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.
Follow The Lights
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's like you're just dreaming of busting someone else
Hands they hold a candle to the pages
These days they go so fast
These days are ours
[Chorus]
Follow the lights that line the streets
Follow the lights from house to house
And they will lead you home
They will lead you home
Cause there was never anywhere to go
There was never anywhere to go
But home
If every second year is true
Our love is strong enough to guide the way we walk through
Hands inside of hands
Hearts inside of hearts
Like eyes closed
Side by side and through
[Chorus]
If everything we are is true
Our memories are attics in those houses on the hill
Our love is there above us holding everything so still
And we are always here
Yes we are always here
So follow the lights that line the streets
connecting telephones
Follow the lights from house to house
And they will lead you home
They will lead you home
Cause there was never anywhere to go
There was never anywhere to go
There was never anywhere to go
But home, home
In Ryan Adams’s “Follow The Lights,” the singer is reflecting on the fleeting moments of life and the realization that there is no better place in the world than home. The opening lines suggest that even though time is moving quickly, it’s easy to become lost in one’s own thoughts and forget that our lives are connected to other people. The candle and pages mentioned in the second line serve as a symbol for the passage of time, and how easy it is to let it slip away without realizing.
The chorus encourages us to follow the lights that lead us home, whether it be the streetlights on a sidewalk or the welcoming lights of a friend’s house. Adams suggests that home is not just a physical location but a feeling of being safe and comfortable in the presence of loved ones. The repetition of “there was never anywhere to go but home” emphasizes the importance of having a place where you belong.
Line by Line Meaning
These very moments as they pass
The present moment is fleeting and we should cherish it while it lasts
It's like you're just dreaming of busting someone else
Sometimes we get caught up in our own thoughts and desires and forget about others
Hands they hold a candle to the pages
Our actions can shed light on the things we say and the emotions we feel
These days they go so fast
Time seems to be passing quicker than ever and we must make the most of it
These days are ours
We are in control of our own lives and must take responsibility for our choices
Follow the lights that line the streets connecting telephones
In life, there are many paths to take, and sometimes we must follow the guidance of others
Follow the lights from house to house
We should not be afraid to seek out new experiences and opportunities
And they will lead you home
If we stay true to ourselves and our values, we will always find our way back to where we belong
Cause there was never anywhere to go
No matter where we go in life, we will always carry a piece of our home with us
If every second year is true
If we remain committed to each other, our relationship will stand the test of time
Our love is strong enough to guide the way we walk through
Love can be a guiding force that helps us navigate the ups and downs of life
Hands inside of hands, hearts inside of hearts, like eyes closed
Intimacy can bring us closer together and help us see things from a different perspective
Side by side and through
We can face any obstacle together, as long as we support each other
If everything we are is true
If we are honest and authentic with ourselves and others, we will find fulfillment and happiness
Our memories are attics in those houses on the hill
We can find comfort and nostalgia in the memories we have created over time
Our love is there above us holding everything so still
Even when things seem chaotic or uncertain, the love we share can provide a sense of calm and stability
And we are always here, yes we are always here
No matter what happens in life, we will always have each other's support and love
So follow the lights that line the streets connecting telephones
Sometimes, we must listen to the guidance of others to find our way in life
Follow the lights from house to house
We should be open to new experiences and opportunities
And they will lead you home
As long as we stay true to ourselves and our values, we will always find our way back to where we belong
Cause there was never anywhere to go, there was never anywhere to go but home, home
No matter where we go in life or how far we wander, home is always where the heart is
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind