Ryan Adams (born David Ryan Adams on November 5, 1974) is an alt-country an… Read Full Bio ↴Ryan Adams (born David Ryan Adams on November 5, 1974) is an alt-country and rock and roll songwriter and singer from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, which was at the time considered one of the leaders of the alt-country genre, Adams left the band and released his first solo album, Heartbreaker, in 2000 (which was subsequently nominated for the Shortlist Music Prize). As well as his solo albums, Adams has released five albums as Ryan Adams & the Cardinals.

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.

Love Me More
Ryan Adams Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Riot on the streets, the touch beneath the sheets
It's only gonna make me love you more
The cops they got the guns, the night destroys the sun
It's only gonna make me love you more

This here world, well, it was mine to take
Faith can keep you warm, but I'll teach you how to shake
And I'll come to you like a little girl

It's only gonna make me love you more

Moonlight on the beach, sweet amphetamines
It's only gonna make you love me more
Bottles and the cans, the idiots go dance
It's only gonna make me love you more

This here world, well, it was mine to take
Faith can keep you warm, but I'll teach you how to shake
And I'll come to you like a little girl
It's only gonna make me love you more

They say love is hell,
But I've only been laughin' ever since I fell
It's only gonna make me love you more
The Lord'll have his way but I'm just a call away
It's only gonna make you love me more

This old world, well, it was mine to take
Faith can keep you warm, but I'll teach you how to shake

And I'll come to you like a little girl
It's only gonna make me love you more

Overall Meaning

The chorus of Ryan Adams's "Gonna Make You Love Me" is centered around the idea that even in tumultuous times, the singer's love for the subject of the song will only grow stronger. This is exemplified in the first verse with the line "riot on the streets, the touch beneath the sheets, it's only gonna make me love you more." This suggests that crises in the world, whether they be social or personal, will only bring the two of them closer together.

The second verse suggests that the singer has a strong sense of power and control in the world, as they declare "this here world, well, it was mine to take." They seem to be something of a risk-taker and wild child, as they offer to show their lover how to "shake" and allude to the use of "sweet amphetamines." Despite this carefree attitude, they still come across as vulnerable and childlike: "I'll come to you like a little girl."

The final verse brings up themes of faith and spirituality, as the singer says "the Lord'll have his way" but implies they're more accessible: "I'm just a call away." The idea that love can be "hell" is mentioned, but the singer seems to find it funny, saying "I've only been laughin' ever since I fell." Overall, the song is a complex expression of love that acknowledges both the difficulties and the joys that come with it.

Line by Line Meaning

Riot on the streets, the touch beneath the sheets
Despite the chaos of the world outside, our intimate moments together bring us closer and make me love you more

The cops they got the guns, the night destroys the sun
The power of authority and darkness cannot extinguish my love for you; in fact, it only intensifies it

This here world, well, it was mine to take
I used to feel entitled to everything in this world, but with you by my side, I realize that what really matters is our love

Faith can keep you warm, but I'll teach you how to shake
Belief in a higher power can offer comfort, but I want to show you how to let loose and have fun

And I'll come to you like a little girl
Vulnerable and open, I will approach our relationship with childlike wonder and excitement

Moonlight on the beach, sweet amphetamines
Even in the midst of a romantic, drug-fueled evening, my love for you remains the strongest feeling I have

Bottles and the cans, the idiots go dance
The mindless actions of others around us do not compare to the meaningful connection we share

They say love is hell,
Love can be difficult and painful, but the joy it brings outweighs any negative aspects

But I've only been laughin' ever since I fell
Since falling in love with you, I have only felt happiness and joy

The Lord'll have his way but I'm just a call away
Even if fate has other plans for us, I am committed to being there for you whenever you need me

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RYAN ADAMS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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