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.
The Drug's Not Working
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the windows smashed on the police cars
I was swimming through the streets of New York
With my cocaine dagger and throats to cut
And it was making her cry...
But it was making me high
She was a hooker at the age of sixteen
She was a junkie, and I know it's cliche
But then so was her life, I mean, she lived in L.A.
And it was making her cry...
But it was making her high
And it was making her cry...
And it was making her high
Riot in my skull
The demons are coming
Los Angeles is dead
These drugs ain't working
Painted it all black
The chains are jerking
Los Angeles is dead
The drugs ain't working
Riot in my skull
The demons are coming
Los Angeles is dead
The drugs ain't working
Los Angeles is dead
The drugs ain't working
Los Angeles is dead
"The Drugs Not Working" by Ryan Adams is a song about two individuals living in Los Angeles who are struggling with drug addiction. The first verse describes the singer, presumably Ryan himself, shooting up drugs in the back of a car and subsequently causing the police to come after him. The second verse is about a 16-year-old girl who prostituted herself to feed her drug habit. Both individuals are aware of the harm that drugs are causing them, but they continue down their path of addiction regardless. The chorus describes how drugs are not providing the escape or high they once did, and the city of Los Angeles, notorious for its drug culture, has become empty and dead.
One interpretation of the song is that it is a commentary on the destructive nature of drug abuse and its grip on society. The characters in the song represent the darker side of Hollywood that is often hidden behind its glitz and glamour. The chorus, "Los Angeles is dead, the drugs ain't working," reinforces the idea that drugs can consume a person to the point of death and ultimately destroy a city.
The lyrics of "The Drugs Not Working" are heavy and poignant, which is typical of Ryan Adams' style. He draws from his personal experiences and struggles with addiction, as well as his observations of others around him. The song features simple yet powerful chord progressions, likely meant to highlight the raw emotion in the lyrics. Overall, "The Drugs Not Working" offers a sobering look at the downward spiral of addiction and its impact on individuals and society as a whole.
Line by Line Meaning
I was shooting in the back of the car
I was recklessly using drugs while riding in the back of a car.
When the windows smashed on the police cars
The car was involved in a dangerous situation with the police, possibly as a result of drug use.
I was swimming through the streets of New York
I was aimlessly wandering through the streets of New York under the influence of drugs.
With my cocaine dagger and throats to cut
I felt powerful and dangerous while under the influence of drugs, and my behavior reflected that.
And it was making her cry...
My drug use was affecting the emotions of someone close to me in a negative way.
But it was making me high
Despite the emotional toll on others, I continued to use drugs to achieve the temporary high they provided.
She was a hooker at the age of sixteen
The woman I knew was forced into prostitution at a young age due to financial hardships.
All she wanted was the money, she didn't need an I.D.
The woman was willing to do whatever it took to earn money, and lacked any concern for legal identification.
She was a junkie, and I know it's cliche
The woman was also addicted to drugs, in a manner that is commonly stereotyped.
But then so was her life, I mean, she lived in L.A.
Drug addiction was a pervasive reality in the woman's life as a result of living in Los Angeles.
And it was making her cry...
The woman's drug addiction was triggering highly emotional responses from her.
But it was making her high
Despite the risks, the woman continued to use drugs for the temporary high they provided.
Riot in my skull
A constant battle is occurring in my mind.
The demons are coming
Negative thoughts and harmful tendencies are starting to consume me.
Los Angeles is dead
The lively and vibrant city of Los Angeles is now devoid of life and meaning due to the influence of drugs.
These drugs ain't working
The drugs are no longer effective in providing relief or a sense of well-being.
Painted it all black
A sense of hopelessness and despair permeates everything around me.
The chains are jerking
Negative impulses and detrimental behaviors are becoming stronger and harder to resist.
The drugs ain't working
The drugs that were once a source of temporary relief are no longer effective.
Riot in my skull
My mind is in a state of constant turmoil and chaos as a result of drug use.
The demons are coming
Negative thoughts and damaging desires are becoming stronger and harder to ignore.
Los Angeles is dead
The negative influence of drugs has left the city devoid of any sense of positivity or meaning.
The drugs ain't working
Despite the risks and the negative consequences, the drugs are no longer effective in providing a temporary sense of relief or well-being.
Los Angeles is dead
The city of Los Angeles is now a dark and empty place, lacking any sense of life or vibrancy.
The drugs ain't working
Even the temporary relief or high that the drugs once provided is now gone, leaving only negative consequences and regret.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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