In 2001, at the age of 19, he launched the band The Format with his longtime best friend, Sam Means. The Format was his first musical endeavor to gain widespread attention. The Format lasted until 2008.
In 2008, Ruess started a new band with Jack Antonoff of Steel Train and Andrew Dost of Anathallo. The band was called fun.. With fun., Ruess won two Grammy Awards in 2013, including Best New Artist and Song of The Year for their hit We Are Young. fun. only released two albums before parting ways in 2014. On June 16, 2015, Ruess released his debut solo album Grand Romantic.
Ruess has also garnered success as a guest vocalist on songs by artists such as P!nk, Eminem, Emile Haynie, and Beach Boy Brian Wilson.
Ah Ha
Nate Ruess Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Left you, falling on the floor
Headed for the door
Went straight to Philidelphia
Oh no, what have I begun?
Called my mother, said I love her
Had another and another one
Where was anyone at the start of this thing?
Hold that gold up over your shoulder
All I needs a place to grieve
Oh, it’s for the best you didn’t listen
It’s for the best we get our distance (oh oh woah oh)
It’s for the best you didn’t listen
It’s for the best we get our distance
Oh lord, I feel alive
I've gone and saved my soul
If all that you read is everything you believe
Then let go, then let go, then let go
Now I’m over my head
Acting like I never started over again
I am the city I’m from
Always wanting more than just a word on my arm
Oh, I know, I can’t believe
That I'd let it get to me
Good to know I won’t become
Everything I’m afraid of
Oh, it’s for the best you didn’t listen
It’s for the best we get our distance (oh oh woah oh)
It’s for the best you didn’t listen
It’s for the best we get our distance
Oh lord, I feel alive
I've gone and saved my soul
If all that you read is everything you believe
Then let go, then let go, then let go
Mama don’t cry
I was once your little baby boy
So full of love and light
By the time I turned 25
I was lost among the pavement
Lower than the basement
And I couldn’t stand to smile
I thought of taking my own life
But mama don’t cry
I found songs among the tragic
Hung my hat on sadness
Mom, I think they’re trying to keep the grand romantic in me
Now that we got bottom lines
But mom, I think I’m ready to free this grand romantic in me
La -Di Da, La Di Da, La Di Da
Look out, look out!
Ah ha, ha-ah-ah, Ah ha, ha-ah-ah
Ah ha, ha-ah-ah, Ah ha, ha-ah-ah
Ah ha, ha-ah-ah…
Oh lord, I feel alive
I've gone and saved my soul
If all that you read is everything you believe
Then let go, then let go, then let go
Oh lord, I feel alive
I've gone and saved my soul
If all that you read is everything you believe
Then let go, then let go, then let go
Ah Ha
The song "Ah Ha" by Nate Ruess is highly introspective, reflecting on personal growth and change. In the first verse, the lyrics express a sense of confusion and failure in a relationship. The singer of the song talks about leaving and going to Philadelphia, regretting his actions and grappling with the consequences. The chorus, featuring the repetition of "It’s for the best you didn’t listen," is a restless and melodramatic response that suggests some denial and moving on from the past relationship.
The song's lyrics then become more positive as the singer finds inspiration in music, turning to music as an outlet for his emotions and feelings, and trying to find meaning in life again. The final verse is a tribute to his mother, acknowledging her support and love, especially during difficult times in his life. The whimsical bridge, "La-Di Da, La-Di Da, La-Di Da," symbolizes the beginning of a new chapter in life, a departure from negative feelings, regrets and cynicism, and the embrace of new possibilities and the joy of living.
The song has garnered critical acclaim for its emotional honesty and poignant message, and it has been described as an anthem for anyone who has lost themselves along the way, but has managed to pull themselves out of a dark time.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah ha, ha-ah-ah
A catchy intro to the song
Left you, falling on the floor
I left you in a vulnerable state
Headed for the door
I left your place
Went straight to Philidelphia
I went to Philadelphia to escape
Oh no, what have I begun?
I realized the possible consequence of my actions
Called my mother, said I love her
I reached out to my mother for comfort and support
Had another and another one
I indulged in my vices
Questions, questions, suddenly suggestions
I am overwhelmed with questions and doubt, but I have suggestions
Where was anyone at the start of this thing?
I feel a sense of isolation and am wondering why no one tried to stop me
Hold that gold up over your shoulder
I have something valuable in my possession
All I needs a place to grieve
I need a space to mourn and process my emotions
Now I’m over my head
I am in over my head and overwhelmed
Acting like I never started over again
I am pretending that I have not already had to restart my life
I am the city I’m from
I am deeply connected to the city where I grew up
Always wanting more than just a word on my arm
I have ambitious goals and aspirations
Oh, I know, I can’t believe
I am shocked by my own behavior
That I'd let it get to me
I am disappointed in myself for falling into negative patterns
Good to know I won’t become
I am relieved that I have the strength to overcome my challenges
Everything I’m afraid of
I am no longer afraid of my demons
Mama don’t cry
I am reaching out to my mother for emotional support
I was once your little baby boy
I am reminiscing on the past
So full of love and light
I was once innocent and full of joy
By the time I turned 25
I experienced a major turning point in my life
I was lost among the pavement
I got lost in the hustle and bustle of life
Lower than the basement
I hit rock bottom
And I couldn’t stand to smile
I was depressed and couldn't feel happy
I thought of taking my own life
I struggled with suicidal thoughts
But mama don’t cry
I am reassuring my mother that I am okay now
I found songs among the tragic
I discovered inspiration in the midst of tragedy
Hung my hat on sadness
I turned to sadness as a source of comfort
Mom, I think they’re trying to keep the grand romantic in me
I feel like society is discouraging my grandiose dreams and aspirations
Now that we got bottom lines
Now that we have established priorities and practical concerns
But mom, I think I’m ready to free this grand romantic in me
But I am ready to pursue my dreams and not let practicality hold me back
La -Di Da, La Di Da, La Di Da
A catchy refrain
Look out, look out!
A call to action
It’s for the best you didn’t listen
It's better you didn't heed my previous actions
It’s for the best we get our distance (oh oh woah oh)
It's best if we maintain some distance from each other
Oh lord, I feel alive
I am feeling a new sense of vitality
I've gone and saved my soul
I have saved myself from self-destructive patterns and behaviors
If all that you read is everything you believe
Don't believe everything you read, be discerning
Then let go, then let go, then let go
Let go of preconceptions and things that hold you back
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EMILE HAYNIE, NATE RUESS, JOSH KLINGHOFFER, JACK ANTONOFF, ANDREW DOST, JEFF BHASKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Liam J Foster
But momma don't cry
I was once your little baby boy
So full of love and light
By the time I turned 25
I was lost among the pavement
Lower than the basement
And I couldn't stand and smile
I thought of taking my own life
But momma don't cry
I found songs among the tragic
Hung my hat on sadness
Mom, I think they're trying to keep the grand romantic in me
Now that we've got bottom lines
But mom, I think I'm ready to free this grand romantic in me
<3 I don't know why I love these lyrics so much. It's just about being depressed and worrying about his mother worrying. Argh, it's so nice.
제주 귀덕골방
🌝🌝🌝🌝🌝🌝
🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷
Jeju speakeasy music bar at
귀덕 04.2022
song requested
Would the requestor be lucky enough
to spot this comment? Finger crossed
제주 귀덕골방에 손님이 신청해주신 음악입니다.
음악은 추억이 아닐까요
누군가에 신청곡으로 첨 듣는 음악을 듣게 되고
어디선가 그음악을 또 듣게 되면
아! 골방에서 들었던 그노래
이런 추억을 다른이에게도 만들어주셨내요
누군가 듣고싶어 신청해주신 이노래를
만들어주신 작사,작곡, 편곡자분들과 불러주신 가수분에게
정말 감사합니다.
제댓글이 많아 불편하셨다면 정말 죄송합니다.
하지만 제 댓글이 많다는건
이노래를 신청해주신 분들이 많다는거에요
그시간에 신청해주신 분이 이댓글을 보신다면
행복해 하실꺼라는걸 알거든요
그래서 신청곡이 들어올때마다 댓글을 남겨드리고 있어요
그시간에 소중한 신청곡 정말 감사합니다.
골방을 하면서 정말 모르고 있던
좋은 음악들을 많이 듣게되어 행복합니다.
22년 04월 26일 7시타임
어느 손님의 신청곡😶🌫️.
ilikeowlhats
this song literally gets better every time i listen to it
Aaron
Yes, "It Gets Better," get it?
Shrey Parmar
Yeah it's true
paul dolby
+ilikeowlhats ikr
Saifeddine Sbiaa
@ilikeowlhats same here :)
Life Cycles
0:38 Listen closely to the hidden poem.
Nate your music has POWER. Thank you!!!
For those who cant hear
(i do not know what it is about you that closes and opens;only something in me understandsthe voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody,not even the rain,has such small hands
Adrian Vanegas
The spoken word peom was used in several fun songs
Erin Thor
Do you think that small hands comment was directed at Trump? 🤣
Meeya
That’s an E. E. Cummings poem.
Shrey Parmar
👍🏻