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)
Nothing Left to Lose
American Hi-Fi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Except you and your baby blues
Microphone check this rhyme
Pancho villa was a friend of mine
I get fucked up holla back why'all
And I kick it like Jackie Chan
With my kung fu style
Hey hey hey
All the bitches in the back
see'mon see'mon get up get up (woah)
I know you know its never forever
see'mon see'mon get up get up (woah)
You want to hear I'm sorry whatever
Now that you gone I'm moving on
You wrecked it all
There's nothing left to lose
Except for you
Hell yeah
Get my teenage kicks
Pull in down boards like rodman
All the lipstick chicks sing
Na na na na na na
I get fucked up holla back why'all
And I rock it like Jackson Browne
Let me tell ya right now what
I like strippers better anyhow
Hey hey hey
All the bitches in the back
see'mon see'mon get up get up (woah)
I know you know its never forever
see'mon see'mon get up get up (woah)
You want to hear I'm sorry whatever
Now that you gone I'm moving on
You wrecked it all
There's nothing left to lose
Except for you
There' nothing left to lose except for you
Go
1 2
see'mon see'mon get up get up (woah)
I know you know its never forever
see'mon see'mon get up get up (woah)
You want to hear I'm sorry whatever
Now that you gone I'm moving on
You wrecked it all
There's nothing left to lose
Except for you
Now that you gone I'm moving on
You wrecked it all
There's nothing left to lose
Except for you
There's nothing left to lose
Except for you [x2]
The lyrics of American Hi-Fi's "Nothing Left to Lose" seem to be filled with references to pop culture and random musings. There's a sense of rebellion and refusal to conform to societal norms in these lyrics. The opening lines talk about having nothing left to lose, except for the singer's own emotional baggage (represented by the "baby blues" he's carrying). The reference to Pancho Villa could be interpreted as a nod to Mexican revolutionary leaders of the past, who fought for freedom and justice, much like the singer is fighting for his own sense of independence.
The lyrics then take on a more boastful tone, with the singer proclaiming his love for getting "fucked up" and being a master of Kung Fu ("I kick it like Jackie Chan, with my kung fu style"). The chorus seems to be aimed at an ex-lover, telling them to move on and that there's nothing left to salvage from the relationship. The lines "C'mon c'mon get up get up, I know you know it's never forever" suggest that the singer knows that the breakup was inevitable, and now it's time for everyone to move on.
The verses continue with more references to hedonistic pleasures, like getting "teenage kicks" and admiring strippers. The final lines of the chorus offer a somewhat half-hearted apology ("You want to hear I'm sorry whatever"), but ultimately the singer seems resolved in his decision to move on without the other person. The repetition of the phrase "nothing left to lose" seems to signify that the singer has reached a point of no return, where all that's left is to move forward with his own life.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothing left to lose
The singer has lost everything except for one thing.
Except you and your baby blues
The one thing the singer has left is the person they are addressing in the song.
Microphone check this rhyme
The singer is calling attention to the start of the song.
Pancho villa was a friend of mine
A reference to a historical figure that isn't particularly relevant to the song as a whole.
I get fucked up holla back y'all
The singer occasionally consumes alcohol or drugs and wants the crowd to respond enthusiastically to his statement.
And I kick it like Jackie Chan
The singer is a skilled performer like Jackie Chan.
With my kung fu style
The singer's style of performing is powerful and intense, like martial arts.
I'll get rid of you in a while (yeah)
The singer is capable of overpowering his opponents, whether they be romantic or creative rivals.
Hey hey hey
A vocal interjection to hype up the crowd.
All the bitches in the back
Addressing the female audience members in a way that is potentially offensive and objectifies them.
C'mon c'mon get up get up (woah)
Encouraging the crowd to become more lively.
I know you know its never forever
The singer acknowledges that everything, including the departing lover, eventually ends.
You want to hear I'm sorry whatever
The singer does not actually feel remorse for his actions and is indifferent to his ex's feelings.
Now that you gone I'm moving on
The singer is not mourning the loss of his relationship and is prepared to move on.
You wrecked it all
The singer places the blame for the ruined relationship solely on his ex.
There's nothing left to lose
The singer emphasizes that he has lost everything else except for the person he addresses in the song.
Except for you
The singer sees his ex as a hindrance and wishes to be free of them.
Hell yeah
An expression of enthusiasm or excitement.
Get my teenage kicks
An allusion to enjoying life in a carefree, youthful manner.
Pull in down boards like Rodman
A reference to the basketball player Dennis Rodman and his tendency to remove boards from the hoop to prevent opponents from scoring.
All the lipstick chicks sing
Another potentially offensive and objectifying reference to women.
Na na na na na na
An upbeat vocalization that serves to add energy to the song without conveying a specific message.
I like strippers better anyhow
The singer believes he can have more fun with exotic dancers than with a girlfriend.
Now that you gone I'm moving on (Repeat)
The chorus is repeated multiple times to emphasize its importance.
Go
A simple prompt to start the next section of the song or lead into a guitar solo.
1 2
Another common count-in used to start a section or measure of the song.
There's nothing left to lose
The singer again repeats the song's central theme, that he has lost everything except for his ex-girlfriend.
Except for you (Repeat)
The song's closing is a repeat of a previous line, emphasizing that the singer is relieved to be rid of his ex.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STACY JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind