Born to two neuroscientists, Ritter bought his first guitar from the local K-MART after hearing the Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash classic Girl From The North Country. He started at Oberlin College with the intent to follow in his parents' scientist footsteps, but instead discovered songwriting, and the music of artists like Gillian Welch, Townes Van Zandt, and Leonard Cohen. He graduated and then moved east, favoring its close proximity to historic folk clubs such as "Club Passim" in Boston. On a shoestring budget he recorded his critically acclaimed breakthrough album Golden Age of Radio in 2002 at various tiny, one-room studios on the East Coast. He has continued to grow from there, further developing his sound on subsequent albums.
Josh has recorded several records and E.P.s. In chronological order, they are:
Josh Ritter (Self Titled) (2000)
Golden Age of Radio (2001)
Come and Find Me EP (2003)
Hello Starling (2003)
4 Songs Live E.P. (2005)
The Animal Years (2006)
Girl In The War E.P. (2006)
Good Man E.P. (2006)
In The Dark: Live At Vicar Street (2006)
The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter (2007)
Live at the Record Exchange EP (2008)
So Runs the World Away (2010)
To the Yet Unknowing World (2011)
Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, Live at The Iveagh Gardens (April 2011)
The Beast In Its Tracks (2013)
Acoustic Live, Vol.1 (2015)
Sermon on the Rocks (2015)
Good Man
Josh Ritter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause I believe that they're the good guys
We can use all the help we can
So many minor chords outside
I fell in love with the sound
Oh I love to sing along with you
We got tunes we kicked around some
We got a bucket that the tunes go through
Babe we both had dry spells
Hard times in bad lands
I'm a good man for ya
I'm a good man
Last night there was a horse in the road
I was twisting in the hairpin
My hands held on my mind let go
And back to you my heart went skipping
I found the inside of the road
Thought about the first time that I met you
All those glances that we stole
Sometimes if you want them then you've got to
Babe we both had dry spells
Hard times in bad lands
I' a good man for ya
I' a good man
They shot a Western south of here
They had him cornered in a canyon
And even his horse had disappeared
They said it got run down by a bad, bad man
You're not a good shot but I'm worse
And there's so much where we ain't been yet
So swing up on this little horse
The only thing we'll hit is sunset
Babe we both had dry spells
Hard times in bad lands
I'm a good man for ya
I'm a good man
The song "Good Man" by Josh Ritter is a complex blend of different themes and ideas. The opening lines, "These chords are old but we shake hands / 'Cause I believe that they're the good guys,"_references the idea that traditional chord progressions and harmony can be seen as "good" because they are familiar and comforting. The song seems to be both a love song and an ode to the power of music to connect people and transcend personal struggles.
The imagery in the song is rich, with the singer describing falling in love with the sound of music, the despair of "dry spells" and "hard times," and the thrill of being with someone who understands and appreciates you. The metaphor of the horse is used throughout the song, from the opening lines about shaking hands to the story of the cowboy and his disappearing horse. The horse symbolizes freedom, adventure, and the unknown, which the singer and his lover are both willing to ride off into together.
Ultimately, "Good Man" is a song about the power of human connection and the importance of finding someone who can help you navigate the ups and downs of life. It's a song about loyalty, trust, and the joy of being with someone who understands you deeply.
Line by Line Meaning
These chords are old but we shake hands
Despite the passage of time, we still have respect for each other and our shared history.
'Cause I believe that they're the good guys
I trust that these people have honorable intentions and won't let me down.
We can use all the help we can
We could benefit from any assistance anyone is willing to offer.
So many minor chords outside
There are a lot of negative things happening that weigh heavily on us.
I fell in love with the sound
I am deeply enamored with the music we make together.
Oh I love to sing along with you
I cherish every moment we spend collaborating and creating something special.
We got tunes we kicked around some
We have some unfinished compositions that we've been working on together.
We got a bucket that the tunes go through
We keep all our unfinished songs and ideas in a single location so we can easily revisit them in the future.
Babe we both had dry spells
We have experienced periods of hardship and loneliness in our lives.
Hard times in bad lands
We've faced struggles in difficult and inhospitable environments.
I'm a good man for ya
Despite my flaws and shortcomings, I am committed to being a supportive partner and friend.
Last night there was a horse in the road
I encountered a major obstacle while trying to reach my destination.
I was twisting in the hairpin
I was struggling to navigate a sharp turn in the road.
My hands held on my mind let go
I was physically safe, but mentally I was preoccupied with thoughts of you.
And back to you my heart went skipping
Thinking of you fills me with joy and optimism, even in difficult moments.
I found the inside of the road
Once I overcame my immediate obstacle, I had time to reflect on my journey and the path ahead.
Thought about the first time that I met you
Recalling how we first met fills me with gratitude and happiness.
All those glances that we stole
The moments of shared intimacy and closeness we've had together are deeply meaningful to me.
Sometimes if you want them then you've got to
To get what you truly desire, you have to put effort and sacrifice into making it a reality.
They shot a Western south of here
There was a violent incident in the area, reminiscent of a classic Western film.
They had him cornered in a canyon
The situation was dire and seemingly hopeless for the artist.
And even his horse had disappeared
The situation was so bleak that even the artist's trusty steed had abandoned him.
They said it got run down by a bad, bad man
The bad guy responsible for the chaos and violence had even harmed an innocent animal.
You're not a good shot but I'm worse
Neither of us are particularly skilled at shooting, but I am even worse than you.
And there's so much where we ain't been yet
There are countless experiences and adventures that await us in the future.
So swing up on this little horse
Let's take advantage of this opportunity to explore and go on an adventure.
The only thing we'll hit is sunset
We may not be the most capable adventurers, but with each other's company, we'll at least enjoy some beautiful sunsets.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSH RITTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hokulealinda
LYRICS: These chords are old but we shake hands,
Cause I believe that they're the good guys,
We can use all the help we can,
So many minor chords outside.
I fell in love with the sound,
Oh I love to sing along, with you,
We got tunes we kicked around, some,
We got a bucket that the tunes go through.
Babe we both had dry spells,
Hard times, in bad lands,
I'm a good man for ya,
I'm a good man.
Last night there was a horse in the road,
I was twisting in the hair-pin,
My hands held on, my mind let go,
And back to you my heart went skipping.
I found the inside of the road,
Thought about the first time that I met you,
All those glances that we stole, Sometimes,
if you want them then you've got to.
Babe we both had dry spells,
Hard times, in bad lands,
I'm a good man for ya,
I'm a good man.
They shot a Western south of here,
They had him cornered in a canyon,
And even his horse had disappeared,
They said it got run down by a bad, bad man.
You're not a good shot, but I'm worse,
And there's so much where we ain't been yet,
So swing up on this little horse,
The only thing we'll hit is sunset.
Babe we both had dry spells,
Hard times, in bad lands,
I'm a good man for ya,
I'm a good man.
Babe we both had..
Babe we both had, baby we both had,
Babe we both had, you and I both had,
Babe we both had, baby we both had.
Babe we both had dry spells,
Hard times, in bad lands,
I'm a good man for ya,
I'm a good man.
@sagarsawantdesai8210
Anyone still here in 2020? Thank you House for this amazing song all those years ago
@Warwallaby
Nope almost 2022. How’s the weather in the past?
@nardine8903
Ikr ..Gregory ♥️😭
@user-nz2rr1bu6d
2022😏👍🏽
@nothingtoitdm6191
Oct 1st 2022
@3e7en3tar6
22' boi going 23' till infinity
@gbabs6435
2023 and I'm rewatching House. Loving the tunes from it. Hugh Laurie also has some CD's of his own
@davidlance3502
When I was in 11th grade, my dad brought home a Josh Ritter album for no real reason. He just saw it in the music store, and picked it up. He brought it home and listened to it on the stereo, and everyone in the house just came into the room and started listening too. No tv, no talking, just listening, song after song... why aren't there more artists who can make things like that happen?
@MANJYOMETHUNDER111
There are. You just haven't found them yet.
@robertcrouch7328
AND lets all be that DAD too !