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)
Highs and Lows
American Hi-Fi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But everybody knows your name
You've got their full attention, all eyes on you
Small talk can get you through the day
There's got to be a better way
When all your friends are faceless
You can fake it
He knows the highs and lows
And we all agree it's time to shine
He'll stand and deliver
He goes about his day
Smile and a wink hello
When the picture's gone
Fading to black he's poppin' down prozac
Nobody knows the highs and the lows
Sports cars and fancy souvenirs
That you collected all these years
So proud and self assured, hold your head high
A chest of broken memories
Of how and why and what could be
Still locked inside your closet
You can't fake it
The lyrics of American Hi-Fi's song "Highs and Lows" explore the theme of hiding one's true emotions and feelings behind a façade of success and happiness. The opening lines of the song suggest that despite the outward appearance of fame and popularity, the singer is struggling with pain that nobody else can see or understand. The line "You've got their full attention, all eyes on you" highlights the pressure that comes with being in the public eye and suggests that fame and success can be isolating. The chorus of the song talks about a mysterious figure who knows the singer's highs and lows and can give them what they need. This figure's presence gives the singer confidence to "shine" and be himself. However, the bridge of the song paints a slightly different picture, with references to sports cars and a closet full of broken memories. These lyrics suggest that the singer's success and shiny exterior are hiding pain and emotional turmoil beneath the surface.
Overall, "Highs and Lows" is a song about the pressures of fame and the struggle to maintain an image of success and happiness in the public eye. It suggests that sometimes, we need someone who truly understands and accepts us to help us through the difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody really knows the pain
No one has a full understanding of the pain that is being experienced
But everybody knows your name
However, many people are aware of you or know who you are
You've got their full attention, all eyes on you
People are focused on you, paying attention to you
Small talk can get you through the day
Casual conversation can help you get through the day
There's got to be a better way
There must be an improved solution
When all your friends are faceless
If your friends are anonymous, unknown or insincere
You can fake it
You can pretend, put up a facade, or be artificial
He knows the highs and lows
He understands the ups and downs of life
He'll give you what you need
He'll provide you what is required or demanded
And we all agree it's time to shine
All of us concur that it's the right moment to stand out
He'll stand and deliver
He will do what needs to be done, perform at his best
He goes about his day
He carries on with his routine
Smile and a wink hello
Greeting someone with a smiling face and a wink
When the picture's gone
When everything fades away or the situation changes
Fading to black he's poppin' down prozac
As the situation worsens, he takes medication to cope with it
Nobody knows the highs and the lows
No one truly understands the ups and downs of life
Sports cars and fancy souvenirs
Luxury vehicles and fancy keepsakes
That you collected all these years
Which you gathered and accumulated over the years
So proud and self assured, hold your head high
Feeling confident, proud of what you have and holding yourself in high esteem
A chest of broken memories
A repository of shattered or negative recollections
Of how and why and what could be
Memories about what was feasible, the reasons behind things, and the potential outcomes
Still locked inside your closet
Still kept hidden, secret, or unshared
You can't fake it
You cannot pretend or disguise the truth
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MORGAN JONES, BRENDAN TUCKERMAN, JESSE FERRIS, TOMASZ CHARUK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind