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)
Save Me
American Hi-Fi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah I've been so strung out
Can you picture this
I'll take something
It's better than nothing, anything
That you've go to give
I can't let go
I've been down so long
Could you save me
I'll fight my way
Just to hear you say
If I go up in flames
Could you save me
The more you whisper
The words keep stinging in my ear
We're never gonna be the same
Sunshine fading and black sheets
Raining down on me
They cover up everything
I can't let go
I don't want you to know
I've been down so long
Could you save me
I'll fight my way
Just to hear you say
If I go up in flames
Could you save me
I've been so selfish
I get so high
Don't want to come down
I've been so low
Yeah I've been so strung out
Can you picture this
I can't let go
I don't want you to know
I've been down so long
Could you save me
I'll fight my way
Just to hear you say
If I go up in flames
Could you save me
Yeah could you save me
Oh could you save me
The song "Save Me" by American Hi-Fi portrays the feelings of someone who has been struggling with addiction and self-destructive behavior, looking for something to hold onto and someone to save them. The opening lines "I've been so low, Yeah I've been so strung out" suggest that the person has hit rock bottom and is at a point where they can't control their actions anymore. The phrase "I'll take something, It's better than nothing, anything That you've go to give" indicates that they are willing to take anything to numb the pain, even if it's not enough or unhealthy.
The chorus "I can't let go, I don't want you to know, I've been down so long, Could you save me" repeats the sentiment that the person is desperate for help but at the same time, they don't want to reveal the depth of their struggle. The metaphor "If I go up in flames, Could you save me" suggests that they feel like they are on the brink of destruction and need someone to pull them back before it's too late.
The bridge "I've been so selfish, I get so high, Don't want to come down" indicates that the person was using drugs or other forms of escapism as a means of self-indulgence to avoid facing their problems. The song's overall message serves as a reminder about the importance of reaching out for help when struggling with addiction and mental health.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been so low
I've been feeling very depressed and unhappy
Yeah I've been so strung out
Yes, I've been feeling very tired and stressed out
Can you picture this
Can you imagine how I'm feeling?
I'll take something
I'll try to find a way to feel better
It's better than nothing, anything
Any relief is better than nothing, even if it's not ideal
That you've got to give
I'll take whatever help or support you can give me
I can't let go
I'm struggling to move on from my problems
I don't want you to know
I don't want to burden you with my struggles
I've been down so long
I've been feeling low and helpless for a long time
Could you save me
Can you help me out of this difficult situation?
I'll fight my way
I'll try my best to overcome these difficulties
Just to hear you say
I need your encouragement and support
If I go up in flames
If things get worse for me
The more you whisper
The more you talk to me in a soft and gentle tone
The words keep stinging in my ear
Your words keep reminding me of my problems and making me feel worse
We're never gonna be the same
Things will never be as good as they used to be
Sunshine fading and black sheets
My happiness is disappearing and I'm feeling trapped and suffocated
Raining down on me
I'm feeling overwhelmed by my problems
They cover up everything
My struggles are making it hard for me to see anything positive
I've been so selfish
I've been only thinking about myself and my problems
I get so high
I try to escape my problems through substance abuse
Don't want to come down
I don't want to face my problems again
Yeah could you save me
I really need your help and support
Oh could you save me
Please help me out of this situation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BROOKE MAREE MCCLYMONT, ADAM JAMES ECKERSLEY, VAUGHAN CHARLES JONES, OLIVIA ROBBINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind