If you’re a fan of indie rock’s recent past, then you’re familiar with the … Read Full Bio ↴If you’re a fan of indie rock’s recent past, then you’re familiar with the work of guitarist and singer/songwriter Ryan Ferguson. Ferguson has been a lynchpin of the San Diego music community since his high school days. He first came to international attention with his band No Knife. This seminal Southern California band toured throughout the world with prominent rock acts such as Jimmy Eat World, Cursive and Sunny Day Real Estate. Influencing many burgeoning artists of the time, No Knife earned four San Diego Music Awards before their untimely break up in 2003.

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.”

http://www.myspace.com/RyanFerguson

In The Sea
Ryan Ferguson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

So come on
We've got to make it out to the ocean
Where the sun will be setting down
And we'll dive into the deep
'Coz the better and better I feel in the sea
In the sea, in the sea, in the sea, in the sea

So come on

Water's getting high
And hold on as we swell with the rising tide
And we'll drift into the night
Surrounded by threatening skies in the sea
In the sea, in the sea, in the sea

And the fog is rolling in
Just like you said the night this all began
As we feel the darkness all around
When we talk, there's nothing coming out
Of our mouths

So come on
It's time we settle down in the ocean
Near the bottom to be found
And we'll live so peacefully

'Coz the better and better I feel in the sea
In the sea, in the sea, in the sea, in the sea

Overall Meaning

The song "In The Sea" by Ryan Ferguson invites the listeners on a journey to the ocean. He begins with a call to action, urging his listeners to join him in the sea where the sun will set down. The ocean gives Ferguson a feeling of unbridled freedom as he sings about diving into the deep, feeling better and better in the sea. The rising tide and threatening skies do not hinder his love for the sea as he drifts into the night, surrounded by an ominous fog. The darkness surrounding him is palpable; he and his lover can communicate without speaking, emphasizing the intense connection he feels.

Ferguson then invites his lover to settle down in the ocean, near the bottom, where life will be peaceful. The song creates a vivid image of the ocean as a place of escape, salvation, and eternal solace. The ocean is a place of healing, where all the troubles of the land can be forgotten, and where there is only the synchronization of nature's rhythms. Overall, the song expresses Ferguson's love for the serenity and soothing qualities of the ocean, portraying it as a place of respite and rejuvenation.

Line by Line Meaning

So come on
Let's go, it's time to go to the ocean

We've got to make it out to the ocean
We need to get to the ocean

Where the sun will be setting down
We'll get there by sunset

And we'll dive into the deep
We'll go deep into the ocean

'Coz the better and better I feel in the sea
I feel better and better in the ocean

In the sea, in the sea, in the sea, in the sea
Repeated emphasis on the ocean

Water's getting high
The water level is rising

And hold on as we swell with the rising tide
We need to hold on as the tide rises

And we'll drift into the night
We'll go into the night as we drift

Surrounded by threatening skies in the sea
The sea and the skies above are ominous

And the fog is rolling in
Fog is rolling in towards us