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.
Perfect and True
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I feel like I'm coming undone
Ooh, can you hear me?
Ooh, can you hear me?
Tamed, tamed with the lungs of an old iron boat
If you are cold you can borrow my coat
Ooh, can you hear me?
Calling out to you
Calling out to you
Perfect and true
Talk, talk with the ease of gentle parade
And I feel like I'm going away
Ooh, can you hear me?
Ooh, can you hear me?
Calling out to you
Calling out to you
Perfect and true
In this song, Ryan Adams is using vivid imagery to convey a sense of vulnerability and honesty in a relationship. The first verse begins with the line "Moon, moon licks the sky with a strawberry tongue," which creates a dreamy atmosphere. This is followed by the line "And I feel like I'm coming undone," expressing a feeling of being exposed or vulnerable. The repetition of "can you hear me?" adds to this vulnerability, as if the singer is desperately trying to connect with their partner.
The second verse continues the theme of vulnerability with the line "Tamed, tamed with the lungs of an old iron boat." This image creates a sense of fragility, as if the singer is trying to hold themselves together in the face of the challenges of their relationship. The offer to lend a coat to someone who is cold creates a sense of kindness and comfort that contrasts with the vulnerability expressed earlier.
The chorus, with its repetition of the phrase "Calling out to you, perfect and true," is a cry of longing for connection in the face of this vulnerability. The final verse expresses a sense of disconnection with the line "Talk, talk with the ease of gentle parade/And I feel like I'm going away." This evokes a feeling of drifting apart or being lost in the relationship.
Overall, "Perfect and True" is a song about the challenges of opening oneself up to another person, and the search for connection in the face of vulnerability and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Moon, moon licks the sky with a strawberry tongue
The moon slowly moves across the sky and it looks like it's licking the sky with a tongue the color of a strawberry.
And I feel like I'm coming undone
I feel like everything is falling apart and I'm losing control.
Ooh, can you hear me?
I'm asking if anyone is listening and can hear me.
Tamed, tamed with the lungs of an old iron boat
Something has been controlled and calmed down with the strength and resilience of an old iron boat.
If you are cold you can borrow my coat
If you are feeling lonely or lost, I can help by lending you my comfort and support.
Calling out to you
I'm trying to get your attention and ask for your help.
Perfect and true
I need something to be just right and truthful, without any flaws or deceptions.
Talk, talk with the ease of gentle parade
Someone is speaking calmly and confidently, like they're in a marching parade.
And I feel like I'm going away
I'm feeling disconnected and like I'm drifting off into my own thoughts.
Calling out to you
I'm still trying to get your attention and ask for your help.
Perfect and true
I still need things to be just right and truthful, without any flaws or deceptions.
Contributed by Sophia G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@niklasboija9325
Best love song in the world! Soundtrack of åka skogsbilväg i solnedgången!
@onedeerantler
you can not find this song anywhere but here. to bad this song doesn't get the recognition it deserves
@joseph269
perfect. and true.
@loadedready
wow thanks for uploading all this!
@natemekis3959
Moon, moon licks the sky with a strawberry tongue
And I feel like I'm coming undone
Ooh, can you hear me?
Ooh, can you hear me?
Tamed, tamed with the lungs of an old iron boat
If you are cold you can borrow my coat
Ooh, can you hear me?
Ooh, can you hear me?
Calling out to you
Calling out to you
Perfect and true
Talk, talk with the ease of gentle parade
And I feel like I'm going away
Ooh, can you hear me?
Ooh, can you hear me?
Calling out to you
Calling out to you
Perfect and true