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)
Killing Time
American Hi-Fi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How will you find the time
To realize you live the perfect crime
If you're not willing to confess
There's no-one left to blame
Save your breath in case I change my ways
Either way it's killing time
Another day in paradise
Now I've got you in my sight
Stop the clocks and change my name
You poison the approach
Heaven in the air is hell below
Now I'm not willing to confess
There's no-one left to blame
Save your breath in case I change my ways
You can't ignore the warning signs
Either way it's killing time
Another day in paradise
Now I've got you in my sight
Hey oh
Hey oh
If you can tell your right from wrong
How will you find the time
To realize you live the perfect crime
Now I'm not willing to confess
There's no-one left to blame
Save your breath in case I change my ways
Yeah
You can't ignore the warning signs
Either way it's killing time
Another day in paradise
Now I've got you in my sight
Hey oh
Hey oh
The lyrics of American Hi-Fi's song "Killing Time" explore the ideas of morality, guilt, and responsibility. The opening lines "If you can tell your right from wrong, how will you find the time? To realize you live the perfect crime" suggest that the singer is aware of their wrongdoing but doesn't feel the need to confess or seek redemption. It could also be interpreted that the singer knows they have done something wrong but are busy trying to justify their actions and don't have time to deal with their own conscience.
The chorus provides the central message of the song with the lyrics "You can't ignore the warning signs, either way, it's killing time, Another day in paradise, Now I've got you in my sight." It emphasizes the idea that there are consequences to our actions, and our choices catch up with us eventually. The line "Another day in paradise" could be seen as a sarcastic reference to an idyllic lifestyle, which the singer clearly isn't living. The repetition of "Hey oh" after the chorus serves as a kind of victory chant, as if the singer is relishing in the satisfaction of finally taking revenge or getting what they want.
The bridge of the song "Stop the clocks and change my name, You poison the approach, Heaven in the air is hell below" shifts the focus away from the singer's actions and towards some kind of external force. It's unclear what exactly is happening in these lines, but it paints a picture of something being irreversibly tainted, and no amount of external changes will make it right.
Overall, the song's lyrics provide an interesting perspective on the nature of wrongdoing, guilt, and justice. The singer seems to be aware of right and wrong but chooses to ignore it, suggesting a certain apathy towards their own morality.
Line by Line Meaning
If you can tell your right from wrong
If you have a sense of morality
How will you find the time
You'll be too busy with other things
To realize you live the perfect crime
To recognize that you have committed an immoral act that you have gotten away with
If you're not willing to confess
If you're not prepared to own up to what you've done wrong
There's no-one left to blame
There's no one else you can hold responsible
Save your breath in case I change my ways
Don't bother trying to convince me to change my behavior
You can't ignore the warning signs
You can't pretend that there aren't indications of trouble
Either way it's killing time
Whether you face the truth or not, the situation is unhealthy
Another day in paradise
A sarcastic reference to a less than ideal life or situation
Now I've got you in my sight
Now I'm aware of your wrongdoing and have evidence of it
Stop the clocks and change my name
Wishing to escape from the current situation by changing one's identity
You poison the approach
Your behavior creates a negative atmosphere
Heaven in the air is hell below
A lost sense of innocence or idealism
Hey oh
A vocalization expressing excitement or energy
Now I'm not willing to confess
I won't admit my wrongdoing
Yeah
An additional emphasis or agreement
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BRIAN BURTON, NORAH JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elemental Hit
best song