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.
If I Am A Stranger
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's all this letting go, that don't pass
If all this love is real, how will we know?
If we're only scared of losing it, how will it last?
If I am a stranger now to you
I will always be, I will always be
Stronger now than me, stronger than you
And if we let it go, I will try to be there for you
If I can, what if I can't?
Today is yesterday when you don't know
How to rebuild the walls that someone has knocked down
To tell the truth, it's hard enough without a lover
Who you want to hide your darkness from
So they won't let you down
If I am a stranger now to you
I will always be, I will always be
Stronger now than me, stronger than you
Our love will always be
And if we let it go, I will try to be there for you
I will try to be there for you
If I can, what if I can't?
For all the hours here that move too slow
There's all this letting go, that won't pass
If all this love is real, how will we know?
If we're only scared of losing it, how will it last?
If I am a stranger now to you
I will always be, I will always be
Stronger now than me, stronger than you
Our love will always be
If we let it go, I will try to be there for you
I will try to be there for you
If I can, what if I can't?
The opening lines of the song, "For all the hours here that move too slow, there's all this letting go, that won't pass," create a sense of restlessness and anxiety. The lyrics suggest that time is moving too slowly and that the act of letting go is becoming harder to do. There is a sense of being stuck in a situation that is unchanging, and not being sure how to move forward. The question raised in the chorus, "If all this love is real, how will we know?" highlights the uncertainty and doubt that can exist in a relationship. Fear of losing what one has can hinder the growth of love, and if the love is not allowed to grow it is more prone to dooming itself.
The second verse of the song particularly emphasizes the difficulties of rebuilding trust and opening up after a relationship ends. The walls that someone has knocked down reference the walls people build up around themselves to protect them from hurt. Asking someone to let their guard down and trust again can be difficult even for someone they have already been in a relationship with. The fear of being hurt again is too great. The closing lines of the song "If I am a stranger now to you, I will always be, I will always be. Stronger now than me, stronger than you. Our love will always be," suggest that despite being strangers in the present, the love that existed between the two is stronger than either individual.
Line by Line Meaning
For all the hours here that move too slow
The time passes slowly and it feels like it never ends.
There's all this letting go, that don't pass
There's a feeling of having to let go of something and it's hard to get over it.
If all this love is real, how will we know?
We question the validity of our love and whether it will last.
If we're only scared of losing it, how will it last?
If all we do is worry about losing our love, how can it sustain?
If I am a stranger now to you
If I feel like you don't know me anymore
I will always be, I will always be
But I will always be here for you.
Stronger now than me, stronger than you
I am stronger now and so are you
Our love will always be
Our love will always endure
And if we let it go, I will try to be there for you
Even if our love ends, I will be there for you.
If I can, what if I can't?
I may not be capable of doing what I promise, and that worries me.
Today is yesterday when you don't know
When you don't know what to do, it feels like every day is the same.
How to rebuild the walls that someone has knocked down
How to put up defences again after being hurt by someone.
To tell the truth, it's hard enough without a lover
It's difficult to go through life, even more so without someone to share it with.
Who you want to hide your darkness from
Someone who we want to protect from our negative side.
So they won't let you down
So that we are not disappointed or hurt by that person.
For all the hours here that move too slow
The time passes slowly and it feels like it never ends.
There's all this letting go, that won't pass
There's a feeling of having to let go of something and it's hard to get over it.
If all this love is real, how will we know?
We question the validity of our love and whether it will last.
If we're only scared of losing it, how will it last?
If all we do is worry about losing our love, how can it sustain?
If I am a stranger now to you
If I feel like you don't know me anymore.
I will always be, I will always be
But I will always be here for you.
Stronger now than me, stronger than you
I am stronger now and so are you.
Our love will always be
Our love will always endure.
If we let it go, I will try to be there for you
Even if our love ends, I will be there for you.
I will try to be there for you
I will make an effort to be there to support you.
If I can, what if I can't?
I may not be capable of doing what I promise, and that worries me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thahacksaw
This man understands how to serve a song better than most. I love all the albums with full band arrangements. But sometimes just Ryan's voice and a guitar is the very best.
@erinlane5809
Have you seen any of his solo acoustic shows this spring or last fall? Just Ryan, his guitars, piano & harmonica. Amazing 3 hour shows with 30+ songs.
@mapatterson22
He is still an amazing singer and song writer. Much love for someone who is damaged. xx
@louieo.blevinsmusic4197
Maybe love Phoebe Bridgers considering how big of a pig/asshole he was towards her. Hell, even before that he was a huge self righteous ass. He can make one hell of a song, though. Also, if you like damaged musicians you should listen to Elliott Smith (much better songwriter than Adams) as well as John Moreland.
@notwister1
this version is so intense, it is just heartbreaking and brought real tears to my eyes.
NEVER ever listened to a more emotional version of this Ryan-classic. I love for good.
@mapatterson22
Have you tried the Live on Letterman show? Thats what got me into Ryan originaly. Ps I'm in Herts where are you?
@melodyintime
6 years later, still my favorite.
@tohuvavohu
going to see him here in a month. I missed him at this show. Regretted it for like 7 years.
@GBloom-zt8vp
Gosh I love this man’s music so much.
@laurencampbell0412
Great performance Ryan! Seeing you twice this year and we can't wait!