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.
RADIO
Ryan Bingham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need your love tonight
Wrap you arms all the way around me
Tell me I'm alright
I know the hardest part of living
Is letting go
Bad dreams and sad memories
Keep playing on my radio
My radio makes me want to just lose my head
In your car, driving on the freeway
You put your hand in mind
My radio is static like cocaine
I never close my eyes
I've always heard that you could dream
Beyond your doubts
I hesitate but I know my transceiver
Is living in the here and now
My radio makes me want to just lose my head
My radio makes me want to just lose my head
So take me out to the middle of somewhere
So I can hear the moonlight
My radio is breaking up and I feel
I got the wires crossed inside
I know I feel this way
'Cause I keep it to myself
I can't go on this way
Honey, baby, I need some help
My radio makes me want to just lose my head
My radio makes me want to just lose my head
My radio plays me over and over again
My radio makes me want to just lose my head
Hey, baby, won't you come and kiss me
I need your love tonight
Wrap you arms all the way around me
Tell me I'm alright
I know the hardest part of living
Is letting go
Bad dreams and sad memories
Keep playing on my radio
In Ryan Bingham's song "Radio," the singer is clearly struggling with the weight of his emotional burden. He pleads for his lover's affection, hoping she can help him forget his troubles. The opening stanza, "Hey, baby, won't you come and kiss me, I need your love tonight" establishes the singer's desperation at the onset. The use of romantic gestures such as wrapping arms around each other and affirming his worth soothes him.
The second stanza, "I know the hardest part of living is letting go, bad dreams and sad memories keep playing on my radio," is an acknowledgment that he's unable to move on from the past. He describes his radio as a source of emotional turmoil, contributing to his inability to let go. As the verse continues, the singer reveals the extent of his addiction "My radio is static like cocaine; I never close my eyes."
The chorus emboldens his frustration as he repeats, "My radio makes me want to just lose my head," conveying how the memories on repeat are causing agony. Despite this, the singer is aware of his struggle and yearns to find a place where there's peace. He assumes the solution is being removed from the city to an undisturbed environment to heal by finding inner peace. The track closes with the lines " My radio plays me over and over again, My radio makes me want to just lose my head," emphasizing that even the singer is aware at how tormented he is by the recurring events.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, baby, won't you come and kiss me
The singer is asking for affection and closeness.
I need your love tonight
The singer feels a sense of urgency and longing for love.
Wrap your arms all the way around me
The singer wants complete and comforting embrace.
Tell me I'm alright
The artist needs reassurance of their wellbeing.
I know the hardest part of living is letting go
The artist acknowledges that it's difficult to move on from the past.
Bad dreams and sad memories keep playing on my radio
The singer is haunted by unpleasant memories and experiences.
My radio makes me want to just lose my head
The singer finds solace in music but becomes overwhelmed by it sometimes.
In your car, driving on the freeway, you put your hand in mine
The artist is experiencing fondness while on a car ride.
My radio is static like cocaine, I never close my eyes
The artist can't escape the music but it brings them comfort like a drug.
I've always heard that you could dream beyond your doubts
The artist believes that anything is possible if you have hope.
I hesitate but I know my transceiver is living in the here and now
The singer is living in the present moment despite their worries.
So take me out to the middle of somewhere so I can hear the moonlight
The artist wants to escape from the city and enjoy nature.
My radio is breaking up and I feel I got the wires crossed inside
The singer's emotional state is reflected by how the music sounds.
I know I feel this way 'cause I keep it to myself
The singer's reluctance to share their feelings is impacting their mental state.
I can't go on this way, honey, baby, I need some help
The singer admits to needing assistance in moving forward and coping with their emotions.
My radio plays me over and over again
The artist feels stuck in a cycle and unable to break free from the past.
My radio makes me want to just lose my head
The artist finds solace in music but becomes overwhelmed by it sometimes.
Hey, baby, won't you come and kiss me
Closing plea for connection and love.
I need your love tonight
Reaffirmation of the singer's need for affection.
Wrap your arms all the way around me
Reiteration of the desire for a comforting embrace.
Tell me I'm alright
Final plea for reassurance.
Writer(s): RYAN BINGHAM
Contributed by Aria T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Daren Redman
Need to get this album for sure.
Adrian parra
That intro sells the whole song that 🎸 sounds badass
Louis Rios
1:12am drunk and listening to Ryan Bingham
Cheers
Pantagruel
When I found homeboy's mandolin maker in Carlsbad, I knew i was on the right path.
Diesel 350
Good music dudes
Shyanna Contreras
<3