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.
Narrative of Soul Against Soul
AFI Lyrics
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I have seen the self image
They've forced you to reduce to shattered glass
The only remaining value lying in it's jagged edges
But the few who are waking for
Await their recognition
No fear of death but with fear of life
For no lack of searching
I can't seem to find, can't seem to find one
What of all their promises?
Can't seem to find much more than lies
A permanent solution
To a temporary problem
Before I'd lay me down to rest
I'd throw away everything to life
For no lack of searching
I can't seem to find, can't seem to find one
What of all their promises?
Can't seem to find much more than lies
For no lack of searching
I can't seem to find, can't seem to find one
What of all their promises?
Can't seem to find much more than lies
For no lack of searching
I can't seem to find, can't seem to find one
What of all their promises?
Can't seem to find much more than lies
For no lack of searching
I can't seem to find, can't seem to find one
What of all their promises?
Can't seem to find much more than lies
The lyrics of AFI's "Narrative Of Soul Against Soul" speak of the struggles of internal conflict and external pressures that lead to feelings of hopelessness and the search for a way out. The first verse speaks directly to those who have been wounded; it acknowledges the pain that comes with being forced to reduce oneself to a shattered image, where the only value left is in the jagged edges. The next lines reflect on the few who have found a way to wake up and seek recognition. The fear of life and the weakness that can kill everyone around are acknowledged, but the message is clear: keep living, keep searching for a way out.
The chorus of the song repeats the lines "For no lack of searching / I can't seem to find, can't seem to find one / What of all their promises? / Can't seem to find much more than lies." This can be interpreted in a few ways. It could be directed at the external pressures that society, friends, and family place on individuals, where promises that things will get better often fall short. It could also refer to the internal struggles of those who cannot seem to find a way out of their pain and search for a permanent solution to a temporary problem. The final lines of the song convey a sense of desperation and hopelessness, where giving up everything to life seems the only option.
Overall, the lyrics of "Narrative Of Soul Against Soul" speak to the struggles of mental health and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. The message is one of hope and perseverance, that no matter how difficult things may seem, there is always a way to keep going.
Line by Line Meaning
To the wounded
Addressing those who are emotionally hurt
I have seen the self image
Noting the image of oneself that has been created or forced upon the wounded
They've forced you to reduce to shattered glass
The pain and pressure has caused the wounded to break apart, leaving only sharp and dangerous pieces behind
The only remaining value lying in it's jagged edges
Despite the brokenness, there is still some value in the pieces left behind, even if they are sharp and dangerous
But the few who are waking for
Highlighting those who are beginning to awaken from the hurt
Await their recognition
These few await acknowledgment and acceptance of their true selves
No fear of death but with fear of life
They have faced death and are not afraid of it, but they fear the pain and difficulties of life
Your weakness kills everyone, so live
Acknowledging that the wounds and brokenness of a person can hurt those around them, but encouraging them to keep living despite their weaknesses
For no lack of searching
Despite searching extensively
I can't seem to find, can't seem to find one
Unable to find what they are looking for
What of all their promises?
Questioning the validity of promises made to them
Can't seem to find much more than lies
Finding that those promises were not true and full of lies
A permanent solution
Referring to suicide
To a temporary problem
Emphasizing that the problems and pain experienced are temporary and not worth taking one's own life
Before I'd lay me down to rest
Before considering suicide or death
I'd throw away everything to life
Choosing to embrace and hold on to life, even if it means letting go of other things
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: ADAM A CARSON, DAVID PADEN MARCHAND, HUNTER LAWRENCE BURGAN, JADE ERROL PUGET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind