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)
Our House
American Hi-Fi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mother's tired, she needs a rest
The kids are playing up downstairs
Sister's sighing in her sleep (ah)
Brother's got a date to keep, he can't hang around
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our
Our house, it has a crowd
There's always something happening
And it's usually quite loud
Our mum she's so house-proud
Nothing ever slows her down and a mess is not allowed
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our
(Something tells you that you've got to move away from it)
Father gets up late for work
Mother has to iron his shirt
Then she sends the kids to school
Sees them off with a small kiss (ah)
She's the one they're going to miss in lots of ways
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our
I remember way back then when everything was true and when
We would have such a very good time, such a fine time
Such a happy time
And I remember how we'd play, simply waste the day away
Then we'd say nothing would come between us
Two dreamers
Father wears his Sunday best
Mother's tired, she needs a rest
The kids are playing up downstairs
Sister's sighing in her sleep
Brother's got a date to keep, he can't hang around
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our
Our house, was our castle and our keep
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, that was where we used to sleep
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our street, our house.
"Our House" by American Hi-Fi is a nostalgic and sentimental depiction of a family's life in a busy household. The opening lines describe the father wearing his Sunday best while the mother appears tired and needs a rest, suggesting the daily grind of family life. Meanwhile, the children are playing loudly downstairs while sister sleeps and brother rushes out to keep a date.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Our house, in the middle of our street" which represents the centrality of the family home and the importance it plays in their lives. The lyrics also suggest that the family take great pride in their home, as the mother is "house-proud" and doesn't allow any mess.
Later in the song, the lead vocals deliver a classic rock interlude to remember the good times of the past, the times when the family used to waste their day away playing and nothing would come between them, as they were just two dreamers.
The song concludes with the repetition of the chorus, reiterating that the house was, indeed, the family's castle and their keep, a sanctuary in which they all lived and grew.
Line by Line Meaning
Father wears his Sunday best
The father of the house is dressed up in fancy clothes, possibly because it's a special day or occasion.
Mother's tired, she needs a rest
The mother of the house is worn out and could use a break from all her responsibilities.
The kids are playing up downstairs
The children are causing a commotion and being unruly in the lower part of the house.
Sister's sighing in her sleep (ah)
The sister is letting out a deep breath while she sleeps, perhaps indicating her worry or exhaustion.
Brother's got a date to keep, he can't hang around
The brother has plans to meet someone somewhere else, so he can't stay and spend time with his family.
Our house, in the middle of our street
The song's subject is a house that is located on a street that belongs to the people singing about it.
Our house, it has a crowd
There are usually many people occupying and spending time in the house.
There's always something happening
The house is always lively, and there is never a dull moment.
And it's usually quite loud
The noise level in the house is often very high, with many people and events taking place.
Our mum she's so house-proud
The mother takes great pride in the upkeep and appearance of the house.
Nothing ever slows her down and a mess is not allowed
The mother keeps a tight ship and is always on top of things when it comes to cleaning and maintaining the house.
I remember way back then when everything was true and when
The artist seems to be reminiscing about a past time when things were simpler and more authentic.
We would have such a very good time, such a fine time
The singer remembers having a great time during this earlier period, feeling happy and carefree.
Such a happy time
The past time being remembered was filled with joy and positive experiences.
And I remember how we'd play, simply waste the day away
The singer fondly recalls spending long days simply enjoying leisure time and having fun.
Then we'd say nothing would come between us
During the reminiscing period, the artist and others were extremely close and believed nothing could ever tear them apart or come between them.
Two dreamers
The artist and another person (perhaps a friend or family member) were both always dreaming and imagining things, living in their own little world together.
Our house, was our castle and our keep
The house was viewed as a fortress, providing safety and security to the people living in it.
Our house, that was where we used to sleep
The house served as a home, a place where people rested and spent their nights.
Our house, in the middle of our street, our house.
The song concludes with a restatement of the central idea: this is a song about a house in a specific location that is very important to the people who live there.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carl Smyth, Chris Foreman, Daniel Woodgate, Garaham McPherson, Lee Thompson, Mark Bedford, Michael Barson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CrewsOfficial
I have probably listened to this 800 times. Soooo good.
@Copiaper
yeah 800 times per day :D
@lisheiramirez4461
Saquen nuevo álbum, Son una de las mejores bandas que conozco American Hi-Fi Por Siempre, por cierto el cover les quedó maravilloso ❤️🙏🙏💪
@donalkearney81
Great stuff guys. You have me going through your back catalog making me remember how good of a band you are.
@SotosRetze
I love this band! I hear you guys from 2002 and you still 🤟🤟🤟!! But we need new music please !!!! ( “Stacy Jones” your voice is awesome!) A fan from 🇬🇷
@daynird2694
Σώπα ρε...Είσαι δικός μου εσύ!!! Κι εγώ που νόμιζα ότι ήμουν ο μόνος! ;-P
Από το 2001, εγώ ('Flavor Of The Weak').
@SotosRetze
Daynird έλα ρε φιλαράκι μπράβο!! 89ρης είμαι σκέψου γυμνάσιο πήγαινα και τους άκουγα μαζί με κάτι sum 41 good Charlotte lit blink-182 κ.α. και ακομα και τώρα ρε φιλαράκι δεν μπορώ να ξεφύγω από αυτή τη μουσική 😁
@mappyrock2152
I’ve got something great from your song,even though such a hard time.Thank you,guys from Japan.
@clipzardog1620
Excellent cover of Madness' brilliant song. Stay positive and healthy!
@that70sdude
One of the greatest songs ever and this is an excellent cover!!!