American Football is the debut studio album by American rock band American Football. After the break-up of The One Up Downstairs, drummer Steve Lamos started jamming with guitarist Steve Holmes. With the addition of vocalist/guitarist Mike Kinsella, the trio formed American Football. In October 1998 they released a self-titled EP through Polyvinyl. With Brendan Gamble taking producer duties, the group recorded a self-titled album at Private Studios in Urbana, Illinois. The album's sound is a throwback to early Joan of Arc, a band which Kinsella previously played drums in. American Football focused on the interaction between two guitars after listening to Steve Reich. A few of the songs were unfinished by the time the band got to the studio and decided to finish them there.
The album was released on September 28, 1999 through Polyvinyl. The artwork, photographed by Chris Strong, was of a house located within walking distance of the University of Illinois. The album received minor success at college radio stations, however the band broke up soon after due to the members no longer living in the same city. Kinsella started Owen after he wanted complete creative control, and Holmes & Lamos played in The Geese. Since its release, the album has acquired cult status. A deluxe edition was released by Polyvinyl in May 2014 – the demand for which crashed the label's website. The reissue charted at number 68 on the Billboard 200 chart. A month later, a music video was released for the song "Never Meant", directed by Strong. The band have since played shows across the U.S. and the UK.
"Honestly" is a song by American alternative rock group Zwan. It was the first single from their album, Mary Star of the Sea. The song was written by Billy Corgan.
The B-side "Number of the Beast" was used in the opening credits of the 2002 film Spun by director Jonas Åkerlund.
"Honestly" is a rock song in the key of D major. Musically, it bears some similarities to the chord progression of Corgan compositions "Today" and the chorus of "Cherub Rock". The guitar parts liberally use a flanger effect.
All songs were written by Billy Corgan, except where noted.
Honestly I didn't mean to cry so hard
The heartache was pouring in like rain
I didn't mean to show I care
Honestly I didn't mean to laugh so loud
But it just sounds so absurd to say that you want me
Say that you need me after everything you've done
Really
Truly I didn't mean to hurt you
I just thought that maybe now
We'd have better luck the second time around
It's always better the second time I hear
Find me in the evening when your ready to dance
And I will take you to the places
Where you never thought you'd have the chance to love
Love
Love is all we have
I will run myself in circles here without you
Please believe that I tried my best to forget you
But the memories keep flooding back like tears
I didn't mean to fall in love
But sitting here waiting for this is torture
I'm so glad you're far away
Is that a terrible thing to say
Well I wonder if you're okay
Find me in the evening when your ready to dance
And I will take you to the places
Where you never thought you'd have the chance to love
Love
Love is all we have
I will run myself in circles here without you
I would run myself in circles here without you
I've tried and tried and I can't hide from your love
Darling it's too late to show me your intentions
You know we've got to find a way to get past all the implications
Every situation
Every complication that we've come from
Love is all we have
I will run myself in circles here without you
Darling love
Love
Love is all we have