Step into the world of Song Of The Year Songs—a playlist where backroad wisdom meets blistering truth. It’s a six-string shootout of porch-stompin’ humor, poetic grit, and tattoo-worthy heartbreak. From wink-at-the-crowd swagger to freight-train confessionals, these tracks carry steel spines and Southern grace in equal measure. Every lyric swings like a porch door in July—and you’ll feel every word like it was written in your own dust and dreams.

YOUR Song Of The Year Songs Written by Edwin H. Balder

Maybe Sweet Baby Girl..... someday.... 

Sweet Baby Girl by songwriter Edwin H. Balder

Come on in here, baby girl.. time for bed, 
Let me tuck you in, get our prayers said. 
Turn on the night light, after a story's read
, All the while, thoughts racing in my head.
 How do I not worry, the world won’t treat you right? 
Every woman someday has to go out and fight.
The only thing that matters, it seems, is men being right,
 I watch you grow and do your best, my shining light, 
 the field’s so uneven In a man's world,, I pray along and for you, my sweet baby girl, 
 the field’s so uneven In a man's world,, I pray along and for you, my sweet baby girl, my sweet baby girl, 
You’re growing up, doing well in school,
 Working within the system, playing by the rules. 
Compassion for others, in all that you do, 
Knowing the challenges that lie ahead for you.
 I see the strength, the fire in your eyes,
 You’ll face the world and win...no compromise.
The only thing that matters, it seems, is men being right,
 I watch you grow and do your best, my shining light, 
 the field’s so uneven In a man's world,, I pray along and for you, my sweet baby girl, 
 the field’s so uneven In a man's world,, I pray along and for you, my sweet baby girl, my sweet baby girl,
I hope you know you’re strong and wise, Your courage, love, it never lies. Tell me, tell me, do you understand, You have the power to command.
Tell me, tell me, do you understand, You have the power to command.

Though the world may be tough, and the fight long, 
Remember you’re brave, you belong. Keep your head high, heart full of grace, 
In every challenge, you’ll find your place.
 I’ll be here, cheering you on,
 For you, my  sweet baby girl, the brightest dawn.
The only thing that matters, it seems, is men being right,
 I watch you grow and do your best, my shining light, 
 the field’s so uneven In a man's world,, I pray along and for you, my sweet baby girl, 
 the field’s so uneven In a man's world,, I pray along and for you, my sweet baby girl, my sweet baby girl,
I pray along and for you, my sweet baby girl, my sweet baby girl, .....
 good good  night...my sweet baby girl.......

Link to best of our country hits that you can cover to get to the top... https://soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/country-hits-you-might-need?si=307edea8be674dc3bedee9345a814080&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

All Rights Reserved Edwin H. Balder
Thanks so much to my band: Hot Cookie
See Our Music Videos Here> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-509h42heKT05D8egf2U9w

Sweet Baby Girl by songwriter Edwin H. Balder

Time for a Cowgirl Hero to WIN...

Cowgirl Hero by songwriter Edwin H. Balder

On the dusty plains of Texas, 'neath the wide open sky, Her folks left the farm to brothers, no one knows why. One day they disappeared, a mystery untold, The farm was left to her, a legacy bold.

 She's a cowgirl hero, rising from the dust, Fighting for her place, in her strength we trust. With grit and determination, she'll break the mold, Our cowgirl hero, a story to be told.

 The farmhands didn't respect her, just because she's a lass, She gave them all chances, but they didn't pass. Fed up with their stubborn ways, she let them all go, To the local resort, where the winds of change blow.

 She's a cowgirl hero, rising from the dust, Fighting for her place, in her strength we trust. With grit and determination, she'll break the mold, Our cowgirl hero, a story to be told.

 Found housekeepers on break, enjoying a bite, She saw potential in them, a future so bright. Hired them on the spot, together they grew strong, The farm thrived like never before, proving doubters wrong.

 She's a cowgirl hero, rising from the dust, Fighting for her place, in her strength we trust. With grit and determination, she'll break the mold, Our cowgirl hero, a story to be told.

Now the farm's a powerhouse, the region's pride, Everyone owns a piece, working side by side. Our cowgirl hero, with heart and soul, Turned dreams into reality, reaching her goal.

She's a cowgirl hero, rising from the dust, Fighting for her place, in her strength we trust. With grit and determination, she'll break the mold, Our cowgirl hero, a story to be told.

Link to best of our country hits that you can cover to get to the top... https://soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/country-hits-you-might-need?si=307edea8be674dc3bedee9345a814080&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

All Rights Reserved Edwin H. Balder
Thanks so much to my band: Hot Cookie
See Our Music Videos Here> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-509h42heKT05D8egf2U9w

Cowgirl Hero by songwriter Edwin H. Balder

mighty fine, working all the time, mighty fine...
Mighty Fine by Songwriter Edwin H. Balder
five forty-five, hit the second clock
already spilled half the coffee on my socks
boots by the door, lunch in a bag
truck’s runnin’ hot, check engine tag
my boy needs cleats, jersey's near two bills
guess they play like pros now in the kids' leagues still
his eyes lit up—I said “we’ll see”
which means I’ll skip lunch the rest of the week
[pre-chorus]
and i’m just tryin’ to stay ahead
stackin’ hours on a thread
they say we’re doin’ mighty fine
got a roof, got the power line
kids don’t know that bills don’t bend
i just work, repeat, pretend
every Saturday I swap for gold
old jeans turned into winter coats
you ask how I am—I toe the line
smile and say,
“we’re doin’ mighty fine”
second shift ends past midnight light
grab a six-pack, head home right
dog’s been fed but stares like more
wife’s asleep by the sliding door
stepped on a toy in the hallway dark
thought about college and how we’ll start
daughter’s got dance and her shoes don’t fit
but she twirls like she don’t notice it
[pre-chorus]
and i sit on the back porch rail
countin’ stars I let derail
they say we’re doin’ mighty fine
got the bills stacked in a halfway line
kids still laugh, wife still sings
dog still barks when the front bell rings
every Sunday, we stretch what’s left
watch cartoons, try to rest
you ask how I am—I sip the wine
shrug and say,
“we’re doin’ mighty fine”
i once dreamed bigger, once dreamed bold
with guitars, stages, stories told
but now it’s band-aids and cereal spills
weekend markets and overdue bills
sometimes I stare and don’t quite speak
think about knees that used to be knees
but then my boy kicks the ball just right
and damn if that don’t feel like light
my daughter smiles, calls me her king
my wife hums joy into the simplest things
this ain’t the life I drew in pen
but it sure beats not livin’ again
they say we’re doin’ mighty fine
and maybe this hurt’s by design
kids still grow, love still shows
even when the garden won’t grow
every scar’s another vow
every “how” becomes a “somehow”
you ask how I am—I ain’t lyin’
I smile and say,
“we’re doin’ mighty fine”
mighty fine...
we’re doin’ mighty fine...
might be tired, might be broke
but there’s still laughter in the smoke
mighty fine...
we’re doin’ mighty fine..
mighty fine...
we’re doin’ mighty fine..mighty fine...
we’re... doin’ ....mighty ......fine.........

Link to best of our country hits that you can cover to get to the top... https://soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/country-hits-you-might-need?si=307edea8be674dc3bedee9345a814080&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

All Rights Reserved Edwin H. Balder
Thanks so much to my band: Hot Cookie
See Our Music Videos Here> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-509h42heKT05D8egf2U9w

Mighty Fine by Songwriter Edwin H. Balder

This song is open source ...Cover Away!
The Land of Close and Almost  by songwriter Edwin H. Balder
played my part just off the stage
behind the lights and center page
steel string, low key, old sunburst wood
made a lot of stars sound good
i've had stadium crowds on their feet
for a solo that never had my name on the seat
then I slide back down, no bow, no boast
just another face in the land of close and almost
rode the bus through a thousand towns
tuned the set while they wrote it down
shared my soul with neon halls
while the headliner soaked it all
knew better than to wait for a wave
some stories just ain’t made to save
you shake the hand, you lift the load
then disappear on a different road
but it’s been almost wonderful to me
this life just shy of marquee
no gold-plated name, no fan mail flood
but I’ve bled truth in every chord I strummed
in the shadow of the spotlight’s ghost
I found my home
in the land of close and almost
there’s a brotherhood behind that mic
where late-night jokes outlive the likes
we raise our cups to second takes
and harmonies the star can’t fake
we play for rent, and for the hush
when a room goes still in a quiet rush
no interviews, no headlines bold—
just worn-down calluses and gold
i’ve watched the glitz, i’ve seen the fall
signed names on vinyl with no call
stood behind a singer in rhinestone light
while my chord held up their biggest night
but I learned a thing the front don’t teach—
the deepest love don’t need a speech
there’s glory in the hidden hand
that helps a stranger take a stand
so to the drummers, techs, and pedal men
the ones who try, then try again
we built this whole damn song by host—
this land of close
and almost
yeah, it’s been almost wonderful to me
a patchwork prayer in every key
i’ve earned my keep in grace and grit
and left no stage without a bit
may not be the name they toast
but I belong
in the land of close and almost
still I belong...
in the land of close and almost
close and almost (close and almost) close and almost
still I belong...(belong)
in the land of close and almost
close.. and.. almost.. (close and almost) ...close ...and ...almost......


More country songs you can cover : https://soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/song-of-the-year-songs?si=15ee4215ebcd4cdcb9004bd452a2c2d7&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing


The Land of Close and Almost  by songwriter Edwin H. Balder

When the ouline of broken is as black as the the pain
Just Mascara by Songwriter Edwin H. Balder
mascara on the pillowcase
says more than words ever could say
when love runs out, it don’t walk away—
it stains, it streaks... it stays
she left the bathroom light still on
and half a curl in the flat iron gone
her perfume like a last goodbye
hauntin’ the mirror while i ask why
that streak of black beneath the glass
told me more than her lips ever has
it wasn’t the fight that broke our spark—
it was the way she smeared the dark
mascara, runnin’ like a river down her face
screamin’ secrets we both tried to erase
she wept in colors—black and brave
and every tear was a vow she gave
no goodbye note, no morning sun
just mascara… sayin’ “we’re done.”
i cleaned the sink but left that line
as if erasin’ her would cross a line
some loves end sharp, some loves get loud
but this one whispered from a cloud
no slammed door, no midnight call
just makeup trails on a peach-toned wall
she broke in silence, soft and stark—
and signed her exit in the dark
mascara, fallin’ like a ribbon through the pain
tellin’ truths our tongues couldn’t explain
she cried the verse i couldn't write
a ballad born in bathroom light
she didn’t shout, she didn’t run—
her mascara… said, “i’m done.”
black lines curl where courage bends
and all that’s left are might-have-beens
a woman don’t break all at once
she fades in streaks and haunted fronts
if you ever see those painted tears
don’t ask “what’s wrong” if you weren’t near
that line don’t lie, it don’t pretend—
it’s love that leaked
when trust hit end
mascara, rainin’ down in velvet ache
in every droplet, a vow she’d break
she wore goodbye in that shade of night
and left a love too dark to fight
no curtain call, no second drum—
just mascara... sayin' "i'm done."
mascara on the pillowcase...
it stains, ....it streaks... it stays....

Link to best of our country hits that you can cover to get to the top... https://soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/country-hits-you-might-need?si=307edea8be674dc3bedee9345a814080&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

All Rights Reserved Edwin H. Balder
Thanks so much to my band: Hot Cookie
See Our Music Videos Here> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-509h42heKT05D8egf2U9w

Just Mascara  by Hot Cookie

Trust you fisrt OK!
I Can Do That by Songwriter Edwin H. Balder
you say it’s too far, too late, too wild—
but I’ve been stubborn since I was a child
watch me now, no need to chat—
you bet your boots, I can do that!
they said “you ain’t built to chase that dream”
“better settle down and just join a team”
but I got heart that don’t sit still
with a busted truck and an iron will
put gas in hope, set doubt on fire
wrote my plan on a gum wrapper flyer
you blinked once—next thing you know
I got a gig and I’m ready to go
I can do that—yeah, watch me shine
turn no chance into overtime
I don’t bluff, I don’t backtrack
you say it’s hard? I can do that
build it, sing it, flip that flat
you name the mountain—I’ll tip my hat
dare me once, I’ll bring it back
yeah, I can do that
first tour van broke down in the sticks
played a bar where the amp threw bricks
ate dollar fries, sang for tips
learned the hustle from busted lips
they said “maybe you’re just too nice”
but I lit up that open mic twice
signed with grit, stayed unsigned
but made believers outta time
I can do that—make nothing sing
pull a song from a busted string
turn bad breaks into brass tracks
you throw doubt—I throw it back
fix a roof with duct-taped laughs
pour good wine in paper glass
yeah, tell me no, I’ll prove it fast—
I can do that
now my niece wants to build a plane
and my neighbor’s dancing through the pain
every “can’t” I ever knew
just lit the way for what I do
I ain’t perfect, I ain’t clean
but I show up for every scene
with a smile, a flaw, a dream unsaid—
I’ll raise the roof and paint it red
I can do that—yes I can
from broken hearts to marching bands
I don’t need gold to take that track
my fuel is fire and I ain’t lookin’ back
bring your storms, bring your lack—
this small-town soul knows how to stack
you say impossible—then step back
I. Can. Do. That.
can you dream it? (I can do that!)
can you climb it? (I can do that!)
fall and rise and still come back? (watch me now—)
you bet your boots, I can do that
every ounce of soul intact
no plan B, no fear to lack—
just open sky and heart to match

Link to best of our country hits that you can cover to get to the top... https://soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/country-hits-you-might-need?si=307edea8be674dc3bedee9345a814080&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

All Rights Reserved Edwin H. Balder
Thanks so much to my band: Hot Cookie
See Our Music Videos Here> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-509h42heKT05D8egf2U9w


I Can Do That by Songwriter Edwin H. Balder

In the shadows of Apache Junction, at the foot of the majestic Superstition Mountains, sits a weathered hacienda. This desert oasis is home to an enigmatic figure, a songwriter whose journey reads like a long, dusty road of honky-tonk bars and college cafeterias. He wasn't chasing fame or glitter; instead, he chose the soul-crushing beauty of music for music's sake.

Years spent hunched over sticky barroom tables and scribbling lyrics on napkins earned him a reputation—not in the spotlight but in the back rooms where deals are made. He wrote melodies that found their way into the hearts of stars who had lost their own muse. He sold his creations for cash, with no recognition, but the whisper of his songs carried the weight of his soul.

Finally, he bought this piece of desert paradise—a stable income from his timeless songs allowed him to live comfortably, if anonymously. Here in this hacienda, with his family beside him and the mountains as his backdrop, he found the peace to write hits under his own name. He chuckled at the irony that now, without chasing fame, he could create music that brought him joy.

In the end, it was never about the spotlight. It was about the journey, the stories, and the songs that wrote themselves through his life. As the sun set behind the Superstitions, casting long shadows over the hacienda, he strummed his guitar and sang—content, unknown, and unburdened by the world's gaze.


Copyright 2019 Edwin H. Balder

I may be dead when fame comes but my real glory was always JULIE & The Kids. Thank you for such love

I Can Do That by Songwriter Edwin H. Balder

Edwin Balder