Formed in 2006, the band derived its name from the Wilco song, “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart,” and is led by band founder and lead vocalist/ guitarist BJ Barham. A new lineup was announced in April 2017 with new faces joining the ranks: Crooks drummer Joey Bybee, Damn Quails bass player Ben Hussey and guitarist Shane Boeker – all from Texas – along with Nashville pedal-steel player Adam Kurtz, who also fronts Music City's experimental Buck Owens tribute Buck N' Stuff. Bybee left in August 2018 and was replaced by Nashville-based drummer Matty Alger, who in turn left in February 2019. Kurtz left the band after the Mile Zero fest in January 2019, and Hussey left in July 2019.
Their first album, Antique Hearts, was released in 2006, followed by The Bible and the Bottle in 2008.
In 2012, American Aquarium released two albums: Live in Raleigh and Burn. Flicker. Die.
The band released their sixth original album, Wolves, in February 2015.[7] The band's fans helped raise $24,000 through a Kickstarter project to help fund the album's production, and the album was recorded in Asheville, North Carolina at Echo Mountain.
On November 25, 2016 "Live at Terminal West" was released by the band from a live show recording in November 2015 at Terminal West in Atlanta, Georgia.
Things Change was released on New West Records in 2018, followed by
Lamentations (on New West Records) in 2020.
Telling A Lie
American Aquarium Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When he opens his mouth he’ll tell you a lie. When he opens his mouth, he’ll tell you a lie. He was better at making noise and sure he had the better voice, i know you liked it. But when we are out here on the road and he’s just wasting away back home, living to die.
When i open my mouth I’ll tell you a lie. When i open my mouth I’ll tell you a lie. See i won’t be mistaken for a one hit wonder in the making wonder why. Because if my time ever comes, girl I’ll blast off like a gun so watch it. I said if my time ever comes girl i’m going to blast off like a rocket.
The lyrics in American Aquarium's "Telling A Lie" express the idea that people can often be deceptive and dishonorable when pursuing their desires. The opening lines repeat, "When you open your mouth, you’re telling a lie," emphasizing how actions are louder than words. The singer describes working two jobs on the weekends to get by, suggesting they may not have a glamorous life, but they are honest and hardworking. The line, "If the money is what you’re testing, then honey you are messing with the wrong guy," challenges those who are dishonest and suggests that they will not get away with their deceitful ways.
The following verse shifts perspective to someone else, perhaps a rival or friend. The lyrics again repeat, "When he opens his mouth he’ll tell you a lie," indicating that it's not solely about one person's character but may be a common issue. While this person has a "better voice," they are wasting away back home while the singer is out on the road pursuing their dreams.
The final verse again shifts perspective to the singer, who admits, "When I open my mouth, I’ll tell you a lie." This line suggests that even the singer is susceptible to, or even guilty of, dishonesty. However, they assert that they won't be a "one-hit wonder," and when their time comes, they will "blast off like a rocket." This indicates that while the singer may have made mistakes, they are committed to being successful on their own terms.
Overall, the song's lyrics are about the complexities of pursuing one's desires and the difficult choices one must make in the process. It highlights the struggle between being truthful and being successful and suggests that ultimately, success is only meaningful when it's achieved on one's own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
When you open your mouth, you’re telling a lie.
When you speak, you're being dishonest.
If the good life is what you’re seeking, i work two jobs on the weekend to get by.
If you want to live comfortably, I work hard to barely make ends meet.
If the money is what you’re testing, then honey you are messing with the wrong guy.
If you're trying to deceive me for monetary gain, you've chosen the wrong person to mess with.
When he opens his mouth he’ll tell you a lie.
He's known for being dishonest whenever he speaks.
He was better at making noise and sure he had the better voice, i know you liked it.
He was good at being loud and his voice was appealing, and I know you enjoyed it.
But when we are out here on the road and he’s just wasting away back home, living to die.
However, when we're on tour and he's back home wasting away, he's only living to die.
When i open my mouth I’ll tell you a lie.
I'm not always truthful when I speak.
See i won’t be mistaken for a one hit wonder in the making wonder why.
I won't be mistaken as someone who will have only one successful song and wondered why.
Because if my time ever comes, girl I’ll blast off like a gun so watch it.
If I ever have my moment of success, I'm going to make sure everyone knows and they better watch out.
I said if my time ever comes girl i’m going to blast off like a rocket.
If my moment of success ever arrives, I'm going to skyrocket to the top.
Contributed by Elijah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.