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.
Red Lights
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Emptier than outer space
Trees grow arms and eyes
Outside my window witches sharpen knives
For the car crash comes
Red lights
Red lights
I foresee a sudden change
Waltz in the room I hear them laughing
They come to me when know one sees it happening
Red lights
Red lights
Red lights
The lyrics to Ryan Adams's song Red Red Red Red Wine are open to interpretation but one possible meaning is the concept of self-destruction. The singer of the song is described as destroying his "pretty face" and being "emptier than outer space," suggesting that he is either self-sabotaging or engaging in reckless behaviors. The reference to "trees grow[ing] arms and eyes" and witches sharpening knives outside the singer's window could suggest a sense of paranoia or impending danger.
The line "For the car crash comes" could be interpreted both literally and metaphorically. In a literal sense, it could be a premonition of an actual car accident. More figuratively, it could represent a major life event that is approaching and cannot be avoided. The repetition of "Red lights" in the chorus could further emphasize this sense of danger or urgency.
The lines "I foresee a sudden change / They will be the ones to blame" suggest a sense of resignation or fatalism. The singer seems to accept that something is about to happen and that he will not be able to control the outcome. The final lines of the song, "Waltz in the room I hear them laughing / They come to me when know one sees it happening," could be a reference to either a haunting or a mental breakdown. Either way, the song suggests a sense of foreboding and impending doom.
Line by Line Meaning
He destroys his pretty face
He ruins his outward appearance
Emptier than outer space
He feels a sense of emptiness more profound than what exists in the vast expanse of the universe
Trees grow arms and eyes
He perceives the world around him as surreal and fantastical, to the point where inanimate objects appear to take on human characteristics
Outside my window witches sharpen knives
He envisions a menacing and threatening world, with witches outside his window suggesting a haunting and foreboding atmosphere
For the car crash comes
He anticipates a sudden and catastrophic event
Red lights
The flashing lights of emergency vehicles that often accompany accidents
Red lights
The recurring imagery of red lights underscores the sense of danger and urgency
I foresee a sudden change
He has a premonition of an unexpected and significant shift in his circumstances
They will be the ones to blame
He believes that someone else will shoulder the responsibility for the impending change, rather than taking it upon himself
Waltz in the room I hear them laughing
He hears the sound of laughter and camaraderie, yet feels excluded and unable to join in
They come to me when know one sees it happening
He feels isolated and alone, as if he is the only one experiencing this sense of displacement
Red lights
The red lights serve as a symbol of the danger lurking in his life
Red lights
The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the pervasive sense of threat and unease in his world
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Gianelli9
He destroys his pretty face
Empty out in outer space
Dreams grow arms and eyes
Outside my window witches sharpen knives
A car crash, red lights
I foresee a sudden change
They will be the ones to blame
Watching the room I hear them laughing
They come to me when no one sees it happening
Red lights
@robertorosano9496
For yours fans come back Ryan ! Big Colors now!!!and others news records
@peterb6053
New album please Ryan. And Big Colours. We need you.
@sethybooks2522
Future, Keep bringing us the songs really appreciated!!!!!!
@mr.winter1005
From 2002-2003
@eileenheard4444
Love you Future!!! Thank you!!
@kealoha5638
Thanks, Future, for this awesome gift (from a grateful DRA fan who just survived the hurricane)!
@awen13
:-) haven't heard this song before, really liked it. Thanks for the video :D x
@PatienceNatalieRain
This is a reasonable birthday surprise. Thank you.
@mapatterson22
Thanks Future. Another one I've not heard before. It's great. xx
@shannlions
This B-Side off This Is It Slays - Eli Janney produced it I think?