Going solo, Ferguson issued the acoustic based Three, Four in 2005. Self-released and supported by a U.S. tour with Switchfoot, the five-song EP sold thousands of copies through mail order and touring. The album’s lead track, Suddenly, was interpreted for The Sims 2 (Electronic Arts) and swiftly added to regular rotation at San Diego’s trendsetting 91X and Indie 103.1 Los Angeles. Three, Four scored a San Diego Music Award for ‘Best Pop Album’, with a tight collection of songs that set the bar even higher for future albums.
Ferguson’s latest work is the culmination of a lifetime of influences. With Only Trying to Help, he expands his sonic palette and pop sensibilities, but loses none of his intensity. A lifelong San Diegan, Ferguson grew up in the 80’s. He was a songwriter by the time he hit 7th grade, having absorbed the music of previous decades. “I was way into The Boss when I was a kid,” laughs Ferguson, “And my uncle made me an instant Beatles fan by the time I was 12.”
Fans of hook-filled songwriting in the grand tradition of Jellyfish and Brian Wilson on one end, and Wire or Superchunk on the other, will find Only Trying to Help essential listening. Ferguson has crafted a unique sound full of swirling acoustic six strings, double tracked vocals and chimes, all fused with his signature bombastic electric guitar. The effect is breathtaking as he wrings every last bit of melody out of each song. Over a year in the making, Only Trying to Help hits a little harder emotionally than Ferguson’s past projects. A glance at the lyric sheet shows some heavy times indeed, but the pop edge of the tunes keep them from being melancholy.
“Because of the delicate subject matter, my goal was to write a real powerful record. One that people won’t forget too easily.” Ferguson succeeds. Despite a glossy pop edge and solid hooks throughout, the songs contain an intimacy that’s quite affecting.
In addition to producing, Ferguson plays nearly every instrument on Only Trying to Help, including drums on In the Sea. Now known as a fiery guitarist, Ferguson was originally a drummer. “I really got into Rocket from the Crypt,” says Ferguson, explaining the switch, which saw him helming No Knife through four albums. Inspired by guitarists such as John Reis and aMinature’s John Lee, Ferguson blazed a trail of manic post punk rock ‘n’ roll lasting nearly a decade.
“I’ve always written pop music, so these songs aren’t too far off from what I’ve always done," remarks Ferguson. And while his analogy might ring true on an anthemic rocker like Remission, the string and harmony-laden ballad Must be Friday Night shows a real progression in song craft. “I’m always thinking about new melodies. That’s why I keep a little digital recorder handy.”
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And I Worry
Ryan Ferguson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, so sick of this big fake smile.
When they say, "You with your juvenile noise,
Time to grow up, you're in denial."
If I was starving for fame, to get my name in big bright lights,
I'd go charter a small plane and fall out of the sky.
And you've been licking your red lips so long waiting just for this.
My hands have been keeping my mouth shut
Despite all the shame I've already caused,
Get ready for more. I'm numb to the pain that rattles my bones.
Yeah, I have felt this before.
And I worry that you're on to me.
I'm your prey, your own casualty.
It's funny how fate saves us in ways so unpredictable.
And in the end, you will never get back what you put in.
Despite all the shame I've already caused,
Get ready for war.
I'm numb to the pain that rattles my bones.
Yeah, I have felt this before.
Three, Four (EP), 2005
SUDDENLY
Suddenly, I just found myself waiting for the phone to ring
And I'm hiding out simply 'cuz it's scaring me
Not relying on the people that I ought to be
Another month or two of everybody testing me
And it's time.
So much to do, I'll be lucky just to open up this parachute
As we're falling closer I'll be holding onto you
Wake me up when it is over if I get through
And all the things to you I promised will be coming soon
And it's time.
I'm tired of writing on the back of these postcards
Describing everything that you've missed so far
I'm kicking this bad habit on my own
I'm not surprised, that it's never obvious to all the other guys
When I'm with you I'm invisible, it's my disguise
Everybody get behind me, you can form a line
Just hope you're comfortable standing there your whole life.
NOT ON MY WATCH
So what the hell do we know?
Our response is much too slow and questions linger still
Everybody's waiting for you to come back laughing
After fucking with us all
Should I have been easier on you?
After you suffered more than anyone
Never did I under-estimate you, I never did once
I wish there was a reason for taking one from me
Boy, you put up one good fight
Everybody's praying
You're somewhere up there sailing over us tonight
I never did once, not on my watch
WINDSHIELD
Any way, I can help you through the day
I for one, know the sun, so I'll tell him to stay out
This letter grade, you got an "A", congratulate yourself kid
Would I have known that today's your birthday?
I've been sitting here all day thinking that today's your worst day
We'll celebrate and stay up late, and watch our favorite TV show
Would you know, it was cancelled yesterday
We'll get that guy, who threw that rock into my windshield
I can only ask why he wouldn't give a shit about how he thinks I'd feel
And no one can describe, as patient as I am, how bad I want this deal
So we'll get that guy who threw that rock into my windshield
Yesterday all across the state, on the news they showed your face
And your name, your hiding place, and I'm afraid it's too late
By the way, at the bottom of the page
On the line, I signed your name and your whole life away
WAIT FOR ME THERE
I don't mind if you sit beside me in everything we do
To some, it's nothing new
Would you wait for me there - You said you would so
Would you wait for me there - I thought that I could
In a way it's official, nothing's really changing at all
But they'll miss her, of course they will
If you recall what I asked you in summertime
And if you don't know it already, I've got something in mind.
ON ELVIRA STREET
What an awful start to this New Year for us all
We're picking up the pieces of our hearts that broke apart
So here's to all your courage and your strength for fighting hard
For everybody loves you, you're the namesake in our hearts
And it's gonna be fine over time
Memories of climbing trees on Elvira Street
Sinking our feet into the sand at Redondo Beach
And though our one & only is gone
We need you to keep carrying on
Cause you're the one we look up to
I won't stop praying for you
And it's gonna be fine over time
The lyrics of Ryan Ferguson's song "And I Worry" express feelings of frustration with those who pressure the singer to abandon their youthful pursuit of music and grow up. The singer expresses being tempted to seek fame by doing reckless things like chartering a small plane and falling out of the sky. Despite feeling numb to the shame and pain they have caused, the singer is worried that someone sees through the facade and will hold them accountable. The chorus, "Despite all the shame I've already caused, get ready for war, I'm numb to the pain that rattles my bones," expresses the singer's resigned attitude towards the negative consequences of their actions.
"And I Worry" is a song about the internal conflict that arises when pursuing a dream in the face of opposition and criticism. The singer feels trapped between the desire to chase their passion and the pressure to conform to societal norms. The song's title "And I Worry" is fitting because it expresses the fear of being caught, held accountable, and the potential for failure. However, the singer also expresses a sense of defiance, with the line "get ready for war" indicating a willingness to fight for their dream.
Overall, "And I Worry" is a poignant expression of the difficult choices and internal struggles that arise when pursuing a dream. It highlights the sacrifices and uncertainties that come with chasing one's passion and the fear of failure that accompanies it.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been getting fed up.
I'm tired of the current situation.
Oh, so sick of this big fake smile.
I am tired of pretending to be happy.
When they say, "You with your juvenile noise,
Time to grow up, you're in denial."
People are always criticizing me for being childish and not owning up to my responsibilities.
If I was starving for fame, to get my name in big bright lights,
I'd go charter a small plane and fall out of the sky.
I am not seeking fame, I am not willing to do anything to achieve it.
And you've been licking your red lips so long waiting just for this.
You have been waiting for my downfall for a long time.
My hands have been keeping my mouth shut
From everything spilling out.
I'm keeping quiet and not speaking my mind.
Despite all the shame I've already caused,
Get ready for more. I'm numb to the pain that rattles my bones.
Yeah, I have felt this before.
I have already caused a lot of trouble, but I am not going to stop. I am used to the pain it causes.
And I worry that you're on to me.
I'm your prey, your own casualty.
I am afraid that you know I am up to something, and I am also affecting myself negatively.
It's funny how fate saves us in ways so unpredictable.
And in the end, you will never get back what you put in.
Life is unpredictable, and what you put in may not be what you get out.
Despite all the shame I've already caused,
Get ready for war.
I'm numb to the pain that rattles my bones.
Yeah, I have felt this before.
I am ready for the consequences of my actions, and I am not afraid of what's coming.
Suddenly, I just found myself waiting for the phone to ring
And I'm hiding out simply 'cuz it's scaring me
Not relying on the people that I ought to be
Another month or two of everybody testing me
And it's time.
I am afraid of what people might say or ask of me, and I have been avoiding others that can help me.
So much to do, I'll be lucky just to open up this parachute
As we're falling closer I'll be holding onto you
Wake me up when it is over if I get through
And all the things to you I promised will be coming soon
And it's time.
I am trying to do a lot, but I am not sure if I will succeed. If I survive, I will make good on my promises.
I'm tired of writing on the back of these postcards
Describing everything that you've missed so far
I'm kicking this bad habit on my own
I'm not surprised, that it's never obvious to all the other guys
When I'm with you I'm invisible, it's my disguise
Everybody get behind me, you can form a line
Just hope you're comfortable standing there your whole life.
I am tired of updating people with postcards, and I am trying to change, but no one seems to notice. I feel invisible when I am with others.
So what the hell do we know?
Our response is much too slow and questions linger still
Everybody's waiting for you to come back laughing
After fucking with us all
Should I have been easier on you?
After you suffered more than anyone
Never did I under-estimate you, I never did once
I wish there was a reason for taking one from me
Boy, you put up one good fight
Everybody's praying
You're somewhere up there sailing over us tonight
I never did once, not on my watch
We don't know what's going on, our response is slow, and there are still unanswered questions. Everyone is waiting for you to come back after putting us all through a trial. I wish I knew why this happened, and I never stopped believing in you. You fought hard, and everyone is hoping for the best. I never doubted you.
Any way, I can help you through the day
I for one, know the sun, so I'll tell him to stay out
This letter grade, you got an "A", congratulate yourself kid
Would I have known that today's your birthday?
I've been sitting here all day thinking that today's your worst day
We'll celebrate and stay up late, and watch our favorite TV show
Would you know, it was cancelled yesterday
We'll get that guy, who threw that rock into my windshield
I can only ask why he wouldn't give a shit about how he thinks I'd feel
And no one can describe, as patient as I am, how bad I want this deal
So we'll get that guy who threw that rock into my windshield
Yesterday all across the state, on the news they showed your face
And your name, your hiding place, and I'm afraid it's too late
By the way, at the bottom of the page
On the line, I signed your name and your whole life away
I offer my help, and I will make sure the sun doesn't bother you. Congratulations on getting an 'A.' I didn't know it was your birthday today, and I feel bad because I thought today would be the worst day of your life. Let's celebrate and watch our favorite TV show, but unfortunately, it was canceled. We will find the guy who broke my windshield; I wonder why he didn't care how I would feel. I want a good deal so bad, and I am willing to wait for it. Yesterday, they found you, and I am worried it's too late. Unfortunately, I signed your name and your whole life away.
I don't mind if you sit beside me in everything we do
To some, it's nothing new
Would you wait for me there - You said you would so
Would you wait for me there - I thought that I could
In a way it's official, nothing's really changing at all
But they'll miss her, of course they will
If you recall what I asked you in summertime
And if you don't know it already, I've got something in mind.
I don't mind if you sit next to me, it's something we've always done. Would you wait for me? You promised you would, and I thought I could, too. Nothing has changed, but they will miss her. Do you remember what I asked you in summer? I have something in mind.
What an awful start to this New Year for us all
We're picking up the pieces of our hearts that broke apart
So here's to all your courage and your strength for fighting hard
For everybody loves you, you're the namesake in our hearts
And it's gonna be fine over time
Memories of climbing trees on Elvira Street
Sinking our feet into the sand at Redondo Beach
And though our one & only is gone
We need you to keep carrying on
Cause you're the one we look up to
I won't stop praying for you
And it's gonna be fine over time
This year started badly for all of us, but we will recover. You are brave and strong, and we love you very much. Memories of good times make everything better, but we need you to go on even if we lost someone close. You are our hero, and we will never stop praying for you.
Contributed by Amelia R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.