Bingham dropped out of school at 17 and was introduced to rodeo bull riding. He learned the emotional aspect of pain early in life, when shuttling between small towns and family members in the hardscrabble ranching communities of West Texas and Hobbs, New Mexico -- and became well-acquainted with the physical facets of pain during his years on the Southwestern rodeo circuit.
That ache is palpable in the grooves of Mescalito, Ryan Bingham’s Lost Highway debut, but what’s even more plain is the steely strength needed to overcome it -- a tenor that’s evident in both the singer-songwriter’s preternaturally wizened voice and his remarkably poignant songs, which resonate with roadhouse wisdom and rough-and-ready border-town piquancy.
The Beg For Broken Legs Songfacts reports that Bingham's fourth album, Tomorrowland, was recorded in Malibu, California with producer Justin Stanley and self-released through Bingham's new independent record label Axster Bingham Records on September 18, 2012.
He has won an Oscar for the best film song (Crazy Heart - The Weary Kind) in 2010.
Influences include Bob Dylan among others.
Island in the Sky
Ryan Bingham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
High above the clouds below
So we can feel without fear
A future that we've never known
For I believe that we still
Can make it out of here alive
If we can climb the rolling hills
Up to the island in the sky
He said he come from San Antone
He had a horse named Downtown
Said he was born a running blood
He said, "My friend, you shall have him"
If on his back, you can ride
Across the river, down through the valley
Up to the island in the sky"
Up to the island in the sky
I've got my worry in my pocket
I've got my heart out on my sleeve
You got the silver heart-shaped locket
Ain't nothing else that we could need
Break in the weather, hold onto me
Cross your fingers and don't you cry
Get it together, we can make it
Up to the island in the sky
Up to the island in the sky
Up to the island in the sky
Up to the island in the sky
Up to the island in the sky
Would you walk with me
High above the clouds below
So we can feel without fear
A future that we've never known
For I believe that we still
Can make it out of here alive
If we can climb the rolling hills
Up to the island in the sky
Up to the island in the sky
Up to the island in the sky
The song "Island in the Sky" by Ryan Bingham is a metaphorical representation of the struggles and challenges of life. The lyrics capture the desire to escape the difficulties of reality and find a place of peace and hope. The Island in the Sky symbolizes a place where one can achieve their desires and dreams. The singer invites his listener to join him on a journey to this magical place where there is no fear, and they can have a future they've never known.
The song talks about meeting a man at sundown who comes from San Antone who had a horse named Downtown. Downtown represents the inner drive, grit, and determination to achieve what we desire in our life. The horse is made available to the singer, implying that the inner drive is available to everyone who can ride him. The song suggests that even when we face challenges, we still have the power within us to overcome them and reach our Island in the Sky.
Furthermore, the song goes on to state that we already possess everything we need to achieve our desires. The singer has his worries in his pocket, the listener has a silver heart-shaped locket, and together they can hold on to each other and break through the weather to climb the rolling hills to reach the Island in the Sky. The song concludes with the repeated refrain of the invitation to join the singer to climb the rolling hills to the Island in the Sky.
Line by Line Meaning
Would you walk with me
Do you want to take a journey with me?
High above the clouds below
Far above the earth, where we can see everything below us
So we can feel without fear
So we can experience freedom without any worry
A future that we've never known
A new and unknown future
For I believe that we still
I am still hopeful
Can make it out of here alive
We can survive and succeed
If we can climb the rolling hills
If we can overcome the challenges ahead
Up to the island in the sky
Reach the place where everything is peaceful and beautiful
I met a man at sundown
I encountered a person during twilight
He said he come from San Antone
He claimed to be from San Antonio
He had a horse named Downtown
He owned a horse that he called Downtown
Said he was born a running blood
He stated that he was naturally skilled at running
He said, "My friend, you shall have him"
He offered the horse to me
If on his back, you can ride
If you can ride the horse without falling off
Across the river, down through the valley
Passing through difficult obstacles to reach the destination
Up to the island in the sky"
Arriving at the place of tranquility and beauty
I've got my worry in my pocket
I am carrying my worries with me
I've got my heart out on my sleeve
I am being honest and vulnerable about my feelings
You got the silver heart-shaped locket
You have a precious item that brings sentimental value
Ain't nothing else that we could need
There is nothing else necessary for happiness
Break in the weather, hold onto me
When there is a chance for better times, hold onto me
Cross your fingers and don't you cry
Be hopeful and don't let sadness overcome you
Get it together, we can make it
Let's get ourselves ready and we can achieve success
Up to the island in the sky
We can reach the beautiful and peaceful place
Up to the island in the sky
We can reach the beautiful and peaceful place
Up to the island in the sky
We can reach the beautiful and peaceful place
Up to the island in the sky
We can reach the beautiful and peaceful place
Up to the island in the sky
We can reach the beautiful and peaceful place
Contributed by David H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@drummersteve02
This song has so much meaning to it thank you Mr ryan
@2littleturtle
Mind blowing. Fabulous!!
@louisrios5325
One of my new all time favorite country singers.
Been a fan almost 2yrs
Found him on Yellowstone
@gregcarter1664
heard it on Pandora...out here big trucking and jamming out.... turn it up and hammer down
@wileynowling
I found out he is playing a small venue here in SoCal. Tickets were sold out for two shows almost immediately. I went to STUBHUB and they wanted 500 bucks a ticket. No shit!. Damn Scalpers. This guys good. its time for him to start playing larger venues.
@kwarcinski87
Love all your music man. True talent sir. Keep the good stuff coming, never stop changing and learning.
@andrewgeisick2607
Love this tune. Live it hits on another level! Get this recorded live Ryan
@02grits
That should be a big hit. Love it!!! Ryan aced it!!
@davidmasingo6187
Wanted..dang Ryan Bingham concert outside of dirty SW Texas..travel there is antithetical
@dickrebel9178
Bad ass song...just like all of his songs! He's one of the best.