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.
Where Are We Now?
American Football Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Both home alone in the same house
Would you even know me if I wasn’t old me?
If I wasn’t afraid to say what I mean?
We’ve been here before
But I don’t remember a lock on the door
Is it keeping me out or you in?
Strange how these city streets
Have changed faces like we did
Would you even know me if
Time hadn’t stole me?
If I wasn’t afraid to say what I need?
We’ve been here before
We’ll figure it out like that goddamn door
We just need a skeleton key
Leave me or don’t, I don’t care
Just let me know when you
Finally drag your body
Out of bed and I’ll get my things
In "Where Are We Now?" by American Football, the lyrics explore the themes of change, identity, and communication within a relationship. The opening lines, "Where are we now? Both home alone in the same house," suggest a feeling of disconnection and isolation despite physical proximity. The singer wonders if their partner would recognize them if they weren't the person they used to be, emphasizing the fear of vulnerability and the struggle to express one's true thoughts and feelings. The mention of being "afraid to say what I mean" highlights the difficulty in honest communication, potentially due to a fear of rejection or the consequences that may follow.
The lyrics continue to reflect on the past, questioning the presence of a lock on the door of their shared space. This lock symbolizes a barrier between them, raising the question of whether it's meant to keep the singer out or their partner locked inside their own emotional walls. The city streets are described as changing faces, parallel to how the relationship has transformed over time. The line "Time hadn't stole me" expresses the desire to be remembered as one's authentic self, free from the influence of time and its impact on personal growth and development.
Despite the uncertainty and past struggles, the song holds onto hope for a resolution. The lyrics mention figuring things out like a "skeleton key," suggesting that they need a solution or understanding that unlocks the path forward. The final lines convey a sense of resignation, where the singer begs their partner to inform them when they finally get out of bed so that they can leave and gather their belongings. This could imply that the relationship is at a breaking point, with the singer's emotional and physical departure becoming inevitable.
Overall, "Where Are We Now?" captures the struggle of maintaining connection and understanding in a relationship while dealing with personal growth, fear, and communication barriers.
Line by Line Meaning
Where are we now?
In our current state or situation, where do we find ourselves?
Both home alone in the same house
Despite physically being in the same space, we are emotionally distant and isolated from each other.
Would you even know me if I wasn't old me?
If I were to change and no longer conform to the person you are familiar with, would you still recognize and understand me?
If I wasn't afraid to say what I mean?
If I didn't have the fear of expressing my true thoughts and feelings, would I still struggle to communicate effectively with you?
We've been here before
We have encountered similar situations or challenges in our relationship in the past.
But I don't remember a lock on the door
I can't recall any barriers or restrictions preventing us from resolving our issues and moving forward.
Is it keeping me out or you in?
The presence of an unidentified lock on the door raises the question of whether it is hindering my access to you or acting as a barrier for you to open up and connect with me.
Strange how these city streets have changed faces like we did
Just like the city streets undergo transformations and alterations, our relationship has also evolved and undergone changes over time.
Would you even know me if time hadn't stole me?
If time hadn't influenced and altered my identity, would you still be able to recognize and understand who I truly am?
If I wasn't afraid to say what I need?
If I had the courage to openly express my desires and requirements, would you be able to fulfill them and meet my needs?
We've been here before
We have faced similar challenges and uncertainties in our relationship previously.
We'll figure it out like that goddamn door
Just like we have previously overcome obstacles and found resolutions, we will work together to find a solution for our current predicament, just like solving that frustrating door.
We just need a skeleton key
All we require is a simple solution or approach that can unlock and resolve our issues, similar to using a skeleton key to open any lock.
Leave me or don't, I don't care
Whether you choose to stay with me or leave, it doesn't greatly affect me or change my level of concern.
Just let me know when you finally drag your body out of bed
Inform me when you decide to muster the strength and motivation to face the day and engage in our relationship.
And I'll get my things
Once you demonstrate your readiness and commitment, I will gather my belongings and make the necessary preparations for our future or potential separation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Excision361
Where are we now?
Both home alone in the same house
Would you even know it if I wasn't told it?
If I wasn't afraid to say what I mean
We've been here before
But I don't remember a lock on the door
Is it keeping me out or you in?
Strange how these city streets have changed faces
Like we did
Would you even know me if time hadn't stole me?
If I wasn't afraid to say what I need
We've been here before
We'll figure it out like that goddamn door
We just need a skeleton key
Leave me or don't, I don't care
Just let me know when you finally drag your body out of bed
I'll get my things
Excision361
Where are we now?
Both home alone in the same house
Would you even know it if I wasn't told it?
If I wasn't afraid to say what I mean
We've been here before
But I don't remember a lock on the door
Is it keeping me out or you in?
Strange how these city streets have changed faces
Like we did
Would you even know me if time hadn't stole me?
If I wasn't afraid to say what I need
We've been here before
We'll figure it out like that goddamn door
We just need a skeleton key
Leave me or don't, I don't care
Just let me know when you finally drag your body out of bed
I'll get my things
Tom Fontaine
This song is beautiful. It walks you through conflict. Articulates a dark feeling in a bright way. You don't just get a feeling from this song, you experience a heart. You experience years of this persons life. I love it.
Brian Trinh
Also, there is a strong implied "where are we going now?" - besides the present focused question of "Where are we now?" Especially at the end, when Mike Kinsella sings plaintively, "When you finally drag your body out of bed...I'll get my things." Get my things and go where? In separate ways? Continue on together with life with uncertainty and weariness? Continue on together with renewed confidence in the relationship?
Brian Trinh
Tom Fontaine I'm in total agreement with you. For me, the song really humanizes the kinds of conflict couples in long term relationships struggle with. It doesn't portray conflict in an overly romantic way out of touch with reality - Mike Kinsella is clear about the petty shit couples can do in his songs. At the same time, he doesn't overlook the genuine love that is there, struggling to emerge from the mud and exhaustion of stress and work and everyday life. "We've been here before. We'll figure it out like that goddamn door." The speaker has confidence they'll resolve things despite the uncertainty, frustration ...
The outro breaks my heart. When the singer says, "Leave me or don't...I don't care..." Clearly he cares, but is too exhausted or overwhelmed or stressed with arguing to continue. And his significant other is too. "Let me know when you drag your body out of bed. I'll get my things." The imagery is surprising to me because I imagine someone wanting to leave or break up with someone angry at the door ready to go, but they are depressed or exhausted laying in bed. It is absurd, somewhat funny, and sad and depressing all at the same time for me. Really highlights the ambiguities and complexities in human conflict.
John Colbridge
Tom Fontaine well said.
Alexandru-Andrei Haraga
I really like how the opening track sets the mood for the entire album and kinda makes you take it as a whole. Also nice how pieces of the songs are connected to the cover.
Andres Santiago
YES!
John Colbridge
This is now my favorite song on this album, constant repeat.
Fallen
Best comeback artists ever.
ManOverbaked
Stunning, a great opening track.