I hit every note like a prayer in the dark
Got a voice that could echo through Central Park
But they scroll past me, eyes glazed and numb
'Cause I don’t flash thighs or chew bubblegum
Dropped a countdown, poured out my soul
Posted the teaser, watched it take no toll
No vinyl orders, no CD spins
Just “you’d chart if you showed more skin”
They say “girl, you need a brand, not a ballad”
“Get a stylist, not a stanza—make it valid”
But I’m not here to pose, I’m here to bleed
And I won’t trade truth for a viral feed
I sing like heaven, but I sell like hell
Got truth in my tone, but no thirst to compel
They want a backbend, not a backstory
I’m a diamond in a world that rewards purgatory
I sing like heaven, but I sell like hell
She’s got the angles, the gloss, the glare
I’ve got the scars, the grit, the prayer
But they stream cleavage, not confession
She’s trending in flesh, I’m stuck in expression
I saw her cover—just hips and haze
No liner notes, no soul, just praise
They called it “iconic,” they called it “hot”
But not once did they mention the song she forgot
I sing like heaven, but I sell like hell
Got truth in my tone, but no thirst to compel
They want a waistline, not a lifeline
I’m a diamond in a world that wants rhinestones to shine
I sing like heaven, but I sell like hell
[intense musical solo]
They quote her tweets, not her lyrics
They stream her looks, not her spirit
She’s got the fame, the filters, the flair
But I’ve got the ache, the art, the air
I read the books, she read the room
I wrote the verses, she posed in perfume
They gave her Grammys, gave me “next time”
But I’d rather be timeless than trend on a dime
Maybe one day they’ll hear the ache
In every breath I didn’t fake
But until then, I’ll write my name
In melodies they can’t reclaim
 I sing like heaven, but I sell like hell
Got stories to tell, and I sing them well
They want a body, I bring a soul
But I’ll keep singing till I’m whole
I sing like heaven… even if I sell like hell
"They buy what they see first—skin before sound.
But I’m not some dessert to dress up and serve.
I’m the meal you crave when you’re starving for truth.
I never lie, I never pose.
Still, I wish my chest was fuller, my hips more round—
So maybe then, you’d finally hear my sound.

🌹Thanks to the players from H.C. and Del's studio

All Rights held by songwriter Edwin H. Balder. 

Be sure to visit Tina's playlist here: 
https://soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/tina-talone-may-this-kind-of?si=c962a19838244cafab03c08ba110c75f&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Sing Like Heaven, Sell Like Hell🌹Tina Talone🌹

Tortured poet or a showgirl, tell me who you chose to be
Did you trade your ink for glitter, did you sell your melody?
Was the spotlight worth the silence, was the fame worth losing me?
Tortured poet or a showgirl… which mask did you believe?
She wrote in journals, not in gloss
Sang to mirrors, not to applause
Her words were thunder, raw and wild
But they told her, “Smile like a child”
She wore her heartbreak like a crown
But they said, “Girl, tone it down”
So she stitched her pain into a dress
And danced her truth into finesse
They gave her stages, gave her gold
But never let her soul unfold
She learned to sparkle, learned to spin
But lost the girl she was within
Tortured poet or a showgirl, tell me what they made you choose
Did you trade your truth for trophies, did you paint your pain in rouge?
Was the glitter worth the grieving, was the silence worth the sound?
Tortured poet or a showgirl… did they build you just to drown?
She wrote a verse they called too sad
So she danced instead, made the critics glad
She kissed the cameras, played the part
But buried lyrics in her heart
She wore sequins over scars
Sang of love beneath the stars
But every cheer felt like a theft
Of the girl who hadn’t left
They gave her fame, they gave her fear
But never let her voice be clear
She learned to pose, learned to please
But lost the right to grieve with ease
Tortured poet or a showgirl, tell me what they made you choose
Did you trade your truth for trophies, did you paint your pain in rouge?
Was the glitter worth the grieving, was the silence worth the sound?
Tortured poet or a showgirl… did they build you just to drown?
She’s the verse they never read
She’s the tear they dressed in red
She’s the truth behind the show
She’s the ache they’ll never know
Tortured poet or a showgirl
She’s both, and she’s neither
She’s the fire they tried to bottle
She’s the storm they called a teaser
Now she sings with open wounds
In sold-out halls and silver moons
But every note still asks the cost
Of all the selves that she has lost
Tortured poet or a showgirl, tell me what they made you choose
Did you trade your truth for trophies, did you paint your pain in rouge?
Was the glitter worth the grieving, was the silence worth the sound?
Tortured poet or a showgirl… did they build you just to drown?
Tortured poet or a showgirl, tell me who you chose to be
Did you trade your ink for glitter, did you sell your melody?
Was the spotlight worth the silence, was the fame worth losing me?
Tortured poet or a showgirl… now the world will never see.


🌹Thanks to the players from H.C. and Del's studio

All Rights held by songwriter Edwin H. Balder. 

Be sure to visit Tina's playlist here: 
https://soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/tina-talone-may-this-kind-of?si=c962a19838244cafab03c08ba110c75f&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Tortured Poet or a Showgirl 🌹Tina Talone🌹

She came from a world of velvet lights
I came from dust and football fights
She knew the rules, I broke a few
But somehow, we both saw something true
They watched us like a movie reel
Every glance, every word, every feel
But behind the flash and filtered frame
We built a fire they couldn’t name
We didn’t match on paper
But we matched in soul and skin
And every time they doubted
We just let our love win
The day I asked her to marry me
We stood alone, but not afraid
Two hearts that never played charades
They can talk, they can spin
But they weren’t there.. when we ...took each other in
The day I asked her to marry me
She wore wonder like starlight born
I wore hope like something worn
We didn’t need a script or cue
Just a quiet place to say “I do”
They said we’d fade, they said we’d bend
But love don’t break—it just transcends
And in that moment, hand in mine
I saw... forever.....(forever) ...in her eyes
We didn’t match on paper
But we matched in soul and skin
And every time they doubted
We.. just.. let.. our ..love ..win
The day I asked her to marry me
We stood alone, but not afraid
Two hearts that never played charades
They can talk, they can spin
But they weren’t there ...when we ....took each other in....
The day I asked her to marry me
We’ve danced through storms and spotlight haze
We’ve kissed in silence, not for praise
We’ve held each other through the doubt
And never once did we sell out
She’s not a headline, I’m not a brand
We’re just two souls who understand
That love’s not loud, it’s not rehearsed
It’s choosing someone for better or worse
The day I asked her to marry me
We stood alone, but not afraid
Two hearts that never played charades
They can talk, they can spin
But they weren’t there ...when we... took each other in...
The day I asked her to marry me...
The day I asked her to marry me....the.. best... day ...
The day I asked her... to marry me...

Thank You T. M! and Love you Del Players YOU!

All rights held by the songwriter Edwin H. Balder

Link to more of our Singer/songwriter style hits you can cover into fame because of your take!

soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/best-new-folk-americana?si=04e0155163644977b37cf8c0a04f3c53&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medi

The Day I Asked Her to Marry Me  by Tommy Monacca

This ain’t my case, but it holds my song
The one I’m writing to right the wrong
I left my guitar in a pawnshop downtown
Traded six strings for a bottle and a breakdown
Said I’d be back in a week or two
But the truth is, I never knew
Now I’m playing borrowed wood and steel
Trying to remember how to feel
The neck’s too wide, the tone’s too thin
But I still hear her voice within
So I’m singing this tune to buy it back
The one I lost when I lost track
Of who I was and what I meant
Of every dollar, every cent
This borrowed case, this borrowed sound
Is holding me until I’m found
I ain’t rich, I ain’t got fame
But I’ve got this new song... that will make you...remember my name...get me back in the... game
She said, “You write like you’re bleeding slow”
I said, “That’s the only way I know”
She kissed my hand, then closed the door
And I wrote her name into the score
Now I play for tips and second looks
For coffee cups and worn-out books
But every chord I bend and break
Is one more step I get to take
So I’m singing this tune to buy it back
The one I lost when I lost track
Of who I was and what I meant
Of every dollar, every cent
This borrowed case, this borrowed sound
Is holding me until I’m found
I ain’t rich, I ain’t got fame
But I’ve got this new song... that will make you...remember my name...get me back in the... game
I remember the day I let it go
The clerk said, “Man, you sure you know?”
I said, “It’s just wood, it’s just wire”
But I felt the burn of funeral fire
Now I dream in minor keys
Of open mics and memories
And every song I write tonight
Is one more chance to make it right
So I’m singing this tune to buy it back
The one I lost when I lost track
Of who I was and what I meant
Of every dollar, every cent
This borrowed case, this borrowed sound
Is holding me until I’m found
I ain’t rich, I ain’t got fame
But I’ve got this new song... that will make you...remember my name...get me back in the... game
This ain’t my case, but it holds my song
And maybe that’s where I belong
I ain’t rich, I ain’t got fame
But I’ve got this new song... that will make you...remember again

Borrowed Case (Buy It Back Ballad)

You said it wasn’t what it looked like
But I saw the truth in your eyes
You said you never meant to hurt me
But your silence cuts like knives
You said we could fix it
But you never tried
You said you loved me
But you always lied
I gave you time
I gave you grace
But you just vanished
Without a trace
Now you’re back
With your same old face
But I’m not falling
Not this place
I don’t believe you
We are so through
I don’t believe you
I don’t believe you
I don’t believe you
Not one word
Not one tear
Not one hurt
I don’t believe you
We are so through
I don’t believe you
I don’t believe you
You said you missed me
But you missed the point
You said you changed
But you still disappoint
You said you dreamed of us again
But I woke up alone
You said you’d call
But I checked my phone
I gave you time
I gave you grace
But you just vanished
Without a trace
Now you’re back
With your same old face
But I’m not falling
Not this place
I don’t believe you
We are so through
I don’t believe you
I don’t believe you
I don’t believe you
Not one word
Not one tear
Not one hurt
I don’t believe you
We are so through
I don’t believe you
I don’t believe you
You had your chance
You had your name
You played your part
You lost the game
I’m not your echo
I’m not your shame
I’m not your fire
I’m not your flame
I don’t believe you
We are so through
I don’t believe you
I don’t believe you
I don’t believe you
Not one word
Not one tear
Not one hurt
I don’t believe you
We are so through
I don’t believe you
I don’t believe you

We Hope to hear us on your playlist!

All rights owned by songwriter Edwin H Balder

I Don't Believe You by American K-POP BOYS

hope there’s a power to make it better 

light that flickers through the stormy weather 

hand unseen but felt in the fight 

whisper that turns wrong into right 

The ground beneath us shifts & breaks 

Every dream we chase 

Every risk we take 

But the stars 

They still shine through the haze 

Guiding the lost through their darkest days 

Is there a voice beyond the silence 

calm in the raging tide 

We search for answers in the chaos 

Hoping something’s on our side 

Oh 

We hope 

We all hope 

rain falls heavy 

nights grow cold 

stories we tell 

lies we’ve sold 

But in the cracks of a shattered sky 

A single ray breaks through 

Asking why  

Can you hear it 

Can you feel it 

Something calling 

Something real yet 

Is there a voice beyond the silence 

A calm in the raging tide 

We search for answers in the chaos 

Hoping something’s on our side 

Oh 

We hope 

We all hope 

We all hope there is a #power to make it better, 

A light that flickers through the stormy weather. 

A hand unseen, but felt in the fight, 

A whisper that turns wrong into right. 

We hope for healing in the cracks of pain, 

For meaning in the loss, for sun after rain. 

We hope for strength when the world feels thin, 

For love to rise where fear has been. 

And we keep hoping—because hope is how we begin. 

We ..hope 

We... all... hope 

  as far as we can this is an Open source recording with free open to cover rights with no obligation to the songwriter...Edwin H. Balder

We All Hope

I woke up bleeding from a dream I can’t recall
The sky was black, the mirror cracked, the writing on the wall
I’ve buried friends, I’ve buried faith, I’ve buried every prayer
And still I walk, though every step feels like a dare
God wants me dead
That’s what the silence said
Not in fire, not in flood
Just slow enough to taste the blood
God wants me dead
But I ain’t gone yet
I’ve cursed the stars, I’ve kissed the ground
I’ve begged for peace that won’t be found
My body breaks, my mind betrays
But I still show up most days
The preacher said I’m not alone
But he don’t hear the undertone
Of every breath I drag through pain
Like thunder with no rain
God wants me dead
That’s what the silence said
Not in fire, not in flood
Just slow enough to taste the blood
God wants me dead
But I ain’t gone yet
Maybe He don’t hate me
Maybe He just waits
To see if I’ll keep walking
Through these rusted gates
Maybe love’s a test
And pain’s the proof
That I’m still here
And still got truth
I saw a child smile at me today
And for a second, I looked away
Afraid that light might burn my skin
But maybe that’s where grace begins
I ain’t asking for a crown
Just a reason not to lay it down
If He’s still watching, let Him see
What broken still can be
God wants me dead
That’s what the silence said
Not in fire, not in flood
Just slow enough to taste the blood
If He wants me gone
He’ll have to take me walking   


FYI: God saw me write this and did not stop me....songwriter Edwin H. Balder


God Wants Me Dead

Walking through these streets alone
Everyone's got somewhere to go
But I see you there, you're just like me
Searching for where we're meant to be
The same tired eyes, the same quiet hope
We're all just learning how to cope
In this place we call community
We find ourselves, we find ourselves
In this place we call community
We find ourselves, we find ourselves
Late at night when the world gets still
I wonder if you're awake too
Staring at your ceiling, counting fears
Wishing someone would see right through
All the walls we build to stay safe
But maybe safety's overrated
In this place we call community
We find ourselves, we find ourselves
In this place we call community
We find ourselves, we find ourselves
Sometimes strangers become the ones
Who hold you when you fall apart
Sometimes the people you never knew
End up closest to your heart
We're all broken, we're all whole
We're all learning, we're all growing old
In this place we call community
We find ourselves, we find ourselves
In this place we call community
We find ourselves, we find ourselves
We find ourselves, we find ourselves
We find ourselves, we find ourselves
We're all strangers here tonight
But maybe that's alright


🌹Thanks to the players from H.C. and Del's studio

All Rights held by songwriter Edwin H. Balder. 

Be sure to visit Tina's playlist here: 
https://soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/tina-talone-may-this-kind-of?si=c962a19838244cafab03c08ba110c75f&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

And Tina's new music video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TZvNm4nfdQ

Community by🌹Tina Talone🌹

I said “I love”

Not to claim, not to keep

But to let it breathe

like starlight beyond ..the .. deep

I said “I love”

Not to bind, not to buy

But to walk beside

to live ....to trust.... to try.....

I said “I love”

Not for show, not for gold

But for the wonder

one finds ... together ....growing old

Love is not a prize

It’s not a vow

It’s the quiet truth

love is how. (oh) love.. is ..how...(oh) love...love is how

I said “I love”

Not to win, not to last

But to walk the path

to walk (to walk) with love (with love) at last (at last)


🌹Thanks to the players from H.C. and Del's studio

All Rights held by songwriter Edwin H. Balder. 

Be sure to visit Tina's playlist here: 
https://soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/tina-talone-may-this-kind-of?si=c962a19838244cafab03c08ba110c75f&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

And Tina's new music video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TZvNm4nfdQ


Love Is How by 🌹Tina Talone🌹

Riding the tide oh riding the tide
Will you stand by me or drift and hide
Riding the tide oh riding the tide
Loyalty's the anchor where hearts collide
He came from a town where the seagulls scream
She was the girl with a sailor's dream
Under the pier where the salt air sings
They made a vow with the ocean as king
The waves they rise the waves they fall
Will you be there through it all
Riding the tide oh riding the tide
Can you hold on when the waters divide
Through the calm through the storm
Will your heart stay warm
Riding the tide oh riding the tide
A stranger arrived with a grin too wide
Promised the stars and a smoother ride
She glanced at the boy who had held her tight
Was the ocean enough or was he just a fight
The waves they rise the waves they fall
Will you be there through it all[Verse 3]  
The stars above, they softly glisten  
Hearts intertwined if only they'd listen  
The ocean knows what the heart can't show  
Loyalty’s a bond that ebbs and flows  
Within the waves, dreams quietly soar  
Holding onto hope at the ocean's core  
When shadows fall and the night is long  
Loyal hearts will find where they belong  
And the moonlight bathes the restless sea  
"Loyalty is your sanctuary"  
Riding the tide oh riding the tide  
Can you hold on when the waters divide  
Through the calm through the storm  
Will your heart stay warm  
Riding the tide oh riding the tide   2]  
With every wave, we’re making history  
In faith and trust, we write  mystery  
Loyalty and the tide(Loyalty and the tide)
Loyalty and the tide
With every wave, we’re making history  
In faith and trust, we write  mystery 
Loyalty and the tide...(Loyalty and the tide)
......the tide...(the tide)

🌹Thanks to the players from H.C. and Del's studio

All Rights held by songwriter Edwin H. Balder. 
Be sure to visit Tina's playlist here: 
https://soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/tina-talone-may-this-kind-of?si=c962a19838244cafab03c08ba110c75f&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

And Tina's new music video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TZvNm4nfdQ

Loyalty Waves by 🌹Tina Talone🌹

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

New tracks tagged #ballad #solo #pianosolo #lovesong