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 Head
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a Halloween head
Head full of tricks and treats
It leads me through the nighttime streets
Black cats and fallen trees
Under ladders, always walkin'
Salt shaker spills, just throw it over your shoulder, babe
I got a Halloweenhead
Halloweenhead
Head full of candy bags
costume shops and punks in drag
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 Halloweenhead
I got a Halloweenhead
Lord, I got a Halloween head
Guitar solo!
I got a Halloweenhead
Lord, I got a Halloweenhead
I got a Halloweenhead
Oh Lord, I got a Halloweenhead
Here comes that shit again
I got a Halloweenhead
Head full of tricks and treats
It leads me through the nighttime streets
Downtown, downtown, downtown
I got a Halloweenhead
I got a Halloweenhead
Lord, I got a Halloweenhead
What the fuck's wrong with me?
God, I'm a Halloween head
The song "Halloween Head" by Ryan Adams is a melancholic reflection on the singer's own state of mind. The title, "Halloween Head," is used metaphorically to describe a restless and chaotic state of mind. The opening line, "Here comes that shit again," sets the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing frustration and the feeling of being stuck in a cycle. Adams describes his "head full of tricks and treats," which is a metaphor for a mind that is preoccupied with both good and bad memories, fantasies, and desires. He explains how this state of mind guides him through the nocturnal world, a place where he seems to fit in perfectly. The lyrics describe dark images such as black cats, fallen trees, and ladders, which evoke superstitions.
The singer then moves on to describe the various stimuli that his "Halloween Head" is drawn to, such as costume shops, candy bags, and junkies. He emphasizes that he doesn't go inside these places, but he just watches them from outside. The song's chorus, "Lord, I got a Halloween head," emphasizes the singer's desperation and exasperation with the chaotic and restless state he is in.
Overall, "Halloween Head" is a chilling and powerful song that succeeds in painting a vivid image of a tortured mind. It is a melancholic exploration of one's self, one's thoughts, and the dark corners of the human psyche.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes that shit again
The singer is experiencing Halloween and all its associated imagery and activities again.
I got a Halloween head
The singer is fully immersed in the spirit of Halloween and all its traditions.
Head full of tricks and treats
The singer's mind is consumed with thoughts of Halloween-themed pranks and indulgences.
It leads me through the nighttime streets
The artist's obsession with Halloween directs their path as they wander through the dark streets.
Black cats and fallen trees
The artist encounters traditional Halloween symbols that further evoke the holiday's mood and atmosphere.
Under ladders, always walkin'
The singer purposely disregards superstitions associated with bad luck in order to create an edgier Halloween experience.
Salt shaker spills, just throw it over your shoulder, babe
The singer disregards another superstition with a lighthearted attitude, showing their carefree approach to the holiday.
I got a bad idea again
The artist is filled with mischief as they hatch yet another elaborate Halloween prank.
Head full of candy bags
The artist has a strong desire for Halloween candy and the sweet indulgence it represents.
costume shops and punks in drag
The artist is drawn to the alternative, subversive aspects of Halloween, such as punk-inspired costumes and gender-bending dress-up.
Places where junkies meet
The singer is drawn to the counterculture, outsider elements of Halloween that attract people living on the edges of society.
And it leads me through the streets at night
The artist follows the pull of Halloween out into the city streets despite any potential danger or risks involved.
That's alright I just watch, I don't go inside
The singer avoids fully embracing the seedier aspects of Halloween and instead observes from the sidelines.
It's all the same old shit again
Despite the singer's lust for the festivities of Halloween, they recognize that this cycle of celebration is nothing new or groundbreaking.
Lord, I got a Halloweenhead
The singer's fixation on Halloween is pervasive and all-encompassing, as though it has taken over their entire identity.
Guitar solo!
Musical interlude.
Downtown, downtown, downtown
The artist continues to wander through the city, immersed in Halloween's spell and enjoying the spirit of the holiday.
I got a Halloween head
Reiteration of the singer's full embrace of Halloween's culture and traditions.
What the fuck's wrong with me?
Despite the singer's enjoyment of Halloween, they express a sense of self-awareness about how this holiday may be perceived by others or how it may affect their behavior.
God, I'm a Halloween head
The artist fully acknowledges and embraces their love of Halloween and its associated themes and activities.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@natemekis3959
Here comes that shit again
I got a Halloween head
Head full of tricks and treats
It leads me through the nighttime streets
Black cats and fallen trees
Under ladders, always walkin'
Salt shaker spills, just throw it over your shoulder, babe
I got a bad idea again
I got a Halloweenhead
Halloweenhead
Head full of candy bags
costume shops and punks in drag
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 Halloweenhead
I got a Halloweenhead
Lord, I got a Halloween head
Guitar solo!
I got a Halloweenhead
Lord, I got a Halloweenhead
I got a Halloweenhead
Oh Lord, I got a Halloweenhead
Here comes that shit again
I got a Halloweenhead
Head full of tricks and treats
It leads me through the nighttime streets
Downtown, downtown, downtown
I got a Halloweenhead
I got a Halloweenhead
Lord, I got a Halloweenhead
What the fuck's wrong with me?
God, I'm a Halloween head
@ugasdf
Ryan is the only songwriter who has written atleast 100 songs that have been my favorite song at one time or another
@nickmcandrew5427
Ryan is the only guy who can call out his own guitar solo!
@davidbyerly9846
CC Deville does it too live 😂
@Fyrmer
Justin Hawkins begs to differ.
@guineveregruntle6746
Neal Casal on the solo
@kennethward4985
Gimme a beer !
@lakesidelinedance
I cant believe how amazing this is.
@TheHawkdaddy
I love this song.
@natemekis3959
Here comes that shit again
I got a Halloween head
Head full of tricks and treats
It leads me through the nighttime streets
Black cats and fallen trees
Under ladders, always walkin'
Salt shaker spills, just throw it over your shoulder, babe
I got a bad idea again
I got a Halloweenhead
Halloweenhead
Head full of candy bags
costume shops and punks in drag
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 Halloweenhead
I got a Halloweenhead
Lord, I got a Halloween head
Guitar solo!
I got a Halloweenhead
Lord, I got a Halloweenhead
I got a Halloweenhead
Oh Lord, I got a Halloweenhead
Here comes that shit again
I got a Halloweenhead
Head full of tricks and treats
It leads me through the nighttime streets
Downtown, downtown, downtown
I got a Halloweenhead
I got a Halloweenhead
Lord, I got a Halloweenhead
What the fuck's wrong with me?
God, I'm a Halloween head
@michellestrahler8883
Love this Halloween 🎃 Disco:)