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.

You Are Blind
Ryan Bingham Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

She′s colorful and crazy
You think she's broken hearted
The sadness of the world
Is where the conversation started
But you want to be with her
′Cause you think that you can save her
But she likes the way she is
And says that's the way god made her

But you know that you can't love her
With a love that lasts forever
So you hold her so closely
′Cause you know that you are blind
She takes you many places
So you go there together
The ride′s always stormy
You're sure it will get better
And she touches you so softly
Sometimes you can barely feel her
She tells you she′s your lover
But your mind, it knows better
And just when you want to leave her
She brings you into her body
And your head goes to spinnin'
And you know that you are blind
So maybe tomorrow
She′ll be gone forever
It's always her favor
If you′ll be together
It's hard to imagine
That she is only human
But she's really no different
Than any other woman
But you′d carry her forever
No matter what the distance

Because you believe her
And you know that you are blind

Overall Meaning

The song 'You Are Blind' by Ryan Bingham talks about a troubled woman who is colorful, crazy, and feels broken-hearted. She initiates a conversation about the sadness of the world, and the singer wants to be with her to save her from her sorrows. However, the woman denies any need for saving as she is content with the way she is, and she believes that it is God's will. The singer realizes that he cannot love her forever, but he is still loyal to her and holds her tightly because he is blinded by his affection for her.

The song describes the emotional struggles that come with loving someone who is troubled. The singer has a deep affection for the woman and wants to help her but realizes that he cannot fix everything. The woman seeks refuge within the singer's embrace, and he feels obligated to provide comfort and care for her. The song's lyrics portray the singer's confusion, frustration, and concern for the woman and his inability to let go.

Overall, the song is about the complexities of love, loyalty, and trying to fix someone who may not want to be saved. It's about the struggle of being with someone who has their own personal struggles but still choosing to be with them despite the odds against them.

Line by Line Meaning

She's colorful and crazy
This woman is full of life and unpredictable.

You think she's broken hearted
You assume she's sad and needs your help.

The sadness of the world Is where the conversation started
Your conversations about her begin with discussing the sadness of the world.

But you want to be with her ′Cause you think that you can save her
You desire to be with her because you believe you can rescue her from her sadness.

But she likes the way she is And says that's the way god made her
She is content with who she is, and attributes it to the way God made her.

But you know that you can't love her With a love that lasts forever
You understand that your love for her is not sustainable in the long term.

So you hold her so closely ′Cause you know that you are blind
You cling to her even though you recognize the blindness of your actions.

She takes you many places So you go there together
She brings you along on her adventures.

The ride's always stormy You're sure it will get better
Your journey with her is tumultuous, but you remain optimistic that it will improve.

And she touches you so softly Sometimes you can barely feel her
Her touch is gentle, but she is not fully present.

She tells you she's your lover But your mind, it knows better
She claims to love you, but you acknowledge the falsehood of this statement.

And just when you want to leave her She brings you into her body
When you consider departing from her, she pulls you back in with intimacy.

And your head goes to spinnin' And you know that you are blind
Her actions confuse you and you recognize the folly of your ways.

So maybe tomorrow She'll be gone forever
It's possible that she may leave your life for good in the near future.

It's always her favor If you'll be together
The decision to stay together is always up to her.

It's hard to imagine That she is only human
She seems larger than life, and it's difficult to remember that she is just like anyone else.

But she's really no different Than any other woman
Despite her outward appearances, she is just another person with human flaws.

But you'd carry her forever No matter what the distance Because you believe her And you know that you are blind
You would go to great lengths to be with her because of your unwavering faith in her, despite your recognition of your blindness in the relationship.

Writer(s): John Mellencamp

Contributed by Jeremiah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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