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.
FIX IT
Ryan Adams Lyrics
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These years of learning and the hard way by the lessons from the tears
I know it's not a game
But it feels like losing when someone you love throws you away
I'd fix it
I'd fix it
I'd fix it
And I'd always win
I'd always win
So you can always win the in end
How easy was it for you making those plans you made?
Before I became someone for you you know to try to dislocate
Oh, I know it's not a game
But it feels like losing when someone you love throws you away
I'd fix it
I'd fix it
I'd fix it
I'd fix it if I could
And I'd always win
I'd always win
And you would always lose
Look what I did to you
Look what you did to me
Fixed it
I'd fix it, I'd fix it if I could
And I'd always win
And I'd always win
I'd always win in the end
In this song, Ryan Adams is expressing his grief over a lost love. The opening lines question why people sometimes choose to walk away from relationships after investing years of effort, learning from the mistakes and tears along the way. Although Adams acknowledges that love is not a game, he still feels a sense of losing when someone he loves throws him away. He yearns to fix things, to always win, but the reality of the situation is that the love is lost and cannot be regained.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase 'I'd fix it' four times, emphasizing Adams' desire to mend the relationship. He feels confident that if given the chance, he would always win and restore the relationship to its former glory. However, in the bridge, Adams recognizes that things may not always be so simple. He questions the ease with which his former lover was able to make plans to leave, implying that perhaps the relationship was not as strong as he believed. In the end, Adams realizes that although love is not a game, someone always wins and someone always loses.
Line by Line Meaning
What makes them walk away, after all these years?
What causes people to leave a relationship after investing so much time and effort into it?
These years of learning and the hard way by the lessons from the tears
The ups and downs of a relationship teach valuable lessons, often through emotional pain.
I know it's not a game
Love and relationships are serious matters that should not be taken lightly.
But it feels like losing when someone you love throws you away
Being rejected by someone you care deeply about is devastating and can feel like a personal failure.
I'd fix it
I wish I could repair the damage done to our relationship.
And I'd always win
If given the chance to fix things, I am confident I could do it successfully.
So you can always win the in end
By working together and being willing to forgive, a relationship can ultimately be saved and both people can benefit.
How easy was it for you making those plans you made?
Did you make promises and future plans without seriously considering the other person's feelings or willingness to participate?
Before I became someone for you you know to try to dislocate
Did you feel the need to distance yourself from me once I became more invested in the relationship?
And you would always lose
If given the chance to fix things, I would be the one who ultimately comes out on top.
Look what I did to you
I acknowledge my role in damaging the relationship through my actions or words.
Look what you did to me
I also recognize the hurt that I experienced as a result of your actions or decisions.
I'd fix it, I'd fix it if I could
Despite the damage done, I am still motivated and committed to repairing the relationship if possible.
And I'd always win
Again, I am confident in my ability to make things right and come out on top in the end.
I'd always win in the end
Ultimately, I believe that through communication, effort, and forgiveness, a relationship can be restored and both parties can come out as winners.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind