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.
The Great Disappointment
AFI Lyrics
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Chrysanthemums of white, they seemed so beautiful
I can remember, I searched for the amaranth
I'd shut my eyes, to see
Oh, how I smiled then, so near the cherished ones
I knew they would appear... saw not a single one
Oh, how I smiled then, waiting so patiently
While I waited I was wasting away
While I waited I was wasting away
I can remember, dreamt them so vividly
Soft creatures draped in white, light kisses gracing me
I can remember when I first realized
Dreams were the only place to see them
While I waited I was wasting away
While I waited I was wasting away
While I waited I was wasting away
Hope was wasting away
Faith was wasting away
I was wasting away
I never, never wanted this
I always wanted to believe
I never, never wanted this
How could I have become?
I never, never wanted this
But from the start I'd been deceived
I never, never wanted this
How could I have become?
I never, never wanted this
I always wanted to believe
I never, never wanted this
I never, never wanted this
But from the start I'd been deceived
I never, never wanted this
Inside a crumbling effigy
But you promised
So dies all innocence
But you promised me
While I waited I was wasting away
While I waited I was wasting away
While I waited I was wasting away
Hope was wasting away
Faith was wasting away
I was wasting away
In the song "The Great Disappointment", AFI lead vocalist Davey Havok poetically references the Great Disappointment, a historical event in the Millerite movement that occurred on October 22, 1844. This event was the failed prediction of the second coming of Christ, which left many followers disillusioned and shattered. Through the lyrics, Havok paints a vivid picture of a once beautiful world that is now a barren wasteland. The chrysanthemums of white that he remembers visiting are now dead, and the cherished ones he once saw and smiled at have disappeared.
The paranormal imagery of white drapery and soft creatures is used as a metaphor for the hope and faith that Havok feels has abandoned him. He says that his dreams are the only place where he can see anything beautiful anymore, as reality has become too dreary. The lyrics "I never, never wanted this, but from the start, I'd been deceived" allude to the guilt and confusion that followed the Great Disappointment, as many were left questioning their beliefs and wondering what could have gone wrong.
The song ends with a repetition of the line "While I waited, I was wasting away", highlighting the desperation of awaiting an event that never came. Through his emotive lyrics, Havok captures the raw emotions of disillusionment and the crushing weight of failed expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Can remember a place I used to go
I remember a place that I used to go.
Chrysanthemums of white, they seemed so beautiful
I saw beautiful white chrysanthemums.
I can remember, I searched for the amaranth
I remember searching for the amaranth flower.
I'd shut my eyes, to see
I closed my eyes to visualize.
Oh, how I smiled then, so near the cherished ones
I had a happy smile, as I was near my cherished ones.
I knew they would appear... saw not a single one
I expected them to appear, but none of them did.
Oh, how I smiled then, waiting so patiently
I smiled patiently as I waited.
I'd make a wish, and bleed
I made a wish, and it hurt me emotionally.
While I waited I was wasting away
I was wasting away as I waited.
I can remember, dreamt them so vividly
I remember vividly dreaming of them.
Soft creatures draped in white, light kisses gracing me
I saw soft white creatures kissing me gently in my dream.
I can remember when I first realized
I remember the moment I became aware.
Dreams were the only place to see them
Those creatures were only visible in my dreams.
Hope was wasting away
Hope was dwindling.
Faith was wasting away
My faith was diminishing.
I was wasting away
I was suffering emotionally and mentally.
I never, never wanted this
I never wanted to experience this pain.
I always wanted to believe
I always wanted to have faith and believe in myself and others.
How could I have become?
How did I end up in this situation?
But from the start I'd been deceived
I was deceived from the beginning.
Inside a crumbling effigy
I am inside a ruined, dilapidated structure.
But you promised
You made a promise.
So dies all innocence
Innocence is lost as a result.
But you promised me
You promised me specifically.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ADAM A CARSON, DAVID PADEN MARCHAND, HUNTER LAWRENCE BURGAN, JADE ERROL PUGET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind