sees a star shining beneath the stairs and wonders if it is a sign of someone's downfall or if they will all merge into one.
Am I the star beneath the stairs?
Am I the ghost upon the stage?
Am I your anything?
The singer questions their own existence and identity, pondering if they are the star or ghost and if they have any meaning to others.
I saw a star beneath the stairs
Glowin' bright before descent
And in the morning there is nothing left
But what's inside of me
The star shines brightly before its inevitable descent, and the morning reveals nothing but the singer's internal struggles and emotions.
And I don't want to die tonight, will you believe in me?
And I don't want to fall into the light
Will you wish upon? Will you walk upon me?
I don't wanna die tonight,
Will you believe in me tonight?
The artist pleads to not die tonight and asks if anyone believes in them or if they will be forgotten. They also ask if someone will use them for their own gain or if they truly care for them.
Am I the star beneath the stairs?
Am I the ghost upon the stage?
Am I your anything?
Repeating their earlier questions, the artist still struggles with their identity and worth in the eyes of others.
Lyrics © EUROPEAN AMERICAN MUSIC DISTRIBUTORS COMPANY
Written by: B. CARSON TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@issamari9734
When I was 13 a boy gave me this CD.. I fell in love with both.
@grapejelly3685
Same.. 32 now and still listening 💙
@chronicbullscat289
Hopefully he treated you right becuase your fuckin bueatiful and im sure you hear that all the time but i couldn't help myself and I'm sorry for that.
@patrickwilliams9971
I was that boy.. And she has yet to go anywhere.. These men made muzak for our hearts..
@mercutiomurphy2743
when i was 13 i bought this CD at best buy
@alexhuntley3810
this isnt a cd. its a video on youtube
@MathMith
This song just hits me like a train. I'm 30 now, quite accomplished man I thought but this song just made me realized I'm only the shadow of what I once was. As a teenager, emotions are so fucking real, love means the world and friendship is the priority. Now, it's all gone.
@yamel91
totally feel ya
@daphne1065
I feel you too. It all feels so bland rn. Why cant we keep some intensity? :(
@ethanjones3864
MathMith well said my man