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.
Wolves
Ryan Bingham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'D SLEEP THE SUN AWAY
I WAS JUST A CHILD
I KNEW I WAS AFRAID
THERE WAS NOTHIN' TO GAIN I FOUND
BY RUNNIN' THE OTHER WAY
I HAD TO STAND MY GROUND
AND KEEP THE WOLVES AT BAY
WELL I KNEW SOMEHOW
THERE WOULD COME A DAY
SO I STOOD MY GROUND
KEPT THE WOLVES AT BAY
WOULD NOT TAKE NO MORE
HAD MY FILL
STARS HAD FADED FROM MY EYES
AND RUN FROM LOOKS THAT KILL
THERE WAS NO ONE COMIN' AROUND
TO SAVE ME FROM THE FRAY
I HAD TO STAND MY GROUND
AND KEEP THE WOLVES AT BAY
BUT I KNEW SOMEHOW
THERE WOULD COME A DAY
WHEN I STOOD MY GROUND
KEPT THE WOLVES AT BAY
WELL I KNEW SOMEHOW
THERE WOULD COME A DAY
SO I STOOD MY GROUND
KEPT THE WOLVES AT BAY
YEARS HAVE GONE BY
THE CALLIN' CARRIES ON
SCARS ABOVE MY EYE
ARE TENDER TO THE BONE
AND THOUGH I'VE SETTLED DOWN
I HEAR THE CHILDREN SAY
YOU HAVE TO STAND YOUR GROUND
AND KEEP THE WOLVES AT BAY
WELL I KNEW SOMEHOW
THERE WOULD COME THE DAY
WHEN I STOOD MY GROUND
KEPT THE WOLVES AT BAY
WELL I KNEW SOMEHOW
THERE WOULD COME THE DAY
SO I STOOD MY GROUND
KEPT THE WOLVES AT BAY
The lyrics to Ryan Bingham's song "Wolves" speak of the resilience and bravery needed to face one's fears and stand up for oneself. The singer describes feeling afraid as a child and running away from danger, but eventually realizing that they needed to confront their fears and fight back against the "wolves" that threatened them. The imagery of the "howlin' moon" and "sleepin' the sun away" highlights the sense of isolation and loneliness that comes with facing one's demons. However, the repetition of the lines "I knew somehow there would come a day / when I stood my ground kept the wolves at bay" reflect the singer's determination and eventual triumph over their fears.
The song's lyrics can be interpreted in many ways, but one common interpretation is that they reflect the struggles of overcoming addiction or mental illness. The "wolves" can represent the pattern of destructive behavior or negative thoughts that an individual needs to fight against. The scars above the singer's eye and the line "stars had faded from my eyes" may also hint at a history of trauma or struggle.
Overall, "Wolves" is a powerful song about facing one's fears and staying strong in the face of adversity. The recurring theme of standing one's ground and keeping the wolves at bay is a testament to the human capacity for resilience and persistence.
Line by Line Meaning
THE HOWLIN' MOON WOULD CRY
I was so afraid I didn't even want to sleep at night
I'D SLEEP THE SUN AWAY
I would sleep through the day to avoid facing my fears
I WAS JUST A CHILD
I was very young and vulnerable at the time
I KNEW I WAS AFRAID
I was aware of how scared I was
THERE WAS NOTHIN' TO GAIN I FOUND / BY RUNNIN' THE OTHER WAY
I learned that running away doesn't solve anything
I HAD TO STAND MY GROUND / AND KEEP THE WOLVES AT BAY
I had to face my fears and protect myself
WOULD NOT TAKE NO MORE / HAD MY FILL
I reached a breaking point and couldn't tolerate it anymore
STARS HAD FADED FROM MY EYES / AND RUN FROM LOOKS THAT KILL
I lost hope and avoided dangerous situations
THERE WAS NO ONE COMIN' AROUND / TO SAVE ME FROM THE FRAY
I didn't have anyone to rely on for help during difficult times
YEARS HAVE GONE BY / THE CALLIN' CARRIES ON
The memory of that time still affects me today
SCARS ABOVE MY EYE / ARE TENDER TO THE BONE
The emotional and physical scars still hurt and are sensitive
AND THOUGH I'VE SETTLED DOWN / I HEAR THE CHILDREN SAY
Even though I've moved on, I still hear similar stories from others
YOU HAVE TO STAND YOUR GROUND / AND KEEP THE WOLVES AT BAY
The lesson I learned still applies today: don't let fears control you, face them head on
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RYAN BINGHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jerryfrancis6430
Thank you to the creators of Yellowstone for casting Ryan and giving those of us who didn't know his music the chance to hear it. I'm a huge fan now.
@jakeavonas
Ha.. didn't even know he was in Yellowstone.
@Fatima-yl9jc
Same! i love the songs. esp this one, really resonates with where my life is at right now
@justEdencinchyourheart
Just a suggestion, if you haven’t had an opportunity to watch Crazy Heart, might watch it and also listen to the soundtrack. RB is like no other. His stuff just makes your bones feel at peace.
@jerryfrancis6430
@@justEdencinchyourheart I will have to give it another watch. It has been a while. Thanks!
@mauricegonzalez8470
Obsessed with his music now. Would have never heard it had it not been for the Yellowstone series.
@WisomofHal
Ryan Bingham is probably one of the coolest dudes alive
@Dano-MX5
I’m 70 years old and John Prine and I grew old together…he the artist and me the fan. With his recent passing a void was left in my heart. At my age I had lamented there would be no one out there to fill that void. Listen, there will never be another John Prine but when I discovered Ryan Bingham just recently I feel the void in my heart is being filled. What an amazing talent! I have downloaded Ryan’s entire catalog and have been “binge listening” ever since. What an amazing talent…raw, pure and unique.
@Heatherify
Absolutely agree.. I am 70 as well and when I first heard him..saw him..watched him..I was drawn to his music..his aura..his pain..and yes, he fills a void.
@jobbymctuned6584
Nice words gentlemen. Very true.