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.
Why Do They Leave%3F
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh why do they leave
On the day that you needed them the most
Simple cards and things
Rose colored sunsets no flowers for me
Simple cards and things
Rose colored sunsets no flowers for me
Lover why do you leave
On the day I want you for me
Say say it ain't so
That he will take you tomorrow
And I will sit here today
The worst
Simple cards and things
Rose colored sunsets no flowers for me
Simple cards and things
Rose colored sunsets Curtains for me
Lover why do you leave
Lover why do you leave
On the day I want you to be
The one
The lyrics to Ryan Adams's song "Why Do They Leave?" are a reflection on the pain and confusion that comes with losing someone you care about deeply. The first two lines "Oh why do they leave" are repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's desperation and confusion about why people leave. The lines "On the day that you needed them the most/Simple cards and things" suggest that the singer had expected comfort or support from the person who left, but instead received only "simple cards and things." This could be interpreted as a lack of effort or care from the person who left, leading the singer to wonder why they would leave in a time of need. The mention of "rose-colored sunsets, no flowers for me" could represent the contrast between beauty and disappointment; the sunsets are beautiful but without flowers, they lack the fullness and depth that the singer desires.
The second verse begins with the plea, "Lover why do you leave/On the day I want you for me," conveying the singer's desire for the person who has already left. The line "Say say it ain't so/That he will take you tomorrow" suggests that the person who left has found someone else, compounding the singer's pain and confusion. The lyrics "And I will sit here today/The worst" reveal the singer's feelings of powerlessness and devastation. The final lines "Rose colored sunsets/Curtains for me/Lover why do you leave/On the day I want you to be/the one" show the repetition of the earlier lyrics, emphasizing the singer's confusion and longing for the person who left.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh why do they leave
Questioning why people leave and disappear from one's life
Oh why do they leave
Repeating the question to emphasize the sense of abandonment
On the day that you needed them the most
Referring to a specific time of need when someone was not there
Simple cards and things
Mundane gestures and objects that could have provided some comfort
Rose colored sunsets no flowers for me
The beauty of nature no longer brings joy and happiness
Simple cards and things
Repeating the same idea of everyday things lacking significance
Rose colored sunsets no flowers for me
Repeating the idea of the beauty of nature being lost
Lover why do you leave
Questioning a romantic partner's departure and the end of a relationship
Lover why do you leave
Repeating the question to emphasize the pain and heartbreak
On the day I want you for me
Expressing the desire for someone to be present in one's life and love them
Say say it ain't so
Pleading for someone to deny the possibility of leaving or breaking up
That he will take you tomorrow
Acknowledging the reality of someone else taking the person away
And I will sit here today
Feeling helpless and resigned to the present situation
The worst
Describing the feeling of abandonment and heartbreak as the worst possible outcome
Simple cards and things
Repeating the sentiment that small gestures and objects are not enough to fill the void
Rose colored sunsets Curtains for me
The beauty of nature now feels oppressive and suffocating
Lover why do you leave
Repeating the earlier question to emphasize the loss and despair
Lover why do you leave
Ending the song with the same question, reinforcing the sense of confusion and heartbreak
On the day I want you to be
Ending the song with the same desire for a loved one to stay and be present in one's life
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind