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)
Something Real
American Hi-Fi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crescent heights the city lights the way
To another wasted day
Shiny cars and shooting stars
California dreaming in my ear
I just wish that you were here
I'm dealing with scars
Just trying to see who we are
Fighting your way through another day
I think I know how you feel
Looking for something that matters
Keeping it together when it's all been shattered
We all want something real
Summer's on a holiday
Pills to chase the blues away
Who knows just how far this story goes
So listen to the radio
Turn it up so you can sing along
Even though the notes are wrong
I'm building up walls
And trying to break all the falls
All your life you're wondering
We don't know what's happening
Somethings gotta give
Falling through the atmosphere
See the world in black and white
These pictures coming clear
How many times I wished that you were here
The song “Something Real” by American Hi-Fi is a poignant commentary on the struggles faced by individuals in their pursuit of authenticity and truth amidst the superficiality of modern society. The opening lines, “Staring down the boulevard, Crescent heights, the city lights the way, to another wasted day,” paint a vivid picture of the mundanity of daily life in a bustling metropolis. He is surrounded by all the trapping of living the California dream, yet the emptiness he feels inside prompts him to wish for someone, presumably a loved one, to share this experience with.
The following lines delve into the singer’s struggles with personal and emotional trauma and the difficulties of navigating the world. While he acknowledges that “Nobody said it would be easy, fighting your way through another day,” he remains unsure of himself and others. Through this song, it becomes clear that the singer is searching for something more significant than the fleeting success and distractions that society offers him. He seeks a sense of authenticity and realness, and he conveys this sentiment powerfully in the chorus with the lyrics: “Looking for something that matters, keeping it together when it’s all been shattered. We all want something real.”
Overall, “Something Real” is a profoundly relatable song that offers insight into the challenges that many individuals face in their pursuit of a meaningful existence. The lyrics are poignant, raw, and honest, while the powerful instrumentation effectively conveys the emotions behind the words.
Line by Line Meaning
Staring down the boulevard
Looking ahead at what's to come
Crescent heights the city lights the way
The city provides direction and guidance
To another wasted day
Another day where nothing is accomplished
Shiny cars and shooting stars
Material possessions and temporary successes
California dreaming in my ear
Longing for something out of reach
I just wish that you were here
Desiring someone's company
I'm dealing with scars
Dealing with past emotional pain
Just trying to see who we are
Searching for self-identity
Nobody said it would be easy
Acknowledging that life is difficult
Fighting your way through another day
Struggling to get through life's challenges
I think I know how you feel
Empathizing with someone's struggles
Looking for something that matters
Wanting to find purpose in life
Keeping it together when it's all been shattered
Holding on despite everything falling apart
We all want something real
Desiring authentic experiences
Summer's on a holiday
A carefree period of time
Pills to chase the blues away
Using medication to improve mood
Who knows just how far this story goes
Uncertainty about the future
So listen to the radio
Turning to music for comfort
Turn it up so you can sing along
Taking solace in singing along to music
Even though the notes are wrong
Accepting imperfection and enjoying the moment
I'm building up walls
Guarding against emotional harm
And trying to break all the falls
Attempting to avoid future emotional pain
All your life you're wondering
Questioning the meaning of life
We don't know what's happening
Uncertainty about the future
Somethings gotta give
Feeling like something needs to change
Falling through the atmosphere
Navigating life's ups and downs
See the world in black and white
Seeing the world in absolutes
These pictures coming clear
Clarity about life's realities
How many times I wished that you were here
Repeatedly desiring someone's company
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: COLBY GREEN, ERIC A. BELLINGER, DOMINIQUE HARRIS, SHAUNICE JONES, ASHIA PETTIGREW, DAVID REED, TODD J. SPADAFORE, CARNOY WATKINS, TIONNE WATKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind