His first full-length album, Roll the Bones, which was self-released in 2011 and landed him a spot as the official busker of the Railroad Revival Tour with Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Mumford & Sons and Old Crow Medicine Show. Much more mellow than his current live performances, Roll the Bones highlights Rose-Garcia more as a lo-fi singer-songwriter, playing acoustic guitars and occasionally taming his growl to a whisper.
The son of artistic parents — his father was a longtime manager of the Paramount Theatre and his mother is an actress, director and writer — Rose-Garcia was always encouraged to pursue his musical and dramatic ambitions, and he clearly feeds off the wildly different personalities and talents of creative communities.
After his early stumbles in New York, he quickly earned respect in an inventive weirdo folk community; his stories of a Los Angeles scene centered in a garment warehouse converted into a loft/speakeasy have Moulin Rouge-level craziness. In Austin he’s connected with a community of musicians focused around Annie Street, while also bonding with indie bands such as Marmalakes, the Sour Notes, Wild Child, Hello Wheels, Whiskey Shivers and more.
Of course, none of those rock or country-influenced bands sound very much like Shakey Graves, and Rose-Garcia said their kinship is founded mostly on hard work and a desire to make the most of their talent in Austin and beyond.
For him that means a year that will be spent mostly on the road — he was among the first acts confirmed for South by Southwest 2013 and is booked for West Texas’ Utopia Fest and the Pickathon in Portland, Ore. — and weighing the biggest decisions of his still-young career.
Ready or Not
Shakey Graves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here comes the weekend
I'll be walking around, talking a lot
Lord knows I don't need a reason
To tell myself I'll be alright
I hope that it's true
I'm already out for the night
Why not make it two?
My God, ready or not
Ooh, here comes the wedding
You wear the white, I'll say why not
(I'm so excited for you)
You're always forgetting
To tell yourself you'll be alright
Let's hope that it's true
You're already one of a kind
Why not make it two?
So I say ready or not
Yeah, here comes the funeral
You wear the black and I'll pick the plot
It's all so unusual
Saying we'll all be alright
And you know it ain't true
It's always a matter of time
What else can you do?
We're already telling a lie
Why not make it two?
In Shakey Graves's song "Ready or Not," the lyrics depict a series of events, each signifying a different milestone or occasion. The song opens with the line "Ready or not, here comes the weekend," indicating the start of a new period of leisure and recreation. The singer expresses their anticipation for the weekend, stating that they will be out and about, engaging in conversations and enjoying themselves. They don't need a specific reason to justify their actions; they hope that everything will turn out fine. They're already committed to spending the night out, so why not extend it to another night?
The song transitions to a wedding, where the singer addresses someone who they are excited for. The person is always forgetting to reassure themselves that they will be alright, and the singer hopes that they truly believe it. The line "You're already one of a kind, why not make it two?" suggests that they see potential in the person to find happiness and fulfillment with another person. The singer playfully implies that they should consider a romantic relationship themselves.
The final verse takes a darker turn as the singer sings about a funeral. They mention that the person is wearing black, likely indicating mourning, while the singer is responsible for selecting the plot for burial. The singer acknowledges that the situation is unusual, and they all pretend that everyone will be alright, even though they know it's not true. They emphasize that in life, it's always a matter of time before things change or challenges arise. The line "We're already telling a lie, why not make it two?" suggests that they are willing to accept and participate in the pretense that everything will be fine, even though they know it's not entirely true.
Overall, "Ready or Not" explores different stages of life, while also touching on the themes of anticipation, self-reassurance, and the inherent human tendency to mask the truth.
Line by Line Meaning
Ready or not
Regardless of our preparedness or readiness
Here comes the weekend
The time for leisure and relaxation is approaching
I'll be walking around, talking a lot
I'll be socializing and engaging in conversation
Lord knows I don't need a reason
I don't require a justification or explanation
To tell myself I'll be alright
Assuring myself that everything will be fine
I hope that it's true
Expressing a desire for the statement to be accurate
I'm already out for the night
I'm already committed to going out
Why not make it two?
Suggesting to double the enjoyment or experiences
My God, ready or not
Expressing astonishment or excitement
Here comes the wedding
The celebration of a marriage is approaching
You wear the white, I'll say why not
You can wear the traditional wedding attire and I won't question it
(I'm so excited for you)
Expressing genuine enthusiasm and happiness for the person
You're always forgetting
You consistently overlook or neglect
To tell yourself you'll be alright
Failing to reassure oneself of their well-being
Let's hope that it's true
Let us aspire for the statement to be accurate
You're already one of a kind
You're already unique or extraordinary
Why not make it two?
Why not embrace another exceptional experience or opportunity?
So I say ready or not
Therefore, I proclaim regardless of our preparedness
Yeah, here comes the funeral
The event of a person's death and burial is approaching
You wear the black and I'll pick the plot
You can wear the customary mourning attire and I'll choose the burial location
It's all so unusual
The situation is unconventional or out of the ordinary
Saying we'll all be alright
Asserting that everyone will be fine or okay
And you know it ain't true
And you're aware that it isn't accurate
It's always a matter of time
It always boils down to a question of duration
What else can you do?
What other options or actions are available?
We're already telling a lie
We're already deceiving or being dishonest
Why not make it two?
Why not continue with another instance of falsehood or deception?
Lyrics © THIRD SIDE MUSIC INC
Written by: Alejandro Rose-Garcia, Cameron Beckham Neal
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BKJ2023
Ready or not
Here comes the weekend
I'll be walking around, talking a lot
Lord knows I don't need a reason
To tell myself I'll be alright
I hope that it's true
I'm already out for the night
Why not make it two?
My God, ready or not
Ooh
Here comes the wedding
You wear the white, I'll say why not
(I'm so excited for you)
You're always forgetting
To tell yourself you'll be alright
Let's hope that it's true
You're already one of a kind
Why not make it two?
Ooh, ooh, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
So I say ready or not
Yeah, here comes the funeral
You wear the black and I'll pick the plot
It's all so unusual
Saying we'll all be alright
And you know it ain't true
It's always a matter of time
What else can you do?
We're already telling a lie
Why not make it two?
@SierraFerrell
Happy to be ghosting on this video with Shakey Graves. Thanks for having me, Alejandro!
@Snoopymk37
This was fantastic! Congratulations on the sold out show in Toronto. We were too late to get tickets but hopefully some will be released. My wife and I have made a point of sharing your music with people. You have a fantastic voice.
@cosmic_drifter_007
You are so welcome to hear and see, Sierra!! 💘
@aliseperkins5616
So good guys. Much love for you both
@amyhayutin1738
Great duo. I had to miss your show in Paonia recently to see Shakey in Grand Junction! Such a hard choice, maybe next time you will tour together! Ask him to play Paradise!🥰🤗🧡👏🏼🙏🏽
@laurenscarlata3270
You guys make an amazing duo!
@justinklink1588
Two of my favorites playing together! Gotta love Shakey and Sierra!
@DetroitDave76
I couldn't agree more!
@wyattevans4972
For real just found this
@aliaskong1723
This is different, wow. My neighbors will be banging on the doors soon. Love it.