Regarding the band's name, Adams stated that he "suggested the Cardinals because it was my high school football team". Initially, The Cardinals consisted of Ryan Adams, Brad Pemberton, JP Bowersock, Catherine Popper, and Cindy Cashdollar. The band toured in 2004 and recorded Cold Roses. Cashdollar left in 2005 and was replaced by Jon Graboff.
The band toured worldwide without Cashdollar to promote Cold Roses, and during this period returned to the studio to record their second album, Jacksonville City Nights. Bowersock left after the album was recorded, and was replaced by Neal Casal.
In 2006, Popper left the band and was replaced by Chris Feinstein prior to a European tour in 2006. In 2007, The Cardinals joined Ryan Adams to record his new album, Easy Tiger, and the album's producer, Jamie Candiloro, was added to the lineup on piano. Follow the Lights appeared later in the year, once again produced by Candiloro. The album, Cardinology, was released in October 28, 2008; III/IV followed in 2010.
On December 15, 2009, bassist Chris Feinstein died. A posthumous EP, Class Mythology, featuring Feinstein was released on April 16, 2011
Band members:
Ryan Adams – vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica and banjo (2004–2009)
Brad Pemberton – drums and percussion (2004–2009)
Neal Casal – guitar, piano and vocals (2005–2009)
Jon Graboff – pedal steel, mandolin, guitar and vocals (2005–2009)
Chris Feinstein – bass guitar and vocals (2006–2009); died December 15, 2009
Catherine Popper – bass guitar, vocals and piano (2004–2006)
J. P. Bowersock – guitar (2004–2005)
Cindy Cashdollar – steel guitar, lap steel, guitar and vocals (2004–2005)
Jamie Candiloro – piano and keyboards (2006-2007)
www.myspace.com/ryanadamsandthecardinals/
Games
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Burning my house to the ground
High and mellow, oh how she rides me
Out in the meadow where the taxis don't ride
A million times quicker than the pain
Oh, games
A million times better than the pain
Nobody sends me but you
High and mellow, slow and steady
Out in the meadow with you
A million times quicker than the pain
Oh, games
A million times better than the pain
Oh, games
Games, games
In "Games," Ryan Adams sings about a relationship that seems to be destructive and unhealthy. The opening line, "You ain't but a fire on my sad estate," suggests that the person he is singing to is causing chaos and destruction in his otherwise sad and stagnant life. He likens this person to a fire that is burning his house to the ground, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the emotional torment he is experiencing as a result of this relationship.
The chorus, "A million times quicker than the pain, oh games, a million times better than the pain," suggests that although the relationship is causing him pain, he is also addicted to the games that they are playing. The highs are worth the lows, and the thrill of playing the game is more enticing than the reality of the situation. The line, "Out in the meadow where the taxis don't ride," suggests that they are engaged in these games in a secluded and private place, where they can fully indulge in their toxic dynamic without interference from the outside world.
Overall, "Games" is a haunting and introspective exploration of a relationship gone wrong. Adams' lyrics are heavy with imagery and metaphor, painting a vivid and evocative portrait of the pain and pleasure of these destructive games.
Line by Line Meaning
You ain't but a fire on my sad estate
You are only a destructive force in my unhappy life.
Burning my house to the ground
You are causing great harm and chaos in my life.
High and mellow, oh how she rides me
You make me feel a mix of excitement and relaxation.
Out in the meadow where the taxis don't ride
We are in a secluded area where we can be alone.
A million times quicker than the pain
This game we are playing is a way to escape emotional pain quickly.
Oh, games
The games we play are a way to cope with our sadness.
A million times better than the pain
These games are much more enjoyable than dealing with emotional pain.
You ain't but a telegram nobody's sendin'
You are a form of communication that nobody else is using.
Nobody sends me but you
I only hear from you and no one else.
High and mellow, slow and steady
Our interactions are both relaxing and calm.
A million times quicker than the pain
Playing games helps us avoid emotional pain rapidly.
Oh, games
Playing games is our way of dealing with our sadness.
Games, games
Playing games is a recurring theme in our relationship.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRADLEY SMITH PEMBERTON, CATHERINE ANNE POPPER, JOHN PAUL BOWERSOCK, JONATHAN GRABOFF, RYAN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind