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.
When Pigs Fly
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause I've been a dreamer too
You got that faraway look in your searching eyes
And a heart that's steady and true
I think I know what you're looking for
In the endless blue of the sky
You wait for the time when pigs fly
Did I hear somebody try to say
That imagination will take you nowhere
If anyone says it can't be done
As the time just simply reply
It's a beautiful thing when pigs fly
You never know and it will be
But they'll surely come around
Flashes of pink and flashes of gold
And a distant and joyful sound when pigs fly
I know for a dreamer, cause I've been a dreamer too
You got that faraway look in your searching eyes
And a heart that's steady and true
Are we suddenly seing a dozen or more
Sailing in the clear blue sky?
The time has come when pigs fly
Yeah, it's a beautiful thing when pigs fly
In Ryan Adams's "When Pigs Fly," the lyrics focus on the theme of chasing one's dreams despite the doubters and skeptics. The lyrics suggest that the person being addressed is a dreamer who has a certain spark and passion in their eyes that suggests an unwavering hopefulness. The song encourages the person to keep reaching for their dream, regardless of what others may tell them. The phrase "when pigs fly" is used as a metaphor for the seemingly impossible or unlikely, and the lyrics suggest that even the most improbable of dreams can be realized with enough perseverance and determination. The overall tone of the song is hopeful and encouraging, emphasizing the importance of never giving up on one's dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you for a dreamer
I recognize that you are a dreamer
Cause I've been a dreamer too
I have the same tendency to dream as you do
You got that faraway look in your searching eyes
Your eyes have a certain distant look as if you are searching for something
And a heart that's steady and true
You have a heart that is loyal and steadfast
I think I know what you're looking for
I believe I understand what you are searching for
In the endless blue of the sky
Your desires are so vast and boundless
You wait for the time when pigs fly
You are waiting for something that is impossible to happen
Did I hear somebody try to say
Did I just hear someone say
That imagination will take you nowhere
That your dreams and ideas won't lead you to anywhere
If anyone says it can't be done
If anyone says that it's impossible
As the time just simply reply
When the right time comes, you can respond with action
It's a beautiful thing when pigs fly
It's amazing and beautiful to see something that is believed to be impossible to happen
You never know and it will be
You cannot predict how and when it will happen
But they'll surely come around
But it will certainly happen one day
Flashes of pink and flashes of gold
It will be a magnificent sight
And a distant and joyful sound when pigs fly
And it will bring a sense of happiness and joy
Are we suddenly seeing a dozen or more
Are we now witnessing numerous impossible things happening
Sailing in the clear blue sky?
That is happening right before us?
The time has come when pigs fly
The impossible has become possible
Yeah, it's a beautiful thing when pigs fly
It's amazing and beautiful to see something that is believed to be impossible to happen
Contributed by Addison L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MiSha
I know you for a dreamer
'Cause I've been a dreamer too
You got that faraway look in your searching eyes
And a heart that's steady and true
And I think I know what you're looking for
In the endless blue of the sky
You wait for the time when pigs fly
Did I hear somebody tell you
That dreams are nothing but air
Did I hear somebody try to say
Imagination will take you nowhere
If anyone says it can't be done
As the time just simply reply
It's a beautiful thing when pigs fly
You never know and it will be
But they'll surely come around
Flashes of pink and flashes of gold
And a distant and joyful sound
When pigs fly
I know you for a dreamer
'Cause I've been a dreamer too
You got that faraway look in your searching eyes
And a heart that's steady and true
Now, we suddenly seing a dozen or more
Sailing in the clear blue sky
The time has come when pigs fly
Yeah, it's a beautiful thing
When pigs fly
Allan Aponte
My mother sent this to me and said that it reminded her of my creative mind. Watching it, I cried knowing that she’s always believed in me.
Elaine Palmer
I love this. Thank you Sandra for message and music. My grandaughters have always loved pigs and I cant wait for them to see this
Heidi Petach
I bought the FROG TROUBLE book/album a couple months ago, and it's my grandson's favorite CD. Mine, too! Sandra Boynton is just as talented a song writer as she is an artist. And the awesome list of musicians who participated in the album is amazing! This video is a perfect companion.
MiSha
I know you for a dreamer
'Cause I've been a dreamer too
You got that faraway look in your searching eyes
And a heart that's steady and true
And I think I know what you're looking for
In the endless blue of the sky
You wait for the time when pigs fly
Did I hear somebody tell you
That dreams are nothing but air
Did I hear somebody try to say
Imagination will take you nowhere
If anyone says it can't be done
As the time just simply reply
It's a beautiful thing when pigs fly
You never know and it will be
But they'll surely come around
Flashes of pink and flashes of gold
And a distant and joyful sound
When pigs fly
I know you for a dreamer
'Cause I've been a dreamer too
You got that faraway look in your searching eyes
And a heart that's steady and true
Now, we suddenly seing a dozen or more
Sailing in the clear blue sky
The time has come when pigs fly
Yeah, it's a beautiful thing
When pigs fly
Rosa Dulanto
Ha sido una bella experiencia poder escuchar esta canción, la dulce voz de Ryan Adams y la preciosa animación de Ira Baker. Ahora, a compartirla con mis sobrinos. Gracias.
Mei Zhang
Thank you for making such a beautiful music video! I'm so touched every time I watch the video.
Barbara Baldwin
lovely Ryan Adams has a gorgeous voice, too
James Kaplan
I don't think it is overstating it to say that this is the best video ever, and there will likely never be a better one.
Barbara Baldwin
AGREED!!!!!!!!!!
Richard Mercer
Surely an exaggeration, but I find myself playing it at least once a day. I don't ordinarily like country, but this is simply a beautiful song, video or not.