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.
Nervous Breakdown
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My head really hurts
If I don't get the hell outta here
I'm gonna go berserk, cause
I'm crazy and I'm hurt
Head on my shoulders
I'm going berserk
Always talk the same old talk
You see the way I am
You stop anytime you can, cause
I'm crazy and I'm hurt
Head on my shoulders
I'm going berserk
I'm crazy and I'm hurt
Head on my shoulders
I'm going berserk
The lyrics to Ryan Adams’s song, “Nervous Breakdown,” capture the feelings of a person who is teetering on the edge of a mental collapse. With pounding drums and electric guitar, the music matches the frenzied pace of the lyrics. The repetition of “I’m crazy and I’m hurt, head on my shoulders, I’m going berserk” adds to the urgency of the song, highlighting the singer’s fear of spiraling out of control.
The first verse discusses physical pain in addition to disorientation, suggesting that the singer’s mental state is affecting his physical health. The second verse takes on a more accusatory tone, lamenting about the singer’s treatment at the hands of others. The repetition of “the same old talk, the same old lies” evokes a sense of frustration, and the singer notes that people “stop anytime [they] can” when discussing his issues.
Ultimately, these lyrics convey a sense of desperation and confusion, as the singer struggles to make sense of their internal turmoil. Though they are able to articulate their feelings, the repetition of key phrases suggests an inability to escape from the situation at hand.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm about to have a nervous breakdown
I am on the brink of emotional collapse.
My head really hurts
I am experiencing intense physical pain in my head.
If I don't get the hell outta here
Unless I escape from this situation,
I'm gonna go berserk, cause
I will eventually lose control and behave erratically since
I'm crazy and I'm hurt
I am dealing with a complex set of emotional and psychological issues, which are causing me great distress.
Head on my shoulders
I am trying to keep a level head and think rationally.
I'm going berserk
I am struggling to maintain my composure.
Always talk the same old talk
I find myself repeating the same things over and over again.
The same old lies
I am not being truthful with myself or others.
You see the way I am
You can perceive my current mental and emotional state.
You stop anytime you can, cause
You avoid interacting with me when possible since
I'm crazy and I'm hurt
I am struggling with deep-seated psychological trauma.
Head on my shoulders
I am trying to stay grounded and maintain my sanity.
I'm going berserk
I am at risk of losing control of my mind and actions.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARIO ROCCUZZO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ryan Silvan
Here's what Keith Morris had to say about this for what it's worth: “Somebody posted Ryan Adams’ version of Nervous Breakdown. See, a great song should be open to interpretation. Of course there were all of the haters, all of the dissers, all of the dislikers, all of the nay-sayers, all of those people jumping in, “This isn’t cool,” or “this isn’t punk rock.” Well, it has to do with freedom. Anybody should be able to interpret a song however they choose to interpret it. I told one of my friends when Henry was putting together that recording, if you notice and if you listen and you pay attention, the one standout track, the one track that’s completely different from all of the other stuff that was happening on the album was Ryan Adams. It was completely different. It came from a completely different place..” (Keith Morris)
lostgrlcc33
Ryan Adams is amazing..I don't think they would of had him be on this album if they thought otherotherwise.. Great stuff!
The Iceman
Incredible cover.
Deez Nuts830
How could anyone dislike this?
stayfree87
Great cover!
Jamie A2Z83
Ryan Adams does the best covers
Evan Abbott
Awesome cover😁🤘👍
Jason Charles
only he could pull this off with a guitar, no band, and sound better then anyone else on that record...
Kris
big fan of rollins' music - this is an amazing cover... not just a performance by another artist but a whole new arrangement of the song's power. turned out quite well
Foxy Rage
Something about it is amazing