It was 2007. Neon-colored t-shirts were everywhere. MySpace was the center of the universe. If you were even remotely plugged into the "scene" music world back then, you remember the first time the opening synths of a specific Asking Alexandria track blasted through your headphones. I’m talking about The American Average lyrics. They weren't just words; they were a middle finger to the status quo of a dying post-hardcore era that was about to get much, much louder.
Danny Worsnop wasn't exactly writing Shakespeare here. Let’s be real. He was a teenager from North Yorkshire, England, screaming about the excess and debauchery of a lifestyle he was only just beginning to inhabit. But that’s exactly why it worked. It was raw. It was unapologetic. And for a generation of kids stuck in the suburbs, it sounded like the most dangerous thing on the planet.
What Asking Alexandria Was Actually Trying to Say
The "American Average" isn't about being an average American. Honestly, it’s the opposite. It’s a critique—or perhaps a celebration, depending on how much of a nihilist you were in 2009—of the superficiality found in the nightlife and hookup culture of the mid-to-late aughts.
You’ve got lines that are basically etched into the DNA of every millennial who ever wore skinny jeans. "You’re a slt, you’re a whre," Worsnop growls. By today's standards? It’s aggressive. Maybe even a bit "cringe" to the Gen Z crowd. But in the context of the 2000s metalcore boom, these lyrics were the hallmark of "Sumerian-core." This was a specific sub-genre defined by technical guitar riffs, heavy electronic influences, and lyrics that prioritized shock value over poetic nuance.
The song reflects a specific moment in time when the band moved from the UK to the United States. They were young, they were suddenly famous, and they were surrounded by a culture of "disposable" relationships. Ben Bruce, the band’s guitarist and primary songwriter alongside Worsnop, has spoken in various interviews about how their early material was basically a diary of their bad decisions. They weren't trying to be role models. They were trying to be rock stars.
The Structure of a Scene Anthem
The song doesn't follow a traditional pop structure. It’s a chaotic mess of breakdowns and synth leads.
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The opening line sets the tone immediately: "You're a slt, you're a whre." It’s a visceral, jarring start. From there, The American Average lyrics transition into a rhythmic, almost danceable section that highlights the "electronicore" element the band helped pioneer.
What’s interesting is the bridge. "I know she's got a reputation, but I don't care." This is where the narrative shifts from judgment to participation. The protagonist knows the environment is toxic, but he’s diving in anyway. It’s that classic "I hate this, but I love it" trope that defined so much of the emo and screamo lyrical landscape.
- The breakdown: "Look at me now!"
- The call and response: "You're not a hero."
- The climax: High-pitched cleans clashing with low growls.
It’s a sonic representation of a panic attack in a nightclub.
Why We Still Care About These Lyrics
Is it just nostalgia? Maybe. But there's something more.
Music critics often dismissed Asking Alexandria as "style over substance." They weren't wrong about the style—the hair was huge, the makeup was thick. But the substance was there in the honesty. Even if that honesty was ugly.
When you look at the The American Average lyrics today, they serve as a time capsule. They represent a bridge between the classic metalcore of the early 2000s (think Killswitch Engage or As I Lay Dying) and the more theatrical, image-heavy "Warper Tour" era.
I remember talking to a friend who played in a local band back then. He said every drummer in the tri-state area was trying to learn the double-bass patterns in this song. But it wasn't just the drums; it was the way the lyrics felt like a secret language. If you knew the words to the "Look at me now" section, you belonged to a specific tribe. You weren't "average."
The Controversy and the Legacy
We have to address the elephant in the room. The lyrics are derogatory. There’s no way around it. In 2026, a band releasing a song with these specific slurs would probably be "canceled" before the first chorus finished.
However, looking back through a historical lens, these lyrics were part of a broader trend of "misogyny-core" that permeated the scene (think also of bands like Emmure or Attila). It was a juvenile, aggressive reaction to heartbreak and social frustration.
Worsnop himself has evolved significantly. If you listen to Asking Alexandria’s self-titled album or See What’s on the Inside, the lyrical themes have shifted toward sobriety, mental health, and actual maturity. He’s gone from screaming about "sl*ts" to singing about the "vultures" in the industry and his own internal demons.
That evolution makes the early stuff even more fascinating. It’s the "before" picture.
How to Appreciate the Song Today
If you’re revisiting the track, don't look for deep philosophical truths. Look for the energy. The The American Average lyrics are meant to be shouted in a sweaty basement or a crowded festival field.
- Listen for the "blegh." It’s one of the quintessential examples of the vocal tic that would become a meme in the metalcore community.
- Pay attention to the synth layering. It’s surprisingly sophisticated for a bunch of kids in a van.
- Observe the vocal duality. Worsnop’s ability to switch from a gutteral growl to a mid-range rasp was top-tier for the era.
The Cultural Impact of Stand Up and Scream
The album this song belongs to, Stand Up and Scream, didn't just sell records. It changed the aesthetic of heavy music.
Before this, metal was mostly "tough guys" in camo shorts. After Asking Alexandria, it was "pretty boys" in tight jeans. The lyrics had to match that shift. They had to be more relatable to a younger, more "online" audience. This song was the anthem for that shift. It was the moment the "American Average" was redefined by a group of British outsiders.
It’s weird to think of a metalcore song as "classic," but here we are. It’s been nearly two decades. The kids who moshed to this are now parents. They have 401(k)s. But I guarantee if you put this song on at a wedding bar, a specific group of 35-year-olds will lose their minds.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Musicians
If you're a songwriter looking at this era for inspiration, or just a fan wanting to dive deeper, here is how you can apply the "Asking Alexandria" method to your own perspective:
- Authenticity over Politeness: Don't be afraid to write lyrics that are "ugly." The reason this song resonated wasn't because it was nice; it was because it felt real to the person writing it at the time.
- Genre Blending: Take a lesson from their use of electronics. Mixing heavy riffs with 4-on-the-floor dance beats was revolutionary in 2009. It still works today if you do it with intention.
- The Power of the Hook: Even in a song with screaming, the "hook" is king. The melodic sections in "The Final Episode" and "A Prophecy" (sister songs to American Average) are what kept people coming back.
- Track the Evolution: Go listen to Stand Up and Scream and then immediately play Where Do We Go From Here? (2023). Seeing the trajectory of a band’s lyrical voice is the best way to understand how to grow as a creative.
The legacy of Asking Alexandria isn't just about the hair or the parties. It's about a specific brand of unapologetic honesty that defined an era. Whether you love the lyrics or find them dated, you can't deny they left a mark on the pavement of rock history.
To truly understand the impact, go back and watch the original music videos on YouTube. Look at the comments. You’ll see thousands of people saying the same thing: "This song saved me," or "This was my childhood." For a song with such aggressive lyrics, it managed to create a massive sense of community. That’s the real "American Average"—finding a way to belong when you feel like an outcast.
Next time you hear that synth intro, don't skip it. Lean into the nostalgia. Scream the words. Remember what it felt like to be seventeen and convinced that the world was yours for the taking, even if you were just an average kid in an average town.