To date they have released Four studio albums, as well as two live albums. Their self-titled album (2001, Island Records) was their best known release, with singles Flavor of the Weak and Another Perfect Day. Their 2003 follow up album Art of Losing had a slightly rockier edge to it and includes the singles The Art of Losing and The Breakup Song (both of which appeared on various movie soundtracks). However the album failed to meet the success of their first album and they were dropped by Island Records. Their third studio album Hearts on Parade was released by Maverick Records in 2005 with a much more poppy sound. It included the singles The Geeks Get the Girls and Hell Yeah!. There was much division between fans due to the "new sound" and poor record sales meant Maverick dropped American Hi-Fi in Autumn of 2005.
The band retured after 5 years, releasing their forth studio album Fight the Frequency but the album did not follow any sort of promotion nor much tour for support of the album.
As of 2012, the band is currently working on a new studio album and are now signed with Goomba Music.
American Hi-Fi have also released 2 Live albums. One released only in Japan called Rock N' Roll Noodle Shop: Live From Tokyo through Universal. The album is a live recording of a concert performed in Tokyo and includes mainly tracks from the self-titled album. However, it does include an early version of the track Teenage Alien Nation titled Waking Up to the End of the World, Happy (both from the Art of Losing Album) and cover of the Cheap Trick song Surrender.
The second live album was Live from Milwaukee.
According to an radio interview given by the band in 2001, their name came from a chance meeting with Keith Richards at a club. When they mentioned to him that they were looking for a name, he suggested "American Hi-Fi."
Frontman and founding member Stacy Jones previously drummed for the often mis-labelled all girl punk rock outfit Veruca Salt on their Eight Arms To Hold You tour but never recorded for the band leaving in 1998 to start American Hi-Fi.
Jones is a renowned producer and songwriter and has produced a mixed bag of artists from Hana Montana to Towers of London, also playing drums on various Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana tracks. Jones is also married to international photographer Jade Loop.
Band Lineup
Stacy Jones - Vocals, Drums and Guitar (2001-present)
Jamie Arentzen - Guitar and Vocals (2001-present)
Drew Parsons - Bass and Vocals (2001-present)
Brian Nolan - Drums (2001-2004,2007-present)
Jason Sutter - Drums on Hearts on Parade (2004-2007)
Coma
American Hi-Fi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just slightly above broken hearted
My head got a nervous kind of feeling
Bled white but my hearts still beating
I'm living the morning ever after
I keep thinking that anythings better
Time's ticking I'm ticking like a time bomb
You're already gone but I wanted more
Operator tell me it's gonna end
Hey, hello, how the hell you been?
You got me in a coma, but I'm alright about it
I'm living the life that you stared
Just slightly above brokenhearted
You think that I'm sleeping at the wheel
It's all about to get real
So slow that it doesn't seem like crashing
It's over but anything can happen now
A bullet straight to my heart
The lights go out on you
There's everything to lose.
The lyrics to American Hi-Fi's song "Coma" delve into themes of heartbreak, resilience, and the aftermath of a failed relationship. The opening lines, "I'll finish the mess that you started, Just slightly above brokenhearted," suggest that the singer is picking up the pieces of a relationship that went sour, determined to move on despite feeling hurt.
The lyrics reveal a sense of anticipation and unease, as the singer experiences a "nervous kind of feeling" and describes being "ticking like a time bomb." This signifies their emotional state, teetering between healing and potentially exploding with pent-up emotions. The line "You're already gone but I wanted more" emphasizes the lingering desire for what was lost, even though the person they long for is no longer present.
The chorus brings in the line "You got me in a coma, but I'm alright about it," which metaphorically represents the singer's emotional state. While they may feel trapped or immobilized by the hurt caused by the relationship, they maintain a sense of acceptance and resilience, indicating that they are willing to face the pain head-on.
The second verse continues to explore the aftermath of the failed relationship, as the singer claims to be "living the life that you stared, just slightly above brokenhearted." This suggests that they are reclaiming their life and finding strength despite the heartache.
The line "So slow that it doesn't seem like crashing, It's over but anything can happen now" depicts the slow-moving process of healing and moving forward. It implies that although the relationship has ended, there is still an element of uncertainty and unpredictability in what comes next. The mention of a "bullet straight to my heart" in the final line further echoes the pain and vulnerability associated with a broken heart.
Overall, the lyrics of "Coma" convey a sense of resilience and determination in the face of heartbreak, portraying the singer as someone who is willing to confront their own emotions and move forward despite the pain.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll finish the mess that you started
I will take responsibility for resolving the chaos and problems that you initiated.
Just slightly above broken hearted
My emotional state is just slightly better than being completely heartbroken.
My head got a nervous kind of feeling
I am experiencing a sense of unease and anxiety in my mind.
Bled white but my hearts still beating
Despite feeling drained and emotionally depleted, my heart is still alive and functioning.
I'm living the morning ever after
I am stuck in a continuous state of aftermath, where every day feels like a morning after a significant event.
I keep thinking that anythings better
I constantly believe that any situation or circumstance would be an improvement compared to the current state.
Time's ticking I'm ticking like a time bomb
The passing time is creating a sense of urgency and pressure within me, like a ticking time bomb that could explode at any moment.
You're already gone but I wanted more
Although you are no longer present or involved, I still desired and yearned for more from our relationship or connection.
Operator tell me it's gonna end
I implore the operator to reassure me that this situation will eventually come to an end.
Hey, hello, how the hell you been?
In a direct and slightly frustrated manner, I inquire about your well-being and current state of being.
You got me in a coma, but I'm alright about it
You have placed me in a state of emotional numbness and detachment, but surprisingly, I am accepting and okay with it.
I'm living the life that you stared
I am now experiencing and leading the life that you once observed or fantasized about.
Just slightly above brokenhearted
My heart is only marginally better than being completely shattered and broken.
You think that I'm sleeping at the wheel
You mistakenly believe that I am careless and not paying attention to the situation or circumstances.
It's all about to get real
The situation is about to become intense, serious, and significant.
So slow that it doesn't seem like crashing
The progression is happening at such a sluggish pace that it doesn't feel like a sudden and impactful collision or failure.
It's over but anything can happen now
Although it may seem like everything has concluded, the possibilities for unexpected events or outcomes are still wide open.
A bullet straight to my heart
An incredibly painful and devastating blow directly affecting my emotions and wellbeing.
The lights go out on you
You are left in darkness or despair, losing hope or guidance.
There's everything to lose
The stakes are incredibly high, and the potential losses are significant and encompassing.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KEVIN FRANCIS HUNTER, STACY JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tomas Contreras
Catchy, reminds me of their sequel to their first album.
Nuclear Ranger
But this feels like the TRUE sequel to that album. If that makes sense.
IceTeaHate
WTH even these guys are back. Did I travel 10 years back in time?
c̶r̶o̶s̶s̶XFa҉ed̶ꨄ
I'm getting Alien Ant Farm vibes