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.
Always the Same
Ryan Adams Lyrics
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Go on to the bus that left us in the dust and the flames
And when the son meets the father
It'll be something smarter for the pain
But you will always be the same
You will always be the same
Go on little girl, feet twirl, go and make him smile
And when the son meets the dad
It'll be pretty bad for the pain
But you'll always be the same
You will always be the same
You will always be the same
Go on to the ones with the smoking guns in the heat
Go on to the wars we won, they came home, they made up
And when the father meets the son,
And the blood makes us better than the gain
You will always be the same
Ryan Adams's song "Always the Same" is a poignant reflection on the cyclical nature of life, emphasizing the inevitability of change and the constancy of human behavior. The opening lines of the song describe a rainy day, with people boarding buses and cars, each one heading off to different destinations. The chorus offers a solemn reminder that no matter where life takes us, we will always remain the same at our core.
The song's message is reinforced by the use of repeated imagery throughout the verses. Adams sings about the passage of time (represented by the "rumbling drums" of an ongoing march), the persistence of conflict (referred to by the "smoking guns" of combat veterans who return home to reconcile with their past), and the ties that bind us to our family and loved ones (captured by the repeated references to fathers and sons). Yet despite all these changes, the singer reminds us that we will always be ourselves. It's a bittersweet message, suggesting that while we can grow and change over time, we can never truly escape who we are.
Overall, "Always the Same" is a thought-provoking meditation on the human experience, infused with Adams's signature blend of introspection and melancholy. By tapping into enduring themes like family, time, and the inevitability of change, Adams offers a relatable perspective on the human condition that is both timeless and deeply personal.
Line by Line Meaning
Go on to the street to the cars in the pouring rain
Continue to move forward even when life is difficult and the obstacles are many.
Go on to the bus that left us in the dust and the flames
Move forward despite failure or setbacks, knowing that they are not the end of the road.
And when the son meets the father
The meeting of the old and the new, the past and the present.
It'll be something smarter for the pain
Wisdom can be acquired from even the most painful of experiences.
But you will always be the same
Despite change and growth, one's true character remains constant.
Go on little girl, feet twirl, go and make him smile
Keep moving forward with a positive attitude and do what brings joy to others.
Go on like the rumbling drums of the march of time
Continue to move forward in the face of the inevitable passage of time.
And when the son meets the dad
Again, the meeting of old and new.
It'll be pretty bad for the pain
The meeting may be difficult or painful, but growth often comes from discomfort.
But you'll always be the same
Despite growth and change, one's true nature remains constant.
Go on to the ones with the smoking guns in the heat
Continue to face challenges, even in the heat of the moment when the stakes are high.
Go on to the wars we won, they came home, they made up
Even in the aftermath of conflict, people can learn from their experiences and come together.
And when the father meets the son,
Old meeting new once again.
And the blood makes us better than the gain
Even though conflict can tear us apart, it can also bring us together and make us stronger.
You will always be the same
Despite all of life's changes and challenges, our true selves remain.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind