The band achieved mainstream success with their debut self-titled studio album The All-American Rejects released in 2003 by Dreamworks Records. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA and spawned the single "Swing, Swing".The band's second album Move Along brought the band further mainstream success in 2005, producing the hit singles, "Dirty Little Secret", "Move Along" and "It Ends Tonight", all of which charted in the top fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, while Move Along was certified double platinum by the RIAA.Their third studio album When the World Comes Down was released in 2008 and was later certified gold by the RIAA.[6] Its lead single "Gives You Hell" became The All-American Rejects' most successful song to date, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the top 5 in many other countries. "Gives You Hell" was certified 4× multi-platinum for sales of over 4 million in the United States by the RIAA. Kids in the Street, the band's fourth studio album, was released March 26, 2012 and debuted at #18 on the US Billboard 200 chart.
Since the start of their career, The All-American Rejects have sold over 10 million albums worldwide[11][12] and were ranked No. 73 on the "Hot 100 Artists of the 2000s"[13] and No. 183 on Billboard magazine's "Billboard 200 Artists of the Decade" list.
I'm on the Football Team
The All-American Rejects Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Best kid in the neighborhood
Looks like I got a future ahead of me
Startin' quarterback number 13
Mom and dad are so proud of me
I'm down with the cool kids, oh, yeah
You know I'm cool
And its okay
I get replaced, but it's alright
'Cause they all know
I'm on the football team
Na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
I'm on the football team
Na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
I'm on the football team
Now I'm gettin chicks left and right
They're lining up for Saturday night
Just to go down on me, oh, yeah
And when I walk down the hall
All of the nerds and geeks fall
Down on their knees and worship me
You know I'm cool
The chicks dig me
And its okay
I get replaced, but it's alright
'Cause they all know
I'm on the football team
Na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
I'm on the football team
Na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
I'm on the football team
Na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
I'm on the football team
Na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
I'm on the football team
"Hey dad! Guess what!"
"What's that, son?"
"I'm on the football team!"
"Well jiminy in the buckhole."
Na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
I'm on the football team
Na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
I'm on the football team
Na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
I'm on the football team
Na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
I'm on the football team
The All-American Rejects' song "I'm on the Football Team" satirizes the social dynamics of high school, particularly the way in which being on the football team can elevate a person to iconic status. The song is written from the perspective of the quarterback, who has risen to the top of the social hierarchy thanks to his athletic ability. He describes how he is constantly surrounded by girls who want to date him, and how even the "nerds and geeks" look up to him.
Despite the upbeat and energetic feel of the song, the lyrics suggest a darker underbelly to the singer's popularity. He seems to be aware that his status is ultimately fleeting, as he acknowledges that he will eventually be replaced on the team. Additionally, the way in which he describes the adoration of his peers feels empty and superficial, as if he knows that he is only being worshipped for his football-playing abilities rather than for who he really is.
Overall, "I'm on the Football Team" is a song that critiques the cult of success and popularity in high school, and suggests that there is often more superficiality and emptiness to these qualities than many people realize.
Line by Line Meaning
Coach says I'm real good
My coach thinks I'm a great player
Best kid in the neighborhood
I'm the best player in the area
Looks like I got a future ahead of me
I have a promising future as a football player
Startin' quarterback number 13
I'm the starting quarterback and my jersey number is 13
Mom and dad are so proud of me
My parents are really proud of me for being a good football player
I'm down with the cool kids, oh, yeah
I'm popular and well-liked because of my position on the football team
You know I'm cool
I'm popular and well-liked
The chicks dig me
Girls are attracted to me because I play football
And its okay
It's not a big deal if I get replaced on the team
I get replaced, but it's alright
I might not always be the starting quarterback, but I'm okay with that
'Cause they all know
Everyone knows that I'm still an important part of the team
Now I'm gettin chicks left and right
I'm attracting a lot of girls because I play football
They're lining up for Saturday night
Girls are interested in dating me because I'm on the football team
Just to go down on me, oh, yeah
They're interested in me sexually because of my status as a football player
And when I walk down the hall
I get a lot of attention when I walk through the school
All of the nerds and geeks fall
Even the unpopular kids are impressed by my status as a football player
Down on their knees and worship me
They look up to me and think I'm really cool because I play football
"Hey dad! Guess what!"
I'm excited to tell my dad some news
"What's that, son?"
My dad is asking me what my news is
"I'm on the football team!"
I'm sharing with my dad that I'm on the football team
"Well jiminy in the buckhole."
My dad is surprised and excited for me
Contributed by Andrew B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Chris Bui
His voice has changed over the years trust me. This was their first album.
Audrey
i've been looking for these songs for three years and i finally found them :D tyson and nick are better off as musicians than foot ball players! lol
Niamh Henderson
I love this song!!!!!!!!!!
Colinsanity
Awesome song!!!!!!
Firebolt4848
Lmao I love this song
Samantha
I just remembered the song I can't believe no one's really commented on it in 10 years
mirandahm
Jesse is singing lead and Tyson is doing backup. Believe me I know tysons voice better than anyones and you can hear them in the nanananas parts. This is super old before him and Nick went to new York to record legitly. Not bad for a teen band that practiced I tysons dads auto repair shop!
endarspirecameron
this is so catchy :)
HappiestSingaporean
Sounds a bit like the old McFly, but still a great awesome band to me nonetheless! Tyson's eyes and voice drive me crazy!!!:)
Brenda Costa
Mtu legal !