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.
California
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lock me up and leave me to die
New York City is yours, babe
Los Angeles is all mine
Keep me in your fortress of tears
Keep me in your locket and cry
New York City is yours, gal
Hollywood, La Brea and Vine is all mine
Take me into your arms, gal
Kiss me and tell me no lies
New York City is always
California's only sometimes
Ryan Adams's song California is a heartfelt piece that discusses the duality in a relationship. The lyrics are written in second person, addressing a lover who represents New York City, while the singer represents California. In the opening lines, the singer asks to be locked up in his lover's heart, indicating his longing and attachment to her. However, he later asks to be left to die, revealing the inner turmoil that arises from loving someone who may not reciprocate the same level of attachment. The lines "Keep me in your fortress of tears, Keep me in your locket and cry" further emphasize the emotional and physical attachment the singer has to his lover.
The chorus has an interesting juxtaposition of the two cities that are symbolic of the lovers. While New York City represents the lover, California symbolizes the singer. The chorus speaks about who owns which city. New York City belongs to the lover, while California is the singer's own. However, the chorus ends on a bittersweet note, with the singer acknowledging that California is only sometimes his, whereas New York City will always belong to the lover.
This song is a powerful representation of a relationship in flux. It highlights the power dynamics that exist between partners and the inherent hopelessness that can come with unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
Lock me up in your heart, babe
Keep me close to you and never let me go
Lock me up and leave me to die
Don't let me escape your love, even if it means I'm trapped forever
New York City is yours, babe
You have a hold on the city, it's yours to claim
Los Angeles is all mine
I have a special connection to LA, it belongs to me
Keep me in your fortress of tears
Hold me in your protective embrace, through your emotional outpourings
Keep me in your locket and cry
Keep my image close to you and shed a few tears for our love
New York City is yours, gal
You have a way of owning the city, it's yours to rule
Hollywood, La Brea and Vine is all mine
I have a special attachment to these places, they belong to me
Take me into your arms, gal
Hold me tightly, show me your affection and love
Kiss me and tell me no lies
Be honest with me and show me your pure affection through your actions
New York City is always
The city has its own life and energy, it's always buzzing with activity
California's only sometimes
California has its own vibe, but it's not always as lively as New York
Contributed by Audrey I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TheAliosha123
Beauty