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Miss Murder
View on Wikipedia| "Miss Murder" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by AFI | ||||
| from the album Decemberunderground | ||||
| Released | April 3, 2006 | |||
| Recorded | 2005 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | Interscope | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Jerry Finn | |||
| AFI singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Miss Murder" is a song by American rock band AFI. It was released on April 3, 2006, as the lead single from their seventh studio album Decemberunderground. It was initially scheduled to premiere on LIVE 105 on April 13, 2006; however, it was released early due to overwhelming fan reaction. "Miss Murder" was released to radio on April 25, 2006.[5] It was released in the United Kingdom and Australia on April 24 and July 29, 2006. It was written by Davey Havok and produced by Jerry Finn.
The song received favorable reviews from music critics, who complimented its musicianship.[6][7] It is the band's most commercially successful single to date, reaching number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Alternative Songs chart. Internationally, the song was a moderate success, charting within the United Kingdom, Australia and Germany. It won in the category Best Rock Song at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards and was nominated for the Kerrang! Award for Best Single.[8] An accompanying music video was directed by Marc Webb (who has previously directed videos for AFI) and premiered on television shortly after the single's release.
Composition
[edit]The song originated with guitarist Jade Puget playing a bass hook on his guitar and vocalist Davey Havok coming up with the "Miss Murder" lyric as a throwaway line which ended up sticking.[9] Havok told Kerrang: "We beat this song down. We reworked the chorus over and over again, and in some abyss I sang the melody of the chorus with a scratched lyric that went, 'Hey, miss murder, can I?'" Havok was skeptical of the unconventional hook, but Interscope insisted it should stay as it was.[10] Havok later revealed that he wanted to exclude the song from Decemberunderground, opining that the unreleased "The View from Here" is a better song.[9]
There have been several popular theories as to the meaning of the song. These include Satan's fall from grace, Jesus abandoning humanity, Oscar Wilde's 1890 novel The Picture of Dorian Gray (in which Gray sells his soul to preserve his beauty), or Havok's personal struggle with fame. Havok long refused to confirm or deny any rumors: "I don't necessarily need for people to understand specifically what it means. If they want to take something from it and use it in a personal way, I think that's great. I wouldn’t want to risk destroying that just so someone can get a better understanding of me personally."[11]
However, in September of 2025, Havok would disclose during an interview with HardLore[12] that the song is a metaphor for suicide, stating, "That [Miss Murder] was a number one hit that poses the gentle question, 'Should I just kill myself?' Probably. And if I don't, is shit just going to get worse?"
Music video
[edit]A music video directed by Marc Webb for the song premiered on television shortly after the track's release. It was filmed at Los Angeles City Hall.
The music video opens with Davey Havok finding a note, possibly written by Miss Murder. The note features the three black rabbits symbol featured on the cover of Decemberunderground. Havok appears at his desk singing the song, while the band members are shown performing the song in a large room. Havok then appears on a balcony, rallying a chanting crowd below, and unfolds large posters of the band members themselves. During the bridge of the song, black rabbits surround Havok's desk. After he looks down the balcony, the crowd has disappeared and instead sees Miss Murder staring back at him. He returns to his desk where Miss Murder approaches. She places her hand on his shoulder, then he shuts his eyes. The video ends with the black rabbit watching the murder.
An extended version of the music video was released afterward, featuring extra footage at the beginning of the video while the introductory track of Decemberunderground, "Prelude 12/21" is playing. It features Miss Murder writing a note, then consuming the note, which appears in Havok's mouth. The band is shown performing the track as well.
Track listings
[edit]US promo single
- "Miss Murder" (edit) – 3:18
UK / AU single
- "Miss Murder" (edit) – 3:24
- "Don't Change" (INXS cover) – 3:16
- "Silver and Cold" (live acoustic) – 4:07
- "Miss Murder" (music video)
7" vinyl picture disc
- "Miss Murder" – 3:20
- "Don't Change" (INXS cover) – 3:16
10" vinyl picture disc
- "Miss Murder" – 3:20
- "Rabbits are Roadkill on Route 37" – 3:51
Promo CDM
- "Miss Murder (VNV Nation remix)" – 6:00
- "Miss Murder (VNV Nation instrumental)" – 6:00
- "Miss Murder (Broken Spindles remix)" – 4:12
- "Miss Murder (Broken Spindles instrumental)" – 4:12
Official versions
[edit]- "Miss Murder" (album version) – 3:27
- "Miss Murder" (edit) – 3:18
- "Miss Murder" (top 40 edit) – 3:05
- "Miss Murder" (VNV Nation remix) – 6:00
- "Miss Murder" (VNV Nation instrumental) – 6:00
- "Miss Murder" (Broken Spindles remix) – 4:12
- "Miss Murder" (Broken Spindles instrumental) – 4:12
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2006) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[13] | 14 |
| Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[14] | 46 |
| Czech Republic Modern Rock (IFPI)[15] | 13 |
| Germany (GfK)[16] | 93 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[17] | 44 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[18] | 24 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[19] | 1 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[20] | 13 |
| Venezuela Pop Rock (Record Report)[21] | 5 |
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[22] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[23] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[24] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ "23 post-hardcore tracks that definitely ruled your iPods in the 2000s". Alternative Press. March 22, 2021.
- ^ Pauker, Lance (January 22, 2014). "49 Phenomenally Angsty Pop-Punk Songs From The 2000s You Forgot Existed". Thought Catalog. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
- ^ "15 emo classics that helped to shape the genre". don't bore us. December 16, 2021. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021.
- ^ "11 AFI 'DECEMBERUNDERGROUND' lyrics that emblematize the emo era". Alternative Press.
- ^ "FMQB Airplay Archive: Modern Rock". Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated. Archived from the original on March 22, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
- ^ "IGN: Decemberunderground Review". Archived from the original on June 16, 2006. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
- ^ "AFI: Decemberunderground | NME". NME. May 26, 2006.
- ^ "MTV Video Music Award". MTV. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ^ a b "Backspin: AFI on 'Decemberunderground'". Yahoo!. February 17, 2017. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2020 – via Youtube.
- ^ "Miss Murder by AFI". Songfacts. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
- ^ "AFI - Miss Murder Lyrics". Genius. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
- ^ "Davey Havok Part 2: 2003-2025 (A HardLore Special)". YouTube. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ "AFI – Miss Murder". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ "AFI Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ "CZ - Radio - Top 20 Modern Rock - Miss Murder - AFI" (in Czech). IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ "AFI – Miss Murder" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ "AFI: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- ^ "AFI Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- ^ "AFI Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- ^ "AFI Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- ^ "Pop Rock" (in Spanish). Record Report. November 4, 2006. Archived from the original on July 16, 2006.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Afi – Miss Murder". Radioscope. Retrieved December 15, 2023. Type Miss Murder in the "Search:" field.
- ^ "British single certifications – Afi – Miss Murder". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
External links
[edit]Miss Murder
View on GrokipediaBackground and development
Writing process
The writing process for "Miss Murder" began after the release of AFI's previous album Sing the Sorrow in 2003, when guitarist Jade Puget developed the song's iconic opening riff, adapting a bass line hook played on his guitar, which drew from post-punk and new wave influences to help AFI evolve toward a more accessible, mainstream sound.[8] This musical foundation emerged during the band's exploratory phase for their seventh album, Decemberunderground, as they sought to blend their punk roots with broader pop elements.[9] Vocalist Davey Havok contributed the initial lyrics during collaborative sessions with Puget, crafting the phrase "Hey, Miss Murder" as a temporary placeholder while improvising over the riff.[8] Puget advocated strongly to retain the provisional title and hook despite Havok's initial plans to revise them.[8] The band conducted these songwriting efforts in various informal locations in California, including basements in Silverlake and Oakland, as Havok and Puget iteratively refined the structure.[9] The chorus proved particularly challenging, requiring multiple rewrites and experiments before settling on the improvised melody Havok had sung spontaneously, a version ultimately championed by the band and their label.[10] This back-and-forth collaboration finalized the track's core elements, marking a pivotal step in AFI's shift from hardcore punk to polished alternative rock.[8]Recording and production
The recording sessions for "Miss Murder" occurred at Conway Recording Studios and Sage & Sound Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, spanning late 2005 into early 2006 as part of the broader production for AFI's album Decemberunderground.[11] The track was produced by Jerry Finn in collaboration with the band, who sought to refine their sound following pre-production work that incorporated contributions from band members on arrangement and instrumentation.[9] Key personnel included vocalist Davey Havok, guitarist and keyboardist Jade Puget, bassist Hunter Burgan, and drummer Adam Carson, with additional programming and keyboards handled by Dave McCracken and Ronan Harris.[11] Production techniques emphasized a blend of the band's punk energy with more accessible elements.[12] These choices, guided by Finn's expertise in pop-punk production, helped balance raw intensity with melodic polish. Recording engineer Joe McGrath captured the sessions, focusing on tight performances to capture the song's dynamic shifts.[11] Final mixing took place at Conway Studios and Resonate Music in Burbank, California, in early 2006, with Finn overseeing adjustments to ensure the track's guitar riffs and vocal delivery stood out while maintaining cohesive energy across the album.[11] Mastering followed at Sterling Sound in New York, completing the production ahead of the single's April 2006 release.[11]Composition and lyrics
Musical elements
"Miss Murder" runs for 3:26 and is composed in the key of G♯ minor at a tempo of 144 beats per minute.[13] The track employs a standard verse-chorus format augmented by interludes and a bridge: it opens with an intro, proceeds through multiple choruses interspersed with interludes and verses, builds to a bridge, and concludes with repeated choruses and an outro.[14] This structure supports a dynamic progression, with palm-muted power chords in the verses giving way to full barre chords and natural harmonics in the choruses for heightened intensity.[14] Central to the song's sound is the driving guitar riff crafted by Jade Puget, played on a Gibson Les Paul Studio tuned a half-step down, featuring double stops, hammer-ons, and palm muting to evoke urgency.[14][15] Complementing this is the prominent bass line from Hunter Burgan on a Fender Precision Bass, which anchors the intro and incorporates pick playing alongside occasional slapping techniques in the second verse for rhythmic emphasis.[14][15] Electronic elements, including keyboard textures in the interludes programmed with assistance from Ronan Harris of VNV Nation, add atmospheric layers, enhancing the track's polished production.[14][16] The overall style reflects AFI's evolution toward a post-punk revival sound, blending their hardcore punk roots with 1980s new wave influences such as The Cure, resulting in a goth-punk aesthetic that is tighter and more accessible than prior works.[17] This fusion is evident in the song's energetic yet melodic riffing and harmonic choices, like the use of i-iv-v progressions in G♯ minor (G♯m–C♯m–D♯m), which contribute to its catchy, radio-ready appeal.[13]Themes and interpretation
"Miss Murder" employs a metaphorical narrative centered on the personification of death as "Miss Murder," symbolizing the reaper and the destructive force of fame's impermanence. The core theme explores mortality and legacy, contemplating suicide to preserve beauty and adoration at its peak. This draws from the song's lyrical imagery of bargaining with death, reflecting the internal struggle with fame's fleeting nature.[2] Key lyrics underscore this metaphor, such as the chorus plea, "Hey Miss Murder, can I / Make beauty stay if I take my life?", which captures futile efforts to achieve immortality through self-destruction against inevitable decline. These elements highlight the song's focus on the anguish of loss in success and adoration, where the "killer" is time itself.[18] The song's deliberate ambiguity invites diverse interpretations, including fan theories linking it to grief over personal loss or the destructive cycle of addiction. In 2006 band interviews, members like Havok emphasized the lyrics' open-ended nature, allowing listeners to project their own experiences onto the narrative without a singular definitive explanation.[8][16]Release and promotion
Single formats
"Miss Murder" was released as a single by Interscope Records starting with digital download in early April 2006 and official radio add in late April, marking the lead promotion for AFI's album Decemberunderground.[19][20] In the United States, the primary physical commercial format was a limited edition 10-inch picture disc vinyl, issued on May 24, 2006, with "Miss Murder" on side A and the B-side track "Rabbits Are Roadkill on Rt. 37," an outtake from the album sessions produced by Butch Vig.[21][22] A promotional CD single was also distributed domestically, featuring "Miss Murder" backed by a cover of INXS's "Don't Change," packaged in a custom cardboard sleeve with stamped and stickered artwork.[23] Digital downloads were available through platforms like iTunes, offering the standard radio edit alongside the full album track.[24] Internationally, variations expanded the track listings to include additional content. The UK commercial CD single, released in June 2006 under catalog number 9859439, contained "Miss Murder," "Don't Change," and a live acoustic rendition of "Silver and Cold" recorded in Atlanta on February 28, 2004.[25] A 7-inch picture disc vinyl was also produced for the UK market, mirroring the US vinyl's core tracks but limited to 45 RPM.[26] In Europe, a maxi-single CD (catalog number 06024-9859763-7) served as an enhanced edition, including an edited version of "Miss Murder" at 3:18, "Don't Change," the live "Silver and Cold," and the official music video directed by Marc Webb.[27] It was released in Australia on July 29, 2006.[20] These international releases featured slimline jewel cases with artwork echoing the album's dark, abstract aesthetic, emphasizing thematic elements of mystery and noir.[27] The single's formats were strategically tied to the album's rollout, with limited-edition vinyls aimed at collectors and CD variants providing exclusive live content to build anticipation ahead of the June 6, 2006, album launch.[7] No specific initial pressing quantities were publicly detailed for these releases, though the vinyl editions were noted as limited.[26]Marketing and media appearances
"Miss Murder" was promoted as the lead single from AFI's seventh studio album Decemberunderground, with the track receiving its official radio premiere in late April 2006 following an early leak due to fan demand. The song quickly gained traction on alternative rock stations, including KROQ, where it became a staple of the station's 2006 playlist, ranking as one of the year's top songs.[28] The single's media exposure included live television performances, such as AFI's appearance on MTV's Total Request Live in May 2006, where the video debuted on the countdown and peaked at No. 8.[29] The band also performed the song at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards, showcasing its energetic live rendition to a wide audience.[30] In addition to broadcast promotions, "Miss Murder" was integrated into video games, notably as downloadable content for Rock Band 2 in November 2008, allowing players to perform the track in the rhythm game series.[31] On tour, "Miss Murder" served as a frequent set opener during AFI's 2006 promotions, including their headlining tour and select dates on the 2006 Warped Tour starting in June, where it energized crowds alongside support acts like Dillinger Escape Plan and Nightmare of You.[32][33] The track's placement helped drive album sales and fan engagement throughout the summer run.[34]Music video
Production details
The "Miss Murder" music video was directed by Marc Webb and shot at City Hall in Los Angeles over two 14-hour days in March 2006.[6][35] Casting featured AFI frontman Davey Havok in the lead role, with actress Rebecca Ocampo portraying Miss Murder; the band's other members—Jade Puget, Adam Carson, and Hunter Burgan—appeared in stylized outfits that complemented the video's aesthetic.[36] Filming utilized black-and-white cinematography, rapid cuts between performance and narrative sequences, and surreal effects achieved through practical sets. Multiple takes were required for scenes involving bunnies held by Havok during the band's performance.[37][35] In post-production, the footage was edited by Dave Hussey.[38]Visual narrative and symbolism
The visual narrative of the "Miss Murder" music video centers on a mysterious woman (Miss Murder) walking through surreal landscapes, including fields and buildings, in a looping journey that builds tension, intercut with performance shots of AFI in a stark space where bunnies are present and lead singer Davey Havok's dramatic poses amplify the song's themes of longing and farewell.[39][40] The video was released in May 2006.[6] Symbolism permeates the video's imagery, with recurring motifs enhancing its interpretive layers. Mirrors appear in key scenes, reflecting fragmented identities and prompting self-examination amid the surreal setting.[39] The video employs film noir aesthetics, characterized by high-contrast shadows and atmospheric tension, blended with AFI's punk-infused energy to create a visually dynamic piece that mirrors the track's emotional intensity. Fan and critic interpretations frequently frame the narrative as an allegory for toxic relationships or fame's burdens.[8]Commercial performance
Chart positions
"Miss Murder" by AFI experienced notable chart performance following its release in April 2006, particularly on rock and alternative formats in the United States, where it benefited from strong airplay on alternative radio stations. The single's success was further supported by promotional efforts, including digital releases and radio promotion, which helped drive its ascent on multiple charts.[7] In the United States, "Miss Murder" debuted at number 22 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart dated May 6, 2006. It reached number 1 on August 5, 2006, holding the top position for five consecutive weeks. The track spent a total of 23 weeks on the chart. On the Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at number 24 on the chart dated June 24, 2006, representing AFI's highest-peaking single on that chart to date.[7][41][42] Internationally, the single charted modestly on mainstream singles rankings. It debuted and peaked at number 44 on the UK Singles Chart in June 2006, spending four weeks in the top 75. In Australia, it entered the ARIA Singles Chart at number 31 in August 2006 and peaked at number 14, logging 13 weeks overall.[5][43]| Chart (2006) | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Alternative Airplay | 1 | 23 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 24 | 20 |
| Australia (ARIA) | 14 | 13 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 44 | 4 |
