Rice spent his childhood between Alexandria, Virginia, and his parents' native Glasgow, Scotland. Before graduating from high school in 2001, Rice befriended Chris Keup, a Virginian singer-songwriter and self-styled A&R man. Keup produced Rice's first known recordings, the six song "Heart and Mind" EP.
Rice moved from Virginia to New York City at the age of eighteen. Shortly after arriving in the city, the World Trade Center was destroyed and this, along with other themes of war can be heard in his lyrics in songs such as City On Fire, Put Me In Your Holy War and Stay At Home. The songs were recorded several times before Rice was happy with them, finally settling with Bright Eyes producer Mike Mogis, creating a rich, diverse sound with most tracks leading into one another as a single "work" of music. His first full album Trouble is Real was released on April 26, 2005.
Rice played the part of Roy Orbison in the 2005 Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line. He is currently signed to Warner Bros.
Rice has cited Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Beatles, and country legend Gram Parsons as influences on his work.
In 2006, Rice joined Jenny Lewis' touring band and played on her debut album Rabbit Fur Coat. This was the beginning of a lengthy stint of collaborations with Lewis, including, in 2008, acting as a producer, musician, and co-songwriter on Jenny Lewis' second solo album, Acid Tongue.
This would further lead to the collaboration with girlfriend Lewis, as Jenny and Johnny. Their first album, I'm Having Fun Now, was released by Warner Brothers on August 31, 2010.
Giving It Up
Johnathan Rice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They put these buildings up just to bring me down
And I don't trust my friends any more than I trust the cops
Any more than I trust this dirty air that's burning up my lungs
So I'm giving it up
I'm giving it up
I'm giving it up for good
I'm giving it up
I'm giving it up for good
My baby looks at me like her long lost prince of thieves
Sometimes it's not enough to get only what you need
And I know I need her like the concrete needs the rain
Like a drunk needs ice in his glass like a ball needs a chain
I'm giving it up
I'm giving it up
I'm giving it up for good
So I'm giving it up
I'm giving it up
I'm giving it up for good
This is paradise
The place you come to die
I'm giving it up
I'm giving it up
I'm giving it up for good
The lyrics to Johnathan Rice's song Giving It Up are a poignant expression of disillusionment with the world and a desire to start anew. The first two lines paint a picture of feeling stuck and imprisoned in a town that's not conducive to growth, where one feels like they're constantly being brought down by external factors. The reference to buildings being put up only to "bring me down" suggests a sense of foreboding and distrust in infrastructure that's supposed to uplift and inspire.
The distrust continues in the next line, with "I don't trust my friends any more than I trust the cops". This could be interpreted as a commentary on the state of society, where people are wary of not only law enforcement but also those who are closest to them. The following line, "any more than I trust this dirty air that's burning up my lungs", adds a layer of environmental critique to the song, highlighting the harmful effects of pollution on our bodies.
The chorus, with its repeated refrain of "I'm giving it up for good", suggests a definitive decision to leave it all behind and start anew. The reference to the lover looking at the singer like "her long lost prince of thieves" shows a sense of comfort and belonging, but also a hint of mischief and rebellion. The last line, "this is paradise, the place you come to die", adds a layer of irony and cynicism to the whole song, implying that the very things that we think will make us happy and fulfilled are actually our downfall.
Overall, Giving It Up is a song that captures a sense of frustration, disillusionment, and a desire for new beginnings. It offers a commentary on societal structures and environmental factors, as well as a sense of hope and renewal through the presence of a loving companion.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't get off the ground in this holding pattern town
I feel stuck in this town, like I'm going nowhere and can't make any progress.
They put these buildings up just to bring me down
I feel like the world is against me and everything I do is being held back by people or things.
And I don't trust my friends any more than I trust the cops
I don't trust anyone around me, whether it's my friends or even the law enforcement.
Any more than I trust this dirty air that's burning up my lungs
I feel like even the air we breathe is polluted and harmful to us, making it hard to trust anything in this world.
So I'm giving it up
I'm ready to let go of everything holding me back and start anew.
I'm giving it up for good
I'm not looking back on my old life or the things that didn't serve me well.
My baby looks at me like her long lost prince of thieves
My significant other sees me as someone who has been through hardships but is still valiant and strong.
Sometimes it's not enough to get only what you need
Occasionally, we need to fulfill our desires and not only focus on what we need to survive.
And I know I need her like the concrete needs the rain
I realize that my love for my partner is essential to my overall happiness, like how concrete needs water to set and solidify.
Like a drunk needs ice in his glass like a ball needs a chain
I need my partner as much as an alcoholic needs ice for their drink or as much as a ball needs a chain to be played with.
This is paradise
Our current situation or location is often perceived as an ideal place, despite its flaws or drawbacks.
The place you come to die
However, this 'paradise' could also be viewed as a place where one's dreams and ambitions go to perish.
Contributed by Christopher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.