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YouTube: https://youtu.be/CUrH3JZsYpM.  Anna Rader sings this love ballad supported by Chris Kulp on guitar. Produced by Dave Heffner. Photo from Jan Heffner.
LYRICS - TO BE THERE
Our future is unknown
Don’t want to go alone.
I don’t feel that I’m whole,
When I’m on my own.

I want to be there.
Be there, be there for you.

Sometimes I feel,
I’m living on borrowed time.
Makes me glad that we met,
You listen and you’re kind.

I want to be there.
Be there, be there for you.

I want to be there,
When the sun rises, over the trees.
For every raindrop. And every breeze.
To be there when you need me.
To be there, a whole world to see.
To be there… for you.

Be there, be there,
Be there for you.

If I had known,
How our love would grow,
I would have tried more ways,
My love, to show.

I want to be there,
With you at night.
Darkness will surround us.
The sky drenched in starlight.
To be there holding you in my arms.
To be there enjoying your wonderful charms.
To be there. To be there… For you.

Be There (ft. Anna Rader - vocals, Chris Kulp - guitar)

George Clementi brings his experience as a country singer to the microphone to present this catchy song. Rex Weston does an incredible job improvising on the cello. Piano and organ played by Dave Heffner. Backup singers are Dave and Jan Heffner. Written and produced by Dave Heffner. YouTube: https://youtu.be/w0LmuoG90Rc
* LYRICS *
VERSE1
The road we don’t know,
Where does it go?
Adventures in my car.
Sometimes dirt. 
Sometimes stones.
Will it take us far?
CHORUS1
Back road.
Let’s go see.
Back road.
Just you and me.
Back road.
A mystery.
Back road.
Young and free
VERSE2
Sometimes slow.
We go with the flow.
Memories we make,
From the risks that we take. 
As we roll on, we both unwind,
Until peace we find.
CHORUS2
Back road.
Take it slow.
Back road.
Memories grow.
Back road.
Take in the air.
Back road.
We don’t care.
Back road.
Nature show.
Back road.
The unknown.
Back road.
Streams will flow.
Back road.
Let’s go!

Back Road

Back Road (ft. George Clementi - vocals, Rex Weston - cello)

Arianna Rader is featured as the vocalist in this melodic pop-style song about the importance of having a good friend. Written and produced by Dave Heffner.
LYRICS
VERSE1
Many nights before I go to sleep,
I wonder ‘bout the day and what I’d change.
Feelings and memories that I wish to keep,
And those that were new and strange.
CHORUS1
I need a friend who inspires me.
Who is humble, but we can disagree.
Who lifts me up. Who calms me down.
Who’s lots of fun, and who I want around.
Who? A friend like you? Who?...
VERSE2
Planning for changes in my life,
Looking for new skills and thrills,
I want to rise up to challenge myself.
A future in this world.
VERSE3
Travel the bumpy road,
And navigate the twists and turns,
Would be no fun to do it alone,
But to share what I will learn.
CHORUS2
I need a friend who inspires me.
Who is humble, but we can disagree.
Who lifts me up. Who calms me down.
Who’s lots of fun, and who I want around. 
REFRAIN
I need a friend who inspires me.
Who is humble. Who cares for me.
Who? A friend like you!

A Friend (ft. Arianna Rader - vocals)

Arianna Rader sings this pop ballad about the importance of "hope" in our lives. Written and produced by Dave Heffner.
LYRICS
Verse1
What is the promise that never breaks?
What is the bond that never shakes?
What is the friend that never leaves?
What is the faith that never grieves?
Chorus1
Hope is the light that guides you through.
Hope is the strength that makes you move.
Hope is the voice that tells you to try.
Hope is the reason why you survive.
Verse2
What is the spark that ignites your fire?
What is the wind that lifts you higher?
What is the song that fills your heart?
What is the art that sets you apart?
Chorus2
Hope is the light that guides you through.
Hope is the strength that makes you move.
Hope is the voice that tells you to try.
Hope is the reason why you survive.
Refrain
Hope is the light.
Hope is the strength.
Hope is the voice.
Hope is the reason why you survive.

Hope (ft. Arianna Rader - vocals)

Arianna Rader (granddaughter) sings this pop-style song about "Speaking Up" for the things that are important. Written and produced by Dave Heffner.
LYRICS
VERSE1
Speak up.
Speak loud.
Speak the truth.
Speak, be proud.
PRE-CHORUS1
Speak up, for what is right.
Speak up, for what is wrong.
Speak up, put up a fight.
Speak up, you be strong.
CHORUS1
You must be bold.
The truth be told.
Not bought or sold.
Your words are gold.
VERSE2
Speak up.
Speak loud.
Speak the truth.
Speak, be proud.
PRE-CHORUS2
Speak up, don’t be a pawn.
Speak up, we will carry on.
CHORUS2
When the world
Has lost its way.
It’s important
What you say.
VERSE3
Speak up.
Speak loud.
Speak the truth.
Speak, be proud.
PRE-CHORUS3
Stand tall, my friend.
You do not bend.
CHORUS3
We leave no doubt,
For truth we shout.
Our words take flight.
Let’s set things right.
REFRAIN
Speak up……
Speak loud……
Speak the truth……
Speak, be proud……

Speak Up (ft. Arianna Rader - vocals)

See DAVEHEFFNER.COM
Dave Heffner - music and production
Margaret Abbott - violin
Tim Breon - classical guitar
Electronic classical or dance.
Copyright 2015 David B. Heffner

Love Is Magic (f. Margaret Abbott - violin, Tim Breon - guitar)

Electronic Smooth Jazz. Meditative electronic song with soprano vocals, guitar, and saxophone creating a relaxing mood. Atmospheric music. Featuring: Anna Rader, vocals; Tim Breon, guitar; Len Cagle, saxophone. See music with a walk through the Swiss Alps: https://youtu.be/I1iGprl1gGo
Written and produced by Dave Heffner. See http://DAVEHEFFNER.COM
Copyright 2016 David B. Heffner

Daydream (f. Anna Rader-vocals, Len Cagle-sax, Tim Breon-guitar)

Funky Pop! Fun lyrics celebrating all of our eccentricities. See lyric video at https://youtu.be/Z45fFKN3uE4
Anna Rader - vocals, Tim Breon - Guitar, Len Cagle - Saxophone, Dave Heffner - Trombone and Piano. Dave Heffner - song and production. Anna Rader and Dave Heffner - lyrics. See DAVEHEFFNER.COM. Copyright 2016 David B. Heffner 

Eccentricities (f. Anna Rader - vocals, Len Cagle - sax, Tim Breon - guitar, Dave - Trombone, Piano)

Dusted off the trombone for a change of pace with some smooth jazz, accompanied by Len Cagle on saxophone.
Dave Heffner - song, production, trombone, piano
Len Cagle - saxophone
Copyright 2016 David B. Heffner
See DAVEHEFFNER.COM for more information

Blues Etude No. 2 (feat. Len Cagle - sax, Dave Heffner - piano, trombone)

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

Watching loved ones take on new challenges.
Copyright 2016 David B. Heffner

Climb The Mountain (f. Tim Breon - guitar, Len Cagle - sax, Anna Rader - vocals, Dave - synth)

Third in a series of etudes or studies in jazz and the blues.  Written to a hip hop beat.
Copyright 2016 David B. Heffner

Blues Etude No. 3 (feat. Len Cagle - tenor sax, Dudly Ulysse - drum, Dave - piano, trombone)

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)

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/7M6DgzokHLw. See https://DAVEHEFFNER.COM. Alice Weiler - vocals, Len Cagle - tenor saxophone, Bruce Klepper - string arrangement (@bruce-klepper-1), Dudly Ulysse - drums (https://soundcloud.com/ocsolbeats), Dave Heffner - piano, lyrics, production.

The title is a message to slow up in what seems to be an increasingly hectic world. This song started with a slow hip hop beat created by Dudly. Since hip hop is a derivative of jazz, the beat inspired and supported this jazz blues song. Although it is a rarity for me, I “heard” the introductory lyrics and melody line almost immediately, which worked well to Alice’s soprano vocal style.. Len’s saxophone part is predominantly improvised in the true jazz spirit on top of my piano track. Bruce’s lush string arrangement adds to the message of this song and helps connect the transitions.

Slow Motion (Alice Weiler - vocals, Len Cagle - Sax, Bruce Klepper - strings, Dudly Ulysse - drums)

YouTube: https://youtu.be/JhGCW7Avvzs
Does it get any better than working in your studio and producing a song with your granddaughter? This song is to the superheroes who are mentors, teachers, leaders, and parents to the next generation.
LYRICS ...................................................
VERSE1
You’ve always been there, 
When I need you.
A guiding light,
In a world of confusion.
A helping hand,
In a land of illusion.
A word to guide,
On just being human.
VERSE2
On a raft,
Of Trust and Love,
Our pathway mapped,
From above.
VERSE3
We could only hope,
For what we have found:
Goodness, Peace,
And Love abound.
CHORUS
Oceans of thoughts.
Yes, sometimes we fail.
The future brings promise.
Through life we sail.
When I’m lost,
And when I stumble,
You help me out,
From the dark jungle.
CHORUS (cont.) (2X)
When I’m down and
I feel like zero,
You pick me up.
You’re my Superhero.
VERSE4
Follow in your footsteps.
Promises kept.
Listen to my needs.
My faults, you accept.
VERSE5
Navigating waves.
Tests to our will.
Seas to explore.
Dreams to fulfill.
CHORUS
(repeat)

Superhero (ft. Ari Rader - vocals)

YouTube: https://youtu.be/j2uy7Gw2Y_U. Web: https://DAVEHEFFNER.COM.
Dave and Jan Heffner - vocals, Alfonso Llorente Sardi - 2006 custom Strat electric guitar. Dave - synthesizers, production.
The first verse, "I'm three-four in a four-four world" sums up the song. In other words, you might feel left out because you are different? This song was originally a challenge from a music producer's meeting on writing a song in a tempo other than the common four-four time used in almost all music today except classical and jazz music. Alfonso from Bogota, Columbia skillfully plays his 2006 customized Strat to help create a classic progressive rock sound.

LYRICS
FOUR-FOUR WORLD
VERSE1
I’m three-four in a four-four world.
I’m out of step, but it’s still real.
I’m three-four in a four-four world.
I’m in a fog. You know how I feel.
VERSE2
Are you three-four in a four-four world?
Waltzing through life to your own ideal.
Are you three-four in a four-four world?
It’s a real blessing. Do not conceal.
CHORUS
Together, we’ll find our way.
Together, we’ll have our say.

Four Four World (ft. Dave & Jan Heffner - vocals, Alfonso Llorente Sardi - guitar)

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)

Written for a dear friend who has been overwhelmed with mental illness. Thank you to Alfonso Llorente Sardi (https://soundcloud.com/abogllm)who plays an exceptional electric guitar. YouTube: https://youtu.be/Wkfq1TdaF_k
LYRICS
VERSE1
Are you there,
With the angels?
We can see,
When the music’s on.
VERSE2
Are you there,
With the angels?
We miss you,
When you are gone.
VERSE3
Are you there?
Are you there, my friend?
May you brave the winds,
Of the storm.
VERSE4
When you’re back,
From so far away,
I hope this time,
You will stay.
You will stay.

Are You There (ft. Alfonso Llorente Sardi - elec. guitar) Dave & Jan Heffner - vocals

Had one of those key birthdays that got me looking back to my grade school years. YouTube: https://youtu.be/CUhfFaDry3s
LYRICS...
VERSE1
TV’s were black and white.
Our lives were shades of gray.
Families sat on their porch,
To pass the time of day.
  
Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
TV showed the way.
People rarely questioned what
Our leaders had to say.

CHORUS1
Hey, hey! Sometimes when I remember,
Hey, hey! Could our lives have been better? Hey, hey!

VERSE2
Perfect attendance,
Every week at Sunday School.
Dress codes and short haircuts were our education rules.
The town was filled with factories,
Where neighbors worked and sweat.
People actually worried,
‘bout the national debt.

CHORUS2
Hey, hey! Sometimes when I remember,
Hey, hey! Could our lives have been better? Hey, hey!

BRIDGE
That we lived, no matter what our call.
To have loved, better than not at all.
Memories of times gone past.
Moments of youth, they can’t last.

VERSE3
Beatles had a new tune.
We landed on the moon.
Dazzled by the rich.
Happiness was coming soon.

Our President was shot,
And then there were more.
Parents didn’t talk about,
The Vietnam war

CHORUS3
Hey, hey! Sometimes when I remember,
Hey, hey! Could our lives have been better? Hey, hey!

VERSE4
Walking to school. Riding bikes all day.
Drills crawling under our desk.
Strikes supporting the Union way.
Mom and Dad knew what was best.

Parents born in the depression,
Growing up during World War II.
A better life for their children,
Told anything we want, we could do.

CHORUS4 (2X)
Hey, hey! Sometimes when I remember,
Hey, hey! Could our lives have been better? Hey, hey!

Birthday Song (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.