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.
Wake Up Call
AFI Lyrics
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But I can't find the magic inside of me
I'll give my best 'cause I can give no more
But your problems aren't solved so easily
I'm not someone that you should run to
I've been often as broken as you
More often than you'd like me to
If I could heal all the pain that you feel
I'd gladly cure all that ails you inside
Unfortunately I have no degree
And I cannot anesthetize
I'm not someone that you should run to
I've been often as broken as you
More often than you'd like me to
Whoa, I wish that I could help you
Whoa, I can't even help myself
Whoa, it seems you need a saving grace
And a savior's something I'm not
Right
Whoa, I wish that I could help you
Whoa, I can't even help myself
Whoa, it seems you need a saving grace
And a savior's something I'm not
The lyrics of AFI's song Wakeup Call portray a sense of helplessness and inability to adequately deal with the problems of others. The singer expresses his desire to wish away the problems of those around him, but he recognizes that he cannot simply wave a magic wand and make everything better. He acknowledges his own brokenness and the limitations of his ability to heal others. The chorus highlights this feeling of powerlessness, with the repeated line "Whoa, I wish that I could help you" underscoring the singer's frustration.
The second verse continues with this theme of helplessness, as the singer declares his desire to cure all the pain that someone else feels. However, he recognizes that he lacks the necessary qualifications and skills to accomplish this feat. The repeated refrain of "I'm not someone that you should run to" underscores the singer's sense of inadequacy and inability to solve the problems of others.
Overall, Wakeup Call captures the feeling of wanting to help others, but recognizing the limitations of one's own abilities. The singer expresses his desire to be a savior for those in need, but ultimately acknowledges that he cannot fulfill that role.
Line by Line Meaning
If I had my way I'd wish them away
Although I would like to make your problems disappear, I can't do that by simply wishing them away. It's not magic.
But I can't find the magic inside of me
There's no magic within me that can solve your problems. It takes more than that.
I'll give my best 'cause I can give no more
I'll try everything I can to help, but there is a limit to what I can give.
But your problems aren't solved so easily
Your problems require more than just a simple fix. They won't go away easily.
I'm not someone that you should run to
You shouldn't come to me for all your problems. I've been broken too.
I've been often as broken as you
I've experienced as much pain as you have.
More often than you'd like me to
I've been broken more times than you would think or like me to admit.
If I could heal all the pain that you feel
If it were possible, I would take all the pain away and make you feel better.
I'd gladly cure all that ails you inside
I would be happy to heal all the emotional pain and suffering that you're going through inside.
Unfortunately I have no degree
I don't have the formal education or training necessary to provide the kind of help you may require.
And I cannot anesthetize
I can't numb your pain or emotions. It's not something I'm equipped to do.
Whoa, I wish that I could help you
I really want to help you, but I don't have all the answers.
Whoa, I can't even help myself
I'm struggling to help myself, so I'm not the best person to come to for help.
Whoa, it seems you need a saving grace
You need someone or something to help you out of your troubles. You need saving grace.
And a savior's something I'm not
I cannot be the savior or solution to all your problems.
Right
This is a verbal emphasis on the last statement - it's a declaration of, 'that's how it is' or 'end of discussion'.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Geoff Kresge, Mark Stopholese
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind