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.
Death And Rats
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's terrifying, it's coming up, I'm going down
Down into the streets that got me here
It's blinding, blinding light, it's not supposed to rain today
I see it now, it was just moving too fast
I see it now like a reflection in my past
Rivers of poison that surround us
And you, and those blinding lights
Yeah you and those blinding lights
I just want to sleep why is it never over
The day before keeps running through my head I need the
Downs in the street, it's awe inspiring,
The strangers passing, nobody stops to say goodbye
I see it now, it was just moving too fast
I see it now like a reflection in my past
Rivers of poison that surround us
On an island full of death and rats, subways and taxicabs,
All night bars, and mistakes you know I made before
Days and nights, endless, overripe, buses and traffic lights
And tourists with subway maps and
You and those blinding lights
Yeah you and those blinding lights
Yeah you and those blinding lights
Yeah you and those blinding lights
Shining on the death and rats
In "Death And Rats," Ryan Adams explores the overwhelming nature of city life and the constant struggle to find peace and escape in the midst of chaos. The lyrics reflect a sense of unease and almost fear in the face of the blinding lights that symbolize the fast-paced, relentless energy of the city. The singer is caught between the opposing forces of light and darkness, of beauty and poison.
The first verse sets the tone, with the singer questioning why the sight of light is terrifying. The blinding light represents the harsh reality and the overwhelming experiences that come with living in a city. There is a sense of going against the flow, as the singer feels like they are going down while the light is coming up. The streets are described as the origin of the singer's current situation, suggesting a sense of entrapment or being trapped in a cycle.
The second verse further explores the toxic and destructive aspects of urban life. The imagery of rivers of poison surrounding on an island full of death and rats evokes a sense of decay and desperation. The subways, taxicabs, all-night bars, and mistakes made before emphasize the repetitive and destructive nature of the city experience.
The chorus, with its repetition of "you and those blinding lights," suggests that the singer finds themselves drawn to someone or something that embodies the intense energy and chaos of the city. It could be interpreted as both an attraction and a sense of being overwhelmed by this person or situation.
Overall, "Death And Rats" portrays the complexities of city life, the struggles to find solace, and the constant push and pull between the allure and the harshness of urban environments.
Line by Line Meaning
When I see the light why is it terrifying,
When I catch a glimpse of hope or clarity, why does it fill me with fear and apprehension?
It's terrifying, it's coming up, I'm going down
The prospect of this light or clarity approaching is frightening, as I feel myself sinking deeper into despair and darkness.
Down into the streets that got me here
Descending into the very same streets and circumstances that lead to my current state of despair.
It's blinding, blinding light, it's not supposed to rain today
This blinding light represents a sudden burst of clarity or realization that is unexpected and contrasts with the gloomy atmosphere around me.
I see it now, it was just moving too fast
I understand now that the revelations or insights were happening too quickly for me to fully grasp or absorb.
I see it now like a reflection in my past
I can now perceive these insights as a reflection of my past experiences and mistakes.
Rivers of poison that surround us
There are toxic influences and negative forces that envelop and surround us.
On an island full of death and rats, subways and taxicabs
In a desolate and grim environment, amidst death, despair, and the daily grind of city life.
And you, and those blinding lights
And you, with your captivating presence and profound insights
I just want to sleep why is it never over
All I desire is to find peace and escape from this relentless cycle of despair, but it never seems to end.
The day before keeps running through my head I need the
I cannot stop obsessing over the events and mistakes of the previous day, and I yearn for
Downs in the street, it's awe inspiring
The moments of vulnerability and hardship in the streets are actually awe-inspiring and humbling.
The strangers passing, nobody stops to say goodbye
As people walk by, no one pauses to bid farewell or acknowledge the passing moments.
All night bars, and mistakes you know I made before
Nighttime bars symbolize places of escape and indulgence, where I repeat the same mistakes I've made in the past.
Days and nights, endless, overripe, buses and traffic lights
The passing of time feels perpetually stagnant and dreary, with an abundance of mundane routines represented by buses and traffic lights.
And tourists with subway maps and
Meanwhile, tourists navigate the city with their subway maps, oblivious to the underlying darkness and struggles.
You and those blinding lights
You, along with your captivating presence and profound insights
Shining on the death and rats
Your radiant light illuminates the reality of death and decay that surrounds us all
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind