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.
Typecast
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These parts and we play them so well
So well and often sometimes you
And I forget you know who we really are
It keeps me locked into the deal
Binary stars,
Companions in the sky always in orbit
We're just not going supernova any time soon
We're just two stars out under the moon
Typecast, we play losers
Who keep falling in love with the wrong ones
Typecast, what a show, why won't they cancel us?
We got a million more seasons to go
Oh no, oh yes, we've been typecast
Every shadow I knew you underneath
Was just a studio trick, a spotlight on the stage
Black bottles to simulate the depth
To manipulate the young and naive and hide your age
We're worse than liars we're paid to be fixed
Ghost lights in our living rooms for in-between matinees
Two lonely stars someplace beyond the moon
Where the light is coming from
But never receiving or getting any
We're typecast, we play losers
Who keep falling in love with the wrong ones
Typecast, what a show, why won't they cancel us?
Oh come on, typecast, we play losers
Who keep falling in love with the wrong ones
Typecast, what a show, why won't they cancel us?
We've been typecast, yeah we've been typecast
In Ryan Adams's song "Typecast," the lyrics explore the idea of being stuck in predetermined roles or characters in life. The opening lines, "You and I, we were born to play these parts, and we play them so well," suggest that the singer and their partner have become accustomed to playing certain roles or personas. It is implied that these roles are not necessarily authentic representations of who they truly are. They have become so engrossed in these roles that they have forgotten their true selves, as expressed through the line "sometimes you and I forget you know who we really are."
The imagery of "binary stars, companions in the sky always in orbit but never to collide" further emphasizes the idea of being locked into a certain pattern or dynamic. The lyrical comparison to stars conveys the idea of being fixed in place and unable to break free from their circumstances. The lines "we're just two stars out under the moon" suggest that they are constantly under scrutiny or observation, perhaps by others or by society.
The chorus reinforces the theme of being typecast. The singer refers to themselves and their partner as "losers" who keep falling in love with the wrong people. This implies a pattern of repeated mistakes or failed relationships. The line "what a show, why won't they cancel us?" adds a touch of irony, as if they are aware of their own predicament and question why they are stuck in these roles. It seems they have resigned themselves to the fact that they will continue to be typecast, with "a million more seasons to go."
Overall, "Typecast" reflects on the feeling of being trapped in predetermined roles or identities, suggesting that they are playing characters rather than being their true selves. It explores the frustration and resignation that come with being stuck in a pattern and not being able to break free.
Line by Line Meaning
You and I we were born to play
You and I were destined to take on certain roles
These parts and we play them so well
We excel at performing these roles
So well and often sometimes you
At times, we become so immersed
And I forget you know who we really are
That we lose sight of our true identities
It keeps me locked into the deal
This situation prevents me from breaking free
Binary stars
We are like a pair of stars
Companions in the sky always in orbit
Constantly revolving around each other
But never to collide
Yet never coming together
We're just not going supernova any time soon
We won't reach a dramatic climax anytime soon
We're just two stars out under the moon
We are simply two individuals in the spotlight
Typecast, we play losers
We consistently portray characters who struggle
Who keep falling in love with the wrong ones
Continuously attracting the wrong kind of love
Typecast, what a show, why won't they cancel us?
Despite our repetitive roles, why are we not replaced?
We got a million more seasons to go
We are expected to endure countless more episodes
Every shadow I knew you underneath
The image I had of you was only a facade
Was just a studio trick, a spotlight on the stage
A clever manipulation to maintain the illusion
Black bottles to simulate the depth
Using alcohol to create the illusion of depth and complexity
To manipulate the young and naive and hide your age
To deceive and control the vulnerable while concealing your true self
We're worse than liars we're paid to be fixed
We are even more deceptive than typical actors
Ghost lights in our living rooms for in-between matinees
We maintain an eerie, empty existence outside of performances
Two lonely stars someplace beyond the moon
Two isolated individuals in an unreachable place
Where the light is coming from
Where our supposed happiness originates
But never receiving or getting any
But never truly experiencing it
Oh no, oh yes, we've been typecast
Expressing both disappointment and resignation towards being pigeonholed
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind