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.
Let Go
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you feel the darkness that surrounds the house
Plain as the truth my breath is bated
It pinches like a trap shut around the mouse
But down the road 'cause we fell in
But down the road
Hanging round the wish-it-well
And I let go, let go, let go, let go
Away
Driving at night beside the river
Looking at as it's going nowhere
Dark as a room with the light shut out
I'm feeling round the walls for another way out
But down the road 'cause we fell in
But down the road
Hanging round the wish-it-well
It's a slippery slope
And I let go, let go, let go, let go
Cross your fingers behind your back
And lie
Tell me it's okay if you'll fix everything
'Cause I let go
Pink as a rose the sunsets fading
Shattering the light on the oceanside
Standing alone, I am not waiting
Maybe I'm asleep, my heart is paralyzed
Down the road 'cause we fell in
But down the road
Hanging round the wish-it-well
It's a slippery slope
And I let go, let go, let go, let go again
The song "Let Go" by Ryan Adams is a melancholic tune that hints at a sense of resignation and detachment. The lyrics describe the sun setting and darkness enveloping the house, while the singer tries to come to terms with some bitter truths. The metaphors used seem to suggest a sense of hopelessness as one struggles to hold on to something that cannot be held, like a mouse struggling against a trap. The second verse speaks of feeling lost and aimless, and trying to find a way out. The chorus continues to describe the feeling of letting go, repeating the phrase over and over again, suggesting that sometimes, one has to simply accept the present circumstances and move on.
There is a sense of deep sadness and acceptance in this song, and it seems to relate to the themes of loss, time, and acceptance. The repetition of the phrase "let go" not only emphasizes the importance of surrendering to the inevitability of change and loss but also perhaps speaks to the therapeutic power of music. The overall mood of the song is contemplative and wistful, with a slight hint of desperation lurking underneath the surface. The melody is haunting and adds to the melancholia of the lyrics, making it a song that lingers in the mind long after it has ended.
Line by Line Meaning
Pink as a rose the sun is fading
As the sun sets, darkness surrounds the area.
Can you feel the darkness that surrounds the house
The darkness that surrounds the area is evident and palpable.
Plain as the truth my breath is bated
My breathing reflects my anticipation.
It pinches like a trap shut around the mouse
It feels like a trap closing around me.
But down the road 'cause we fell in
We are on this path because of previous choices we made.
Hanging round the wish-it-well
We are hoping for the best.
It's a slippery slope
The situation is precarious.
And I let go, let go, let go, let go
I am giving up control and letting the situation unfold on its own.
Driving at night beside the river
Traveling in the dark alongside a river.
Looking at it as it's going nowhere
The river seems to be stagnant and not leading anywhere.
Dark as a room with the light shut out
The environment is pitch black and void of any light.
I'm feeling round the walls for another way out
I am trying to find another avenue or solution to my problem.
Cross your fingers behind your back
Hiding the truth and hoping for the best.
And lie
Telling false stories and deceiving someone.
Tell me it's okay if you'll fix everything
Ask for reassurance that everything will be alright.
'Cause I let go
I am relinquishing control of the situation and need reassurance.
Pink as a rose the sunsets fading
As the sun sets, the environment is shifting and changing.
Shattering the light on the oceanside
The sunset is reflecting on the ocean and casting a beautiful light.
Standing alone, I am not waiting
I am standing strong and not waiting for anyone else to solve my problems.
Maybe I'm asleep, my heart is paralyzed
I may be disassociated or numb to the situation.
But down the road 'cause we fell in
We are currently experiencing the results of our own choices in the past.
Hanging round the wish-it-well
We can only hope things turn out well.
It's a slippery slope
The situation could take a turn for the worst.
And I let go, let go, let go, let go again
I am once again relinquishing control and allowing things to unfold as they will.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mitansh Madan
One of the most underrated artists ever
Chameleon Sky
One of the best songs on the album. I wonder why he has never played it live?
Raymond Carlson
Lyrics; Pink as a rose the sun is fading
Can you feel the darkness that surrounds the house
Plane as the truth my breath is bated
It pinches like a trap shut around the mouse
But down the road 'cause we fell in
But down the road
Hanging round the wish-it-well
It's a slippery slope
And I let go, let go, let go, let go
Away
Driving at night beside the river
Looking at as it's going nowhere
Dark as a room with the light shut out
I'm feeling round the walls for another way out
But down the road 'cause we fell in
But down the road
Hanging round the wish-it-well
It's a slippery slope
And I let go, let go, let go, let go
Cross your fingers behind your back
And lie
Tell me it's okay if you'll fix everything
'Cause I let go
Pink as a rose the sunsets fading
Shattering the light on the oceanside
Standing alone, I am not waiting
Maybe I'm asleep, my heart is paralyzed
Down the road 'cause we fell in
But down the road
Hanging round the wish-it-well
It's a slippery slope
And I let go, let go, let go, let go
Crypt1c
Le: “fine, I’ll do it myself”
Lesley Patterson
'let down the rope 'cause we fell in Let down the rope Hanging round the wishing well' And I let go (of the rope)
Raymond Carlson
somebody put up some lyrics