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.
Snake Eyes
Ryan Bingham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Burn me down, I'm a book, not a page
Lend me your dream, here's a wing for my pay
When the shoe's on the other foot, you ain't got much to say
I know you see the ghost on the side of the road
Silhouettes of headlights are where ya gonna go
You see your mama smile, you hear a song that you adore
Now it's time for you to shed your snake eyes
It's time for you to go
Lay on the table the rest of your lies
It's time for you to go
Cause all the cryin' is over, all the love is gone
And all that remains are the words in a song
And anywhere but here is where I belong
None of your prophecies have ever seen where I've gone
Now it's time for you to shed your snake eyes
It's time for you to go
Lay on the table the rest of your lies
It's time for you to go
In Ryan Bingham's song "Snake Eyes," the lyrics convey a sense of frustration and disappointment with someone who has let the singer down. The chorus, "Now it's time for you to shed your snake eyes, it's time for you to go, lay on the table the rest of your lies, it's time for you to go" shows that the singer has had enough of this person's deception and wants them to move on from their deceitful ways.
The opening lines "Fallin' down on me, before you taste the rage, burn me down, I'm a book, not a page" describes the singer's feeling of being burnt out by this person's lack of honesty. He's asking for the person to be genuine with him before it's too late and he gets angry. The refrain, "When the shoe's on the other foot, you ain't got much to say" is a commentary on how the person is unable to face their own wrongdoing when it's pointed out to them.
The second verse mentions seeing a ghost on the side of the road, likely a metaphor for the past, and how it leads to you ultimately ending up where you're supposed to, represented by the silhouette of headlights. Despite nostalgia, the past won't change your present. The reference to "Amazing Grace" not unlocking the door suggests that even religious redemption can't save someone who won't admit to their mistakes.
Overall, "Snake Eyes" is a song that speaks to the feelings of frustration and betrayal when someone we trust is dishonest. The singer is ready for the other person to acknowledge their failings and move on from them, so he too can move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Fallin' down on me, before you taste the rage
You better back off before you provoke my anger
Burn me down, I'm a book, not a page
I'm more complex than you realize; don't think you have me all figured out
Lend me your dream, here's a wing for my pay
Share your vision with me, and I'll do my part to help make it a reality
When the shoe's on the other foot, you ain't got much to say
You're quick to dish it out, but you can't handle it when the tables are turned
I know you see the ghost on the side of the road
You're haunted by your past, and it's affecting your present
Silhouettes of headlights are where ya gonna go
Your future is uncertain, and you're heading into the unknown
You see your mama smile, you hear a song that you adore
You're reminded of what used to make you happy, but it's not enough to bring you joy anymore
'Amazing Grace' won't unlock your door
You can't rely on religion or outside forces to solve your problems
Now it's time for you to shed your snake eyes
It's time for you to stop being deceitful and confront your true self
It's time for you to go
It's time for you to take action and move forward
Lay on the table the rest of your lies
Be honest about the things you've been hiding
Cause all the cryin' is over, all the love is gone
The time for sadness and affection has passed
And all that remains are the words in a song
All that's left is the memory of what used to be
And anywhere but here is where I belong
I need to leave this place and start fresh
None of your prophecies have ever seen where I've gone
No one can predict my future, and I need to discover it for myself
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE 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