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.
Magnolia Mountain
Ryan Adams Lyrics
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And lay my weary head down
Down on the rocks
Of the mountain my savior made
Steady my soul and ease my worry
Hold me when I rattle like a hummingbird hummin'
Tie me to the rocks of the mountain my savior made
Sing me a song
Sing me a song until the morning comes
And if the morning come, will you lie to me?
Will you take me to your bed?
Will you lay me down?
Til' I'm heavy like the rocks in the riverbed
That my savior made
Please
I want to be the bluebird singin'
Singin' to the roses in her yard
The roses in her yard her father grew for her
It's been raining like Tennessee honey
So long I got too heavy to fly
Ain't no bluebird ever gets too heavy to sing
Lie to me
Sing me a song
Sing me a song until the morning comes
And if the morning don't come, will you lie to me?
Will you take me to your bed?
Will you lay me down?
'Til I'm heavy like the rocks in the riverbed
That my savior made
Please
Please
We burn the cotton fields down in the valley
And ended up with nothing but scars
The scars became the lessons that we gave to our children after the war
There ain't nothing but the truth up on Magnolia Mountain
Where nobody ever dies
Steady your soul and ease your worry
They got a room for you
Lie to me like I lie to you
Calm me down until the morning comes
And if the morning don't come
Lie to me
Will you take me to your bed?
Will you lay me down?
All heavy like the rocks in the riverbed
That my savior made
For us
Please
For us
For me
For us
For me
The song "Magnolia Mountain" by Ryan Adams is a quiet and introspective tune with lyrics that convey a sense of longing and a search for comfort. The singer expresses a desire to go to the Magnolia Mountain, a place that brings solace to their soul. They describe the mountain as a place where their savior made rocks that steady their soul and ease their worry. The singer asks to be tied to the rocks of this mountain, suggesting a need for grounding and stability in a chaotic world. The song also touches on themes of love and companionship, as the singer pleads for someone they love to lie to them, sing to them, and hold them until the morning comes.
One interpretation of the song is that the Magnolia Mountain represents a sort of paradise or Eden, where one can find rest and peace. The singer seeks refuge there, away from the hardships and pain of the world. The rock mentioned in the song could be a symbol of strength and fortitude, something that can hold the singer steady when they feel overwhelmed. The motif of lying in the song may suggest a need for trust and intimacy, as the singer pleads for their loved one to hold them and comfort them.
Overall, "Magnolia Mountain" is a song about the search for comfort and solace in a world that can often be chaotic and difficult to navigate.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to go to Magnolia Mountain
I want to travel to a place where I can find comfort
And lay my weary head down
I want to rest and find solace
Down on the rocks
I want to be close to the earth and the mountains
Of the mountain my savior made
I want to be connected to something that has a powerful and calming effect on me
Steady my soul and ease my worry
I want to feel safe and peaceful
Hold me when I rattle like a hummingbird hummin'
I want to be comforted even when I feel restless
Tie me to the rocks of the mountain my savior made
I want to feel secure and stable
Lie to me
Tell me something to make me feel better, even if it isn't true
Sing me a song
Provide me with a source of comfort and peace
Sing me a song until the morning comes
Keep me at ease until the new day arrives
And if the morning come, will you lie to me?
If things haven't improved, will you provide me with more comfort?
Will you take me to your bed?
Will you comfort me physically?
Will you lay me down?
Will you help me rest?
Til' I'm heavy like the rocks in the riverbed
Until I feel grounded and less worried
That my savior made
Something that has a powerful and calming effect on me, created by a higher power
I want to be the bluebird singin'
I want to be carefree and happy, like a bluebird singing
Singin' to the roses in her yard
Finding joy in the simple things, like flowers in a garden
The roses in her yard her father grew for her
Appreciating the beauty in things that were made with care
It's been raining like Tennessee honey
Things have been rough and difficult
So long I got too heavy to fly
I'm weighed down by my problems
Ain't no bluebird ever gets too heavy to sing
I need to remember to find joy and sing, even in hard times
We burn the cotton fields down in the valley
We have been through hard times and made difficult choices
And ended up with nothing but scars
As a result, we have been left with pain and damage
The scars became the lessons that we gave to our children after the war
We learned from our past hardships and passed those lessons onto our children
There ain't nothing but the truth up on Magnolia Mountain
The calming mountain provides a sense of clarity and truth
Where nobody ever dies
A place where there is no suffering or pain
Steady your soul and ease your worry
The mountain provides comfort and security
They got a room for you
There is space and comfort for everyone
Lie to me like I lie to you
We all tell each other sweet lies to make us feel better
Calm me down until the morning comes
Keep me at peace until the new day arrives
And if the morning don't come
If things haven't improved
Will you take me to your bed?
Will you comfort me physically?
Will you lay me down?
Will you help me rest?
All heavy like the rocks in the riverbed
Until I feel stable and grounded
That my savior made
Something that has a powerful and calming effect on me, created by a higher power
For us
Together
Please
Please help me find peace and comfort
For me
For my benefit
For us
For our collective benefit
For me
For my benefit
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRADLEY SMITH PEMBERTON, CATHERINE ANNE POPPER, CINDY CASHDOLLAR, JOHN PAUL BOWERSOCK, RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind