Ballads, Songwriter, Hip Hop - Dave Heffner

Anna Rader - singer
David B. Heffner - songwriter, producer
Copyright 2015 David B. Heffner

Some tests are for life.

The Test - feat. Anna Rader - vocals

Anna Rader - vocals and lyrics
David B. Heffner - songwriter, producer
Copyright 2015 David B. Heffner

Control - feat. Anna Rader - vocals

David B. Heffner - Songwriter, Producer
Janet Heffner - Lyrics
Anna K. Rader - Vocals
Copyright 2015 David B. Heffner

Around corners to a new world.

From the Corner - feat. Anna Rader - vocals

Songwriter and Producer - Dave Heffner
Lyrics - Dave and Jan Heffner
Vocals - Anna Rader, Dave and Jan Heffner

Copywrite 2015 David B. Heffner

Walk - feat. Anna Rader - vocals

Song and Production - Dave Heffner
Vocals - Anna Rader, Dave and Jan Heffner
Violin - Sophie Sprunger
Copyright 2015 David B. Heffner

Ari's Song - feat. Anna Rader - vocals

Dave Heffner - songwriter, producer
Anna Rader - vocals
Len Cagle - Sax
Copyright 2015 David B. Heffner

Take me somewhere , please!

Take Me Somewhere - feat. Anna Rader - vocals, Len Cagle - sax

See lyric video with bird photos!!! https://youtu.be/5kaXfKG_Tuw
Dave Heffner - Music and production
Janet Heffner - Vocals
Anna Rader - Whistle
David Brown - Bird photos on Youtube channel
Copyright 2015 David B. Heffner

Living - feat. Janet Heffner - vocals, Anna Rader - whistling

Vocals - Anna Rader, Dave Heffner
Copyright 2016 David B. Heffner
Often the best songwriting comes late at night.

Late at Night (Songwriting) Dave Heffner, Anna Rader - Vocals

Is there a perfect time to create? Probably not, so do it now!
Dave Heffner - songwriter, production, Anna Rader - vocals, Len Cagle - saxophone, Janet Heffner - backup vocals
Copyright 2016 David B. Heffner
See DAVEHEFFNER.COM

Now Is the Time (Don't wait to create)f. Anna Rader - vocals, Len Cagle - sax, Jan Heffner - vocals

Don't let others define you. Be yourself.
Copyright 2016 David B. and Janet A. Heffner
See DAVEHEFFNER.COM
LYRICS...  SHATTER THE IMAGE
VERSE 1
Now you’ve been told what you should be.
Get on your mark, now, we’re countin’ to three.
But in your head, you say, “Is this really me?”
And in your head, you say, “Am I really free?”
VERSE 2
An old man sits in a darkened room,
Staring out at the evening gloom.
Humming a tune, while he drinks his gin,
And heaving a sigh, as he rubs his chin.
VERSE 3
And he thinks back to his younger days,
When there was little, if any haze.
So many dreams, but where did they go?
Off to another world, that he’ll never know.
CHORUS
Shatter the image in the other man’s eye.
You’ll find out that you won’t really die.
What you’ll find are the things, you need to know.
What you’ll find are the things, you need to grow.

Shatter The Image (feat. Janet Heffner - vocals, acoustic guitar, Tim Breon - electric guitar)

Jan Heffner - acoustic guitar, Dave Heffner - vocals, harmonica, keyboard. Copyright 2016 David B. Heffner
With my daughter Anna having moved far away, I found myself frequently thinking back to pleasant memories. Part one of this song recalls meaningful times during her childhood and part two recalls her young adulthood, remembering what was and was not important. The verses are introduced with a simple harmonica at a slower tempo, followed by a faster chorus. Orchestration was kept simpler on purpose, comprised mainly of Jan on the guitar and me on the piano, since they were primary musical influences while raising our daughter, who became a remarkable singer and person.

Remember (To Anna)

YouTube: https://youtu.be/aCTx-76-z_M. See http://DAVEHEFFNER.COM. Copyright 2017 David B. Heffner. Alice Weiler - vocals, Len Cagle - tenor saxophone, Dave - synthesizer. What could be more inspiring for a song than a beautiful fall day with a warm breeze blowing in an open window? Of course, the song should be composed at a relaxed tempo. Japanese instruments, a pan pipe, and bongo drums were added to create the right atmosphere. This song is the debut, for experienced singer and songwriter Alice Weiler, for vocals and assisting with lyrics on my compositions. Throughout this song, Alice sings harmony and multiple layers with her main vocal track. Len Cagle returns to the studio with his tenor saxophone, performing an improvisation at the bridge and playing “over” the vocal track in the second verse. This is the first time that I used an iPad for the initial creative phase of a composition. It was refreshing to have the freedom to compose away from the studio.

Window's Open (feat. Alice Weiler - vocals, Len Cagle - tenor saxophone)

Youtube: https://youtu.be/4CAzTA8-YqM. Alice Weiler - lyrics, vocals; Dudly Ulysse - drums, rap https://soundcloud.com/ocsolbeats ; Bruce Klepper - string orchestration https://soundcloud.com/bruce-klepper-1 ; Janet Heffner - backup vocals; Dave Heffner - lyrics, song, producer. See http://DAVEHEFFNER.COM. Copyright 2017 David B. Heffner. Having the opportunity to work with Lycoming College student Dudly, allowed me to appreciate the Hip Hop style and how closely it related to my interests in jazz and electronic music. This song had its beginnings on an iPad, with Dudly entering a drum beat. Afterwards, I created several accompanying music tracks on the iPad, later transferring the song to my Pro Tools music workstation. Once on the main system and with more sophisticated sounds programmed, Alice collaborated with me on the lyrics. Alice then recorded multiple vocal tracks, with Janet doing backup vocals, followed by Dudly doing the “rap” verses. Bruce Klepper, from Colorado, offered to do orchestrations for my songs, so we worked out a system to do it over the Internet. I believe you will find the results to be jazzy, with the expected use of electronics, all with a cool beat and supported by beautiful strings.

Chillin' with a Friend (see notes on collaborators)

See Youtube for lyrics: https://youtu.be/L_-QyzVQpxY. Dudly Ulysse 
(@ocsolbeats)and Alice Weiler vocals, Song and production by Dave Heffner. Style: melodic hip hop ballad. Copyright 2018 David B. Heffner. See https://DAVEHEFFNER.COM. Anyone in a long term relationship endures some challenging times. This song is meant to reflect on those times, call for patience, and to “hold on.” This is the second hip hop song on the album, with the rap being done by Dudly, followed by Alice’s melodic chorus vocals. The laid back drum beat is called East Coast style, with a signature heavy kick drum and a rhythmic rimshot that almost sounds like a woodblock. The sitar track stands out from the supporting arrangement of ten synthesizers. Analog bass is popular at this time and comes in strongly at the beginning of each verse. Simple guitar chording is used to support the chorus.

Hold On (feat. Dudly Ulysse and Alice Weiler - vocals)

See Youtube: https://youtu.be/7X6Rm71fSHU. Alice Weiler - vocals, Margaret Abbott - violin, Jan Heffner - backup vocals. Dave - piano and production. Style: folk rock. See https://DAVEHEFFNER.COM. My late mother-in-law Katherine I. Benion was an accomplished writer of both prose and poetry. Lyrics for this song were taken from a book of her poetry. I like the cadence of the rhyme and the topic of winter birds, who like good friends, stay around when the weather gets challenging. Margaret’s violin invokes the simple sounds of birds around a feeder. Piano runs and chords are used to support the lovely melody, sung by Alice on the verses and Janet coming in with vocal harmony on the choruses.

Winter Birds

Winter Birds (feat. Alice Weiler - vocals, Margaret Abbott - violin, Jan Heffner - backup vocals)

See YouTube: https://youtu.be/WhQqNKiGiD4. Alice Weiler - vocals, Len Cagle - tenor saxophone, Dave & Jan Heffner - backup vocals. Style: pop. Copyright 2018 David B. Heffner. See DAVEHEFFNER.COM.
“Will you still love me in the Winter?” is the lyrical phrase that the song revolves around. The music evolved while experimenting with a C major chord progression on my new Roland RD2000 digital keyboard, although the verses ended up modulating to C minor. Alice Weiler sings solo for the verses, three layers in unison for the pre-chorus, and three layers in harmony for the chorus. Jan and I add three and two additional vocal layers, respectively, to the chorus, using the wonders of multitrack recording. Len Cagle improvises the bridge solo and verses with his tenor saxophone.

Four Seasons (feat. Alice Weiler - vocals, Len Cagle - tenor saxophone)

YouTube: https://youtu.be/r86nksMOKyo Web: https://DAVEHEFFNER.COM
Ft. Dudly Ulysse - vocals, Len Cagle - tenor saxophone, Dave & Jan Heffner - vocals) Style: melodic hip hop.
It is quite normal to wish away bad circumstances and in this song, one is encouraged to be yourself and live today to the fullest, despite what struggles in which one finds themself. Drummer / Beatmaker Dudly performs a nice fast rap in the verses and with me in the pre-chorus. This is followed by Jan and me singing six track layers in the choruses, with Len adding his saxophone improvisations. This mix has over 30 tracks of recordings, making it complex, yet musical.
LYRICS
Intro
You only get one chance.
Verse1
I’m not the same.
I rack my brain,
To just explain,
But not complain.
Not raising Cain,
No gravy train,
No cold champagne,
But peace attained.
To break my chains,
I hope to gain
A brand new plane
I can sustain.
It’s my campaign,
Judgement restrain.
Be more humane.
True to self, remain. 4x
Pre-Chorus
I can say, I’m not the same.
I left him back in yesterday.
Sometimes it takes a lot of pain,
To get awake and see the way.
Chorus
Not living for today,
Much is lost. The future’s gray.
Not being in the moment,
Making plans that do get broken.
Rain, rain, go away.
Take the pain from yesterday.
Rain, rain, go away.
Please let me enjoy today.
Verse2
I should not care
What people say.
Like birds of prey,
Feed on hearsay.
It’s child’s play.
I can’t delay,
My right of way.
For peace I pray.
Break away,
A price to pay.
I’m on display.
My holiday.
My DNA.
All Saturdays.
Go all the way.
Go and live the day. 4x

Rain, Rain (ft. Dudly Ulysse, Dave & Jan Heffner - vocals, Len Cagle - sax)

YouTube: https://youtu.be/RmdwzoKbD5o Website: https://DAVEHEFFNER.COM. Style: Singer-Songwriter.  Featuring: Anna Rader - vocals, Alfonso Llorente Sardi - acoustic guitar, Dave - keyboard, production.
My compositions are often complex, but occasionally a song leads the writer to more simplicity. Such is the song ballad "Love Today" inspired by the phrase found in the first verse, "I wondered what memories I'd leave behind." Following the more usual orchestration, ended up greatly reducing the drum, bass, and strings, while eliminating the electric guitar. Bogota guitarist Alfredo Llorente Sardi redid the guitar track with a beautiful acoustic rendition. My daughter Anna Rader sings the reflective words with her rich soprano voice. The song concludes, "to show some love today."
LYRICS
VERSE1
Sitting alone in my office one day,
Sun going down, Chores out of my way,
I wondered what memories I’d leave behind.

VERSE2
Would memories be of me smiling?
Would the stories be inspiring?
Would I be remembered as being kind?

CHORUS
Memories are short and do not last.
What will be remembered when we’re past?
Try, try, try, to show someone love today!

Get out of your room. Go have some fun.
Make some new friends or visit special ones.
Try, try, try, to show someone love today!
BRIDGE
VERSE3
Tell a story. Don’t make it long.
Write it down. Yes, sing a song.
Let friends know your love is here to stay.
VERSE4
Acres of diamonds in your own backyard.
Help someone. Let down your guard.
Warn the young of hazards and show them the way.
VERSE3
CHORUS
REFRAIN
Try, try, try, to show some love.
Try, try, try, with help from above.
Try, try, try, to show some love today!
ENDING

Love Today (ft. Anna Rader - vocals, Alfonso Llorente Sardi - acoustic guitar)

YouTube: https://youtu.be/CKstpbhl4nA  Website: https://daveheffner.com.
Featuring Chris Morgan on flugelhorn, Dave & Jan Heffner with vocals. Dave on piano and production.
I am thankful that Chris recommended the flugelhorn instead of the trumpet. It’s warm, mellow tone is just perfect. This song is quite personal, reflecting on my having an incurable medical diagnosis a few years ago and now seeing “the edge” closer than I wished. But as Jan and I sing in the chorus, “to create, is quite sublime.”
VERSE1
I hurry to write another rhyme,
Before I can’t and run out of time.
Being able to create is quite sublime.
Stopping me now would be a crime.
VERSE2
Getting sick when I was in my prime.
Worried when I’d earn my last dime.
No more mountains that I can climb.
Asked how I’m doing, I just say “fine.”
CHORUS
Take the time.
Another rhyme.
To create,
Is quite sublime.
Living on the Edge.
VERSE3
I have to act now and not just talk.
My time is limited, so says the “Doc.”
I can write music, but have trouble when I walk.
There is no cure. Between a hard place and a rock.
VERSE4
My style may be unorthodox,
What do you expect when I’m watching the clock?
Doing my best, I know I’m not Bach.
Sometimes my music may give you a shock
CHORUS

Living On The Edge (ft. Chris Morgan - flugelhorn, Dave & Jan Heffner - vocals)

A SIMPLE SONG ABOUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT. YouTube: youtu.be/Xxi1FVBp0Po. Website: daveheffner.com. Genre: Singer - Songwriter. Dave sings and plays keyboards this simple ballad about the riches around us.
LYRICS.
VERSE 1
I like the simple life.
The simple life’s for me.
Give me a sunny day,
Wind in the trees.
Air that’s fresh, and water clean,
Food that’s good to eat.
Warm clothes so I don’t freeze.
Shoes for my feet.
CHORUS
Oh-wee-oh, wee-oh, oh. Simple life for me.
Oh-wee-oh, wee-oh, oh. Best things are for free.
VERSE 2
When we’re born into this world,
We have simple needs.
Then as we grow older,
Life picks up speed.
We can read many books,,
Lots of facts they give.
We can learn lots of rules,
But not how to live.
PRE-CHORUS
Oh----, wee-oh
Oh----, wee-oh
CHORUS
BRIDGE
(8 bar instrumental)
CHORUS
VERSE 3
Gazing at the mountains,
We can look for free.
Beauty surrounds us.
All Nature we can see.
Clouds up in the sky. Ocean…
Waves that never end.
Life is overflowing.
Share it with a friend.
CHORUS
VERSE 4
When we pass and leave this world,
We leave it alone.
Until then we have riches,
From things we find at home.
Family, friends, and beauty,
Nature’s full buffet.
The simple things around us,
‘round us every day.
PRE-CHORUS
CHORUS

DAVEHEFFNER.COM

Simple Life (Dave - vocals)

Colorado Songwriter, Electronic Musician, Producer. ASCAP member. Ballads, Dance, Rock, Electronica, Jazz, Hip Hop, with a mix of everything else. All original compositions with live artists on most tracks. Piano study began at 5 years old, continued through university study and incorporated with electronic music since the introduction of MIDI. Have taught, consulted and composed electronic music. Primary platform is Pro Tools, with which I also do training and consulting. Open to collaboration. More information at my website.