Top 10 American Hi-Fi Songs

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Our top 10 American Hi-Fi songs list presents the music of an American-based band revered for its contribution to the pop-punk genre. The band was formed in 1998 by lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Stacy Jones, lead guitarist Jamie Arentzen, bassist Drew Parsons, and drummer Brian Nolan. Initially, the band went under the moniker BMX Girl. However, the band picked up the name American Hi-Fi, a recommendation from The Rolling Stones-affiliated musician Keith Richards.

Over the years, the band American Hi-Fi has issued six studio albums, three of which managed to enter the Billboard 200. American Hi-Fi members have also explored other soundscapes in addition to their primary pop-punk sound. Some of the records feature power pop, pop rock, and alternative rock influences. American Hi-Fi’s musicianship saw the band crowned the Rising Star in the 2001 Boston Music Awards ceremony.

A Review of American Hi-Fi’s Albums

In 2001, American Hi-Fi issued their eponymous debut studio album. The album was primarily a pop-punk/power pop album issued through Island Records under the production of Bob Rock. Other artists who have worked with Bob Rock include Metallica, David Lee Roth, The Cult, Aerosmith, The Offspring, and Motley Crue.

American Hi-Fi was successful in the mainstream having climbed atop the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart. The album also reached position eighty-three on the Billboard 200. In the UK, American Hi-Fi climbed to position eighty-three on the Albums Chart. “My Only Enemy,” “Flavor of the Weak,” “Another Perfect Day,” and “A Bigger Mood” are some of the best American Hi-Fi songs from the band’s debut album.

American Hi-Fi returned in 2003 with their sophomore studio album The Art of Losing. The album was also issued through Island Records but this time under the production of Nick Launay. Launay, an English record producer, has also worked with artists such as Killing Joke, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Public Image Ltd, and The Slits.

The Art of Losing graced the Billboard 200 Chart peaking at position eighty. In the UK, the album climbed to position one hundred and seventeen. “The Breakup Song,” “Beautiful Disaster,” “Teenage Alien Nation,” and “The Art of Losing” are some of the most popular songs from the album The Art of Losing.

Hearts on Paradise, issued in 2005, marked the band’s third studio album. The album was the band’s first record issued through Maverick Records. American Hi-Fi collaborated with the American record producer/musician Butch Walker. As a musician, Butch has served as the lead guitarist and /or vocalist in the bands Marvelous 3 and SouthGang. The album was successful in the mainstream reaching position one hundred and twenty-nine on the Billboard 200 Chart. Hearts on Paradise was nominated for the Album of the Year in the 2005 Boston Music Awards losing to Trouble by Ray LaMontagne.

The album Hearts on Paradise is the only American Hi-Fi album to have featured drummer, Jason Sutter. Jason Sutter’s membership with American Hi-Fi followed after the departure of drummer Brian Nolan who had left out of personal obligations. As a drummer, Jason Sutter has also worked with a number of artists including Vertical Horizon, New York Dolls, Chris Cornell, and Marilyn Manson. Hearts on Paradise features some of the best American Hi-Fi songs including “The Geeks Get the Girls,” “Something Real,” “We Can’t Be Friends,” and “Hell Yeah!”

American Hi-Fi returned in 2010 with their fourth studio album Fight the Frequency. The album was issued through RED Music with the band members working on its production. Fight the Frequency saw the band American Hi-Fi add some alternative rock and power pop influences to its signature pop-punk sound. While the album Fight the Frequency failed to achieve mainstream success, it features some musical gems such as “Lost,” “Where Love Is a Lie,” and “Lost.”

In 2014, American Hi-Fi issued their fifth studio album Blood & Lemonade. The album was issued through Rude Records under the co-production of American Hi-Fi members and record producer John Fields. Other artists/bands that have worked with John Fields include The Rembrandts, Ben Rector, The Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Andrew W.K., and Miley Cyrus, among others.

Blood & Lemonade failed to impress in the mainstream—however, it features some of the best American Hi-Fi songs including “Golden State,” “Allison,” and “Armageddon Days.” The album was followed up by the 2016 record American Hi-Fi Acoustic, an unplugged version of their debut album.

Other Musical Pursuits by American Hi-Fi Members

Prior to (and even after) the formation of American Hi-Fi, the band members had affiliations with other artists/bands. Lead vocalist Stacy Jones has worked as a touring/studio drummer for Veruca Salt, Madonna, Joan Jett, Everclear, and Letters to Cleo. Stacy has also worked as a musical director for Miley Cyrus, The Chainsmokers, Troye Sivan, Noah Cyrus, and 5 Seconds of Summer.

Lead guitarist Jamie Arentzen has also worked with a number of artists including Miley Cyrus, Butch Walker, Verona Grove, and Joan Jett. Bassist Drew Parsons has worked with a number of artists including Tracy Bonham, Quick Fix, and Butch Walker. On the other hand, drummer Brian Nolan has worked with multiple artists including Tracy Bonham, Miguel Dakota, and Sundriedtruth among others.

#10- Golden State

We open up our top 10 American Hi-Fi songs list with the pulsating hit “Golden State.” The song was issued as the second single of the band’s fifth studio album Blood & Lemonade. “Golden State” is a pop-punk track best defined by its crunchy guitar riffs. While the song “Golden State” is the perfect emblem of the band’s musicianship in Blood & Lemonade, the whole album featured tons of guitar-driven retro pop-infused tracks.

“Golden State” features a music video that was shot in Los Angeles. The band members are captured cruising in Stacy Jones’ ’64 Chevy truck. Stacy once revealed that the palm trees and sunlight in the music video are tied to the song’s theme. While the band was formed in Boston, its members would later relocate to Los Angeles, California.

The “Golden State” in the subject here is the state of California. Stacy Jones went ahead to cite California as a place that can possibly give a person new life if they believe in themselves. The song’s music video was directed by Ryan Valdez. Ryan Valdez has also worked with other bands including Korn, Stone Sour, and Rise Against.

#9- Lost

American Hi-Fi’s fourth studio album Fight the Frequency is by far one of the weakest albums by the band in terms of mainstream appeal. However, this is not to say that we can completely write off the album! Fight the Frequency proves to be a remarkable album thanks to hits like “Lost.”

“Lost” strikes a balance between American Hi-Fi’s signature pop-punk soundscapes and alternative rock tinges. The song features an anthemic feel and lyrics that evoke nostalgia that make it quite a memorable pick. “Lost” features a music video directed by film/music video director Chris Applebaum.

#8- Beautiful Disaster

Coming in at number eight on our top 10 American Hi-Fi songs list is the aggressive (yet beautiful) track “Beautiful Disaster.” The song is featured on the band’s sophomore studio album The Art of Losing. “Beautiful Disaster” features lyrics alluding to a toxic relationship between two lovers.

While the relationship is clearly toxic, the two lovers can barely keep off each other. As a result, they keep on falling in love making their relationship a “Beautiful Disaster.” While its lyrics and theme might feel paradoxical, the song remains highly relatable for most of its listeners. The complex emotional connection under description addresses the pain and pleasure that most of us have at some point undergone.

#7- We Can’t Be Friends

“We Can’t Be Friends” is yet another luscious pick that instantly became a fan-favorite pick upon release. The song is featured on American Hi-Fi’s Boston Music Awards-nominated album Hearts on Parade. If you thought heartbreak-influenced tracks must be sad, then American Hi-Fi are here to redefine your perspective. “We Can’t Be Friends” takes us to the side of a heartbreak that some barely explore.

That’s “keeping our good intentions” as quoted in the song and moving on from the bitter and sad vibes. As a result, “We Can’t Be Friends” is far from a fiery heartbreak ballad but a danceable and hilarious track, a celebratory track to moving on from a sad relationship. After all, “We Can’t Be Friends” with those who hurt us despite having invested good intentions for their sake.

#6- The Breakup Song

What we didn’t mention in the description of the previous song is that happiness is barely the first result of a breakup. To get to the humorous vibes of “We Can’t Be Friends,” it always has to start with bitter feelings like those expressed in “The Breakup Song.” Coincidentally, the song “The Breakup Song” is featured on the band’s sophomore album The Art of Losing while “We Can’t Be Friends” comes later in the third studio album.

Would that have been a moment of growth for the songwriter/subject persona? Well, only they can confirm these speculations. “The Breakup Song” encapsulates all that a fiery heartbreak track is all about. The bitterness associated with heartbreak is perfectly captured in this song’s lyrics and aggressive delivery. Notably, the song “The Breakup Song” has its lyrics paying homage to several artists.

The line “Just like in Crimson and Clover” pays homage to the song “Crimson and Clover” by Tommy James and The Shondells. The band is not afraid to quote some of their favorite artists in the second verse of the song. Stacy Jones sings that before the lover leaves, she ought to leave his favorite records back. Here we get a snippet of what music aroused the American Hi-Fi members then—that includes My Bloody Valentine, the Pixies, Cheap Trick, and specifically AC/DC’s seventh studio album Back in Black.

#5- Vertigo

If you make good music, it is quite expected that your songs will be featured in soundtrack albums for films. American Hi-Fi got their chance with the song “Vertigo.” Anyone who’ve checked the songs in the soundtrack album of the 2001 comedy film American Pie 2 must have bumped into this luscious hit.

Just like other songs in the soundtrack, the hit “Vertigo” is highly treasured by its listeners. Great musicianship catapulted American Pie 2’s soundtrack album to commercial success earning gold certification in Canada and the US, and a silver certification in the UK. Other artists who contributed to the soundtrack include Blink-182, 3 Doors Down, Green Day, and The Exit, among others.

#4- Another Perfect Day

The fact that the song “Another Perfect Day” came before “The Heartbreak Song,” gives us a fresh perspective about the songwriter’s musings. First, let’s get down to what the song “Another Perfect Day” means. As the lyrics suggest, the song is centered around holding on to a romantic relationship despite the disappointments associated with it. That’s something anyone who has fallen head over heels for another would do. The relationship is crumbling down but they always hold some hope that things will automatically turn for the best, after all, the lover conquers.

Singer Stacy Jones puts it clear that the persona here is incapable of letting it slide. Would the false hope in “Another Perfect Day” have culminated in “The Breakup Song” before the persona moved on to claim “We Can’t Be Friends”? Of course, some critics and fans of the band would definitely term it no coincidence quoting it to be a documentation of a sequence of experiences by the persona summed up in a few songs.

“Another Perfect Day” was a success in the mainstream rising to position thirty-three on the Billboard Alternative Airplay Chart. The song featured a music video directed by The Malloys, a film-directing duo consisting of brothers Emmett and Brendan Malloy. Other artists who have worked with the Malloys include Vampire Weekend, Say Anything, Colbie Caillat, The Kooks, The White Stripes, and Jimmy Eat World.

#3- The Geeks Get the Girls

Ranking third on the top 10 American Hi-Fi songs list is a piece of the band’s power pop explorations, “The Geeks Get the Girls.” The song is more than just a luscious power pop ballad. Its hilarious lyrical content makes it quite a memorable track. Singer Stacy Jones states in the song a stereotype that some believe in—that’s in the line, “In a perfect world, all the geeks get the girls.”

However, he continues to sing that “losers can get lucky sometimes.” And from the look of things, a “loser” seems to have got lucky effortlessly in a bar on a Friday night. The so-called “loser” would barely believe it often mistaking every move made by the lady.

Of course, we can’t blame him, especially after a long streak of “losing,” winning seems unreal! Now that a “loser” has got it right and lucky, he can finally shout it around the world. After all, “The Geeks Get the Girls.” Quite a catchy and hilarious track worth adding to your playlist!

#2- The Art of Losing

“The Art of Losing” is yet another impressive fan-favorite pick that proved quite successful in the mainstream. Issued as the lead single to the band’s sophomore album of the same name, “The Art of Losing” remains one the best American Hi-Fi songs of 2003. Lead vocalist Stacy Jones revealed that the song “The Art of Losing” is a perfect emblem of what he has always felt.

Jones went ahead to cite that the song is about being an underdog but sticking to your guns anyway. “The Art of Losing” was the last song by the band to climb into the UK Singles Chart where it peaked at position seventy-five. The song also graced the Billboard Alternative Airplay peaking at number thirty-three.

#1- Flavor of the Weak

Ranking at number one on our top 10 American Hi-Fi songs is the impressive hit “Flavor of the Weak.” The song is featured on the band’s eponymous debut studio album. “Flavor of the Weak” is a song Stacy Jones penned about his female friend who didn’t get the best treatment from her lover. Of course, this was driven by the fact that singer Stacy Jones knew that he could do better.

“Flavor of the Weak” is by far the perfect emblem of American Hi-Fi’s pop-punk explorations. The song went ahead to become a success rising to position forty-one on the Billboard Hot 100. “Flavor of the Weak” also climbed to position thirty-one on the UK Singles Chart, making it the only song by the band American Hi-Fi to grace both the UK Singles and Billboard 200 Charts.

The song features a music video directed by Chris Applebaum. At the beginning of the video, the song pays homage to the 1986 Jeff Krulik-produced heavy metal documentary Heavy Metal Parking Lot. In the parody clip, American Hi-Fi is jokingly captioned as one of the “best” artists/bands in the heavy metal genre alongside Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, Scorpions, and Dokken among others.