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.
Wish You Were Here
Ryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know you're so fucked up
You know I couldn't help but have it for you
And everybody knows the way I walk
And knows the way I talk
And knows the way I feel about you
It's all a bunch of shit
It's totally fucked up
I'm totally fucked up
Wish you were here
And streets that only turn to boulevards
And houses with back yards
And it is raining like hell on the cars
And everybody knows the way I walk
And knows the way I talk
Knows the way I feel about you
It's all a bunch of shit
And there's nothing to do around here
It's totally fucked
I'm totally fucked
Wish you were here
And if I could have my way
We'd take some drugs
And we'd smile
We'd smile
We'd smile
But not tonight, my dear
Wish you were here
Wish you were here
Wish you were here
Wish you were here
The lyrics of this song are both sentimental and melancholic, with a touch of despair. The singer is reminiscing about the past and wishing for things that are no longer there. The first verse talks about someone being "so fucked up" and having a "rotten mouth," but despite that, the singer couldn't help having feelings for them. This shows the contradictory nature of emotions - even when we know something is not right for us, we often still feel drawn towards it.
The second verse paints a picture of the surroundings, with streets turning into boulevards and houses with backyards. The rain falls heavily on cars, adding to the already desolate feeling of the setting. The verse ends again with the singer reiterating how much they feel about this person, even though it's "all a bunch of shit."
Towards the end of the song, the singer expresses their desire to take drugs and smile with the person they're missing. However, they recognize that it's not possible at the moment and that they're "totally fucked." The line "wish you were here" is sung multiple times, driving home the theme of longing and nostalgia.
Line by Line Meaning
Cotton candy and a rotten mouth
I am indulging in unhealthy pleasures
You know you're so fucked up
You are well aware of your issues and struggles
You know I couldn't help but have it for you
I still have strong feelings for you despite your flaws
And everybody knows the way I walk
My behavior and personality are familiar to all
And knows the way I talk
People recognize my way of speaking
And knows the way I feel about you
It's clear to everyone that I have deep emotions for you
It's all a bunch of shit
The situation is frustrating and disappointing
And there's nothing to do around here
There are no interesting activities to engage in
It's totally fucked up
The circumstance is severely messed up
I'm totally fucked up
I am also completely overwhelmed
Wish you were here
I wish you were present to help me cope
And streets that only turn to boulevards
The environment feels monotonous and stagnant
And houses with back yards
The houses have private outdoor space, but it doesn't bring much joy
And it is raining like hell on the cars
The weather is relentlessly bleak and damp
And if I could have my way
If I had control over the situation
We'd take some drugs
We would use substances as an escape mechanism
And we'd smile
We would find solace in each other's company
We'd smile
We'd put on a happy facade
We'd smile
We'd try to ignore our problems and focus on the positive
But not tonight, my dear
We can't do that right now
Wish you were here
I miss you and your support
Wish you were here
I wish we were together
Wish you were here
I long for your presence
Wish you were here
I need you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BRAD RICE, RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jesskiper9498
Love this song. I’ll never forget it
@urgulp1554
Quality tune, always loved this album.
@dannyvarner8073
Legendary tune
@Betterman89
Such a great and fucking underrated song
@adamottone5781
To boobie tom ottone