His album 'Stargazer' is the follow up to his 2005 independent release, The Middle Way. The album was produced by Heroes & Villains and features Charlie Paxon (James Blunt, Colin, Hay, Anastasia) on drums, Billy Mohler (Macy Gray, Liz Phair, Herbie Hancock) on bass, Krister Axel on piano, Chris Pierce on harmonica, and veteran session ace Kim Bullard (Tori Amos, Goo Goo Dolls, David Crosby, Eddie Money) on Hammond organ.
Formerly the front man for the rock band Damone, Alexander took the solo path immediately following Damone's 2003 disbanding. Soon after, Alexander released his self-produced, self-titled EP, featuring simple acoustic and vocal production with dark strings and mandolin.
2005 was a marquee year for Alexander, as he toured in the States and Europe, including opening slots with Jewel, John Hiatt and Peter Case. He also secured a distribution deal in Amsterdam with Lucky Dice Music. "The Open Road", the lead single from The Middle Way, received national airplay on numerous stations across Holland (while also becoming a most-requested track on XM Radio in the US.) The Dutch tour that followed quickly earned Alexander a reputation as a must-see artist, as word of his solo acoustic performances spread.
In 2006, Alexander was asked to open two tours with Jewel and one with Lisa Marie Presley – armed only with an acoustic guitar, he won over thousands of new fans night after night.
In May of 2007, Alexander opened twelve U.S. dates for SEAL. All of the dates were performed solo acoustic with the exception of Cox Arena in San Diego, where he performed with his band.
Amsterdam
Shane Alexander Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I knew that I would be alright the moment I touched down
I can still see you standing there as the leaves fell down on old Dam Square
With endless eyes and windy hair you turned my world around
In Amsterdam I fell into your eyes, I’ve wanted you all my life
We walked those streets in the full moon’s light, passed storefronts dressed in red and white, I asked if I should stay the night - you looked ay me and smiled
Now every single time I turn around you’ve got new ways for breakin’ me down
And still sometimes without a sound you can make me want you more
wanted you all my life
And all your life, you’ve wanted to believe and you waited here for me
And now here you are – it’s too good to believe you know you’ve set me free in Amsterdam
Oh Amsterdam, Oh
Oh Amsterdam, Oh
I ignored the warning signs, I left the west coast far behind
But I knew that I would be alright the moment I touched down
And I can still see you standing there as the leaves fell down on old Dam Square
With endless eyes and windy hair you turned my world around
In Amsterdam
, Shane Alexander sings about leaving the west coast behind and ignoring warning signs, but feeling that everything will be alright as soon as he lands in Amsterdam. In the Dutch city, he meets someone who turns his world around and he falls into her eyes. The two of them walk the streets at night, passing storefronts dressed in red and white, and he asks if he should stay the night. She looks at him and smiles, and he knows that he's found something special.
But as time goes on, she keeps finding new ways to break him down. Despite everything, he still wants her more and more. But he knows that she's always wanted to believe and has been waiting for him. In the end, he feels like she's set him free in Amsterdam.
The lyrics paint a picture of a whirlwind romance in a beautiful city, but also a sense of danger and uncertainty. The repetition of "wanted you all my life" and "you've set me free" suggest a deep connection and a sense of release from something holding him back.
Overall, the song is a powerful ode to falling in love, even when it's unexpected and messy.
Line by Line Meaning
I ignored the warning signs, I left the west coast far behind
I didn't pay attention to the red flags and distance myself from my previous life on the west coast.
But I knew that I would be alright the moment I touched down
Even though I left everything behind, as soon as I arrived in Amsterdam, I felt a sense of comfort and acceptance.
I can still see you standing there as the leaves fell down on old Dam Square
I have a vivid memory of you standing in Dam Square while leaves were falling around us.
With endless eyes and windy hair you turned my world around
You had a captivating gaze and your hair was blowing in the wind, which made me fall for you and changed my world.
In Amsterdam I fell into your eyes, I’ve wanted you all my life
I got mesmerized by your eyes, and it felt like I have been longing for you my entire life, even before I knew you.
We walked those streets in the full moon’s light, passed storefronts dressed in red and white, I asked if I should stay the night - you looked ay me and smiled
We strolled through the streets illuminated by the full moon, passing by windows adorned with red and white lights. I asked if I should spend the night with you, and you replied with a smile.
Now every single time I turn around you’ve got new ways for breakin’ me down
Every time I least expect it, you find new ways to emotionally affect me and break me down.
And still sometimes without a sound you can make me want you more
Even in silence, your mere presence can make me feel so strongly for you and crave you even more.
In Amsterdam I fell into your eyes, I’ve wanted you, wanted you, wanted you, wanted you all my life
When I met you in Amsterdam, I felt like I've been wanting you for my entire life, and that feeling hasn't changed.
And all your life, you’ve wanted to believe and you waited here for me
You've been hoping to find someone to love and believe in your entire life, and you waited for me in Amsterdam.
And now here you are – it’s too good to believe you know you’ve set me free in Amsterdam
Now that you're here with me, it feels too good to be true, but at the same time, being with you in Amsterdam has given me a sense of freedom.
Oh Amsterdam, Oh
Oh Amsterdam, Oh
Amsterdam has become a symbol of love and freedom to us, and we celebrate it by repeating the names.
Writer(s): Shane Alexander Copyright: Buddhaland Music
Contributed by Joshua L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.