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.
Invisible Riverside
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Either way I'm losing
Used to have the goods
That when I could use 'em
Standing by the ocean
Like I'm frozen here in time
[Chorus]
If the stars fall into the ocean side
Someone hold the ribbons from my eyes, free, my soul
Let him roll away on an invisible riverside
I didn't travel far
But my feet were moving
Couldn't read the signs
They were too confusing
Standing by the ocean
Sunset Boulevard
[Chorus]
I wanna lay my head forever on your shoulder
Stay with me my love, now and when we're older
Standing by the ocean, we got nothing now but time
Yes, don't let go, don't change your mind
The stars fall into the oceanside
Someone hold the ribbons from my eyes, free, my soul
Let him roll away on an invisible riverside
The lyrics of Ryan Adam's song Invisible Riverside talk about a speaker's feelings of being stuck and losing their way in life. The opening lines "I guess I'll show my head, Either way I'm losing" sets the tone for the song, indicating the singer's apprehension and confusion about their path in life. They feel like they used to have the skills and abilities to make things happen, but now they're unsure if that's still the case. The image of the "ocean frozen in time" signifies the singer's feeling of being stagnant and stuck in one place.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's need for stability and support. They ask for the person they're addressing not to change their mind or let go of them, indicating that they're afraid of being abandoned or left behind. The stars falling into the ocean symbolize a feeling of chaos and uncertainty, and the singer's plea for someone to "hold the ribbons from their eyes" indicates a desire for clarity and guidance. The line "Let him roll away on an invisible riverside" adds an element of mystery and ambiguity, suggesting that the singer is resigned to whatever may come.
In the final verse, the singer seeks comfort in the person they love, expressing a desire to stay with them forever. They remark that they have nothing now but time, suggesting that they have reached a point where they are willing to wait and see what life has in store for them.
Overall, the lyrics of Ryan Adam's Invisible Riverside convey a sense of uncertainty and insecurity, but with an undercurrent of hope and a desire for stability and guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess I'll show my head
I'm unsure, I'm hesitant, but I'll come out from hiding.
Either way I'm losing
No matter what I do or try, I will lose something valuable.
Used to have the goods
I had skills that I once utilized successfully.
That when I could use 'em
But now when I need these skills or objects, they are far out of reach, lost, or beyond my current capacity to use.
Standing by the ocean
I'm in the presence of the vastness of something great, but it's also daunting and confusing.
Like I'm frozen here in time
Despite being present, everything is standing still, and I'm unable to make progress.
So don't let go, don't change your mind
Please don't abandon me, please don't change your decision.
If the stars fall into the ocean side
Even if an impossible, unlikely thing happens, I still need you to stay with me.
Someone hold the ribbons from my eyes, free, my soul
Help me see and feel again, help me be liberated from emotional or physical ties.
Let him roll away on an invisible riverside
Let him go free without attachment, let him escape the present situation without being stopped.
I didn't travel far
I didn't make much progress in the past despite moving physically.
But my feet were moving
I was moving physically, but I wasn't truly advancing mentally or emotionally.
Couldn't read the signs
I'm unsure and uninformed about what's going on around me, what people want or think.
They were too confusing
The people, places, or things around me had hidden, unclear, or conflicting messages that were tough to comprehend.
Sunset Boulevard
I'm located near a famous street where many different stories and dramas have occurred.
I wanna lay my head forever on your shoulder
I want to be in a peaceful, secure place for always, relying on you to be there for me.
Stay with me my love, now and when we're older
I need you now and in the future, I love you, and I want you to stick around.
We got nothing now but time
We don't have anything else going on in our lives except the opportunity to spend time together.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elizabeth deVries
Beautiful doesn't even describe it. Deeply moving. He's a musical genius. Thank you Ryan.
Theodore Silas
@Layne Keagan Yea, been watching on instaflixxer for years myself =)
Layne Keagan
You probably dont care but if you're bored like me during the covid times you can watch pretty much all the new series on instaflixxer. Have been watching with my brother for the last days =)
Ivan Ostrava
This is the Ryan at his best. Best version of "Invisible Riverside" I ever heard. No question about it.
It's too bad this show is known more for the feuding between Ryan and Neil Finn & Janis Ian.
LuvMyDatto
Arstistic conflists aside, I can't think of a live song that comes close to how perfect this performance is. My God!
okrajoe
Beautiful version of Ryan Adams singing "Invisible Riverside"
T C
Ahhhh.... good memories. I was there that night at the recording. No love lost between Ryan and Neil Finn, that's for sure!!!!
creationcope
Brilliant song by Ryan, and great to see Neil Finn!
Jim Livingston
This is a real atmosphere inducing timeless song. Some shades of the old classic Neil Young I think at times.I'd heard of this guy before but thanks to this & some of his other stuff you've been kind enough to post here, I'll be keeping an eye on him.
theitgirl11
Beautiful voice.