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.
Now That You
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where that bracelet used to be
You know, the one I bought in Phoenix
Where they sell old jewelry
Well, I was trying to make you angry
But I didn't feed you to the cops
When I threw that drink in that guy's face
It was just to piss you off
It's harder now that it's over
It's harder now that it's over
Now that the cuffs are off
Honey, it's over now
It's harder now that it's over
It's harder now that it's over
Now that the cuffs are off
And you're free
You're free, free with a history
You're free
You're free, free with a history, oh
I heard your wrists got bruised
Must've felt just like old times
I wish you would've grabbed the gun
And shot me 'cause I died
And I'm nothing now without you
Yeah, I'm less than nothing now
I'm the one between the bars
And lost forever now
'Cause honey it's over
It's harder now that it's over
It's harder now that it's over
Now that the cuffs are off
It's over now|
It's harder now that it's over
Harder now that it's over
Now that the cuffs are off
And you're free
You're free, you're free, free with a history
You're free
You're free, you're free, free with a history, oh
I'm sorry
I'm sorry
Honey, I'm sorry
The lyrics to Ryan Adams's song "Harder Now That It's Over" reflect on a relationship that has come to an end, but the pain of the breakup still lingers. The first verse begins with the singer referencing a bracelet which was significant to him and his partner. He then mentions how he was trying to provoke her by throwing a drink in a guy's face. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the pain the singer is experiencing now that the relationship has ended, and that his partner is "free" from him, but still "free with a history."
In the second verse, the singer suggests that his ex-partner may have been arrested or institutionalized and mentions that her "wrists got bruised." He then expresses regret that she did not shoot him and end his misery, concluding that he is "the one between the bars and lost forever now." The final chorus reiterates the pain of the breakup and ends with the singer apologizing to his ex-partner.
Overall, the song is a dark and introspective look at the aftermath of a failed relationship. The lyrics reflect on the singer's feelings of loss and isolation, as well as regret for moments of emotional manipulation and introspective longing for a relationship that is no longer possible.
Line by Line Meaning
They slapped 'em on you
The authorities put handcuffs on you
Where that bracelet used to be
The place where you used to wear a bracelet is now occupied by handcuffs
You know, the one I bought in Phoenix
I bought you a bracelet in Phoenix
Where they sell old jewelry
Phoenix is known for selling vintage jewelry
Well, I was trying to make you angry
I was intentionally trying to make you upset
But I didn't feed you to the cops
I did not report you to the police
When I threw that drink in that guy's face
I threw a drink at someone to anger you
It was just to piss you off
My actions were meant to provoke you
'Cause honey, it's over now
Our relationship has ended
It's harder now that it's over
Moving on from our relationship is now more challenging
Now that the cuffs are off
You're no longer restrained with handcuffs
Honey, it's over now
Our relationship has officially ended
And you're free
You are no longer restrained or held back
You're free, free with a history
You have a past that may still affect you, even though you are free now
I heard your wrists got bruised
I heard that you got hurt when you were restrained
Must've felt just like old times
Being restrained must have felt familiar to you
I wish you would've grabbed the gun
I wish you had taken more extreme measures towards me
And shot me 'cause I died
If you had shot me, I would have felt dead inside
And I'm nothing now without you
My life has no meaning or purpose without you
Yeah, I'm less than nothing now
Without you, I feel completely worthless
I'm the one between the bars
I am now the one who feels trapped or confined
And lost forever now
I feel completely lost without you
'Cause honey it's over
Our relationship has ended for good
I'm sorry
I apologize
I'm sorry
I apologize
Honey, I'm sorry
I am apologizing to you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: C. STILLS, R. ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamesbruss6762
He’s an unbelievable songwriter. Time and history will remember him as overlooked.
@wlgj1341
I wrote this
@lyriclovercrafts
I can't even put into words how good this song is. Wow.
@theflyingartist
I love this, the opening line is genius. Thanks for posting! :-)
@reaganmiller453
Ok, I'm crying! Agree - genius. Can't believe more people don't appreciate RA but I think they're starting to come around again. Hoping he wins a Grammy, even if he doesn't, I'll be coming back and back.
@Budner
this song is incredible, really means a lot
@royhobbs78
Haunting and beautiful. Ryan is an unbelievably good writer and his performances are spellibinding.
@wlgj1341
I wrote this
@Natelaw1982
Still the best version of this I personally think he’s ever played. DRA always.
@stevicki
This song is my Ryan song for my husband. he died seventeen months ago. I sit in our house and think of these words.