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.
Karina
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wonder if you would've stuck around
Well, I could take you walking down to Hoxton Square
With the lazy afternoon still kickin' around
Karina, if I left it where I wanted to
Yeah, I wonder if you'd sit around and smile
When you're dreamin' of America, your father's ghost
'Cause if it were easy
You wouldn't need me
If it would bring you any ease
I'd beg to Jesus, "won't you let Karina free?"
Karina, all this silence, it's so deafening
And all the leaves have fallen from the trees
I could hold your cigarette on Oxford Street
But I'm back here, where your lover wants me to be
And Karina, there's this patience in the things we say
It's the harboring of all the things we do
Yeah, and everytime I tell myself there’s nothing left
May I always say your name and think of you
'Cause if it were easy
You wouldn't need me
If it would bring you any ease
I'd beg to Jesus, "won’t you let Karina free?"
I'd beg to Jesus, "won’t you let Karina free?"
Karina, if I told you what I wanted to
I wonder if you would've stuck around
Yeah, I could take you walking down to Hoxton Square
With the lazy afternoon still kickin' around
And Karina, if I left it where I wanted to
I wonder if you'd sit around and smile
When you're dreamin' of America, your father's ghost
Breaks the door when all his chains just rattle around
'Cause if it were easy
You wouldn't need me
If it would bring you any ease
I'd beg to Jesus "won’t you let Karina free?"
I'd beg to Jesus "won’t you let Karina free?"
Oh, I'd beg to Jesus "won’t you let Karina free?"
The song Karina by Ryan Adams is about an unrequited love and longing for someone named Karina. The first verse talks about the fear of expressing one's true feelings because of the possibility of the other person leaving. The second verse discusses the idea of leaving things unsaid and the hope that Karina is happy just by smiling. The bridge emphasizes the difficulty of the situation and the desperation to find a solution, even if it means begging to Jesus to free Karina.
The chorus repeats the idea that if it were easy, there would be no need for the singer to intervene, suggesting that the situation is complicated and requires action from both parties. The song ends with a repetition of the first two verses, emphasizing the cyclical nature of the situation.
Overall, Karina is a melancholic and nostalgic song about the complexities of love and regret. It conveys a sense of longing and introspection, with imagery of London streets and fallen leaves creating a vivid atmosphere of memory and reflection.
Line by Line Meaning
Karina, if I told you what I wanted to
The singer is unsure if he should reveal what he truly desires to Karina.
I wonder if you would've stuck around
He is afraid that Karina may leave him if he reveals his true thoughts.
Well, I could take you walking down to Hoxton Square
The singer suggests a way to spend time together with Karina.
With the lazy afternoon still kickin' around
He wants to spend a relaxed afternoon with Karina.
Karina, if I left it where I wanted to
The singer is hesitant to take action on what he truly wants.
Yeah, I wonder if you'd sit around and smile
He's unsure if Karina would be happy with his decision.
When you're dreamin' of America, your father's ghost
Karina has dreams of America, but her father's memory haunts her.
Breaks the door with all his chains just rattlin' around
The memory of Karina's father is strong and unsettling, causing noise and disturbance.
'Cause if it were easy
The singer acknowledges that the situation is difficult.
You wouldn't need me
He suggests that if the situation were resolved, he would not be necessary.
If it would bring you any ease
He wants to make things easier for Karina.
I'd beg to Jesus, "won't you let Karina free?"
The singer would ask for divine intervention to bring peace into the situation and allow Karina to move on.
Karina, all this silence, it's so deafening
The lack of communication between the two is overwhelming and painful.
And all the leaves have fallen from the trees
Nature reflects the bittersweet state of their relationship.
I could hold your cigarette on Oxford Street
The singer can imagine small moments of intimacy with Karina in a normal setting.
But I'm back here, where your lover wants me to be
Karina is involved with someone else, and the singer is in a difficult position because of it.
And Karina, there's this patience in the things we say
The singer and Karina communicate with a certain level of understanding and patience for each other.
It's the harboring of all the things we do
Their unspoken feelings and actions towards each other are carried in their words.
Yeah, and everytime I tell myself there’s nothing left
The singer tries to move on, but his feelings for Karina persist.
May I always say your name and think of you
The singer hopes to hold onto his memories of Karina even if they can no longer be together.
Oh, I'd beg to Jesus "won’t you let Karina free?"
The repetition of this line emphasizes the singer's desire for divine intervention.
Contributed by Charlie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ben Holland
One of my fav Ryan Adams songs of all time
Karina Martínez
Such a good song, sweet lyrics.
Patti Chesser
Our Carina is Carina Saunders and she asked Jesus into her heart on Sept 18th, 2011 - just 3 weeks before Jesus came and carried her away from the people who were murdering her and took her to her new Home in Heaven, safe in His Arms, broken no more................thank you for the song; it's comforting to hear her name sung so pretty.....
Kevin Campbell
Powerful song.
Wild Robson
Very good!
LynAndnewport
One of his many songs that means so much to me.
Peter MacInnis
my favorite song of his by far
virageist
Can’t believe i heard you play this live at the Beacon
Imran Khan
Why isn't this on Spotify!?
Imran Khan
Not sure how I got it then!