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.
Voices
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wounded all the time
And I'm inside the room with the TV on
Mute
Screaming, Elijah, Elijah don't you come
Oh god, don't you come
I steal out the window like I'm using the door
Turn into statues of you, fangs exposed, breathing fire
Elijah, don't you come
Oh god, don't you come
Locate the coffin and procure the ring
I'll distract Gabriel
It's your destiny after all
Just go
And don't you ever look back
Kiss me again
And don't you listen to the voices in the past
They lied
They lied
When you see the lights, don't you dare go in
Find your way back to the house
And the wind upon gate
When the gate swing back and forth
That's the sign
And we are never coming back
Once the signal's been fired
When you're in the room I am under the bed
I am inside your soul
I cover your mouth
Hands just as ice
Screaming Elijah
Oh Elijah, come down
Come and take your award
Locate the coffin and procure the ring
I'll distract Gabriel
It's your destiny after all
Just go
And don't you never look back
Kiss me again
And don't you listen to the voices in the past
They lied
Run away from the light
Run away from the light
Little ones
Little ones
The lyrics of Ryan Adams's song "Voices" are a frantic attempt to prevent someone named Elijah from returning. The singer seems terrified of Elijah, warning God not to let him into the room. They have apparently stolen out the window and are now hiding under a bed, their hands covering Elijah's mouth. The lyrics mention the apocalypse, Gabriel, and finding a coffin to procure a ring. The singer encourages Elijah to run away from the light and not to listen to the voices in the past as they have lied. The song ends with a plea to the "little ones" to run away from the light as well.
The meaning of the lyrics is somewhat unclear, but many fans and critics have speculated that the singer is either mentally ill or under the influence of drugs. Others have interpreted them as a metaphor for a broken relationship, with Elijah representing an ex-lover who is trying to return. The use of biblical imagery and references to the apocalypse adds to the sense of unease and foreboding in the song.
Overall, "Voices" is a haunting and somewhat disturbing song that leaves listeners with a sense of unease and uncertainty. The lyrics are open to interpretation and the meaning is ultimately up to the listener to discern.
Line by Line Meaning
You come through the door like a bag of rocks
Your entry is abrupt and heavy, signaling your constant hurt and pain.
Wounded all the time
You are always a victim of hurt and injury.
And I'm inside the room with the TV on
I am inside, but not engaged with what's happening outside.
Mute
I'm silent, not speaking.
Screaming, Elijah, Elijah don't you come
I am yelling to myself, reminding myself not to fall into temptation.
Oh god, don't you come
I am praying for strength to resist temptation.
I steal out the window like I'm using the door
I leave unnoticed, as if leaving through the normal entrance.
Whispering willows outside
The wind blowing through the trees is making a quiet sound.
Turn into statues of you, fangs exposed, breathing fire
My imagination takes over, and the trees transform into frightening images of you.
Elijah, don't you come
I'm reminding myself not to give in.
Oh god, don't you come
I turn to my faith for support.
Locate the coffin and procure the ring
Find and retrieve the object, symbolic of something important to you.
I'll distract Gabriel
I will divert the attention of temptation.
It's your destiny after all
What's happening is predetermined or fated.
Just go
Leave and move forward.
And don't you ever look back
Don't dwell on the past.
Kiss me again
Hold onto the love and support given to you.
And don't you listen to the voices in the past
Ignore the negative self-talk that has held you back.
They lied
The past is not a predictor of the present or future.
When you see the lights, don't you dare go in
Don't let temptation take over, even when the situation seems inviting.
Find your way back to the house
Retrace your steps to return to the place where you belong.
And the wind upon gate
The sound of wind hitting the gate is a symbolic reminder.
When the gate swing back and forth
The swinging gate is a sign of change and that nothing is permanent.
That's the sign
It is a significant moment that symbolizes change.
And we are never coming back
There is no turning back, and we are moving forward towards the future.
Once the signal's been fired
Once the event happens that signals the change, there's no going back.
When you're in the room I am under the bed
When you are present and temptation arises, I am hiding.
I am inside your soul
I am intertwined with you in a shared experience.
I cover your mouth
I prevent you from speaking, as if stopping you from giving in to temptation.
Hands just as ice
My hands are cold, a physical sign of fear or anxiety.
Screaming Elijah
I'm yelling for help, in a way to resist temptation.
Oh Elijah, come down
I'm calling out in desperation for a higher power to intervene.
Come and take your award
You will receive the recognition or reward for overcoming temptation.
Run away from the light
Don't be drawn in by the temptation or lure of something.
Little ones
An endearment or warning to those who are vulnerable or weak.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind