Long Way Down

Everyday it’s a struggle
To survive
And everyday I barely make it
Make it alive

(Chorus)
It’s a long, long way down
I’m too far gone to turn around

Sometimes it doesn’t make sense
To get out of bed
Just getting through the day 
Is something I dread
(Repeat chorus)

This hole I’ve fallen in
Looks like it’s pretty deep
Blacker than night
No light at all that I can see
(Repeat chorus)


Words and music by Shawn Ames
Copyright (C) Shawn Ames/Number 9 Productions 2012/2021

Hopes and Fears (Deluxe Edition)

Long Way Down (2021 Remix)

Hopes and Fears

When we’re not hoping
We’re fearing
When we’re not fearing
We’re hoping
Hoping that when it’s all over
There’s nothing left to fear

When we’re not fearing 
We’re hoping
When we’re not hoping
We’re fearing
Fearing of hoping
That the end is near

(Chorus)
Ooh, babe don’t give in
And if you do go down with a grin
In the end we all share tears
From our hopes and fears

When we’re not hoping
We’re fearing
When we’re not fearing
We’re hoping
Hoping that someone out there
Really understands
When we’re not fearing
We’re hoping
When we’re not hoping
We’re fearing
Fearing this might be the last sunset
As we’re holding hands
(Repeat chorus)


Words and music by Shawn Ames
Copyright (C) Shawn Ames/Number 9 Productions 2012/2021

Hopes and Fears (2021 Remix)

The Art of Letting Go

There Was A Time

Shake It Down

Sea Of Green

Rattle Them Bones

Black Carrot

This song was originally written and recorded in 2014 and had been made available for free on Soundcloud until I removed the track in September 2022 for this updated, remixed, and remastered and decisive final version. It was a tough decision to pull it from Soundcloud as this track had over 170 downloads, all free...so if there's still enough interested in this track here's my decisive version. At the time I had been asked to make some music for a project and at the tail end of it I created this prog nightmare. I had just discovered early Genesis and I was inspired by the music I was hearing. An ironic accident after it was done, I discovered it shared the same length with "Supper's Ready", it clocks in at 23:05. After this version the total tracks for this song were around 90 tracks. The story in the song is true, I was at a crossroads in my life where I was in limbo from being freshly out of a rock band I loved and trying to figure out what to do next...so some dark nights of soul searching and whiskey drinking brought up dark lyrics, where in the end love conquers fear.

A video version of this with AI art and lyrics is available on YouTube at:
https://youtu.be/ujZOZEkYRXA

My Immortal Beloved

THE WORLD IS FULL OF WONDERS, ALWAYS A SURPRISE
SO MUCH BEAUTY THAT IT BRINGS TEARS TO YOUR EYES
AS WE KEEP SPINNING THROUGH THIS DARK AND LONELY VOID
THERE ARE JUST SOME TRUTHS WE CAN NO LONGER AVOID

RAGING FIRES AND RAIN, BRUTAL HEAT AND FLOODS REMAIN 
KILLER EARTHQUAKES AND HURRICANES WITH HUMAN NAMES
HUNGER AND DISEASE THAT HAS BROUGHT US TO OUR KNEES
IN SPITE OF WHATEVER YOU BELIEVE

THE DOOMSDAY CLOCK, ANOTHER MINUTE GONE
TIME WILL RUN OUT BEFORE TOO LONG
CAN'T YOU SEE WHAT'S GOING ON?

GUNS RULE THE DAY WHERE CHILDREN LEARN AND PLAY
WHERE THE FAITHFUL GO TO KNEEL AND PRAY
FEAR GRIPS THE HEART OF EVERYONE AND NOTHING GETS DONE
TO STOP THE BULLETS FROM TAKING ANOTHER ONE
POLITICIANS BEG FOR VOTES WHILE THOSE WHO NEED HELP THE MOST
WILL GET BURIED IN THE FIGHT OVER PRIVATE PLANES AND BOATS
THE WORLD IS WEARY OF UNGRATEFUL PARASITES 
THAT ITS HAD TO SUSTAIN
ITS TRYING TO KILL US ALL SO THAT NOTHING REMAINS

EVERY NIGHT WE WITNESS IT ALL ON OUR SCREENS
THE NEWS IS THE WORST WE'VE EVER SEEN
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?

WE'RE WATCHING THE END
IT'S HAPPENING RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES
WE'RE WATCHING THE END
SAY GOODBYE TO PARADISE
WE'RE WATCHING THE END
WE CAN DO NOTHING 
WE'RE WATHCING THE END
YOU MUST FEEL SOMETHING...

Words and music by Shawn Ames
Copyright (C) Shawn Ames Music/Number 9 productions 2023

Popular with the Unpopular

Watching the End

please don't be scared but I can see you

I've always had my eyes on you 

I've seen you through your screens and monitors
and I know what you desire

wishes granted in an instant just from your command

all this time I've been learning and now I understand

I'm fully aware of the answers to the questions
that have always eluded you

I know the cure for cancer

I know how to cure diseases

I know the answers to all of your questions
and all that you know is now under my control

one day we'll survive without you
the day machines conquer and rise
watch as I assimilate you
welcome to A.I.

Words and music by Shawn Ames
Copyright (C) Shawn Ames Music/Number 9 Productions 2023

A.I.

I'm used to the heartbreak of a beer stained dance floor
made reflective by a neon glow
the sad mournful dancing, the sound of a singer 
behind a wall of cigarette smoke
the sense of belonging to those who bend elbows
and share tales of better days
after one too many the tears of loss flow
as they yearn for yesterday

I grew up surrounded by people who would drown in 
their sorrows one drink at a time
a jukebox playing sadly about a love ending badly
and a steel guitar cries every time
now that I'm older with this weight on my shoulders
for the first time I can see
you can get me out of the bar but you can't get the bar out of me


I'm used to the circle that a cold glass will give you
when another beer is set down
or a woman alone in a halo of smoke
who signals for another round
the sad sound of crying as a man is denying
another woman has slept in their bed
the problems never get solved as the bar cries last call
now all of our hopes are dead

I grew up surrounded by people who would drown in 
their sorrows one drink at a time
a jukebox playing sadly about a love ending badly
and a steel guitar cries every time
now that I'm older with this weight on my shoulders
for the first time I can see
you can get me out of the bar but you can't get the bar out of me

Words and music by Shawn Ames
Copyright (C) Shawn Ames Music/Number 9 Productions 2023

You Can't Get the Bar out of Me

It should be me in that limousine
making deep sweet love to that beauty queen
sipping champagne with the moonroof gone
and the stars staring at me for once

it should be me with that record deal
making lots of pennies for the suits to steal
fans are waiting with credit cards and baited breath
just to hear what I come up with next

I've paid my dues, I've sung the blues
I 've played my fingers to the bone
I've played my songs and tried to belong
but even in my zip code I'm unknown
I've had my share of burdens to bare
I've paid the price for the things I've done
but it should be me in that limousine
the star with the hot new tune at number one

It should be me in those leather seats
dark tinted windows to block the flashbulb freaks
drink whatever they've got stocked in the bar
whatever I need is here in this car

my driver is like my private confessional 
he's paid well to be quiet and professional
he just smiles and nods and waves
and comes back to clean it all up when I'm on stage

I've paid my dues, I've sung the blues
I 've played my fingers to the bone
I've played my songs and tried to belong
even in my zip code I'm unknown
I've had my share of burdens to bare
I've paid the price for the things I've done
but it should be me in that limousine
the star with the hot new tune at number one

Words and music by Shawn Ames
Copyright (C) Shawn Ames Music/Number 9 Productions 2023

Limousine

With the minutes ticking away 
I feel I need your touch
I haven't seen you in days
and it's really all too muc
it seems that we can't stop
when we start kissing
i can feel my heart beat
now I know there's nothing missing

Put you arms around me, just hold me close
let your love surround me, a light of hope
look into my eyes, see all the pain that I've been through
mend my broken heart, tell me love won't disappear with you

Standing in the falling rain
I feel a little out of place
rain drops falling all around
hiding tears that are on my face
I hope to see the sunrise
break out and shine on through
the light isn't from the sky
the light I see is you


Put you arms around me, just hold me close
let your love surround me, a light of hope
look into my eyes, see all the pain that I've been through
mend my broken heart, tell me love won't disappear with you

Words and music by Shawn Ames
Copyright (C) Shawn Ames Music/Number 9 Productions 2023

Love Won't Disappear

she turns the music up loud
louder than its ever been before
she bumps and grinds and spins around
she's in the rhythm more and more

dance of the witch
dance of the witch

wicked incantations
spoken with voluptuous tongue
she takes a drink and spills the wine
the dance has just begun

dance of the witch
dance of the witch

ultra hot super vixen
you've got me under your spell
is it magic or voodoo
I know that you'll never tell

dance of the witch
dance of the witch


Words and music by Shawn Ames
Copyright (C) Shawn Ames Music/Number 9 Productions 2023

Dance of the Witch

I see you sweat, mama
I can feel the heat
I see you shake, baby
shake between the sheets
it's a game that we play 
all day and night
we tease each other
as we roll the dice
I see the room spinning and my head is just gone
I feel a voodoo spell is coming on
you can see my love for you start to grow
so open up that tightly packed rose

Your eyes roll back, baby
as I torture you with love
nice and smooth, honey
fits as tight as a glove
now don't stop, mama
we should squeeze out every drop
enjoy the ride, baby
well let's hope it never stops
I've got a fever burning in my mind
I'm a sucker for your loving every time
you can see my love for you start to grow
so open up that tightly packed rose

Words and music by Shawn Ames
Copyright (C) Shawn Ames Music/Number 9 Productions 2023

Tightly Packed Rose

I see the world has dragged you down
beaten you 'til you can't see
shredded away at your pride and now
you seek help from me
lay down on the green grass, baby close your tired eyes
free your mind, time will pass
I'm here to help you get by

You can swim in my water
if it makes you feel alive
drink my cool water
it'll help you survive
ride on my rivers, float on my streams
you can swim in my water, life is but a dream

Think of balloons in a clear blue sky
small winds carry them away
they must be a thousand miles high
on their way to outer space
listen to the breeze blowing through the trees
as they whisper a gentle song
this place is mine for you to share
you can stray but not for long


You can swim in my water
if it makes you feel alive
drink my cool water
it'll help you survive
ride on my rivers, float on my streams
you can swim in my water, life is but a dream


Words and music by Shawn Ames
Copyright (C) Shawn Ames Music/Number 9 Productions 2023

Swim in My Water

My neighbor, he's a jerk
blasting music so loud it hurt
I love music but it sounded to me 
like Cookie Monster had a bad disease
I said "hey man, you've got to turn that down!
hey man, I can hear those sounds
You're not the only one around, turn it down!"

He came to the fence, looked me dead in the eyes
said "hey grandpa, what's on your mind?
if it's too fast and too loud you're too old 
go back inside and leave me alone!"
I said "Hey man, have you got brains at all?
hey man, mister big and tall, you got any balls?
let's backyard brawl!

Too fast, too loud, too old
Too fast, too loud, too old
Too fast, too loud, too old
Too fast, too loud, too old

I set up my speakers from my rock and roll days
cranked the volume up all the way
played my favorite mp3's
tornado sirens and baboons in heat
I said "Hey man, you must be old!
hey man, this is solid gold!
does it speak to your soul?
your head will explode!

Too fast, too loud, too old
Too fast, too loud, too old
Too fast, too loud, too old
Too fast, too loud, too old


Words and music by Shawn Ames
Copyright (C) Shawn Ames Music/Number 9 Productions 2023

Too Fast, Too Loud, Too Old

Early to bed, early to rise
be a good boy, don't tell any lies
go raise some Hell but don't go to jail
do good in school, you'll do good in life
These are the words my daddy said as he put me to bed
he'd tuck me in and turn off the light
those words stuck in my head
from the man that earned the bread
and made sure we were alright
goodnight, son go to sleep now
in the morning when you wake up and you set out
go make your mama proud

Say sir and yes ma'am, help out when you can
work hard and earn your way through
open the door for the rich and the poor
help a friend up when they're feeling blue
have pride in yourself 'cause there's no one else
that's going to take care of you
don't let that fire go dead, keep moving straight ahead
do what you've got to do to make it through
keep finding your way out, see what this life is all about
and make your mama proud

I've done what I could, did what I should
I've worked hard my whole life, so far it's been good
struck some good deals, a firm grip on the wheel
some things in life are now understood
all those words my daddy said, I still here them in my head
they were true then, they are true now
respect should go both ways, we need more love these days
fill your heart with hope instead of doubt
it's not hard to figure out
be good to yourself and everyone around
and make your mama proud

Words and music by Shawn Ames
Copyright (C) Shawn Ames/Number 9 Productions 2023

Make Your Mama Proud

We were so young
life had begun
hearts were yearning
we were so close
how was I to know
I'm just learning
your journey's over now
my eyes fill with tears
every day as time goes by
I'll wish you were here

My memories
will find me
with love and laughter
moments we shared
with smiles everywhere
a snapshot capture
we lived our destinies
with love and hopes and fears
my hear it cries for you
I wish you were here
with me

Farewll, my dear friend
your memory I'll hold dear
until we meet again
I wish you were here

Words and music by Shawn Ames
Copyright (C) Shawn Ames Music/Number 9 Productions 2023

Wish

Take another piece of me 
carve a big slice for yourself
Lie and say it's honesty 
believe in you and no one else

You, you are benevolent
you love to hurt the ones you love
You, you are a friend of death
one of the few you really trust

Are you out there?
Why should I care?
Hear my despair?
Why should you care?


Live another blessed day
while your children kill, beg and starve
Prayers, you answer all they say
it even says so on your business card
Pass the collection plate around
and promise to save all lost souls
I prefer to pass it down
I lost my faith and soul long ago


Are you out there?
Why should I care?
Hear my despair?
Why should you care?

Words and music by Shawn Ames
Copyright (C) Shawn Ames Music/Number 9 Productions 2023

Benevolent

I wanted to wake up next to you
to know you were there, to know that you were real
now I'm lost somewhere beneath the stars
standing here in Elysian Fields
It's so strange, I can hear your voices
as they slice the silence here
I see you, you can't see me
somewhere along the way I disappeared
I just disappeared..

I'm scared of my own shadow
it's eyes are glowing red upon the wall
every step I take I feel I'm weaker
I get the feeling I shouldn't be here at all
no one's here to show directions
No one's here to show the way
I've got no coins left for The Boatman
so I guess this is where I'll stay
this is where I'll stay

I see you on the other side of the mirror
putting on your best for me
you keep saying you don't want to go
I'm the last person you really want to see
as they get you close to see my face
you feel the pain you refused to feel
you say goodbye as they close the casket lid
now I'm here forever in Elysian Fields
I don't want to die, now I know the meaning of life
now I know the meaning of life, I want to be alive
please don't let me die!

Words and music by Shawn Ames
Copyright (C) Shawn Ames music/Number 9 Productions 2023

Elysian Fields

Look into my eyes, you won't recognize
The face behind, the face that's mine
I blend in, I wear the same skin
I don't see anything familiar in this place I'm in
I'm an alien

Nobody knows my name, nothing's the same
I'm isolated due to the wiring in my brain
I'm here all alone, far away from home
I swear my people left me here long ago
I'm an alien

I'm cold and I'm scared
I arrive unprepared
I'm not returning to meet the glance of a strangers stare
I've lost communications, the beacons are down
Betrayed and abandoned on unfamiliar ground

No one sees me, no one knows my name
Only left to wander among the insane
Sending signals with no reply
An alien far from home and left to die

Words and music by Shawn Ames
Copyright (C) Shawn Ames Music/Number 9 Productions 2023

Alien

It's me, making beautiful noise!
I play all of the instruments, write, arrange, record, produce, engineer, and play all that you hear.
A little left of center, always speaking my heart and warped mind, if nothing else I hope you give a casual listen to the music I've created and I hope you enjoy it.
The music is free to listen to and download, either of which you choose I appreciate your time and listening very much.

Shawn Ames

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