The band was formed by guitarist and singer Mike Kinsella (formerly of Cap'n Jazz, The One Up Downstairs, Joan of Arc, Owls and currently of Owen) and drummer Steve Lamos (formerly of The One Up Downstairs and currently of The Geese), and also included guitar player Steve Holmes.
The band had few live performances and disbanded less than a year after releasing their self-titled album; still, they gained critical acclaim for that album, which merged the plain-spoken, confessional lyrics and melancholic/bittersweet arpeggios of Midwest Emo with the varying time signatures of Math Rock and the atmosphere of Post-Rock, providing a softer musical sensibility.
Mike Kinsella explained the band's name thus: "My girlfriend had been in Dublin, Ireland visiting her family. One of the things she brought home for me was a flyer for a Chicago Bears exhibition game that said: "Come see American Football, featuring the most overpaid athletes in the world." Something about that statement made me think of rock bands, most of whom are the most overpaid musicians in the world. When I suggested it as a name, the other guys thought it was dumb. Still, for whatever reason, we kept it".
The band regrouped in 2014 for two shows to promote the re-issue of their self-titled album.
Heir Apparent
American Football Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Than a desperate thief could ever set free
Now I'm your burden
Selfishness is inherited
Like skinny lips and tattoos (What could I do?)
I'm sorry for leaving
I'm unapologetically sorry for everything
All of your best attributes
Look better on me than they ever did on you
We could be each other's other burden
Selfishness is inherited
So, what could I do? (What could I do?)
I didn't catch it, kissing Jenny in the closet
I didn't learn it at school
I'm sorry you need me
For hanging on your arm, a child you can't ignore
I'm unapologetically sorry for everything
I'm sorry for aging
Growing more and more disinterested in celebrity and politic
I'm unapologetically for
Maybe more than anything, sorry you love me
Heir apparent to the throne
The king of all I love
Heir apparent to the throne
The king of all I love
Heir apparent to the throne
The king of all I love
Heir apparent to the throne
The king of all I love
Heir apparent to the throne
The king of all I love
Heir apparent to the throne
The king of all I love
Heir apparent to the throne
The king of all I love
Heir apparent to the throne
The king of all I love
Heir apparent to the throne
The king of all I love
Heir apparent to the throne
The king of all I love
Heir apparent to the throne
The king of all I love
Heir apparent to the throne
The lyrics of American Football's song "Heir Apparent" explore themes of self-reflection, guilt, and the complex dynamics of relationships. The opening line, "There's more of you in me than a desperate thief could ever set free, now I'm your burden," suggests that the singer feels overwhelmed by the influence and presence of someone else in their life. This person has left a lasting impact on them, to the extent that they feel burdened by the connection.
The following lines, "Selfishness is inherited, like skinny lips and tattoos, what could I do?" delve into the idea that selfishness and certain traits are passed down from one generation to another. The singer acknowledges their own selfish tendencies and questions whether they can do anything to change or overcome them. However, they also acknowledge that they didn't learn everything at school and perhaps some behaviors were unintentionally picked up along the way.
The repeated apologies in the next verse, "I'm sorry for leaving, I'm sorry with one foot out the door, I'm unapologetically sorry for everything," indicate a sense of remorse and regret. The singer recognizes that their actions may have caused pain or hurt to the person they are addressing. They express their apologies sincerely, even though they might not fully understand the depth of their impact.
The bridge of the song continues the theme of guilt and self-awareness. The lyrics express regret for aging and becoming more disinterested in trivial matters like celebrity and politics. The singer acknowledges that their changing priorities might not align with the expectations or desires of the person they love. They are sorry for potentially disappointing this person and apologize for any subsequent struggles.
The repetition of the phrase "Heir apparent to the throne, the king of all I love," throughout the song can be interpreted as the singer recognizing the importance and significance of the relationship. It suggests that the person they address holds a special place in their heart and may have a significant influence over them. The lyrics convey a sentiment of both reverence and humility, acknowledging the impact this person has had on their life.
Overall, "Heir Apparent" delves into the complexities of relationships, the weight of past influences, and the emotions that come with personal growth and self-discovery. The lyrics express a mixture of remorse, acceptance, and gratitude for the connection with the other person, while also exploring the internal struggles of the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
There's more of you in me
I have absorbed so much of your personality and traits that it feels like a significant part of who I am
Than a desperate thief could ever set free
Even if someone tried to steal those parts of me that belong to you, they would never be able to separate us completely
Now I'm your burden
I have become a weight or responsibility to you, possibly due to my selfishness
Selfishness is inherited
Being self-centered is something that is passed down or learned from previous generations
Like skinny lips and tattoos (What could I do?)
Just like physical features such as thin lips and tattoos, my selfishness is a part of me that I cannot easily change or control
I'm sorry for leaving
I apologize for my actions of walking away or abandoning you
I'm sorry with one foot out the door
I express my regret for constantly being ready to leave or end the relationship
I'm unapologetically sorry for everything
I am deeply remorseful for every mistake, wrong action, or hurt I have caused, without making excuses for myself
All of your best attributes
The positive qualities you possess
Look better on me than they ever did on you
I seem to embody or showcase those qualities better than you ever did
We could be each other's other burden
We can both be a source of heaviness or responsibility for each other
So, what could I do? (What could I do?)
I am acknowledging that there was little I could do to change the inherited selfishness that is a part of me
I didn't catch it, kissing Jenny in the closet
I didn't learn how to be faithful or loyal from observing intimate moments between individuals, like kissing someone secretly
I didn't learn it at school
The education I received did not teach me important life lessons or values
I'm sorry you need me
I apologize for the fact that you rely on me and cannot ignore my presence
For hanging on your arm, a child you can't ignore
I express regret for being like a dependent child that clings to your side and demands attention, making it impossible for you to disregard me
I'm sorry for aging
I apologize for the natural process of growing older and the associated changes in my interests and priorities
Growing more and more disinterested in celebrity and politic
I find myself increasingly uninterested in matters of fame and politics as I age
I'm unapologetically for
I firmly stand by or support
Maybe more than anything, sorry you love me
Above all else, I express remorse for the fact that you love me, potentially because I feel unworthy or burdensome
Heir apparent to the throne
The rightful successor or next in line to hold power and authority
The king of all I love
I am dominant or in control of everything that holds significance or has value to me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Mike Kinsella
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben Smerglia
There's more of you in me
Than a desperate thief
Could ever set free
Now I'm your burden
Selfishness is inherited
Like skinny lips and tattoos (What can I do?)
I'm sorry for leaving
I'm sorry with one foot out the door
I'm unapologetically sorry for everything
All of your best attributes
Look better on me
Than they ever did on you
We could be each other's other burdens
Selfishness is inherited
So, what could I do? (What can I do?)
I didn't catch it kissing Jenny in the closet
I didn't learn it at school
I'm sorry if you need me
For hanging on your arm
A child you can't ignore
I'm unapologetically sorry for everything
I'm sorry for aging
Growing more and more disinterested
In celebrity and politic
Unapologetically or
Maybe more than anything
I'm sorry you loved me
Heir apparent to the throne
The King of All Alone
Heir apparent to the throne
The King of All Alone
Heir apparent to the throne
The King of All Alone
Heir apparent to the throne
The King of All Alone
Heir apparent to the throne
The King of All Alone
Heir apparent to the throne
The King of All Alone
Heir apparent to the throne
The King of All Alone
Heir apparent to the throne
The King of All Alone
Heir apparent to the throne
The King of All Alone
Heir apparent to the throne
The King of All Alone
Heir apparent to the throne
The King of All Alone
Heir apparent to the throne
Mister Kupp
The second half of this song gets me into tears almost always.
Condiment King
This song
and albumreminds me why American Football saved my life when I first listened to them in 2008.This is seriously an 'Album of the Year' contender.
John Glynn
flex56k Agree. I've listened to it straight for a week and I love it more.
TheAlbinoskunk
That melody at 1:28 is stupid good. The me from 5 years ago wouldn't believe that I could enjoy an album like this but I find it hard to listen to anything else rn
Well I'm me
Literally me
IceCream4More
Same
Karen Amaro
A friend (I had a crush on him, loved him, he rejected me) showed me this band a few years ago, and everytime I listen to this band I always remember the good times and memories we had together and it hurts so bad. I wish I could go back in time.
Bruce Hunter
Take the good feelings and find a way to share them with another. Think of the singing children, their hope and trust in the future and let their hope and trust be yours.
kaven kocke
@Bruce Hunter I know you meant for your word to be for someone half a year ago, but I just stubbled across this interaction, and it helps me more than you know. Thank you.
Bruce Hunter
@kaven kocke thank you!