Ryan Adams (born David Ryan Adams on November 5, 1974) is an alt-country an… Read Full Bio ↴Ryan Adams (born David Ryan Adams on November 5, 1974) is an alt-country and rock and roll songwriter and singer from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, which was at the time considered one of the leaders of the alt-country genre, Adams left the band and released his first solo album, Heartbreaker, in 2000 (which was subsequently nominated for the Shortlist Music Prize). As well as his solo albums, Adams has released five albums as Ryan Adams & the Cardinals.

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.

Stay With Me
Ryan Adams Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Love when you call my name
It sends me running into the flame
I love you baby, just treat me right
Hold me closer in the middle of the night
I love you girl, and it's alright
Stay with me

Are you waiting, are you standing guard?

There's nothing they can steal from us
That isn't always yours
I love you baby, just treat me right
Hold me closer in the middle of the night
I love you girl, and it's alright
Stay with me, stay with me
Stay with me, stay with me

Like the speed of sound, or the speed of light
When you say my name, it feels so right
In the middle of the night, would you call my name
Don't worry, it's okay

I love you baby, just treat me right
Hold me closer in the middle of the night
I love you girl, and it's alright

Stay with me, stay with me
Stay with me, stay with me

Overall Meaning

The song "Stay with Me" by Ryan Adams is a love song about a couple whose passion for each other seems to be ever-present, even in the most vulnerable moments of the night. The song's opening lines express the singer's excitement when his lover calls out his name, causing him to run madly into the flames of their passion. He begs her to love him properly and to hold him close in the middle of the night. The repetition of the phrase "I love you girl, and it's alright" creates the impression that everything is going to work out just fine as long as they stay together.

The second verse continues on this theme of commitment and security, as the singer assures his lover that there is nothing that can come between them. He tells her to stay with him, even in the face of unknown dangers. This is a clear representation of the fact that their love is strong enough to overcome any obstacle. The song's bridge reinforces this idea of a love that is both intense and comforting at the same time, as the singer compares their love to the speed of sound and light, two of the fastest things in the universe. He asks her to call his name in the middle of the night, promising her that everything is going to be alright. Overall, the song's message is one of reassurance, love and devotion.

Line by Line Meaning

Love when you call my name
The singer enjoys it when their partner says their name, and it has an intense effect on them.

It sends me running into the flame
The effect of hearing their partner say their name makes the singer feel intense emotions, likened to running into a flame.

I love you baby, just treat me right
The singer wants their partner to treat them well but reassures them of their love.

Hold me closer in the middle of the night
The artist wants physical and emotional closeness at night, perhaps to ease insecurities or fears.

I love you girl, and it's alright
The artist affirms their love for their partner and that everything is okay.

Stay with me
The singer wants their partner to stay with them and not leave.

Are you waiting, are you standing guard?
The singer wonders if their partner is waiting for something bad to happen or if they are on the defensive rather than being open and vulnerable.

There's nothing they can steal from us
The artist believes that no one can take away the love they share with their partner.

That isn't always yours
The artist implies that what they have with their partner is rare and special.

Like the speed of sound, or the speed of light
The artist compares the feeling of their partner saying their name to the sensations of sound and light.

When you say my name, it feels so right
The singer emphasizes the power of their partner saying their name and how it makes them feel good.

In the middle of the night, would you call my name
The artist asks if their partner would say their name in the middle of the night.

Don't worry, it's okay
The singer reassures their partner that they should not be worried about anything.

Stay with me, stay with me
The singer once again implores their partner to stay with them and not leave.

Stay with me, stay with me
The singer repeats their request for their partner to stay with them.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN ADAMS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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