Singer/songwriter Carol Ades brilliantly reveals the fears and hopes lurking in her mind with “Hope Is a Scary Thing,” the fourth track from her debut album, ‘Late Start.’
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“Hope Is a Scary Thing” – Carol Ades
Back of my mind, back of my mind, I’m a little scared, I’m a little wired…
As the fourth track of Carol Ades’ impressive indie pop debut album, “Hope Is a Scary Thing” highlights the emotional depth that is a hallmark of her artistry. This coming-of-age anthem is part of an album (titled Late Start) that encapsulates the challenges of growth, making it one of Ades’ most somber and slow-tempo songs.
‘Late Start,’ Carol Ades’ debut album, independently released September 2024
Back o’ my mind, back o’ my mind
I’m a little scared, I’m a little wired
I don’t wanna put my foot down
Right now and stop it all from happening
Back o’ my mind, back o’ my head
You look really nice, wanna share a bed?
I don’t wanna put my foot down
Right now but it’s happening
Don’t kiss me,
’Cause I might end up on the ceiling
Way too high to ever
Come down to reality
Back to my sanity,
Guess it’s too late for that now
Hope is a scary thing
Hope is a scary thing
I’m flying on temporary wings
Hope is a scary thing
“Hope Is a Scary Thing” was penned five years ago and epitomizes what Ades describes as “the beginning of what would be the next few years of learning that things don’t always go as planned.”
The song's title encapsulates its central themes: hope and fear. Throughout this ballad, Ades raises questions about timing and readiness, stemming from her candidness and tendency to overthink.
Stop lookin’ at me like that
Stop lookin’ at me like you’re happy
'Cause I can really take an inch
And start caring from nothing
Did I get too carried away?
Do I come off overwhelming?
Yeah, 'cause I could really see us
Married with three kids or something
In this track, it is not the instrumentals that take center stage, but rather Ades’ vocals and the backing vocals that paint a richer, more authentic picture of the thoughts running through her mind—reflections that often linger in the background. “I’m not ready (Hope is a scary thing) / How do you know when you’re ready?” are lines from the bridge that reveal the inner battle of confronting and accepting hope while voicing fears. This unique blend of recognizing something positive, like hope, while simultaneously expressing one’s anxieties is something Ades skillfully accomplishes.
Don’t kiss me, ’cause I might end up on the ceiling
Way too high to ever come down to reality
Back to my sanity, guess it’s too late for that now
Hope is a scary thing
Hope is a scary thing
I’m flying on temporary wings
Hope is a scary thing
This song also delves into relationships, an area that occupies a significant part of one’s mind. Here, the “26” singer reflects on youth and how love urges us to dream both forward and inward, while simultaneously encouraging a retreat from overly optimistic thoughts. Regardless of the challenges posed in the song, listeners find solace in engaging with such honest and vulnerable lyrics.
In an interview with The New Nine, Ades discussed how her work embodies personal truths: “I like to think of it as a giant practice of telling the truth. All my songs reflect my deepest truths, and writing is genuinely the only space where I feel I can express complete honesty because I’m writing for myself, and only I know when I’m being dishonest or sugarcoating things. However, most songs come out a year or longer after I’ve written them, making it easier to embrace the process since the emotions aren’t as fresh.”
Ades’ talent for songwriting and storytelling also shines through in her collaborations with notable artists like Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, and Gracie Abrams.
Carol Ades © 2025
Released in September 2024, Ades’ eagerly awaited Late Start has been celebrated for its heartfelt emotions, reflections on girlhood, and its musical and lyrical richness.
It was time for Ades to share a more comprehensive narrative in the authenticity she's consistently displayed, now realized in the thirteen tracks of the album.
“Hope Is a Scary Thing” conveys a genuine, powerful message, like many of Carol Ades’ songs. Undoubtedly, her future works will continue to be wonderfully original.
Guess it all comes down to hope.
I’m
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Singer/songwriter Carol Ades masterfully reveals the fears and hopes lurking in her mind in “Hope Is a Scary Thing,” the fourth track from her debut album, ‘Late Start.’