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.
This Is It
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You that's never been sung before
All the words are written for you and never been said before
She kisses when she sleeps
She kisses when she's sleepin'
Let me sing a song for you, a song that's worth dreamin'
Don't waste my time
This is really happening
What's the use in marigolds, these flowers are for you
All the lights go after burn, the sky it splits in two
I kiss her on her teeth
I kiss her on her teeth, mmm.
Let me sing a song for you that alters your belief
Don't waste my time
This is it
This is really happening
Don't waste my time
This is it
This is really happening
Happening
Don't waste my time
This is it
This is really happening
Don't waste my time
This is it
This is really happening
This is really happening
This is really happening
The lyrics to Ryan Adams's song "This Is It" suggest a moment of sincere intimacy between two people. The singer is offering to sing a never-before-heard song for the listener. He emphasizes the uniqueness of the lyrics, indicating that they will be tailor-made for the listener's ears. The singer describes the woman he is with, stating that she kisses when she sleeps as well as when she is awake. This romantic image of the woman recurs throughout the song.
In the next line, the singer dismisses the idea of marigolds, seemingly suggesting that he finds them unimportant compared to the woman he is with. The following line describes a moment of overwhelming sensory experience, where the lights burn and the sky splits in two. The singer then describes kissing his lover on the teeth, a detail that ties in with the sense of intimacy that permeates the song.
The refrain of the song repeats the line "Don't waste my time, this is it, this is really happening." This line emphasizes how significant the moment is for the singer, as well as how fleeting it may be. The line "This is really happening" suggests that the singer is surprised but elated by the moment's reality. Overall, the song suggests a moment of pure presence and intimacy that is unique and singular to the singer's experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me sing a song for
You that's never been sung before
I want to create a unique and special song just for you, with lyrics that have never been spoken before.
All the words are written for you and never been said before
Every word of this song was chosen specifically for you and has never been used in this combination before.
She kisses when she sleeps
She kisses when she's sleepin'
The person I am singing this song about is so affectionate that even while they are asleep they are affectionate through kissing.
Let me sing a song for you, a song that's worth dreamin'
I want to create a song for you that is so good that it will inspire you to have beautiful and peaceful dreams.
Don't waste my time
This is it
This is really happening
Don't take this moment for granted, this experience is real and significant, so pay attention and appreciate it.
What's the use in marigolds, these flowers are for you
All the lights go after burn, the sky it splits in two
Everything, including the world and its natural elements, exists to make this one moment with you special and memorable.
I kiss her on her teeth
I kiss her on her teeth, mmm.
I am so focused on giving the person I am singing about affection that I even kiss her on her teeth.
Let me sing a song for you that alters your belief
I want to create a song for you that is so powerful it will change the way you think or believe about something.
Don't waste my time
This is it
This is really happening
Again, I am emphasizing the importance of this moment and want the person to fully appreciate its significance.
Don't waste my time
This is it
This is really happening
Happening
I am continuously reinforcing the importance of this experience and that it is truly happening in this moment.
Don't waste my time
This is it
This is really happening
This is really happening
The repetition of this line further emphasizes the urgency of the moment and the need to fully appreciate its significance.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOHNNY T., RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dirkbogarde44
Never understood why the album got such bad reviews. I loved it.
@Leanne2201
I agree, think it was Rock n Roll that made me fall for his music. And now I just think he can do no wrong.
@shelley9000
Couldn't agree more!!!
@saintjabroni
Seriously?? I just came across into the album this year, and it's arguably my favorite of his, and one of my faves of any release by anybody!
@sephie742
It's pop music wrapped in hard core facade.
@saintjabroni
@@sephie742🧐
@chasinghappy5395
I love BOTH versions of this song (your rock version and the Cardinals version). They both display two different feelings, that's the beauty of it. The beauty of your music and how versatile it is. I'd have to say that the Cardinals' version is my favorite, the emotion in it (the live version) is so raw and incredible and it found me in a hard time in my life. I just love it all, man
@charles_van_doren
Love Is Hell and Rock N Roll will forever be my favorite Ryan Adams albums.
@imperialjg7142
yes, this.
@idontknowwhattonamemyself8022
yeah i wish this version was on alexa