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.

My Michelle
AFI Lyrics

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Your daddy works in porno
Now that mommy's not around
She used to love her heroin
But now she's underground
So you stay out late at night
And you do your coke for free
Drivin' your friends crazy
With your life's insanity

Well, well, well you just can't tell
Well, well, well my Michelle

Sowin' all your wild oats
In another's luxuries
Yesterday was Tuesday
Maybe Thursday you can sleep
But school starts much too early
And this hotel wasn't free
So party till your connection call
Baby I'll return the key

Well, well, well you just can't tell
Well, well, well my Michelle
Well, well, well you never can tell
Well, well, well my Michelle

Everyone needs love
You know that it's true
Someday you'll find someone
That'll fall in love with you
But oh the time it takes
When you're all alone
Someday you'll find someone
That you can call your own
But till then ya better...

Now you're clean
And so discreet
I won't say a word
But most of all this song is true
Case you haven't heard
So c'mon and stop your whinin'
'Cause we both know money burns
Honey don't stop tryin;
An you'll get what you deserve

Well, well, well you just can't tell
Well, well, well my Michelle

Well, well, well you never can tell
Well, well, well my Michelle

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of AFI's "My Michelle" paint a vivid picture of a troubled teenager. The song opens with the line "Your daddy works in porno, now that mommy's not around," informing the listener that the singer has grown up with a less-than-traditional family dynamic. The next line, "She used to love her heroin, but now she's underground," hints that the character's mother may have passed away due to drug addiction.

The rest of the song delves into the singer's lifestyle, which involves staying out late, doing cocaine, and generally living a life of chaos. The lyrics implore the character to keep going, to keep trying, and eventually they will find love and stability.

Overall, "My Michelle" is a gritty, impactful portrayal of a life that is often overlooked in mainstream media. By shining a light on the struggles of a young person dealing with a difficult upbringing, AFI delivers a powerful message about the importance of perseverance and hope.

Line by Line Meaning

Your daddy works in porno
Your father works in the porn industry

Now that mommy's not around
Your mother is deceased

She used to love her heroin
Your mother struggled with drug addiction

But now she's underground
Your mother has passed away

So you stay out late at night
You are out late at night

And you do your coke for free
You are using cocaine that you did not have to pay for

Drivin' your friends crazy
Your behavior is frustrating your friends

With your life's insanity
Your life is chaotic and out of control

Well, well, well you just can't tell
Life is unpredictable and full of surprises

Sowin' all your wild oats
You are enjoying yourself recklessly

In another's luxuries
You are taking advantage of someone else's resources

Yesterday was Tuesday
It is a specific day of the week

Maybe Thursday you can sleep
You might have the opportunity to rest on Thursday

But school starts much too early
You have to wake up early for school

And this hotel wasn't free
You had to pay for the hotel

So party till your connection call
Continue partying until someone calls

Baby I'll return the key
You will give back the key to someone

Everyone needs love
Love is a universal need

You know that it's true
This is a fact you are aware of

Someday you'll find someone
You will eventually find a romantic partner

That'll fall in love with you
Someone will have feelings of love for you

But oh the time it takes
It can take a long time to find love

When you're all alone
Feeling alone can make the search for love more difficult

That you can call your own
You will find someone to have a long-term relationship with

But till then ya better...
In the meantime, you should...

Now you're clean
You have recovered from substance abuse

And so discreet
You are now being careful and secretive

I won't say a word
Your secret is safe with me

But most of all this song is true
This song is a reflection of reality

Case you haven't heard
In case you were not previously aware

So c'mon and stop your whinin'
Stop complaining

'Cause we both know money burns
Money is quick to disappear

Honey don't stop tryin'
Do not give up

An you'll get what you deserve
Your hard work will pay off

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Duff Rose Mckagan, Saul Hudson, Izzy Stradlin, Steven Adler, W. Axl Rose

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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