An ambitious album from 2012 remixed and remastered in 2021.
The recording of the album started in July of 2012 but in September of that year my father revealed he had cancer and he died soon after. The album was finished and released on November 10, 2012. I had always wanted to hear a better mix of the album and so, before it's 10th anniversary, decided to go for it. This remix and remaster replace the original version that was once available here. I hope you enjoy it!

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


Album release date:
10 November 2021

Hopes and Fears (Deluxe Edition/2021 Remaster) - Shawn Ames

Castles In The Sand

It takes all kinds of people
To make this old world go ‘round
And even with good intentions
Everyone lets everyone down
Some are left alone while hurting
Some go and drink away their pain
Some are left with a yearning
To see someone they’ll never see again

(Chorus)
We are not far from innocence
We are a creature of accidents
We can be good to each other
If given the chance
We’ve lost our way at the crossroads
We forgot to read the sign posts
We were all too busy
Building castles in the sand

No one knows what lies ahead
There’s no easy way to tell
If we’ll be alive or dead
When it all goes to Hell
I’d like to believe we’ll pull together
And each of us will lend a hand
To reach out and help another
Help our fellow man
(Repeat chorus)

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

Hopes and Fears (Deluxe Edition)

Castles in the Sand (2021 Remix)

Dropping Cannonballs (Dedicated to Keith Moon)

Now here is my story
In all it’s sinful glory
About the way that I like to get stoned
It’s an every night affair
So come along if you dare
Otherwise, you better stay at home

(Chorus)
Oh, it’s wicked, it’s crazy
Everything will be hazy
But you’ll feel ten feet tall
Smoke if ya got ‘em
Drink to the bottom
Dropping cannonballs

Now you get yourself some weed
But don’t forget you need
You need booze in the other hand
Take a drag off that grass
And hold onto your ass
‘Cuz that’s only half the plan
(Repeat chorus)

Now you drink a drink
Whatever you think
You’ll drink to swallow it down
Exhale your smoke
And hope you don’t choke\
‘Cuz puke will  make you drown
(Repeat chorus)

Now mind you, I said
This will all go to your head
Before too long
You’ll be bumping into walls
But cheer up, don’t be sad
Give a smile and be glad
That you were dropping cannonballs
(Repeat chorus)


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

Hopes and Fears (Deluxe Editions)

Dropping Cannonballs (2021 Remix)

Beautiful Light

When it’s dark and I’m alone
And so far away from home
I begin to realize
What’s missing
Through all the noise and the lies
I can stare into your eyes
And find the reason why
I’m existing
No one could ever make me feel
The way that you do
When I’m by your side
I can feel my love for you

(Chorus)
What a beautiful light you shine
Don’t you ever let it hide
It illuminates from inside
What a beautiful light you shine

It’s something I can’t explain
The feelings come back again
When I see you in the sun
Alive and smiling
It’s like you soak up every ray of the sun
And somehow turned it all into one
Great light of love
Brightly shining
(Repeat chorus)

Never again should I be alone in the dark
Never again should we be apart
There’s a love inside you
I don’t feel from anyone else
I’ve never felt this love
At least not from myself
What a beautiful light you shine
(Repeat chorus)


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

Beautiful Light (2021 Remix)

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

Long Way Down (2021 Remix)

My City, The Ghetto

My city’s a ghetto
And you’re the queen
None of this is like
What it used to be
My city’s a ghetto
I’m the king
What I don’t have 
I didn’t really need

(Chorus)
My city’s a ghetto
Get loose and lay low
That’s where the bullets flow
My city, the ghetto

SWITCHBLADE!!

My city’s a ghetto
And you’re the queen
You’re probably the prettiest thing
I’ve ever seen
My city’s a ghetto
And I’m the king
I rule
All over everything
(Repeat chorus)


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

My City the Ghetto (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)

iPad...DrumJam, Alchemy, DAW, with AudioBus. All tracks except DrumJam laid with MIDI controller through Alesis I/O Dock.

Spelunking.wav

iPad...Nano Studio, AniMoog, And DAW with AudioBus.

And On A Brighter Note....wav

Dimensional Dilemma.wav

Strange Nights

Bad Trip By Train.wav

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.

Castles in the Sand (2021 Remix)

Shawn Ames

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