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.
So Sweet
Johnathan Rice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I waved hello and goodbye to the ghosts on the boulevard
Well oh my baby you're so sweet it makes me cry
Well oh my baby you're so sweet it makes me cry
You're so sweet
You're so sweet
You're so sweet
La La La La La
La La La La La
La La La La La
La La La La La
Locked up with the dope fiends honey just trying to sympathize
He turned and looked at me with his cold dead blood red drag queen eyes
Well oh my baby you're so sweet it makes me cry
Well oh my baby you're so sweet it makes me cry
You're so sweet
You're so sweet
You're so sweet
I wanna cry
Your former lover is leaving checking out not coming back
The downtown trains have taken him screaming on down the track
There is a terrible taste on his tongue from the chemicals
He's gonna spit his blood all over the dope white walls
You're so sweet
You're so sweet
You're so sweet
I wanna cry
La La La La La
The lyrics in Johnathan Rice's "So Sweet" alludes to the pain and heartbreak that comes with relationships. The song paints a picture of reminiscing about a time in the past when the singer experienced deep heartbreak, symbolized by "the ghosts on the boulevard." Despite the pain, the singer finds solace in the sweet moments with his loved one, even if it brings him to tears. The repetition of "you're so sweet, it makes me cry" emphasizes the bittersweet feeling of experiencing pleasure and pain together.
As the song progresses, the singer observes a drug addict sympathetically, seeing the pain in the person's red eyes. From the addict's perspective, the singer sees a former lover leaving them for good, and the addict is left to suffer even more. The use of "dope white walls" signifies the stark reality of the drug addict's world. In the end, the singer still finds comfort in the sweet moments he has experienced in his relationship despite the pain and turmoil surrounding him.
Line by Line Meaning
Back then when the heartbreak came yeah it hit me pretty hard
I was deeply affected by heartbreak in the past
I waved hello and goodbye to the ghosts on the boulevard
I acknowledged the memories of my past relationships and let them go
Well oh my baby you're so sweet it makes me cry
I am overwhelmed by your sweetness and it brings tears to my eyes
You're so sweet
You're so sweet
You're so sweet
I wanna cry
Your sweet nature moves me to tears
Locked up with the dope fiends honey just trying to sympathize
I am empathizing with those who are addicted to drugs
He turned and looked at me with his cold dead blood red drag queen eyes
I encountered a drug user who gave me a haunting look
Your former lover is leaving checking out not coming back
Your ex-lover is departing forever
The downtown trains have taken him screaming on down the track
Your ex-lover has left in a dramatic fashion
There is a terrible taste on his tongue from the chemicals
Your ex-lover is experiencing the aftermath of drug use
He's gonna spit his blood all over the dope white walls
Your ex-lover's actions will have a destructive impact
La La La La La
La La La La La
La La La La La
La La La La La
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: CHRIS KEUP, JONATHAN RICE, LAWRENCE A KLEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind