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.
So Beneath You
AFI Lyrics
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And watch them vilify my blood
I don't believe that you are with me
It's so beneath you, gazing up
I won't kneel
I won't bow
If you're there now
Oh, you've got nothing
There is none higher than this blood
And I won't serve anyone
No there is nothing above
And I don't serve anyone, anyone
There's nothing above
Deep in my heart, a disbeliever
Only inviting in the truth
You're in my heart, my disbeliever
As holy horror crushes you
I won't kneel
I won't bow
No one is there to
Strike me down, strike me down, strike me down
Except the faithful
There is none higher than this blood
And I won't serve anyone
No there is nothing above
And I don't serve anyone, anyone
I don't believe that I can stay here
And watch them vilify my blood
I don't believe that I can stay here
And watch them vilify your love, my love
I won't kneel
I won't bow
If you're there God
Strike me down, strike me down
You won't
There is none higher than this blood
And I won't serve anyone
No there is nothing above
And I don't serve anyone, anyone
There's nothing above
The lyrics to AFI's song So Beneath You seem to express a feeling of rebellion against an oppressive authority figure, possibly a religious figure or institution. The singer declares their refusal to bow down or serve anyone else, stating that there is nothing higher than their own beliefs and blood. They express a sense of disbelief in the people around them, suggesting that they are being vilified for who they are, and that even though they may have disbelievers in their heart, they refuse to let anyone else dictate their beliefs.
The chorus declares their unwavering commitment to themselves and their beliefs, stating that nothing is above them, and they will not serve anyone else. The bridge introduces a sense of horror and violence, as the faithful seek to strike them down for their beliefs. Despite this threat, the singer continues to stand strong and refuses to bow down to anyone else.
Overall, the lyrics seem to express a sense of defiance and strength in the face of oppression, and a commitment to staying true to one's own beliefs and values, even in the face of persecution.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't believe that I can stay here
I feel like I cannot stay here any longer
And watch them vilify my blood
And watch them criticize and condemn my family and heritage
I don't believe that you are with me
I don't believe that you support or agree with me
It's so beneath you, gazing up
It is beneath your dignity to even look at me and consider my beliefs
I won't kneel
I refuse to bow down or submit
I won't bow
I won't show respect or obedience
If you're there now
If you are present or listening
Strike me down, strike me down, strike me down
If you disagree with me, punish me severely
Oh, you've got nothing
You have no power over me
There is none higher than this blood
My family and heritage are the most important things to me
And I won't serve anyone
I won't submit to anyone's authority or beliefs
No there is nothing above
Nothing is more important to me than my family and heritage
And I don't serve anyone, anyone
I won't submit to anyone's authority or beliefs
Deep in my heart, a disbeliever
I secretly doubt or question my own beliefs
Only inviting in the truth
I am searching for what is truly right and just
You're in my heart, my disbeliever
My doubts and questions are a part of me and my beliefs
As holy horror crushes you
As the realization of my own doubts and fears overwhelms me
No one is there to
No one is here to
Except the faithful
Only those who blindly believe without questioning or doubting
I don't believe that I can stay here
I feel like I cannot stay here any longer
And watch them vilify my blood
And watch them criticize and condemn my family and heritage
I don't believe that I can stay here
I feel like I cannot stay here any longer
And watch them vilify your love, my love
And watch them criticize and condemn the love we share for our family and heritage
If you're there God
If you exist and can hear me
You won't
You won't strike me down or punish me, because I believe in what is right
There is none higher than this blood
My family and heritage are the most important things to me
And I won't serve anyone
I won't submit to anyone's authority or beliefs
No there is nothing above
Nothing is more important to me than my family and heritage
And I don't serve anyone, anyone
I won't submit to anyone's authority or beliefs
There's nothing above
Nothing is more important than what I believe in
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Adam Carson, Davey Havok, Hunter Burgan, Jade Puget
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind