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.
Magick
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If it rained mushroom clouds
Everybody hits the ground
Arms folded, head down
You're like a missile strike
Government goes underground
Warhead on legs
What goes around comes around
What goes around comes around
What goes around comes around
Goes around comes around
Goes around comes around
Goes around comes around
What goes around comes around
So turn the radio on
So turn the radio up
So turn the radio up
Loud and get down
Let your body move
Let your body sway
Listen to the music play
It's magic, it's magic
You're like a storm tower
If it had fire power
Everything you touch burns
Scorched earth
Water tower burned
Up to the ground
Zombies running all around
Eventually we hit the mall
Lock it down at nightfall
So turn the radio on
So turn the radio up
So turn the radio up
Loud and get down
Let your body move
Let your body sway
Listen the music play
It's magic
I wish I had secret powers
I'd burn all of the power hungry clowns
And I'll shut 'em down
Give them radios and yos
And wake them up with jams on
Right after I disappear
Then disarm, disarm, disarm
Don't watch the record go round
Listen to the magic
Magic, magic
Listen to the magic
And watch the record go round
Listen to the magic
Magic, magic
Listen to the magic
And watch the record go round
What goes around comes around
Because what comes around goes around
The lyrics of "Magick" by Ryan Adams & The Cardinals describe a post-apocalyptic world where the government is hiding underground due to a missile strike and a storm tower with fire power is burning everything. The first verse starts with a comparison of the person being addressed to a rain cloud, and if it rained mushroom clouds, people would run and hide. The second verse compares the person to a missile strike, which would make the government go underground. The chorus repeats the phrase, "what goes around comes around" several times, conveying the idea that actions have consequences, and karma comes back around.
The lyrics incorporate themes of destruction, chaos, and the supernatural, with lines like "zombies running all around," "I wish I had secret powers," and "listen to the magic." The song suggests that even in times of destruction and uncertainty, music and dance can be a form of magic that brings people together and helps them cope.
Overall, "Magick" seems to be a commentary on the state of the world and the consequences of actions taken by those in power. The song encourages listeners to turn up the music and dance, even in the midst of chaos and destruction, suggesting that music and unity can help us overcome even the darkest of circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
You're like a rain cloud
You bring gloom and strife
If it rained mushroom clouds
Your negativity would be catastrophic
Everybody hits the ground
Your impact is felt by all
Arms folded, head down
People cower in your presence
You're like a missile strike
You are deadly and destructive
Government goes underground
Your power forces others to hide
Warhead on legs
You are unstoppable and lethal
What goes around comes around
Karma will not spare anyone
Goes around comes around
Good and bad things happen to everyone
So turn the radio on
Find some relief from the chaos
So turn the radio up
Let music lift your spirits
Loud and get down
Drown out the noise and dance
Let your body move
Let go of your worries and dance
Let your body sway
Let your body feel the rhythm
Listen to the music play
Let the music take you away
It's magic, it's magic
The power of music is magical
You're like a storm tower
You are powerful and dangerous
If it had fire power
You would cause widespread destruction
Everything you touch burns
Your influence is destructive
Scorched earth, water tower burned
You leave nothing but destruction in your wake
Zombies running all around
The chaos you create seems apocalyptic
Eventually we hit the mall
Humanity resorts to seeking refuge in materialism
Lock it down at nightfall
Security becomes paramount in a dangerous world
I wish I had secret powers
The desire to have control in a world of chaos
I'd burn all of the power hungry clowns
To eradicate negative influences and corruption
And I'll shut 'em down
To silence all the negative voices
Give them radios and yos
Giving them a chance to experience the magic of music
And wake them up with jams on
To spread the power of music
Right after I disappear
Even though the world needs positive change, it may not be possible for one individual to bring it
Then disarm, disarm, disarm
To lay down all weapons or hostile intentions
Don't watch the record go round
Do not dwell on the past or negative experiences
Listen to the magic, magic, magic
The healing power of music can transform negative energy
And watch the record go round
To witness the power of continuity
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: OLIVIER JEAN JACQUES ADAMS, MAURICE JOSEPH ENGELEN, CORNELIA ANITA VAN LIEROP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Idabusti
I can't understand WHY this song didn't become a radio hit! Stunning.
Linda Hand
One of my absolute favorite songs for a late night drive or dancing around my room. I have a feeling it’s going to be responsible for me getting a speeding ticket one night.
Brother Lee Jr
Listen to this music, man, it's Magick! I just love it since the first time I found it. Thank's Ryan Adams & The Cardinals for this gem!
Ron Belin
My storyline…YOURE more than welcome, and I agree that it should have been a single ..but that isn’t the DRA way
John F
One of the best songs ever!
Angelica Brown
I remember watching him perform this like yesterday. Greatest concert ever!
FFD
Great song! Love it!
Débora Gauziski
This song is magical.
Jay Bowcott
this was a sick session.
Eileen Heard
One of my favorites.