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.
Pontiac
Ryan Bingham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
DANCIN' ON THE LEVEE IN THE MORNIN' LIGHT
SMOKE IN MY MIRROR MAKIN' MY HEART BLEED
OH COME ON BABY TOUCH ME TILL I'M WEAK IN THE KNEES
DON'T YOU GO SINGIN' DOWN LOW AND BLUE
COME AROUND AND LOVE ME LIKE A LOVER DO
LIFT MY FEET UP OFF THE GROUND
BELLY FULL OF SPEED AND A STACK A CASH
ACE UP MY SLEEVE, BABY DON'T LOOK BACK
OUT OF TIME BUT THERE'S OPEN ROAD
OH COME ON BABY TOUCH ME TILL I'M BEGGIN' FOR MORE
DON'T YOU GO SINGIN' DOWN LOW AND BLUE
COME AROUND AND LOVE ME LIKE A LOVER DO
LIFT MY FEET UP OFF THE GROUND
OH MY LOVE NEVER LET ME DOWN
HEY HEY
SUGA COME AND JUMP ON IN
I SAY HEY HEY
SUGA ARE YOU READY TO ROLL
HEY HEY SUGA
WANNA BLOW THIS TOWN
YOU SAY DON'T YOU CALL ME SUGA LESS YOU GONNA GO DOWN
DON'T YOU LET ME DOWN
DON'T YOU LET ME DOWN
LOVE
JUMPIN' JACK FLASH IN MY PONTIAC
HUFFIN' AND A PUFFIN' ON THE SEAT IN THE BACK
THIS WORLD'S ON FIRE AND ITS BURNIN' DOWN
YOU SAID NOTHIN' BUT OUR LOVE IS GONNA SAVE US NOW
DON'T YOU GO SINGIN' DOWN LOW AND BLUE
COME AROUND AND LOVE ME LIKE A LOVER DO
LIFT MY FEET UP OFF THE GROUND
OH MY LOVE NEVER LET ME DOWN
DON'T YOU GO SINGIN' DOWN LOW AND BLUE
COME AROUND AND LOVE ME LIKE A LOVER DO
LIFT MY FEET UP OFF THE GROUND
OH MY LOVE NEVER LET ME DOWN
The lyrics to Ryan Bingham's song "Pontiac" evoke a sense of freedom, longing, and escape. The singer finds solace and exhilaration in his Pontiac car, embarking on a journey where he can momentarily forget his troubles. The reference to "Jumpin' Jack Flash" in the opening line hints at a rebellious and daring spirit, as the singer dances on the levee in the morning light. The smoke in his mirror symbolizes a troubled past or personal demons, causing his heart to bleed.
The chorus emphasizes a desire for love and connection, urging someone to come around and love him like a lover should. The line "lift my feet up off the ground" suggests a desire to be lifted from the burdens of life, finding bliss and escape through love. Despite the risks and uncertainties, he yearns for a love that will never let him down.
The bridge of the song introduces a new character, "Suga," who is invited to join the singer in his adventures. "Jump on in" and "are you ready to roll" convey a sense of excitement and a shared desire for freedom. However, Suga sets a condition that the singer shouldn't call her "Suga" unless he is willing to reciprocate her desires.
As the song progresses, the singer acknowledges the chaotic state of the world, but finds comfort in the belief that love will save them. The burning down of the world is juxtaposed with the hope that their love can overcome the challenges they face.
Line by Line Meaning
JUMPIN' JACK FLASH IN MY PONTIAC
Feeling alive and full of energy, driving fast in my Pontiac
DANCIN' ON THE LEVEE IN THE MORNIN' LIGHT
Enjoying the freedom and joy of dancing on the riverbank in the early morning
SMOKE IN MY MIRROR MAKIN' MY HEART BLEED
The reflection of my troubled past causes emotional pain and sadness
OH COME ON BABY TOUCH ME TILL I'M WEAK IN THE KNEES
Desiring the physical and emotional connection with a lover that makes me feel vulnerable and exhilarated
DON'T YOU GO SINGIN' DOWN LOW AND BLUE
Don't let sadness and melancholy overpower you
COME AROUND AND LOVE ME LIKE A LOVER DO
Show me love and affection in the same way a passionate lover would
LIFT MY FEET UP OFF THE GROUND
Elevate me from my troubles and make me feel weightless
OH MY LOVE NEVER LET ME DOWN
I hope and trust that my love will never disappoint or betray me
BELLY FULL OF SPEED AND A STACK A CASH
Feeling the rush of adrenaline and having a good amount of money
ACE UP MY SLEEVE, BABY DON'T LOOK BACK
Having a hidden advantage or secret plan, urging the lover not to dwell on the past
OUT OF TIME BUT THERE'S OPEN ROAD
Feeling a sense of urgency, but still having the freedom to explore new paths and opportunities
OH COME ON BABY TOUCH ME TILL I'M BEGGIN' FOR MORE
Craving intense physical and emotional intimacy that leaves me yearning for even more
HEY HEY
SUGA COME AND JUMP ON IN
Hey, my sweet lover, come and join me enthusiastically
I SAY HEY HEY
SUGA ARE YOU READY TO ROLL
I'm asking if my lover is prepared and excited to embark on an adventure with me
HEY HEY SUGA
WANNA BLOW THIS TOWN
Hey, honey, let's leave this place behind and escape together
YOU SAY DON'T YOU CALL ME SUGA LESS YOU GONNA GO DOWN
The lover playfully warns not to use a term of endearment unless they're willing to engage in intimate acts
DON'T YOU LET ME DOWN
Please, don't disappoint or betray me
LOVE
This is a declaration of affection and a reminder of the overall theme of the song
HUFFIN' AND A PUFFIN' ON THE SEAT IN THE BACK
Taking deep breaths and feeling excited or out of breath while sitting in the backseat
THIS WORLD'S ON FIRE AND ITS BURNIN' DOWN
The world is in chaos and turmoil, falling apart
YOU SAID NOTHIN' BUT OUR LOVE IS GONNA SAVE US NOW
Despite the difficulties, the lover believes that their love will be the saving grace
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RYAN BINGHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elliott P
on Western Shore
"Loud on the Western shore, you're no longer brave"
You used to be scared, but now you are bravely living your life out loud
Think you missed this one
More than once
Significant I think that he ended the song with "you are no longer brave".
Think it was easy for him to have been brave previously because he had nothing to lose as he also points out in What would I've become. He does now and that's changed him