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.
Home Is Where the Haunt Is
American Football Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Those wounds won′t lick themselves
So good thing you're not alone
He′s been here all along
You can't see him, but you know he's there
The ghost in the corner of the room
Knows what you sleep in
Some things never change
Maybe that′s okay
Home is where the haunt is
The past still present tense
Need more time to mourn
But you shouldn't sulk for too long
Because you look like hell
An accidental version of yourself
You can′t just forget all the other lives you've lived
The ghost in the corner of the room
Knows how you′re feeling
'Cause you′re dead to him, too
Some things never change
Maybe that's okay
'Cause I know how you hate to sleep alone
The lyrics in American Football's song Home Is Where the Haunt Is suggest a sense of nostalgia and reminiscence of one's past. The phrase "home is where the haunt is" implies that the memories and experiences from one's past reside within their own home, and that those memories still linger and haunt them. The lines "those wounds won't lick themselves, so good thing you're not alone" suggest that the pain and sorrow of one's past cannot be ignored or forgotten, but having someone to share it with can make it easier to bear. The "ghost in the corner of the room" is a symbol for the memories and experiences that still follow us, even if we can't see them.
The lyrics also suggest that the past is still present, and that mourning for it takes time. However, sulking for too long can transform a person into an "accidental version of yourself" - someone they never intended to be. The line "you can't just forget all the other lives you've lived" further reinforces the idea that our past experiences shape who we are today. The final line "cause I know how you hate to sleep alone" suggests that the haunting memories of our past can be easier to bear with the comfort of a partner, and that companionship can be a source of strength during tough times.
Line by Line Meaning
Home is where the haunt is
Home is often a place where past experiences and memories linger, haunting us in various ways.
Those wounds won't lick themselves
Issues from the past don't just go away without us putting in effort to address them.
So good thing you're not alone
It is comforting to know that there are others who have shared similar experiences and can offer support.
He's been here all along
Even if we may not be aware of it, there are often unseen sources of support and guidance available to us.
You can't see him, but you know he's there
Just because something is not visible to us does not mean it is not present or real.
The ghost in the corner of the room
This line uses a metaphor to represent the lingering effects of past issues.
Knows what you sleep in
Our past experiences can influence the way we think, feel, and behave, even when we are not aware of it.
When you're dreaming and of who
Our subconscious mind may continue to process and revisit past events, even when we are asleep.
Some things never change
Certain aspects of our past experiences may continue to impact us, even if we try to move on.
Maybe that's okay
Acceptance of our past experiences and their ongoing influence can help us find peace and move forward.
The past still present tense
The effects of past experiences can persist in the present and affect our current thoughts and emotions.
Need more time to mourn
It's important to allow ourselves the necessary time and space to grieve and process past losses or traumas.
But you shouldn't sulk for too long
It's important to find a balance between processing and moving forward from our past issues and dwelling on them.
Because you look like hell
Continuing to let past experiences consume us can negatively impact our mental and physical health.
An accidental version of yourself
The lasting effects of past experiences can reshape our identities in ways we may not have anticipated.
You can't just forget all the other lives you've lived
Our past experiences, good and bad, have contributed to the development of who we are today and cannot be easily erased.
Knows how you're feeling
Our past experiences may influence our current emotions and behaviors, even if we are not consciously aware of it.
'Cause you're dead to him, too
This line uses metaphor to illustrate how holding onto past issues can prevent us from connecting with others in the present.
'Cause I know how you hate to sleep alone
The fear of being alone can motivate us to hold onto past relationships or experiences, even when they are unhealthy or detrimental.
Writer(s): Stephen Michael Holmes, Nathan Kinsella, Michael Thomas Kinsella, Steven Joseph Lamos
Contributed by Audrey M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@yamann9074
Home is where the haunt is
Those wounds won’t lick themselves
It's a good thing you’re not alone
He’s been here all along
You can’t see him, but you know he’s there
The ghost in the corner of the room
He knows what you sleep in
When you’re dreaming, of who
Some things never change
Maybe that’s okay
Home is where the haunt is
The past still present tense
Need more time to mourn
But you shouldn’t sulk for too long
Because you look like hell
An accidental version of yourself
You can’t just forget all the other lives you’ve lived
The ghost in the corner of the room
Knows how you’re feeling
‘Cause you’re dead to him, too
Some things never change
Maybe that’s okay
Cause I know how you hate to sleep alone
@MrEnviousMonster
"Some things never change..maybe that's okay.." Emo lyric of the decade.
@TheOfficialTyro
;-;
@danielisokay
So simple.
@danyfedorov3029
For me its
"Because you look like hell
An accidental version of yourself"
@blekpalkon
for me
"You can’t just forget all the other lives you’ve lived"
@augustrush6957
@@blekpalkon come on, guys
I just think it's best cu
z u can't miss what u forget
@nburtoninferno
American Football truly is the defining band of elder emo music. Their first album helped define the emo genre, but then they left for 20 years. When they came back, they had the wisdom of aging, their lives were different, they don't have a young persons problems anymore. Their music, however, still captures the same essence as it did all those years ago. They never went through the evolution the way other emo bands that continued to create music did. They came back, and made music that speaks to their audience in the same way it did all those years ago. Some bands still write music like the only issues they have are the popular girl in school not liking them, despite being 30-40 years old at this point. American Football acknowledge the adolescent roots of emo music in this song and music video, and addressed it in the perfect way. Going home never feels right, and at this point, its usual under bad circumstances or obligation. The video shows the adults wearing their old high school clothes, in an attempt to either pay tribute to days gone, or an attempt to never leave those days behind.
@elfferich1212
what a beautiful observation.
@AlexSeibel
Every song off LP2 is amazing in it's own way but this one is probably my favourite
@MotorStorm66
Alex Seibel my favourite from lp2 is waffle ;p