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)
Still Beating
Josh Ritter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have you ten-to-one out-numbered
Seems like everybody up and left and they're not coming back
The shadow that you're standing on's still here sometimes that's all that you can ask
And your heart's still beating
You're not the fastest draw in town now
How many times you been shot down now?
But if you could yourself you'd probably never have made it through the things you did
With your heart still beating
I know the dog days of the summer Have you ten-to-one out-numbered
It seems like everybody else saw trouble sneaking up behind
Left you half dead in the street but that just means you're half alive
And your heart's still beating
The lyrics to Josh Ritter's song "Still Beating" evoke a sense of resilience and strength despite adversity. The opening lines suggest that the singer may be feeling a sense of isolation and abandonment, as the dog days of summer have left them feeling outnumbered and alone. However, even in the midst of this difficult season, the singer notes that their heart is still beating. This line serves as a reminder that even in times of difficulty, when it seems like the world has turned against us, we still have the capacity for hope and perseverance.
The second verse delves deeper into this idea, as the singer acknowledges the difficulties they have faced and the times they have been knocked down. At the same time, they recognize that others may be able to see things they cannot, and there are times when we need others to help us see our own strength and resilience. However, the singer ultimately suggests that the trials they have faced have made them stronger and more resilient, and that their heart is still beating because they have refused to give up.
Overall, "Still Beating" is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. No matter how difficult things may seem, we all have the capacity to keep going and to keep our hearts beating even when the world seems determined to keep them still.
Line by Line Meaning
I know the dog days of the summer
I am aware of the hottest and laziest days of summer
Have you ten-to-one out-numbered
You seem to be overwhelmed and outnumbered by circumstances
Seems like everybody up and left and they're not coming back
It appears as though everyone has deserted you and they will not return
The shadow that you're standing on's still here sometimes that's all that you can ask
The shadow that surrounds you is still present, and at times, that is all you could expect
And your heart's still beating
Despite the difficult conditions, your heart continues to beat
You're not the fastest draw in town now
You are not the most successful person in the area anymore
How many times you been shot down now?
How many times have you been defeated in life?
Seems like everybody else could see the things you never did
It looks like everyone but you could see things that you never did
But if you could yourself you'd probably never have made it through the things you did
If you were aware of everything you went through, most likely you would not have made it this far
With your heart still beating
Nevertheless, your heart is still beating
It seems like everybody else saw trouble sneaking up behind
It appears like everyone except you could see problems lurking in the background
Left you half dead in the street but that just means you're half alive
They've left you partially dead in the road, yet it means you're yet a bit alive
And your heart's still beating
Regardless, your heart is still beating
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSH RITTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind