In the national selection, Ryan was the only songwriter performing his own composition. He has played support to many acts over the years including Tinchy Stryder, Jedward and more.
Start Again
Ryan Dolan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't even know if I could make it or not
Cause every day is harder on your own
And they when they look at me
It's clear to see that they don't want to be the ones to hang around with
Me
So now I'll guess I'll do it on my own
Life was hard and I got down but I got up and carried on
Time passed so slow
The life I lived was all in vain, a worthless show upon this game
Time was so cold
'cause I can live a lifetime living these lies
I can laugh and act okay
I can show a smile and say I'm happy
But there has gotta be a better way
I wanna live, I wanna love, don't wanna care about anything
'cause I can live a lifetime living this life or start again
I'm tonguetied, feels like I'm losing hold on this lifetime
But I don't wanna be the one to let go
Life was hard and I got down but I got up and carried on
Time passed so slow
The life I lived was all in vain, a worthless show upon this game
Time was so cold
'cause I can live a lifetime living these lies
I can laugh and act okay
I can show a smile and say I'm happy
But there has gotta be a better way
'cause I can live a lifetime living these lies
I can laugh and act okay
I can show a smile and say I'm happy
But there has gotta be a better way
I wanna live, I wanna love, and I don't care about anything
'cause I can live a lifetime living this life or start again
So I won't waste a lifetime living this life or start again
The song "Start Again" by Ryan Dolan expresses the struggles of growing up and facing hardships alone. Dolan acknowledges the difficulties he encountered during his formative years and highlights how he almost lost hope in his ability to succeed. However, with resilience, he rose above his adversities and continued on even when the going got tough.
Throughout the song, Dolan keeps emphasizing that he has been living a lie, pretending to be fine, but in reality, he isn't happy. He yearns for a better life where he could love, live and not be weighed down with anyone's expectations. He's tired of pretending and wears a smiley façade to conceal his true feelings from the people around him. Nevertheless, he's not willing to give up just yet. Dolan's lyrics assure listeners that he won't waste his life pretending to be something he's not; he'd instead start again.
In summary, "Start Again" is a song that echoes the struggles of a young person navigating the difficulties that come with adolescence. It depicts the many challenges one may face and encourages listeners to keep pushing. No matter our experiences, we must remember that we can all make a fresh start if we have the determination to keep going.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess life was tough, growing up
Life was hard for me when I was growing up
I didn't even know if I could make it or not
I wasn't sure whether I could succeed or not
Cause every day is harder on your own
It's difficult to face life alone
And they when they look at me
When people see me
It's clear to see that they don't want to be the ones to hang around with Me
They don't want to spend time with me
So now I'll guess I'll do it on my own
I have to face life by myself now
I'm tonguetied, feels like I'm losing hold on this lifetime
I feel like I'm struggling to hold on to my life
But I don't wanna be the one to let go
I don't want to give up
'cause I can live a lifetime living these lies
I can keep living a life that isn't true to myself
I can laugh and act okay
I can pretend to be happy
I can show a smile and say I'm happy
I can put on a happy face
But there has gotta be a better way
There must be a better option for me
I wanna live, I wanna love, don't wanna care about anything
I want to experience life and love without worrying about anything else
'cause I can live a lifetime living this life or start again
I have the choice to keep living my current life or start anew
The life I lived was all in vain, a worthless show upon this game
My past life has been meaningless
Time was so cold
Life has been tough
So I won't waste a lifetime living this life or start again
I refuse to waste my life on this path and may start over
Contributed by Julia B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@GABsongs77
To Ryan Dolan: This song is awesome.
I will be 60 years old next month and I still remember the teasing, the jokes, the looks and the sneers. Even one of the Church boys called me, Swish (as I would walk by) all through my teenage years. Sure, it hurt. But the sadness and the pain of all that is gone. I must tell you that had it not been for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ from the time I was 11 years old, I would probably not have made it through my youth. I was always taught that God loved me; Period. I was taught that I was wonderfully and fearfully made in God's likeness, by God. I didn't understand how I fit into the scope of things when it came to my relationship with God in relation to who I was as a kid. But I knew that I was loved. I knew I was normal. Yet, I struggled because I was also taught in Church that I was not normal. It was always interesting to me that God accepted me (of this I had no doubt), all of me. But, the Church would not had they known back then.
Seriously kids, and I say this even to adults, IT DOES GET BETTER! You have it better today because some of us stood firm, knowing not just who we were but to WHOM we belonged. We belonged to God. So do you.
I tell every person who is struggling between holding onto your faith in a God who has never denounced you and being who you are, stop the internal fighting. The very words used against us in our upbringing (because those who taught us do not know any better, poor souls) are the very same words that will bring LIFE to you. Freedom is an inward work but you have to surrender to freedom.
I am still gay and I am still a Born Again Christian (because I was also taught that God would never leave me and am just gullible enough to have believed them!) and no one dare try to confront me and try to tell me otherwise. Since 1989, I have followed the call to ministry. I write, sing, record and minister in LGBT affirming churches around the country.
God bless you Ryan. Keep writing and singing songs that make sense. (I am sharing this on my FB page)
Glenn Baker
glennbakeronline.com
https://www.facebook.com/glenn.baker.9026
@ZoomZoomBoom24
I'm so sorry to hear about your experiences.
I hope that you are in a better position now to understand that you are an amazing adult who is going to be okay.
Find your real friends and remember to always be cautious bit don't let that stop you from living your life to the fullest.
After all you are the captain of your ship called, 'Life', and it is up to you who you get to have in it on your journey through what is your experience here on Earth.
I hope you remember to smile because it keeps the bullies puzzled and it keeps you sane.
I've been there and had those experiences myself.
I've had to fight to find me and I know that if I can do it you can do it, too.
It's what makes us unique and extraordinary in this crazy, messed up world!
Best wishes for an amazing life!
@time4troy
I know that feeling. I myself struggled with bullying from 5th grade until the 11th. I cried myself to sleep many nights asking God what I was doing wrong. I was struggling with myself and who I am and at the same time trying to keep a smile on my face and making people think I was doing OK.
The bullying stopped in the 12th grade when the captain of the football team became my best friend. And then I was Mr. Popular.
I have never forgot what my life was like those years. And I'm surprised that I made it through those hard years. I'm not bitter or hate anyone that treated me the way they did and h as very even learned to forgive them but I will never forget. And when I see and hear about what kids go through today with internet my heart goes out to them. There are even days where I sit in my home and cry for hours because I feel their pain.
I try to spread the word to everyone I know to make sure they spread the word.
Side note: I am now living a happy life and don't have to deal with bullying in my work place or city. But the pain will never leave my heart and soul. It has been burnt into me for life.
@AnastaciaPrihodko
Stampy Fan That's a harsh acusation to make. His friend is just simply terrified of what will happen to him too and I completely understand that. He's acting out of fear.
It's not his friend that is the worst. It's the people at his school. Bullying someone for being different is an act of cowardice.
Truth is though, those kids are simply products of their parents/the society they live in.
Luckily I live in a very openminded country and being gay isn't a problem at all. Yes, there are few who can be very hateful but you'll eventually learn to brush it off and your friends will stand up for you. That's a thing I appreciate a lot.
(Okay, I had a really rough time since I attended a very Christian high-school but yeah)
Sadly this kind of openmindedness can't be found everywhere and that is a dreadful thing. People shouldn't be judged based on something that doesn't in anyway affect others (religion, sexuality, skin color etc etc).
To everyone out there, who's going through a rough time - Show those bastards what you're made of.
Don't give up, things will get better. We shine the brightest in our darkest hours.
@ryandolanmusic
Thank you all some much for watching and sharing my video. I never thought it would get a reaction like this but I'm so glad it has. The song means so much to me and I'm so glad you's guys can relate to it too. Hopefully it will do some good. RD
@itspuppevoorhees4943
oh man, i love your music!
@itspuppevoorhees4943
oh man, i love your music!
@nitroschannel1597
+Ryan Dolan , nowadays I'm a happy man, but tell you what, life in the past for me was exactly just like in this video. With bullying behind bullying, thank god my father was a tough guy...tough enough to tell himself that it was enough so that he decided to interfere during a class just to speak with my mates. Because of that I'm much more happier now. And especially knowing they're all with cleaner minds now.
@kungfujohnda
+Ryan Dolan
I agree. This song opened my eyes so much. I will never forget the struggle of being different
Sincerely Prince Hiroshima
@nondrablack2820
+Ryan Dolan I'm balling my eyes out now!! Love the video, but now I can't stop crying.
@ryandolanmusic
We just hit 2 MILLION on YouTube and have over 5 MILLION ON Facebook.
Thanks you all so much for your constant support and for helping me share my music all around the world.
Start Again it still getting over 50,000 views every month and I still gets hundreds of messages every month from people that have went through and are still going through hard times because of their sexuality and the bullying is still happening.
Things are getting better but we are not there yet.
And to anyone who is going through hard times, things will get better for you I promise, so stay strong and hang in here. ❤️❤️
Ryan
@kylecowden4951
Ryan Dolan I ❤Ryan
@leongames4234
Ryan Dolan we love you, great song
@disaster2023sp
This video is amazing! c: I love it! greetings from Argentina! ♥