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.
Shake Down on 9th Street
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lets go out kicking with the boys and the gals
Wear your dress and bring my ring
Someone's gonna get it ain't gonna be me
Lucy Lucy my gal
Lucy Lucy my sweet
Lucy Lucy my gal
I was just gonna hit him but I'm gonna kill him now
We all met about half past three
Lucy she was rocking by my kicking machine
Too many straits and not enough grease
That's when Lucy got it in the chest I think
Lucy Lucy my gal
Lucy Lucy my sweet
Lucy Lucy my gal
I was just gonna hit him but I'm gonna kill him now
Lucy they started fighting I was screaming for him
Boots all dirty sexy and thin
Then on come the lights from the straits in their cars
I was just a laughing when I hit the floor
Lucy Lucy my gal
Lucy Lucy my sweet
Lucy Lucy my gal
I was just gonna hit him but I'm gonna kill him now
The song "Shakedown on 9th" by Ryan Adams portrays a violent episode on 9th street, with the singer proclaiming his love for his girlfriend Lucy, whom he refers to as "my gal" and "my sweet". The song begins with a call to arms, asking Lucy to join him in getting rowdy with the boys and girls on 9th street. The second verse describes a confrontation with another man, whom the singer had originally just planned on hitting, but now plans to kill after Lucy gets shot in the chest. Despite the violence and chaos, the singer still professes his love for Lucy throughout the song.
The lyrics of "Shakedown on 9th" are open to interpretation, but some listeners have suggested that the song is a commentary on the dangers of street life and the consequences of violent behavior. Others have argued that the song is simply a celebration of living life on the edge and having a good time with friends. Regardless of the intended message, the song's driving beat and catchy chorus have made it a popular track among Ryan Adams fans.
Line by Line Meaning
Head on down to 9th street gal
Let's go to 9th street and have some fun
Lets go out kicking with the boys and the gals
Let's hang out with everyone and have a great time
Wear your dress and bring my ring
Put on something nice and bring my ring, let's have a good time
Someone's gonna get it ain't gonna be me
Something's gonna happen, but I'm not the one who will be affected
Lucy Lucy my gal
Referring to a friend named Lucy
Lucy Lucy my sweet
Affectionately referring to Lucy
I was just gonna hit him but I'm gonna kill him now
Originally I was going to hurt him, but now I want to kill him
We all met about half past three
We all got together around 3:30 pm
Lucy she was rocking by my kicking machine
Lucy was dancing near my music player
Too many straits and not enough grease
Too many difficult situations and not enough solutions
That's when Lucy got it in the chest I think
That's when I believe Lucy got hit in the chest
Lucy they started fighting I was screaming for him
Lucy and someone else started fighting and I was yelling for help
Boots all dirty sexy and thin
A description of an attractive person's boots
Then on come the lights from the straits in their cars
Suddenly the police arrived in their cars
I was just a laughing when I hit the floor
I was laughing and then suddenly ended up on the ground
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind