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)
Scar
American Hi-Fi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You could let me down again
But it's killing me
I can't waste a sound again
You'll break me if you can
You'll break me if you can
Chorus:
It's hard to be your scar
A frozen satellite
You never got that far
It's hard to be your scar
Be cool like you
Every sorry lie
I can't live that down no
So you'll wait and see
I'm caught between the seam and me
You'll break me if you can
You'll break me, break me if you can
Repeat Chorus
I could hang around
You could let me down
Drag me down again
It's hard to be your scar
A frozen satellite
You never got that far (never got that far)
So drag me down again
It's hard to be your scar
A frozen satellite
You never got that far (never got that far)
Never got that far (never got that far)
Never got that far
The lyrics of "Scar" by American Hi-Fi speak about a relationship that is destructive and one-sided. The persona in the song is aware of the cycle of the relationship where the other person keeps hurting them, but they keep coming back for more. The opening lines of the song "I could hang around, You could let me down again" indicate that the persona has been in this situation before and knows what to expect. They know that the other person will hurt them, yet they stay. The persona is aware that this relationship is toxic, and it's killing them, but they can't help themselves.
The chorus "it's hard to be your scar, a frozen satellite, you never got that far" suggests that the persona feels like they are just a constant reminder of the other person's mistakes, hence the "scar" metaphor. A "frozen satellite" refers to someone who is stuck in orbit around someone else, unable to move on. The last line of the chorus "you never got that far" suggests that the other person failed to progress in the relationship, which further emphasizes the one-sided nature of the relationship.
In summary, "Scar" by American Hi-Fi is a poignant song about the difficulties of breaking free from a toxic relationship. Despite knowing that the relationship is harmful, the persona in the song finds it challenging to walk away.
Line by Line Meaning
I could hang around
I am willing to stay and endure your behavior
You could let me down again
You have disappointed me in the past and I am aware that you may do it again
But it's killing me
The constant uncertainty and lack of trust is taking a toll on my emotional wellbeing
I can't waste a sound again
I am tired of trying to express myself to you and getting no response or understanding in return
You'll break me if you can
You seem to enjoy causing me pain and I fear that you will continue to do so if given the chance
You'll break me if you can
You seem to enjoy causing me pain and I fear that you will continue to do so if given the chance
Chorus:
Refrain that summarizes the main message of the song
Drag me down again
You have the power to lower my mood and self-esteem
It's hard to be your scar
Being in a relationship with you leaves me with emotional scars that take time to heal
A frozen satellite
I feel stuck and isolated in our relationship, unable to move forward
You never got that far
We have not progressed in our relationship, emotionally or otherwise
It's hard to be your scar
Being in a relationship with you leaves me with emotional scars that take time to heal
Be cool like you
I wish I could detach myself emotionally from our relationship too, like you seem to do
Every sorry lie
I have heard countless excuses and insincere apologies from you
I can't live that down no
I cannot forgive and forget easily, especially when the behavior is repeated
So you'll wait and see
I am becoming more cautious and skeptical of your intentions
I'm caught between the seam and me
I am torn between what I want in a relationship and the reality of what I am getting from you
You'll break me if you can
You seem to enjoy causing me pain and I fear that you will continue to do so if given the chance
You'll break me, break me if you can
Repetition emphasizing the fear of emotional harm
Repeat Chorus
Repetition of refrain
Drag me down again
You have the power to lower my mood and self-esteem
It's hard to be your scar
Being in a relationship with you leaves me with emotional scars that take time to heal
A frozen satellite
I feel stuck and isolated in our relationship, unable to move forward
You never got that far (never got that far)
We have not progressed in our relationship, emotionally or otherwise
So drag me down again
Repetition to emphasize the negative impact of the relationship
It's hard to be your scar
Being in a relationship with you leaves me with emotional scars that take time to heal
A frozen satellite
I feel stuck and isolated in our relationship, unable to move forward
You never got that far (never got that far)
We have not progressed in our relationship, emotionally or otherwise
Never got that far (never got that far)
Repetition to emphasize the lack of progress in the relationship
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STACY JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind