Ryan was just 14 years old when he formed his first band called Stage. While still in high school the band played the CBGB's and the Mercury Lounge.
As Ryan grew older he decided to become known as the solo artist R. Star, releasing "Songs From The Eye Of An Elephant".
Ryan was one of the finalists on the CBS reality television show of the second season of Rock Star in July and August of 2006. The show is a talent show type reality show in which the band Supernova is looking for a lead singer to front their band. This show's producer and the drummer of the show is Tommy Lee. On the show, Ryan showed his diverse style from melodic and moving piano to rocking the Rolling Stones.
Ryan still performs in the NYC area with members from the group Stage.
Ryan has performed on such popular shows as Rachael Ray and Late Night With Jay Leno.
His track "Brand New Day" is the theme song to the Fox television drama Lie to Me.
His track "Last Train Home" was featured in the movie P.S. I Love You.
Ryan is currently self-releasing music through a pledge program. http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/ryanstar
Perfect
Ryan Star Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Need the perfect smile for my mother
Look, we've done away with our disease
When I'm dead you'll know me by my teeth
And you, you're perfect now, just smile
La, ha, hey
You're perfect now, just smile
Got my braces off of me this morning
I should have listened to the doctor's warning
Changed my face, you call me names and tease
When you're dead I'll call you what I please
Oh you, you're perfect now, just smile
Whoa
La, da, hey
You're perfect now, just smile
Oh
Rubber bands are holding me together
Rubber bands are holding me together
I need the perfect smile for my mother
Rubber bands are holding me together
Yeah, you're perfect now, just smile
Oh, la la, hey
You're perfect now, just smile
Oh
Yeah, you're perfect now, just smile
You're perfect now, just smile
Oh
You're perfect now, just smile
You're perfect now, just smile
Ryan Star's song "Perfect" is a poignant look at societal pressures to conform to a certain standard of beauty. From the very first line, "Rubber bands are holding me together," it is clear that the singer is struggling to maintain their appearance. They feel the need for a "perfect smile" for their mother, suggesting that their appearance is not just a personal concern, but something that is expected of them by their family.
The second verse further highlights the singer's struggle with their braces. They regret not listening to the doctor's warning, suggesting that the societal pressure they felt was stronger than the advice of a medical professional. The singer's peers have responded with bullying and teasing, highlighting the harsh consequences of not fitting in. Despite this, the singer still responds with defiance, claiming that in death they will "call [their tormentors] what [they] please."
Overall, "Perfect" is a commentary on the harmful nature of societal beauty standards and the pressure to conform to them. The singer's struggle with their appearance, and the responses they receive from others, evoke sympathy and frustration towards the ways in which we force others to fit into a certain mold.
Line by Line Meaning
Rubber bands are holding me together
I am barely keeping myself together, relying on things that aren't meant to hold me up.
Need the perfect smile for my mother
I feel undue pressure to fulfill my mother's high standard of perfection in all aspects of my life.
Look, we've done away with our disease
We have overcome the unhealthy obsession with physical appearance and societal pressures to fit a mold of perfection.
When I'm dead you'll know me by my teeth
After I am gone, I will be remembered superficially for my physical appearance rather than the person I was inside.
And you, you're perfect now, just smile
You are conforming to the societal standard of perfection through your appearance, and I am subtly urging you to acknowledge that rather than reaffirming it.
Got my braces off of me this morning
I have just completed a cosmetic change meant to conform to societal standards of physical perfection.
I should have listened to the doctor's warning
The potential negative consequences of my cosmetic changes were pointed out to me beforehand, but I ignored them.
Changed my face, you call me names and tease
I have changed my physical appearance to fit societal standards, but others still bully and ridicule me for failing to conform enough.
When you're dead I'll call you what I please
When those who have bullied and ridiculed me in life pass away, I will not remember them fondly and may even take pleasure in refusing to acknowledge their legacy.
Yeah, you're perfect now, just smile
I am reiterating the empty praise of societal standards of physical perfection that I have been promoting earlier in the song.
You're perfect now, just smile
The repetition of this phrase drives home the message that this kind of perfection is ultimately meaningless and hollow.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: INGEMAR JANSSON, MIKAEL DANIELSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind