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.
Grand Romantic
Nate Ruess Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I, I just wanted you so bad
I don't know where I'm going
I don't know who to trust anymore
One thing's for sure: that I can't fall asleep without you next to me, babe
Mmm, I'm a mess
Hey, I, hey, I
You know I wanted you bad, baby
Hey
And I, I just wanted you so bad
Hey, hey
I, I just wanted you so bad
Hey, hey
I, you know I wanted you so bad
You know I want you so bad, bad, bad, bad
Bad, bad, bad
Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, hey
Step right up for the grand romantic
Always tragic broken bones
Step right up, it's the grand romantic
Karma, leave these kids alone
Step right up for the grand romantic
Always tragic broken bones
Step right up, it's the grand romantic
Karma, leave these kids alone
I don't wanna live as the grand romantic
Grand romantic anymore
I don't wanna live as the grand romantic
Grand romantic anymore
The lyrics of Nate Ruess’s Grand Romantic express a strong desire for someone that the singer cannot have. The repetition of “I just wanted you so bad” conveys a deep longing that intensifies throughout the song. The singer is lost and uncertain of their future, but the one thing they are sure of is that they cannot sleep without their love interest beside them. The phrase “I’m a mess” highlights the singer’s vulnerability and desperation for this person.
The song takes a turn with the chorus as it introduces the idea of the “grand romantic”. The singer seems to be calling out to someone, urging them to “Step right up” and be a part of this unconventional way of living and loving. However, the repetition of “Always tragic broken bones” suggests that this is not a sustainable lifestyle and that the singer is tired of living in this way. The line “Karma, leave these kids alone” further emphasizes this point and implies that the singer has faced consequences for their actions and wants to escape this cycle.
The repeated refrain of “I don’t wanna live as the grand romantic anymore” is a plea for change and a desire to break free from the toxic pattern of chasing after someone they can never have. The song ends on a note of resolution and self-awareness, indicating that the singer is ready to move on and find happiness outside of this unhealthy and consuming desire.
Line by Line Meaning
And I, I just wanted you so bad
The person singing the song desired the person they were singing to very strongly.
I don't know where I'm going
The singer feels lost or unsure of their direction in life.
I don't know who to trust anymore
The singer has been let down too many times and is having a hard time trusting others.
One thing's for sure: that I can't fall asleep without you next to me, babe
The person singing the song cannot sleep without the person they are singing to beside them.
Mmm, I'm a mess
The singer is feeling overwhelmed, possibly due to their feelings for the person they are singing to.
Hey, I, hey, I
The singer is emphasizing that they are the one speaking and they want the listener's attention.
You know I wanted you bad, baby
The singer is reiterating their strong desire for the person they're singing to.
Step right up for the grand romantic. Always tragic broken bones. Step right up, it's the grand romantic. Karma, leave these kids alone.
The singer is promoting their image as a grand romantic while acknowledging that this image can lead to tragedy and heartbreak. They are also asking the universe or fate to not punish them for their romantic desires and actions.
I don't wanna live as the grand romantic. Grand romantic anymore.
The singer is expressing a desire to move on from their previous image as a grand romantic, likely due to the pain it has caused them.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEFF BHASKER, JAMES GADSON, NATE RUESS, EMILE HAYNIE, ANDREW SARLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@storiesofunheard
SOME NIGHTS, ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS are looking up for STARS in the sky,
wishing that there is someone who can
LIGHT A ROMAN CANDLE WITH THEM.
when THE GAMBLER says that he was OUT ON THE TOWN,
WALKING HIS DOG under the SIGHT OF THE SUN,
He sings WE ARE YOUNG under the BARLIGHTS and
keeps saying to the lonesome guy who're ALL ALONE that time,
"its ALL ALRIGHT dude, CARRY ON all your problems and sorrows,
TAKE YOUR TIME to COME HOME. IT GETS BETTER soon."
The lonesome guy put his ONE FOOT in front of the table, and said,
WHY AM I THE ONE? then the gambler response,
I WANNA BE THE ONE who you believe, just BELIEVE IN ME.
and the lonesome guy stand and shouts,
AT LEAST I'M NOT AS SAD AS I USED TO BE! then he smiles,
and ask the gambler, "who are you?"
the gambler says, I am BENSON HEDGES,
and all i wanted to do all my life is to have FUN.
@Carlo-zk2cy
One of the few albums that you could play and not skip any songs.
@swell_gal
I really like Nate Ruess and all the songs he writes and performs.
He should be more out in the media. He is so talented!
I think he is one of the best composer/performer of our days.
@jejeboy6502
Nate please come back we mis you (:
@sangwoosbat9132
Come back... Come BACK Nate Come BACK Fun! We miss you, so much😭
@Eyesight2
I really really really want to see this album as a Broadway show.
@chandacaston
Yessss!!!! That would be so awesome!!
@selincoktin7361
Eyesight2 Well, its a short-movie now but Broadway would be soooo much better
@High0nLullabies
I'd like his entire career: The Format, FUN., Nate Ruess, as a broadway musical. It's been happening in my head since the format days...
@catherinesarno9941
Nate Ruess: The Musical XD
@bbokay2585
Eyesight2
Oh my god yes