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)
Next to the Last Romantic
Josh Ritter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As the next to the last true romantic
He knows that his story is tragic
But he can't rest
Til he's next To you
All the girls know his fame the men curse his name
And they talk about him like he's magic
And he can't rest
Til he's next To you
He's stolen hearts like they're horses
And horses when hearts can't be found
He keeps riding from one horse to one horse to one horse towns (It gets him down)
He know's he's a fool to get caught up with you
But he's the next to the last true romantic
He can't let go of love once he's had it
And he can't rest
Til he's next to you
There's always whiskey and women and women and whiskey around
He can't tell which is worse to be dying of thirst or to drown (It gets him down)
So he smiles through the pain he pinch Estelle he dance with Jane
Sometimes even he don't know how he stands it
But he's the next to the last true romantic
And he can't rest
Til he's next
To you
The song "Next to the Last Romantic" by Josh Ritter tells the story of a legendary cowboy who has earned a reputation as a true romantic. He has won the hearts of many women, but he can't rest until he finds the one who he truly loves. Despite knowing that his story is tragic and realizing he's a fool for getting caught up with this one particular woman, he can't let go of the love that he has for her. He's constantly moving from town to town, searching for her, smiling through the pain and pretending to be happy despite his own inner turmoil.
The lyrics of the song depict the character's constant struggle and isolation as he journeys from place to place seeking the love he desires. The lines "All the girls know his fame the men curse his name, And they talk about him like he's magic" portrays the singer as having a kind of legendary status, revered by women and hated by men. It suggests the idea that although he's desirable, he's also the object of envy and hatred. The lyrics also explore themes of addiction and the self-destructive behavior that can come with it, as the character jumps from one drink and one woman to the next, trying to forget or drown in his sorrows.
Line by Line Meaning
He's riding the plains living up to his name
He's a cowboy living up to his reputation as a romantic.
As the next to the last true romantic
He believes he's second to last of a dying breed of true romantics.
He knows that his story is tragic
He understands that his romanticism is doomed to sadness.
But he can't rest
He's constantly driving himself forward.
Til he's next To you
Until he's with the person he loves.
All the girls know his fame the men curse his name
Women adore him while men resent him for his romantic reputation.
And they talk about him like he's magic
People are in awe of his romantic charm.
He's stolen hearts like they're horses
He's broken many hearts in his pursuit of love.
And horses when hearts can't be found
He keeps moving from place to place searching for love.
He keeps riding from one horse to one horse to one horse towns (It gets him down)
He often becomes disheartened by his fruitless search for love.
He know's he's a fool to get caught up with you
He realizes that love is foolish but he can't help himself.
But he's the next to the last true romantic
He's resigned himself to being a romantic in a world that no longer values romance.
He can't let go of love once he's had it
Once he's experienced love, he can't imagine living without it.
There's always whiskey and women and women and whiskey around
He's surrounded by temptation and heartache.
He can't tell which is worse to be dying of thirst or to drown (It gets him down)
He's not sure which is worse, the longing for love or the pain of heartbreak.
So he smiles through the pain he pinch Estelle he dance with Jane
He puts on a brave face and tries to enjoy life's small pleasures despite his sadness.
Sometimes even he don't know how he stands it
Even he struggles to understand how he copes with his romantic strife.
But he's the next to the last true romantic
He's a dying breed of true Romantics.
And he can't rest
He's constantly driven by his longing for love.
Til he's next to you
Until he's finally with the person he loves.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSH RITTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind