Adams dropped out of high school at age 16 to work in a shoe shop and make music. He formed a band named Whiskeytown in 1994; they disbanded in 1999 having released two full albums, Faithless Street and Strangers Almanac. Adams went on to put out his first solo record, Heartbreaker, in 2000. After a long delay, in 2001 Whiskeytown's third album Pneumonia was finally issued.
In 2002, Ryan contributed backing vocals on Butterfly in Reverse, from the Counting Crows album, Hard Candy; after Adam Duritz (Counting Crows lead singer) appeared on the album Gold.
Ryan is highly prolific, and in 2005 released one double album and two regular albums: Cold Roses, Jacksonville City Nights and 29, respectively. His album, 29, was produced by friend Ethan Johns (who also produced his first two albums, Heartbreaker and Gold). In between those two releases and his 2005 triple-header, Ryan released Demolition (a collection of out-takes), Love Is Hell and Rock N Roll. Unreleased studio albums include 48 Hours, Exile On Franklin Street and Suicide Handbook.
In addition, Adams worked with Jesse Malin to form the punk-rock group The Finger (under the pseudonyms, "Warren Peace" and "Irving Plaza" respectively), who released two E.P.s which were collected together to form We Are Fuck You, released on One Little Indian Records in 2003.
In 2006 Ryan went on a minor UK-tour and a minor US-tour along the west-coast and has streamed 11+ mini albums on his website, under numerous jokey pseudonyms (DJ Reggie, Werewolph, The Shit, Rhoda Ro, Ghetto Birds).
The following solo record, entitled Easy Tiger, was released on June 26, 2007. The newest and last record with his backing band The Cardinals, Cardinology, was released in October 2008 and followed by extensive touring through the UK, US and Australia.
In January 2009 he announced that he would be going on an indefinite hiatus from music. The Kindness Songfacts reports that the major reason for Adams’ temporary retirement was his struggles with Ménière’s disease, a disorder of the inner ear that wrecks havoc on hearing and balance. Adams resumed performing in October 2010, and released his thirteenth studio album, Ashes & Fire, on October 11, 2011. His now ex-wife, pop singer and actress Mandy Moore, contributed some backing vocals.
09 My Winding Wheel
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah I'm talking to you
I want to see her
Precious little thing
With eyes that dance around without their clothes
So buy a pretty dress
Wear it out tonight
Or better still be my winding wheel
'Cause I feel just like a map
Without a single place to go of interest
And I'm further north than south
If I could shut my mouth she'd probably like this
So buy a pretty dress
Wear it out tonight
For all the boys you think could out do me
Or better still be my winding wheel
Be my winding wheel
Well the children laugh and sing
A song that ushers in her driving rain
And I'm standing in the station like some old record waiting on a train
So buy a pretty dress
Wear it out tonight
For anyone you think could out do me
Or better still be my winding wheel
Be my winding wheel
Be my winding wheel
The lyrics to Ryan Adams's song My Winding Wheel tell the story of a man who is hopelessly in love with a woman who he describes as a "precious little thing" with eyes that "dance around without their clothes." He wants to see her and be with her, but he feels lost and without direction. He describes himself as feeling like a "map without a single place to go of interest" and he's "further north than south."
The man is aware of his shortcomings and suggests that if he could just "shut my mouth," she might like him more. He asks her to "buy a pretty dress" and wear it out tonight, "for all the boys you think could out do me," but adds the hopeful request that she could be his "winding wheel," which is a metaphor for someone who can guide and give direction.
The song paints a picture of yearning, uncertainty, and vulnerability, as the man pleads with this woman to be his anchor and to help him find his way. The lyrics are beautifully crafted and evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing that is both poignant and relatable.
Line by Line Meaning
Well nighttime let her through
The singer is addressing someone, mentioning that nighttime has come and the person knows who they're talking about.
Yeah I'm talking to you
The singer confirms who they're addressing and wants to see someone they find precious.
I want to see her
The singer desires to see the person they have been talking about.
Precious little thing
The artist is referring to the person they want to see as someone special and valuable.
With eyes that dance around without their clothes
The person the artist is talking about has playful, expressive eyes, and there is a hint of sexual attraction.
So buy a pretty dress
The singer is advising the person they're addressing to buy an attractive dress.
Wear it out tonight
The singer suggests that the person wear the dress for a night out.
For anyone you think could outdo me
The artist is questioning the person's loyalty by suggesting that they might try to find someone better than the artist.
Or better still be my winding wheel
The artist wants the person to be with them and to help them find direction in their life.
'Cause I feel just like a map
The artist feels lost, without a sense of direction, just like a map that has no clear destination.
Without a single place to go of interest
The singer doesn't have any interesting places to visit or things to do, making them feel dull and bored.
And I'm further north than south
The artist feels like they've gone the wrong way and are farther from where they want to be.
If I could shut my mouth she'd probably like this
The singer thinks that if they were less talkative, the person they're addressing would like them more.
For all the boys you think could outdo me
The singer is referring to their insecurity about the person leaving them for someone else.
Well the children laugh and sing
The singer is describing a scene where children are happily singing in the rain.
A song that ushers in her driving rain
The artist thinks the song is an intro to the rain, and the person they want to see will make an appearance soon.
And I'm standing in the station like some old record waiting on a train
The artist is standing idly like an old, forgotten record on a shelf, waiting for something to happen.
Be my winding wheel
The singer repeats their desire for the person to help guide them and be their direction in life.
Be my winding wheel
The singer repeats their request for the person to be with them and help them find their way.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind