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.
Jesus
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Forever summer and hot
Into the ocean
You're smiling a lot
On sandy beaches
And the blankets are hot
You're in my arms
And I kiss your heart
Jesus, don't touch my baby
Jesus, don't touch my baby
She's all that I got
Reflections coming
In through the sheets
You love your baby
Are sweet
Out on the highway
We ride tonight
Jesus don't know you
He was just saying Hi
Don't touch my baby
Jesus, don't touch my baby
The lyrics to Ryan Adams's song Jesus paint a picture of a couple enjoying the perpetual summer of California on sandy beaches and in each other's arms. The singer of the song asks Jesus not to touch his baby, who he claims is all that he has. The lyrics say that the reflections of the golden state coming off the sheets of their love is sweet, but Jesus is unaware of this love and has only greeted the couple.
The song seems to be about cherishing the love that one has in the moment, and not wanting anyone, not even Jesus, to harm it. The lyrics reveal a deep attachment and possessiveness towards the baby, symbolizing a person or an object that means everything to the singer. The line "Reflections coming in through the sheets," could suggest the intimacy between the couple, and how they are creating fleeting, yet beautiful memories together, reflecting the beauty and passion of their love.
Line by Line Meaning
In California
The singer and his/her partner are in California.
Forever summer and hot
The weather in California is hot and sunny all year round.
Into the ocean
The singer and his/her partner are swimming in the ocean.
You're smiling a lot
The artist's partner is happy and enjoying the moment.
On sandy beaches
The artist and his/her partner are lounging on the beach.
And the blankets are hot
The blankets are warm from the sun and the weather.
You're in my arms
The singer is holding his/her partner.
And I kiss your heart
The artist is showing affection towards his/her partner.
Jesus, don't touch my baby
The artist is addressing Jesus and asking him not to harm his/her partner.
Jesus, don't touch my baby
Repetition of the previous line for emphasis.
Jesus, don't touch my baby
Repetition of the previous line for emphasis.
She's all that I got
The artist's partner is everything to him/her.
Reflections coming
The singer and his/her partner are seeing reflections through the sheets.
In through the sheets
The reflections are coming through the covers or blankets.
You love your baby
The singer's partner loves him/her.
Are sweet
The artist is expressing affection towards his/her partner.
Out on the highway
The artist and his/her partner are driving on the highway.
We ride tonight
The singer and his/her partner are driving at night.
Jesus don't know you
The singer is addressing Jesus and saying that he doesn't understand the singer's connection with his/her partner.
He was just saying Hi
The artist is saying that Jesus's interaction was meaningless.
Don't touch my baby
The artist is again asking Jesus not to harm his/her partner.
Jesus, don't touch my baby
Repetition of the previous line for emphasis.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind