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.
Stop
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When someone bumps into you
Be careful, don't you let go too soon
Oh, I wanna stop you
I wanna talk to you
I wanna stop you
I wanna talk to you
We are like that fallen prize
Maybe it was always too high
Be careful, it wasn't built to last
We are like a frozen rink
When the sun comes up again
We'll be a mirror and then disappear
Into thin air
Oh, I wanna stop you
I wanna talk to you
I wanna stop you
I wanna talk to you
I wanna stop you
I wanna talk to you
I wanna stop you
I wanna talk to you
The lyrics in Ryan Adams's "Stop" are a reminder of how delicate and fragile human relationships can be. In the first verse, Adams compares humans to a red balloon that is easily released if someone bumps into it. This is a metaphor for a relationship that can be easily broken if someone does not handle it with care. The second verse compares humans to a fallen prize that was always too high, meaning that the relationship may have been too ambitious from the start. The imagery of a frozen rink in the third verse represents the stagnation of a relationship, waiting for a change to renew it. However, when the sun comes up, the relationship disappears into thin air.
The chorus of the song is a repeated desire to "stop" and "talk to" the other person. This could be interpreted as an attempt to save the relationship from falling apart or to try to salvage what is left of it. The song's message is that relationships need constant attention and care to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
We are like our red balloon
We are fragile and easily affected by the actions of others, like a red balloon that can be easily popped.
When someone bumps into you
When someone causes us harm or disruption, just like when someone accidentally bumps into a balloon and it may burst.
Be careful, don't you let go too soon
We should be cautious not to give up too quickly when faced with setbacks or challenges, like how one may lose their grip on a balloon if they let go too soon.
Oh, I wanna stop you
The artist desires to intervene and make an effort to change the course of someone's actions or the direction of a situation.
I wanna talk to you
The artist wants to communicate with the other person, and possibly resolve any issues or misunderstandings that exist.
We are like that fallen prize
We strive for success or achievement, but sometimes that success may not be sustainable, like a prize that can fall or fail to meet our expectations.
Maybe it was always too high
The goal or objective set may have been unrealistic or unattainable from the start.
Be careful, it wasn't built to last
The artist advises caution, as the achievement or success may not have been designed to be long-lasting or sustainable.
We are like a frozen rink
Similar to a frozen rink that is temporary, we can sometimes feel like we are in a temporary state or situation that may not last.
When the sun comes up again
The artist implies that change is inevitable and a new chapter will begin.
We'll be a mirror and then disappear
Like a reflection in the mirror, the singer suggests that we too will eventually go away or cease to exist, similar to when the ice melts away.
Into thin air
The artist emphasizes the idea that everything will eventually disappear or be forgotten, just like how the ice disappears into thin air.
I wanna stop you
The singer reiterates their desire to intervene and change the course of events.
I wanna talk to you
The singer repeats their desire to communicate with the other person and resolve any misunderstandings.
I wanna stop you
The singer emphasizes their desire to intervene and make a change.
I wanna talk to you
The artist repeats their desire to communicate and possibly resolve any issues or misunderstandings.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ryan Adams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Danielkg10
I've struggled with alcohol addiction my entire adult life. I can't hear this song without breaking into tears.
Chris Hardiman
Simply the saddest and yet most beautiful song imaginable. The pain in his voice is all too real, you can feel the utter despair he was going through at that time, it comes across in ever single not, every single lyric. Its impossible to listen to this without feeling torn up inside. Stunningly heartbreaking and so moving
Pez
This song makes me happy. The sound of a man rescuing himself from himself...beautiful.
Barbara Roberts
The chords in this song completely captures the feeling of despair . I truly hope he rises up over this difficult time and continues to write and sing again. Everyone deserves a second chance.
Barbara Roberts
4:03 my heart breaks everytime I hear this beautiful song.
notwister1
one of my all-time-favs by Ryan - it is so painfully beautiful, that it "cuts" right thru me.....always. I could listen to it for hours on repeat.
Also one the longest songs by him I think and so personal and true that I believe every word - although I never suffered from an alcohol addiction......
donalscool
Amazing quality video, Fantastic song!
jackson413
One of the saddest songs I've ever heard. Beautiful and brilliant in every way
awaggenspack
i figured it was alcoholism, but i'm not sure. never heard anything quite like it though.
poobear
:(