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.

Two Hearts
Ryan Adams Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Here we go again
God, I listen, but I'm not listening
Everything she says, oh I heard it all before
So what if I have
It doesn't mean it isn't beautiful
And everyone needs company once in a while

Two hearts, one of them will break

Like bad ideas on a beautiful day
Two figures, moving through the dark
Three words is all it takes to break your heart
In two

Every time she goes
I just pretend that it's not happening
And every time she comes, well then she comes, oh God
So what she's right, so what if she's so beautiful
Beautiful as that
Good for a laugh and too kind

Two hearts, one of them will break
Like bad ideas on a beautiful day
With no hands
This thing will steer itself through the dark
Three words is all it takes to break your heart
In two
All it takes to break your heart

It's just three words, three words in two hearts
Three words, in two hearts

Overall Meaning

The song "Two Hearts" by Ryan Adams is about the complicated nature of relationships and the constant struggle of balancing the desire for companionship with the fear of getting hurt. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been in this situation before, listening to his lover's words, but not really hearing them. He knows that he has heard it all before, but still finds beauty in her words and seeks comfort in her company.

However, even though he does not want to lose her, he cannot help but feel like one of their two hearts will inevitably break. The metaphor of "bad ideas on a beautiful day" reinforces the notion that sometimes things that seem perfect on the surface can be deeply flawed underneath. Despite this, the singer cannot help but be drawn back to her each time she comes around - even if it is just for a laugh or a moment of kindness.

The repeated phrase "three words is all it takes to break your heart in two" suggests that even the smallest things can have a profound impact on a relationship. It is not just big arguments or betrayals that can ruin things, but also small misunderstandings or hurtful comments. The song's final line reminds us that the fragile nature of love is always with us - and that it only takes a few words to shatter it entirely.

Line by Line Meaning

Here we go again
Starting the same pattern of behavior in the relationship

God, I listen, but I'm not listening
Pretending to listen to the partner, but not actually paying attention

Everything she says, oh I heard it all before
Feeling like the partner's words are repetitive and unoriginal

So what if I have
Acknowledging that the partner's point may be valid

It doesn't mean it isn't beautiful
Recognizing the partner's beauty despite it all

And everyone needs company once in a while
Justifying staying in a relationship that may not be the healthiest

Two hearts, one of them will break
The inevitable end to a relationship

Like bad ideas on a beautiful day
Acknowledging the relationship's downfall despite the lovely moments

Two figures, moving through the dark
The couple is blindly moving forward despite doubts and uncertainty

Three words is all it takes to break your heart
The fragility of the human heart and the impact of simple words

In two
A relationship broken into pieces

Every time she goes
The cyclical nature of the relationship coming to an end

I just pretend that it's not happening
Denying the inevitable to preserve feelings

And every time she comes, well then she comes, oh God
The relief felt when the partner returns

So what she's right, so what if she's so beautiful
Acknowledging the partner's strengths and virtues despite everything

Good for a laugh and too kind
Remembering the partner's endearing qualities

With no hands
The relationship is out of their control

This thing will steer itself through the dark
The couple is blindly trying to navigate through their issues

All it takes to break your heart
The delicate nature of love and relationships

It's just three words, three words in two hearts
A powerful message can shatter a relationship completely

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRADLEY SMITH PEMBERTON, JONATHAN GRABOFF, NEAL GRAEME CASAL, RYAN ADAMS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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