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.
I Don
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't nobody that can tell us we're wrong
Help me say, say this to you
I'll be by your side, see you through
I promise you that I will keep you safe from harm
Love you all the rest of my days
When the night is silent and we seem so far away
I was lost, I was lost
Tried to find the balance, got caught up in the cost
Let it go, when I met you
All the clouds parted, all that light came shining through
I promise you I will keep you safe from harm
And love you all the rest of my days
When the night is silent and we seem so far away
Oh I love you and I don't know what to say
I promise you that I will keep you safe from harm
And love you all the rest of my days
When the night is silent and we seem so far away
Oh I love you and I don't know what to say
Oh I love you and I don't know what to say
In Ryan Adams's song "You Don't Know Me," he expresses his love for a person who has brought balance, clarity, and light into his life. The lyrics are very intimate and passionate, with Adams outlining his commitment to keep this person safe from harm and to love them for the rest of his days. The chorus expresses his uncertainty about how to fully convey the depth of his feelings, with the repeated line "Oh I love you but I don't know what to say."
The first verse conveys a sense of belonging and defiance against those who might challenge their relationship, with the line "Ain't nobody that can tell us we're wrong." The second verse reveals that Adams was once lost and struggling, but he found salvation through this person. The line "All the clouds parted, all that light came shining through" suggests that his love for this person brought him a sense of clarity and brightness.
Overall, "You Don't Know Me" is a powerful love song that speaks to the depths of human connection and commitment. Adams's lyrics are clear and heartfelt, expressing a deep sense of devotion and gratitude for the person who has brought light and love into his life.
Line by Line Meaning
We belong here, we belong here
We are meant to be together and nothing can change that
Ain't nobody that can tell us we're wrong
No one has the authority to judge or interfere in our relationship
Help me say, say this to you
Assist me in expressing my feelings to you
I'll be by your side, see you through
I'll always be present to support and guide you
I promise you that I will keep you safe from harm
I vow to protect you and keep you out of danger
Love you all the rest of my days
My love for you is eternal, I will cherish you forever
When the night is silent and we seem so far away
During times of distance and loneliness, our love remains strong
Oh I love you but I don't know what to say
I struggle to find the words to express the depth of my affection for you
I was lost, I was lost
I was uncertain and lacked direction in life
Tried to find the balance, got caught up in the cost
I attempted to find equilibrium, but the price was too high
Let it go, when I met you
I was able to release my past and move forward after meeting you
All the clouds parted, all that light came shining through
You brought clarity and brightness to my life
Oh I love you and I don't know what to say
I am overwhelmed by my feelings for you and struggle to express them
Oh I love you and I don't know what to say
My love for you is so intense, words fail to capture its magnitude
I promise you that I will keep you safe from harm
I repeat my vow to take care of you and prevent any harm
And love you all the rest of my days
My affection for you will only continue to grow and deepen as time passes
When the night is silent and we seem so far away
During times of solitude and distance, our connection remains intact
Oh I love you and I don't know what to say
My love for you is beyond words, it's a feeling that can't be expressed verbally
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aok43
00:00 s.o.s
02:29 closer when she goes
04:13 tonight
07:45 gimme sunshine
11:39 disco queen
14:54 when the wild wind blows
17:49 black myrtle
20:32 california gasoline
23:23 destroyers
27:51 don't even know her name
30:53 lost and found
32:18 halloween
36:14 elizabethtown
40:30 i want to go home
43:15 starfire
45:52 father's son
49:32 funeral marching
53:54 this is it
55:50 tomorrowland
58:46 i'm coming over
1:02:00 people need sunlight
1:04:54 when the music don't come
1:09:53 cemetery hill
1:13:35 one by one
1:17:48 learn to love
1:22:52 caterwaul
1:28:34 operator, operator
1:30:17 don't get sentimental on me
1:33:03 alice
1:35:21 people make mistakes
1:37:05 passed out in la
@scottwickberg413
What are your favorite tracks? I'd love to know. Post em here!
@kealoha5638
One of my earlier favorites is Folklore. It's a haunting, evocative childhood memory piece, love both the acoustic & electric versions. And What Sin Replaces Love (of course) defies description. 👍👏👍
@rockweaver
Too many to mention & then the other tracks are growing on me too so 🙏 so much , both of your DRA compilations are completely superb 💜💕💜💕💜💕💜 🙏
@TheNickSweat
Glad others are finally able to hear some of these tracks. The man's unreleased catalog is 100x better than anything I've ever written lol
@mapatterson22
I think you are being too modest Nick.xx
@Zach______
I have a huge collection of demo sessions, most of which I think are better than a good portion of the records that he's released for sale.
@kealoha5638
Great compilation! So many gems from this musical genius... there is seemingly no end to his catalogue. Thanks for both of these... looking forward to the next one, maybe with some of his unreleased punk music. Keep them rolling for the fans, very grateful 🙏
@DaxFlyingwoodHunter
Thank you for this, he will always be one of the best songwriters to ever live
@scottwickberg413
thx for listening
@eileenheard4444
This is an amazing compilation of rare tunes!!!