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.
Three Reasons
AFI Lyrics
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Well, ask me and I'll swear, you were there all along
Another place, another state, any rate, I can't relate
There's no two ways, you're a disgrace
Drown down your fear, suffocate every spark of clarity
Your weakness sickens me, saddens me, strengthens me
There's no way to free responsibility
Who's to blame? Who's in the wrong?
The truth from what you hide, it was you all along
You were there, you didn't care, heart and mind were self impaired
Now, all that's left is our despair
Drown down your fear, suffocate every spark of clarity
Your weakness sickens me, saddens me, strengthens me
There's no way to free responsibility
Drown down your fear, suffocate every spark of clarity
Your weakness sickens me, saddens me, strengthens me
There's no way to free responsibility
The lyrics of AFI's song "Three Reasons" describe betrayal, disappointment and anger towards someone who was expected to be a friend but turned out to be a liar. The song starts with the singer asking where the person had been, but then changes to the realization that they were there all along, lying and betraying trust. The chorus talks about drowning down fear and suffocating every spark of clarity, which can be interpreted as the dishonest person trying to avoid the consequences of their actions. The anger and disappointment towards this person is palpable throughout the song, with lines such as "your weakness sickens me, saddens me, strengthens me" showing that the betrayal has only made the singer stronger.
The second verse addresses the idea of responsibility and the question of who is to blame. The lyrics suggest that the liar had been hiding the truth and that the responsibility for the betrayal lies solely with them. The singer also mentions despair, hinting that this betrayal has caused them emotional distress. The chorus continues to emphasize the dishonest person's weak character, but also acknowledges that there is no way to free themselves from responsibility for their actions.
Overall, "Three Reasons" is a powerful song about betrayal and the pain it can cause. The lyrics showcase the strong emotions that can arise from such a situation, and the need for the responsible party to acknowledge and take ownership of their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Where were you? Say, you were gone
I noticed your absence, care to explain it?
Well, ask me and I'll swear, you were there all along
I know for a fact that you were lying about being absent
Another place, another state, any rate, I can't relate
I cannot understand or sympathize with your actions
There's no two ways, you're a disgrace
You are an embarrassment, and there is no excuse for your behavior
Drown down your fear, suffocate every spark of clarity
You are avoiding responsibility and refusing to confront the truth
Your weakness sickens me, saddens me, strengthens me
I am angered and saddened by your actions, but they also motivate me to be stronger
There's no way to free responsibility
You cannot escape the consequences of your actions
Who's to blame? Who's in the wrong?
Let's be honest about who is responsible for this situation
The truth from what you hide, it was you all along
You have been lying and hiding the truth, but it is clear that you were the cause of this problem
You were there, you didn't care, heart and mind were self impaired
You were present, but emotionally distant and not thinking clearly
Now, all that's left is our despair
Our situation seems hopeless and we are both feeling despair
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: ADAM A CARSON, DAVID PADEN MARCHAND, HUNTER LAWRENCE BURGAN, JADE ERROL PUGET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind