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.
Natural Ghost
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nobody did but a part of me died I suppose from all that waiting
These things they pass in time but the moments get real and it's hard sometimes
I think of someone that I'd like to be and I hold that in my mind
But there's always tonight, tonight
And you, you make me feel like I'm here when I'm not
And it, it makes me feel like I'm not here
But I am, I am more than you think I am
Take a picture of your life for a second now freeze it and look at the screen
What parts of you were daydreams, illusions, and other things
These things they pass in time but the moments are real and it's hard sometimes
Keep the faith, keep moving in time to the music rolling in your mind,
And when you stay home tonight it can become your home
You, you make feel like I'm here when I'm not here
And it, it makes me feel like I'm not here
You, you make me feel like I'm not here
And I am, I am more than you think I am
I am, I am more than you think I am
You make me feel like a natural ghost [Repeat: x4]
In "Natural Ghost," Ryan Adams reflects on the passage of time, the fragility of life, and the struggle to remain present in the moment. The song opens with Adams waiting for someone to die, perhaps to feel a sense of closure or release. However, nobody dies, and instead, Adams feels a part of himself die as he waits. He recognizes that time passes, but the moments can feel real and difficult to handle. Adams thinks of someone he would like to be and holds that image in his mind, but knows that there is always tonight, the present moment that he has to face.
Adams then turns his attention to the listener, acknowledging that they make him feel alive when he is not physically present. However, he also recognizes that this feeling of being alive can create an illusion of not being present in reality. This feeling is complicated, and Adams wants the listener to understand that he is more than they think he is. He implores the listener to reflect on their own life, to take a snapshot and analyze which parts are real and which are merely daydreams or illusions.
The chorus repeats three times, with Adams using the metaphor of a natural ghost. The line "You make me feel like a natural ghost" suggests that the listener gives him a feeling of being alive, but also that this feeling is not completely tangible or real, like a ghost. Overall, "Natural Ghost" is a deeply introspective song that explores the themes of time, illusion, and self-awareness.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I was waitin' around for somebody to die
I was anticipating someone's death to alleviate my boredom
Nobody did but a part of me died I suppose from all that waiting
Even though no one died, the waiting took a toll on me emotionally
These things they pass in time but the moments get real and it's hard sometimes
Although time passes and things change, some moments still hit hard and can be difficult to cope with
I think of someone that I'd like to be and I hold that in my mind
I imagine a better version of myself and aspire to become that person
But there's always tonight, tonight
There's always a chance to make progress towards becoming the best version of myself
And you, you make me feel like I'm here when I'm not
You give me a sense of presence and purpose when I feel lost or disconnected
And it, it makes me feel like I'm not here
At the same time, your presence can make me question my own existence
You, you make me feel like I'm not here
Your influence can make me feel like an insignificant ghost compared to your energy and aura
But I am, I am more than you think I am
Despite feeling small compared to you, I still have value and potential
Take a picture of your life for a second now freeze it and look at the screen
Momentarily pause to observe your current life situation
What parts of you were daydreams, illusions, and other things
Reflect on what aspects of your life are more imagined than actual
Keep the faith, keep moving in time to the music rolling in your mind,
Stay optimistic and keep striving to align your actions with your aspirations
And when you stay home tonight it can become your home
Even in your own space, you can cultivate a sense of belonging and fulfillment
You, you make feel like I'm here when I'm not here
Your presence helps ground me back to the present moment
And it, it makes me feel like I'm not here
However, sometimes your aura can still make me feel out of touch with myself
You, you make me feel like I'm not here
In your force of personality, I sometimes lose sight of my own place in your environment
And I am, I am more than you think I am
Regardless of how much I may be influenced by you, I still am my own person with my own worth
I am, I am more than you think I am
I am more than what anyone may perceive of me from their perspective alone
You make me feel like a natural ghost [Repeat: x4]
Repeated reminder of the feeling of being overpowered and overshadowed by another's influence
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind