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 Love You But I Don't Know What To Say
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
Bhavya Sharan
We belong here
We belong here
There ain't nobody
That I can tell this more
Hear me say
Say this to you
I'll stand by your side
See you through
And I promise you that I will keep you safe from harm
Love you the rest of my days
When the night is silent and we seem so far away
Oh, I love you when I don't know what to say
I was lost
I was lost
I tried to find the balance
I got caught up in the cost
I let it go
When I met you
The sky parted
And all that light came shining through
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
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
Oh, I love you and I don't know what to say
Oh, I love you and I don't know what to say
L xx
He can make the most bittersweet and sadness of lyrics sound so beautiful, it pulls on your heartstrings. Perfection.
Adam Simoni
I've owned this album since it was released. I was always indifferent to this track. That stance changed six years ago when I had my first child.
While Ryan wasn't going for that, this song fits my daughters and me. It's become our song. We sing every lyric.
They, because of this song, know that I love them, though I don't know what to say.
clydiefax
This track.. Its enough to take the heart of every man and woman if only they spend time with it. I'm in pieces upon the floor.
Stevie Blomquist
This is mine and my husband's wedding song. 9/8/17. My husband still surprises me and plays it in a bar or restaurant. The crowd hates it (not really a banger), but it means the world to me <3
islandgirl87
such a beautiful song! Ryan Adams is awesome.
Led Weappelin
A perfect first dance song for a wedding couple. I regret not using it for my own.
Stevie Blomquist
This is my first dance song :)
misha
@thedeathcake soo perfect :)
Led Weappelin
Very very cool! I just new it would be a good one.
thedeathcake
Used it for our wedding and it was stunning. No-one had heard it and i'll remember that for as long as i live :)