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)
Safer On The Outside
American Hi-Fi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel too small
Something's gonna burn
Sink on you
Drunken highways
Someone take the wheel
[Chorus:]
It's safer on the outside
I'm swimming in
This kerosene; it's hard to breathe
Static's got me down
I can't sleep
I'm disconnected
Everything went wrong
And certain stars
Are sad and bruised like
Someone's cheating heart
[Chorus x 3]
Got me down, got me down, got me down
Safer on the outside, safer on the outside
Safer on the outside
The lyrics of "Safer on the Outside" by American Hi-Fi seem like the musings of a person who is struggling with themselves. The opening lines "I'm no good, I feel too small" indicate that the person lacks confidence and feels inadequate. There is a sense of impending doom, "Something's gonna burn, Sink on you" which suggests that the person is aware of the negative consequences of their actions or choices. The reference to "Drunken highways, Someone take the wheel" implies that the person is not in control of their life and needs someone else to steer them in the right direction.
The chorus of the song is about feeling lost and disconnected. The line "Faded in the blackout you left me in" suggests that the person has been abandoned or left behind. The idea of being "safer on the outside" implies that the person feels more secure when they keep others at a distance. The metaphor of "swimming in this kerosene; it's hard to breathe" suggests that the person is in a dangerous and volatile situation that is suffocating them. The static mentioned in the last line of the chorus could be interpreted as an external force that is weighing the person down and affecting their mood.
The final verse continues the theme of feeling disconnected and lost. The line "Everything went wrong" suggests that the person has experienced a series of setbacks, failures, or disappointments. The reference to "certain stars, are sad and bruised like someone's cheating heart" implies that the person is struggling with their own emotions and is projecting their pain onto the world around them. The repetition of the chorus at the end of the song reinforces the idea that the person is struggling to find their place in the world and feels more secure when they keep others at arm's length.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm no good
The singer feels worthless or inadequate.
I feel too small
The singer lacks confidence and self-esteem.
Something's gonna burn
The singer senses that there is something wrong or destructive about to happen.
Sink on you
The artist is dependent on someone or something and is being pulled down by it.
Drunken highways
The artist is on a path of self-destructive behavior, possibly related to alcohol or drug use.
Someone take the wheel
The singer is asking for help or guidance to avoid a dangerous situation.
Faded in the blackout you left me in
The singer feels abandoned and alone in a state of confusion and disorientation.
It's safer on the outside
The artist believes that being disconnected or removed from someone or something is safer.
I'm swimming in this kerosene; it's hard to breathe
The artist is in a dangerous or volatile situation that is suffocating and overwhelming.
Static's got me down
The artist is feeling depressed or discouraged, possibly due to a lack of progress or change in their life.
I can't sleep
The singer is experiencing insomnia, possibly due to anxiety or stress.
I'm disconnected
The artist feels isolated or detached from others.
Everything went wrong
The singer has experienced a series of negative events or circumstances.
And certain stars are sad and bruised like someone's cheating heart
The singer sees the world as broken and wounded, possibly due to personal experiences or relationships.
Got me down, got me down, got me down
The singer is feeling overwhelmed or defeated.
Safer on the outside, safer on the outside, safer on the outside
The artist repeatedly emphasizes the belief that being removed from someone or something is safer.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STACY JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind