"I'm Ready" is the third track on AJR's first album, Living Room, as well as the first track on the EP of the same name. A remix of the song was the final track on the Infinity EP. It was released through AJR Productions and Warner Records.
Ryan wrote this song in his Columbia dorm room during Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. A few months later, he tweeted a link to a video of the song to 80 celebrities. One of them was the Australian singer Sia, who told her manager about the track and got in touch with the CEO and founder of S-Curve Records, Steve Greenberg, who had previously worked his magic on two other sister musical acts, Hanson and the Jonas Brothers. Greenberg liked what he heard and became the co-manager of AJR.
"“I’m Ready” was written in a slightly different way from the rest of our songs, because Mother Nature intervened. Normally we write, record, and produce all of our songs in our living room, but because of Hurricane Sandy, at the end of October 2012, we had no power in our New York City apartment. Adam and Ryan were both in school at Columbia University. In the middle of the storm we brought the keyboard and recording equipment up to Ryan’s dorm room on campus, which is where the song was written. Once power was restored downtown, we finished writing, and recorded the entire track in our living room. It’s not a fancy living room studio, it is literally a microphone, a computer, and a keyboard: that’s it."
Reception[]
The song charted best internationally in Australia, where it peaked at number five and was certified multi-platinum. It peaked at number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2014 (though was no longer on the list by the end of the year) and was certified platinum in 2015, making it one of AJR's first big hits.
You're feeling good, you're feeling right
Across the floor, and I'm already losing my mind
Baby girl, looking fine
Watch you playing and playing and playing these guys
Catch my stare, little smile
Tell me that you're ready and you're feeling the vibe
Someday I'll be so damn sublime,
We'll arrive behind a hash-tag sign
I won't forget you, but I may
Forget your name
My lady
I know what you're thinking
When the bass starts ringing
Can you tell me when you're stoked to start?
Are you ready for tonight,
Set this shit on fire
And we'll dance until we're dumb in the dark
Are you ready?
I'm ready
My lady
I know what you're thinking
When the bass starts ringing
Can you tell me when you're stoked to start?
Are you ready for tonight,
Set this shit on fire
And we'll dance until we're dumb in the dark
Are you ready?
I'm ready
Break me down, dirty jokes
Watch me dear, and say what you wanna know
Beauty lies,within the eyes
Of the beholder, I'll be holding you close all night
I won't forget you, but I may
Forget your name
My lady
I know what you're thinking
When the bass starts ringing
Can you tell me when you're stoked to start?
Are you ready for tonight,
Set this shit on fire
And we'll dance until we're dumb in the dark
Are you ready?
I'm ready
My lady
I know what you're thinking
When the bass starts ringing
Can you tell me when you're stoked to start?
Are you ready for tonight,
Set this shit on fire
And we'll dance until we're dumb in the dark
Are you ready?
I'm ready
Break me down, I'm ready, break me down
Break me down, I'm ready, break me down
Break me down, I'm ready, break me down
Break me down, I'm ready, break me down
I won't forget you, but I may
Forget your name
I'm ready
Break me down, I'm ready, break me down
Break me down, I'm ready, break me down
Are you ready?
"I'm ready!"
You're feeling good, you're feeling right
Across the floor, and I'm already losing my mind
Baby girl, looking fine
Watch you playing and playing and playing these guys
Catch my stare, little smile
Tell me that you're ready and you're feeling the vibe
Someday I'll be so damn sublime,
We'll arrive behind a hash-tag sign
I won't forget you, but I may
Forget your name
My lady
I know what you're thinking
When the bass starts ringing
Can you tell me when you're stoked to start?
Are you ready for tonight,
Setting it on fire
And we'll dance until we're dumb in the dark
Are you ready?
I'm ready
My lady
I know what you're thinking
When the bass starts ringing
Can you tell me when you're stoked to start?
Are you ready for tonight,
Setting it on fire
And we'll dance until we're dumb in the dark
Are you ready?
I'm ready
Break me down, dirty jokes
Watch me dear, and say what you wanna know
Beauty lies,within the eyes
Of the beholder, I'll be holding you close all night
I won't forget you, but I may
Forget your name
My lady
I know what you're thinking
When the bass starts ringing
Can you tell me when you're stoked to start?
Are you ready for tonight,
Setting it on fire
And we'll dance until we're dumb in the dark
Are you ready?
I'm ready
My lady
I know what you're thinking
When the bass starts ringing
Can you tell me when you're stoked to start?
Are you ready for tonight,
Setting it on fire
And we'll dance until we're dumb in the dark
Are you ready?
I'm ready
Break me down, I'm ready, break me down
Break me down, I'm ready, break me down
Break me down, I'm ready, break me down
Break me down, I'm ready, break me down
I won't forget you, but I may
Forget your name
I'm ready
Break me down, I'm ready, break me down
Break me down, I'm ready, break me down
AJR -- "I'm Ready" (Stripped down with Kurt Schneider)
I'm Ready (Stripped Version w/ Kurt Schneider)
Old Music Video[]
The original music video for this song was removed from YouTube entirely and replaced with the current music video. However, the old music video can currently be found on AJRchive.
Old Lyric Video[]
There was also an old lyric video for this song, which was also removed, however it can now be found on AJRchive.
AJR - I'm Ready - (Live) - The X Factor Australia 2014
Live on X Factor
AJR "I'm Ready" (live)
Live at MetroPCS Music Lounge
AJR - I'm Ready live in NYC 3-11-17
Live in NYC
AJR - I'm Ready live - Show of the Summer - 8-19-17
