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.
The World Is on Fire
American Aquarium Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's when I laughed and poured her a glass of wine
We just stared at the TV tryin' to find some meanin'
Hopin' that we'd wake up from this dream
Sometime tomorrow
Well the night came and went, not a damn thing had changed
That's when I saw a tear fall from her eyes
For the first time in my whole life
I stood there speechless
The load is heavy and the road is long
And we've only begun to fight
We just can't give in, we just can't give up
We must go boldly into the darkness
And be the light
So I packed up my car and went lookin' for answers
To the questions weighin' on my mind
When did The Land of the Free become The Home of the Afraid?
Afraid of the world, afraid of the truth
Afraid of each other
This ain't the country my grandfather fought for
But I still see the hate he fought against
Give rest to the tired, give mercy to the poor
Give warmth to the huddled masses
And I'll show you freedom
The load is heavy and the road is long
And we've only begun to fight
We just can't give in, we just can't give up
We must go boldly into the darkness
And be the light
I got a baby girl comin' in the spring
I worry 'bout the world she's comin' into
But she'll have my fight, she'll have her mama's fire
If anyone builds a wall in her journey
Baby, bust right through it
The load is heavy and the road is long
And we've only begun to fight
We just can't give in, we just can't give up
We must go boldly into the darkness
The load is heavy and the road is long
And we've only begun to fight
We just can't give in, we just can't give up
We must go boldly into the darkness
And be the light
The World Is On Fire by American Aquarium is a song that speaks to the current state of the world and the fear and uncertainty that it brings. The song starts with the singer's partner looking out the window and stating that the world is on fire. Despite the severity of this statement, the singer just laughs and pours her a glass of wine. They both continue to stare at the TV, hoping to find some meaning and trying to wake up from the dream that seems to be reality. The night comes and goes without any changes, and the partner is overwhelmed with emotion and asks what they are going to do and what the world is coming to. The singer is speechless, illustrating the current state of the world and the profound impact it has on people's lives.
The singer then decides to pack up their car and go searching for answers to the questions that they have been pondering. They question when the "Land of the Free" became the "Home of the Afraid" and express their disappointment in the current state of the country. However, they still hold onto the hope that they can show people what freedom truly means by giving rest to the tired, mercy to the poor, and warmth to the huddled masses. They see their baby girl's impending arrival as a reminder of the fight that they have to continue fighting and the hope that they carry with them. They know that they must go boldly into the darkness and be the light.
Overall, The World Is On Fire is a song that speaks to the current state of the world and the fear and uncertainty that many people are feeling. It is a call to action to keep fighting for what is right, show compassion to those in need, and to be the guiding light in a dark and troubling time.
Line by Line Meaning
She looked out the window and said, "The world's on fire"
In a moment of despair, she expressed her concern with the state of the world
That's when I laughed and poured her a glass of wine
He attempted to lighten the mood by pouring her a drink and laughing off her distress
We just stared at the TV tryin' to find some meanin'
They looked to the news for answers and explanations for the chaos in the world
Hopin' that we'd wake up from this dream
They wished for an end to the nightmare that the world had become
Well the night came and went, not a damn thing had changed
Despite hopeful wishes, the reality of the world had not improved overnight
That's when I saw a tear fall from her eyes
Her emotional distress became more evident as she shed a tear
She said, "What are we gonna do? What's this world comin' to?"
She asked a rhetorical question about the state of the world and the actions they should take
For the first time in my whole life
I stood there speechless
He was rendered speechless by the gravity of her question and the state of the world
The load is heavy and the road is long
And we've only begun to fight
We just can't give in, we just can't give up
We must go boldly into the darkness
And be the light
They acknowledge the weight of the world's problems and the long journey ahead, but resolve to keep fighting and being a source of positivity
So I packed up my car and went lookin' for answers
To the questions weighin' on my mind
He sets out to find answers and solutions to the problems that had been troubling him
When did The Land of the Free become The Home of the Afraid?
Afraid of the world, afraid of the truth
Afraid of each other
He questions the state of the country and society, noting a pervasive atmosphere of fear and mistrust
This ain't the country my grandfather fought for
But I still see the hate he fought against
Give rest to the tired, give mercy to the poor
Give warmth to the huddled masses
And I'll show you freedom
He laments the current state of the country compared to what his grandfather fought for, and resolves to advocate for the marginalized groups that his grandfather also defended
I got a baby girl comin' in the spring
I worry 'bout the world she's comin' into
But she'll have my fight, she'll have her mama's fire
If anyone builds a wall in her journey
Baby, bust right through it
He expresses concern for the world his daughter will grow up in, but promises to pass on their fighting spirit and determination to her, encouraging her to break through any obstacles that may stand in her way
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: B.J. Barham
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ds5651
Just saw them in PHX. They will be now a mainstay in my playlist. Has a Springsteen feel.
@treyphish
What song did they open with in PHX?
@lisamillraney5382
just learned of this band, chose this song at random (and to be honest, the title is appropriate for the moment) Loving it!
@awetheaverage68264
such an underrated masterpiece
@debbiefrantum1759
Oh my, this is an amazing song and so well done! Brought tears to my eyes, while also leaving me hopeful!
@adamchildress79
BJ, your lyrics are so true in every song you write. You (Corey Smith and Danny Boone) are the writer I wish I could be. Every lyric you write is synonymous with my life. Congratulations on the new members, and keep doing what you do!!!
@Aka60thChip
Spotify really scares me sometimes cause I don’t really have a typical set of music preference and they always seem to get it right. And this was definitely not in the genre I was playing but they always seem to suggest the right songs that round out my day
@mardus_ee
Heard this song today (19.09.2018) on Estonia's commercial Kuku Radio. The show was "Metsik Lääs" (The Wild West). The song's really really good, and the lyrics get straight to the heart.
@RyanCassata
I love this song so much. Thanks for posting. <3
@janosborn7854
Blown Away at the last show. Yall put 110% into it. LOVE IT! When did the land of the free become the land of the afraid.... #Freedom #GoBoldly