George Ryan Bingham (born March 31, 1981 in Hobbs, New Mexico) is an Americ… Read Full Bio ↴George Ryan Bingham (born March 31, 1981 in Hobbs, New Mexico) is an American folk rock/Americana singer/songwriter. In addition to his solo albums, Bingham recorded two albums as Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses.

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.

Keep It Together
Ryan Bingham Lyrics

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Remembering when I was told that's a turn on back
Know that what I had was gone, scattered along the track
On hologram
But I never made a sound, but I was wide awake

Sometimes I can't keep it together
But I'm never give up, I'm not
And make it rough out in the weather

I'm never give up, I'm not

For I've been a heavy load, with a full embrace
Forever holding on to the scars on my face
Sometimes a falling crowd can leave you on your own
Who says you're not allowed to stand on your own, yeah

Sometimes I can't keep it together,
But I never give up, I'm not
And make it rough out in the weather,
But I'm never giving up, I'm not

Remembering when I was told that's a turn on back
Know that what I had was gone, scattered along the track
There is no turning back now
And nothing left to break
I made it this so far somehow, to say that it's too late, hey!

Sometimes I can't keep it together
But I never give up, I'm not

And make it rough out in the weather
But I'm never giving up, I'm not

Overall Meaning

In "Keep It Together," Ryan Bingham sings about the journey of self-discovery and resilience. He portrays a story of a person who had been through a lot of struggles but had never given up. The opening lines of the song suggest a memory of an old lover, which prompts the singer to recollect all that he lost along the way. He talks about it being scattered along the track, symbolic of the various experiences and the pieces of himself that he left behind. The line "on hologram" indicates that these are fleeting memories, that the past only exists like an image that has no real substance.

The chorus emphasizes the resilience of the singer. Despite sometimes feeling like he can't keep it together, he never gives up. He has no intention of delivering himself over to the weather, which is metaphorical of life's difficulties. The second verse talks about his past struggles and how they've left scars, but he holds them close as a badge of honor. The lines "Sometimes a falling crowd can leave you on your own/ Who says you're not allowed to stand on your own" express the idea that it's okay to be different and to walk one's path, even if it's not in sync with others.

Line by Line Meaning

Remembering when I was told that's a turn on back
Recollecting when someone told me to look back and get aroused for something I lost

Know that what I had was gone, scattered along the track
Realizing that my possessions are lost and scattered like debris

On hologram
Living with an image of what I had in my memory, but it's not real anymore

But I never made a sound, but I was wide awake
Keeping silent about my loss, yet fully conscious about it

Sometimes I can't keep it together
At times, I can't handle my emotions

But I'm never give up, I'm not
Nevertheless, I refuse to give up

And make it rough out in the weather
I'll endure the hardships of life

For I've been a heavy load, with a full embrace
I've been carrying a heavy burden with open arms, accepting it fully

Forever holding on to the scars on my face
Permanently carrying the marks of my past struggles and pains

Sometimes a falling crowd can leave you on your own
Sometimes, you can be left alone by the crowd when you're going through a rough patch

Who says you're not allowed to stand on your own, yeah
Challenging the belief that you cannot face the hardships on your own