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.
Halloween
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Head full of tricks and treats it leads me through the nighttime streets
Black cats and falling trees, under ladders always walking
Salt shaker spills just throw it over your shoulder, babe
I got a bad idea again, I got a Halloween head
Halloween head
Head full of tricks and treats, places where junkies meet
And it leads me through the streets at night
That's alright, I just watch, I don't go inside
It's all the same old shit again, I got a Halloween head
I got a Halloween head, Lord, I got a Halloween head
Guitar solo
I got a Halloween head, Lord, I got a Halloween head
I got a Halloween head, oh Lord, I got a Halloween head
Here comes that shit again, I got a Halloween head
Head full of tricks and treats it leads me through the nighttime streets
Downtown, downtown, downtown
I got a Halloween head, I got a Halloween head
Lord, I got a Halloween head
What the fuck's wrong with me God? I'm a Halloween head
The song "Halloween Head" by Ryan Adams is a melancholic tune that showcases the singer's addiction struggles. In the opening lines, the singer refers to his Halloween head, which is essentially his addiction to drugs and his obsession with Halloween. He describes how this addiction leads him through the nighttime streets, where he encounters black cats, falling trees, and ladders, which are all considered to be bad omens. However, despite knowing the consequences of his actions, the singer can't resist his urges, which is reflected in the lines "It's all the same old shit again, I got a Halloween head."
Throughout the song, Ryan Adams gives listeners a glimpse into his troubled mind and how Halloween, which is traditionally a holiday of fun and excitement, triggers his addiction. By referring to his head as a Halloween head, he seems to be acknowledging that his addiction and his love for Halloween are intertwined, and his obsession with the holiday brings back difficult memories and feelings.
In the end, the singer begs God to help him, asking, "What the fuck's wrong with me God? I'm a Halloween head." This line showcases the singer's desperation and his inability to overcome his addiction, no matter how much he wants to.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes that shit again, I got a Halloween head
I am approaching Halloween again and my mind is consumed with the holiday
Head full of tricks and treats it leads me through the nighttime streets
My mind is filled with associations of games, jokes, and sweets which guide my evening walks
Black cats and falling trees, under ladders always walking
I am not afraid of misfortunes symbolized by black cats, falling trees, and ladders
Salt shaker spills just throw it over your shoulder, babe
If I mistakenly spill salt which supposedly brings bad luck, I am not concerned as I will simply throw some over my shoulder
Head full of candy bags, costume shops and punks in drag
My head is full of associations with Halloween items such as bags of candy, shops to buy costumes and makeup, and people who cross-dress for Halloween festivities
Head full of tricks and treats, places where junkies meet
My mind is filled with thoughts of Halloween related fun as well as darker associations like places where drug users gather
And it leads me through the streets at night
My thoughts guide me through the streets when darkness falls
That's alright, I just watch, I don't go inside
I am content with observing Halloween-related events from afar and do not feel compelled to fully immerse myself
It's all the same old shit again, I got a Halloween head
My mind is caught up in the same Halloween-related thoughts and feelings that I experience every year
Guitar solo
Instrumental break in the song
Here comes that shit again, I got a Halloween head
I am once again approaching Halloween and am preoccupied with the holiday
Downtown, downtown, downtown
I am in the city center of town
I got a Halloween head, I got a Halloween head
I am consumed with Halloween-related feelings and thoughts
Lord, I got a Halloween head
Expression of being overpowered by the grip of Halloween-related associations
What the fuck's wrong with me God? I'm a Halloween head
I feel as though I am unduly obsessed with Halloween and wonder why I am this way
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nate Mekis
Heart stops beating, all the words worth repeating
She is dancing but not singing, is it maybe that she doesn't know the words?
She's dressed up, but don't worry, she's got friends
Snowflake eating, she is mildly self-defeating
And the secrets that she's keeping they are really only dangerous to her
Ships ain't sinking
We are here to help you sing your songs
We are here to help you sing your songs
Because tomorrow comes and no one calls
She stops grinning when the room it starts spinning
She is losing all her winnings, she's angry but it's just the alcohol
She's all fucked right up, it's okay, man, she's got friends
'Cause we are here to help her sing her songs
We are here to help her sing her songs
Because tomorrow's gonna come
Tomorrow's gonna come, and no one's gonna call
This isn't Christmas, this is Chinatown and those are pretty lights
Just use some more and put 'em on your make-up dolls
A painting on the underneath that never smiles on the scene
Is just like Christmas if it was Halloween
Someone taught her it's okay to be a martyr
Like an educated angel, be a rat, you know in all the things you love,
Well okay
Priceless pictures, she's collected iceless fixtures that is freezing from the people
She's chosen out to help her through it all
Whatever
We are here to help you sing your songs
We are here to help you sing your songs
We are here to help you sing your songs
Because tomorrow's gonna come
Tomorrow's gonna come, and no one's gonna call
DrewG
What an amazing song
Joe Left
<3 oh fuck this brings me back
C Ramirez
Halloween > Halloween head
Tim L
Name a better song. I dare you…