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)
Hi-Fi Killer
American Hi-Fi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turn you around, and maybe then tune you out
I don't know how to make it real
Whatever you want, it's no big deal
Change my tone
I gotta disappear
Don't want to hear that sound on the radio
'Cause it's the same old song
I don't know how to make it stop
(Go left to the dial) to really rock
But I'm not sure, yeah
I'll kick it over anyway
It's cool but you're starting to decay
It's in your face
I gotta disappear
Don't want to hear that sound on the radio
Yeah, we could all hum along
'Cause it's the same old song
You could watch me come undone
You could watch me come undone
Yeah, you
You could watch me come undone
(To) freak you
You could hum along, you could hum along
You could hum along, you could hum along
I want to turn you on again
Turn you around, and maybe then...
I gotta disappear
Don't want to hear that sound on the radio
Yeah, we could all hum along
'Cause it's the same old song
I gotta disappear
Don't want to hear that sound on the radio
Yeah, we could all hum along
Yeah, we could hum along
Yeah
The lyrics of "Hi-Fi Killer" by American Hi-Fi is all about trying to change and improve things in a relationship that has become stagnant. The first verse talks about the desire to "turn you on again" and make a change. But the singer admits that he doesn't know how to make it real and that whatever the other person wants, it's no big deal. In other words, he's open to making improvements but doesn't know where to start. He mentions changing his tone, which could refer to both his attitude and his music, as American Hi-Fi is known for their pop punk sound.
In the chorus, the singer confesses that he wants to disappear and not hear the same old sound on the radio anymore. He suggests that everyone could hum along to the same old song, but it's time for a change. The second verse talks about not knowing how to make it stop, which could mean that he doesn't know how to stop feeling stagnant or how to make the relationship exciting again. He mentions kicking it over anyway, which could refer to starting fresh or taking a risk to make a change. He ends the verse by saying that it's cool, but the other person is starting to decay, implying that if things don't change soon, the relationship might not last.
Overall, "Hi-Fi Killer" is a song about wanting to make a change in a relationship that isn't working anymore. The singer is open to making improvements but doesn't know how to start or what exactly the other person wants. He's frustrated with the same old sound on the radio and wants to break free from it. He's willing to take a risk to make a change even though he's not sure what will happen.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to turn you on again
I want to reignite the excitement and passion we once had.
Turn you around, and maybe then tune you out
Change the way you think and act, and try to ignore you afterwards.
I don't know how to make it real
I'm not sure if what we have is genuine and authentic.
Whatever you want, it's no big deal
I am willing to do whatever it takes to please you and make you happy.
Change my tone
Alter my demeanor or behavior.
I gotta disappear
I need to leave and escape from the chaos and monotony of daily life.
Don't want to hear that sound on the radio
I'm tired of listening to the same repetitive, overplayed music on the airwaves.
Yeah, we could all hum along
Everyone can relate and sing along to the generic, formulaic tunes.
'Cause it's the same old song
The lyrics and melody are unoriginal and uninspired, lacking creativity or uniqueness.
I don't know how to make it stop
I'm unaware of how to put an end to this repetitive cycle.
(Go left to the dial) to really rock
Switch to a different station or genre to experience thrilling and invigorating music.
But I'm not sure, yeah
I'm uncertain and hesitant in taking action to break free from monotony.
I'll kick it over anyway
I'll take a chance and make a change, even if it might fail or be ineffective.
It's cool but you're starting to decay
It's interesting and enjoyable, but it's getting old and losing its luster.
It's in your face
It's obvious and apparent, can't be ignored or avoided.
You could watch me come undone
You could witness me losing control or breaking down.
Yeah, you
Addressing the person being referred to in the song.
To freak you
To surprise, shock or impress you somehow as an attention-seeking act.
You could hum along, you could hum along
You can sing along to the song as it plays.
I gotta disappear
I need to get away from the monotonous cycle of daily life.
Yeah, we could all hum along
Everyone can relate and sing along to the generic, formulaic tunes.
Yeah, we could hum along
Everyone can relate and sing along to the generic, formulaic tunes.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STACY JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind