Made in collaboration with his friend, guitarist and drummer Josh Klinghoffer, this album contains 7 tracks mainly of experimental nature, with heavy use of synths and keyboards.
Josh has worked with John on many of his solo albums, playing drums and synths on most occasions. He and John also played alongside Fugazi's Joe Lally on the album Automatic Writing, John's second album in the series, with the trio naming themselves Ataxia.
In 2010 Josh joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers, after John Frusciante announced he left the band.
Afterglow
John Frusciante and Josh Klinghoffer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Death before life
You're in my place again
Echoes deprive us enough
You're in my wailing
Decide what it means to work in fire
Decide what it means to work in fire
Shadows casting bodies
Who knows which way things will go?
All shifting images
Upside down to be upright
Upside down, you'll make them cry
Death before life
Another place again
You and my loneliness speak now
I realize
I don't have much further to go
I don't have much further to go
The afterglow
Life running backwards, nailed up and freezing
Put the past before you
Down is my placement
No place out there I have to be
Lost is where I hide (and)
And I've no reason to be found
To resound
From no sound to resound
The lyrics to "Afterglow" by John Frusciante and Josh Klinghoffer are intricately crafted, with poetic imagery and mysterious symbolism throughout. The opening lines, "Undenied, death before life," set a haunting tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics go on to describe shifting shadows and bodies and the uncertainty of which way things will go. The chorus repeats the phrase "Death before life," emphasizing a sense of foreboding and finality.
The second verse introduces the theme of loneliness and realizing that there is not much further to go. The afterglow is an elusive concept, perhaps referring to a sense of peace or understanding that comes after a difficult or traumatic experience. The idea of life running backwards and being nailed up and freezing creates a disturbing image, while the line "put the past before you" suggests a way to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Undenied
Acknowledging the truth without denying it
Death before life
The idea that death is more preferable than life
You're in my place again
The sense of feeling like someone is intruding on your personal space
Echoes deprive us enough
The loud echoes make it difficult to hear and think clearly
You're in my wailing
The feeling of despair when someone is present during your lowest moments
Decide what it means to work in fire
Figure out the true meaning of overcoming challenges
Shadows casting bodies
The scary impression that shadows can make on one's body
Who knows which way things will go?
Uncertainty about the future
All shifting images
The continuous change of one's perspective on life
Upside down to be upright
Realizing that what was perceived as right was actually wrong
Upside down, you'll make them cry
People will be upset, but sometimes necessary changes come with a cost
Another place again
Returning to a previously difficult or uncomfortable place
You and my loneliness speak now
Accepting loneliness as a companion
I realize
Understanding and accepting something for what it truly is
I don't have much further to go
Not having much more to experience in life
The afterglow
The sense of peace after a difficult experience
Life running backwards, nailed up and freezing
A metaphor for feeling trapped in a difficult situation
Put the past before you
Focus on the future instead of dwelling on the past
Down is my placement
Feeling low or down in life
No place out there I have to be
Feeling content in the present moment with no pressing obligations
Lost is where I hide (and)
Retreating to a state of confusion when faced with difficult decisions
And I've no reason to be found
Not feeling the need or desire to be found
To resound
To make an impact and be heard
From no sound to resound
Going from a state of silence or obscurity to one of importance or recognition
Contributed by Mila I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.