The Lake Don’t Lie By American K-POP BOYS
All rights held by Edwin H. Balder
i used to sit beside this shore
and swear i’d feel, but not too much more
my voice would float, just light and kind
while currents pulled me from my mind
the breeze would ask me, “is this truth?”
but i just dressed my hurt in youth
and if you saw me on that edge—
you’d call me calm… not near the ledge
the lake don’t lie, but it don’t speak loud
it wears its grief beneath the proud
we look for peace and find a mask
we call it calm—it’s just the ask
to stay afloat while secrets wave
the lake… it knows what we forgave
there’s thunder tiptoeing through the reeds
like shame that hides in quiet needs
someone cried here, someone changed
but kept their posture pre-arranged
we bring our fears in sunlit jars
we hide our cracks in memoir stars
and wonder why we still feel drowned
in places meant for spinning round
the lake don’t break, but it erodes slow
the truth below, the high above show
we watch reflections, not the source
and call restraint a show of force
to seem okay, to never shake—
the lake… it holds what we forsake
[electric dulcimer solo]
[bridge] (spoken over faded chords)
you said “i’m fine,” like it was proof
but the wind heard you from the roof
and whispered back: “it’s not a crime…
to feel the storm and call it time”
i built a home on shallow ground
then dug for depth without a sound
and found myself beneath that skin
where wanting ends and truth begins
the lake ain’t soft, it’s glass with teeth
it knows the storm, it knows beneath
and maybe that’s the human flaw—
to fear what beauty might withdraw
the lake don’t cry, but it reflects pain
its silence hums in memory’s lane
we’re all just waves inside a shell
pretending not to know too well
but every glance, every mistake—
the lake… it saw what we forsake
so if you ask me why i stare—
it’s ‘cause the lake still meets me there
and even now, through glass and stone—
it tells me… i was never alone

American K-POP BOYS 2025
Hope to find us on your playlist...Here is ours : https://soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/american-k-pop-boys?si=1f86507fcf0147d8847ed4aed1a4f470&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Songwriter Edwin H. Balder

The Lake Don’t Lie By A-K-B

"when i'm gone, it'll be a garage sale
three bucks for a life they’ll never nail"
E.H.B

i know nobody's gonna care the way i do
won't see how this chord or that verse pulled me through
shelves of demos, notebooks torn
songs that held me when i mourned
open tuining acoustic guitar riff
old six-string with a crack down the neck
still rings true if you earn the respect
i bled in bars and porchlight shows
chased a dream the world never chose
open tuining acoustic guitar riff
they’ll box it all when i'm laid down flat
my flannel shirts, my custom hat
they’ll stack the vinyl, dust the frame
but none'll ask what lit my flame
open tuining acoustic guitar riff
when i'm gone, it'll be a garage sale
three bucks for a life they’ll never nail
lyrics they’ll toss, lines they’ll never feel
heart on pages no one thinks were real
yeah, this is the end of the songwriter tale
open tuining acoustic guitar solo
i played for friends who moved away
for lovers lost and bills to pay
each song a chapter i never wrote
just strummed it out on need and hope
open tuining acoustic guitar riff
my son thinks “dad just liked his tunes”
don’t know i cried in hotel rooms
my girl’s long gone, she took the light
but these chords kept me warm at night
open tuining acoustic guitar riff
when i'm gone, it'll be a garage sale
coffee-stained dreams in a torn mail pail
leather boots and the mic i loved
stories slipped through songs that shoved
yeah, this is the end of the songwriter tale
open tuining acoustic guitar riff
don’t toss the tape marked '86'
it’s got a line she said still sticks
and if you see a page with “stay”—
that’s the one that made her stay
open tuining acoustic guitar solo
turn that faded tape reel slow
you’ll hear a voice you didn’t know
it's your mama hummin’ harmony—
proof this life meant more to me
so before you sell or pack away
play one song for yesterday
it ain’t fame, it ain’t for sale—
it’s me… the end of the songwriter tale

By Ed Balder  

Last Garage Sale by Songwriter Edwin H. Balder

The waiter just nodded
Like he’d seen it all before
I tipped my hat to the hostess
And floated through the door
No yelling, no regret
Just heels on marble tile
It wasn’t rage—it was rhythm
And I wore it with a smile
It was just a slap
But it told the truth
Like thunder dressed in velvet
Like fire under youth
He blinked, the room went quiet
I stood, no need to explain
It was just a slap..
But it cleared the stain
longer soaring sax solo
And if you ask me what he said
I’ll say it doesn’t matter
What matters is
He’ll never forget
The slap

All Rights held by songwriter Edwin H. Balder.
Be sure to visit Tina's playlist here: 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:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TZvNm4nfdQ

The Slap   by 🌹Tina Talone🌹

spumoni (spumoni) spumoni
lalala yeah yeah
ohohohoh hey hey
uhhuh uh uh
yo yo yo
spumoni
ta ta ta
emm emm em
doao doao doao
sha sha sha
spumoni (spumoni) spumoni
yea yea yea
la la la
boom boom pow
na na na
spumoni
uhhuh uh uh
yo yo yo
sha sha sha
ta ta ta
spumoni (spumoni) spumoni
doao doao doao
na na na
yeah yeah yeah
la la la
spumoni
emm emm em
yo yo yo
uhhuh uh uh
spumoni (spumoni) spumoni
emm emm em
yo yo yo
uhhuh uh uh
doao doao doao
na na na
yeah yeah yeah
la la la
uhhuh uh uh
yo yo yo
sha sha sha
ta ta tayea yea yea
la la la
boom boom pow
na na na
ta ta ta
emm emm em
doao doao doao
sha sha sha
lalala yeah yeah
ohohohoh hey hey
uhhuh uh uh
yo yo yo
spumoni
spumoni (spumoni) spumoni
lalala yeah yeah
ohohohoh hey hey
uhhuh uh uh
yo yo yo
spumoni
[soaring long solo]
[Verse]
ta ta ta
emm emm em
doao doao doao
sha sha sha
spumoni (spumoni) spumoni
yea yea yea
la la la
boom boom pow
na na na
spumoni
uhhuh uh uh
yo yo yo
sha sha sha
ta ta ta
spumoni (spumoni) spumoni
doao doao doao
na na na
yeah yeah yeah
la la la
spumoni
[soaring long solo]
[Verse]
emm emm em
yo yo yo
uhhuh uh uh
spumoni (spumoni) spumoni
emm emm em
yo yo yo
uhhuh uh uh
doao doao doao
na na na
yeah yeah yeah
la la la
uhhuh uh uh
yo yo yo
sha sha sha
ta ta tayea yea yea
la la la
boom boom pow
na na na
ta ta ta
emm emm em
doao doao doao
sha sha sha
lalala yeah yeah
ohohohoh hey hey
uhhuh uh uh
yo yo yo
spumoni
spumoni (spumoni) spumoni
emm
yo 
uhhuh
doao 
na 
yeah 
la
uhhuh uh uh
yo yo yo
ta
la 
boom boom pow
spumoni
spumoni (spumoni) spumoni

all rights reserved by Songwriter Edwin H. Balder 

More flavors  from Spumoni:  https://soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/spumoni?si=8aeb7d0bb9f74c6ba36b7cb42121525d&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharingg

Spumoni  by  Spumoni

ok kay ieeee oh me smokey. take-a-me to tow-kee-me
ba ba ziki zoko tee
lama luma woo woo dee
sha sha lapa lapa lee
moko jala fee fee flo
ok kay ieeee oh me smokey. take-a-me to tow-kee-me

ta ta tee ta to to to
zama zumba ooh ooh lo
cha cha chiki chiki cho
siki soko lulu lay
ok kay ieeee oh me smokey. take-a-me to tow-kee-me

la la lee sha sha she
boom boom bah yo yo ye
ziki zoko lapa lee
mimi momo tee tee tay
bop bop ing-a-pow
cha cha unk-a-now tee
ok kay ieeee oh me smokey. take-a-me to tow-kee-me
ra ra ree ra roo roo roo
zumba zumba ooh ooh doo
fa fa fee la la loo
faka luma dee dee do
ok kay ieeee oh me smokey. take-a-me to tow-kee-me

da da dee da do do do
bamba lamba ooh ooh ho
yo yo ya sha sha sho
mimi momo tee tee tay
ok kay ieeee oh me smokey. take-a-me to tow-kee-me

ba ba boo cha cha chu
rum rum rah fa fa fu
zama ziki lulu low
piki piki loma lay
kap a izzle lay la lome
wah wah ah-ip-a-zoo.ma key
ok kay ieeee oh me smokey. take-a-me to tow-kee-me

moko jala fee fee flo
siki soko lulu lay
faka luma dee dee do
mimi momo tee tee tay
ziki zoko lapa lee / cha cha 
wah wah ah-ip-a-zoo.ma key
ok kay ieeee oh me smokey. take-a-me to tow-kee-me

lo lo la la lee lee lee
zama zuma woo woo dee
yo yo ya ta ta tee
piki piki loma lay
ok kay ieeee oh me smokey. take-a-me to tow-kee-me

la la lee la loo loo loo
zumba zumba ooh ooh doo
pow pow pla lo lo roo
noko niki tee tee tay
ok kay ieeee oh me smokey. take-a-me to tow-kee-me

moko jala fee fee flo
siki soko lulu lay
faka luma dee dee do
mimi momo tee tee tay
ziki zoko lapa lee
wah wah ah-ip-a-zoo.ma key
cha cha unk-a-now tee
cha ..cha.. unk-a-now ...tee...
ok kay ieeee oh me smokey. take-a-me to tow-kee-me
take-a-me to tow-kee-me
ok kay ieeee oh me smokey
take-a-me to tow-kee-me
take-a-me to tow-kee-me
take-a-me to tow-kee-me

all rights reserved by Songwriter Edwin H. Balder 

More flavors from Spumoni: https://soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/spumoni?si=8aeb7d0bb9f74c6ba36b7cb42121525d&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Tow-Kee-Me by  Spumoni

He wore number 12 on a Friday night field
Small-town lights, chasing dreams that felt real
She sang in cafés with a notebook and charm
Lyrics like lightning, a voice like a balm
He caught her set after practice one fall
Stood in the back, didn’t say much at all
But her words hit harder than tackles and scars
He was engulfed in the curiosity of who you are
You were melody, mystery, fire and grace
He was bruises and glory and hometown praise
Two worlds apart, but the stars aligned
In the hush of your song, he crossed the line
Now he’s chasing more than a touchdown star
Engulfed in the curiosity of who you are
She wrote about heartbreak, about leaving and loss
He knew the weight of a game-winning toss
But love’s not a playbook, it’s messy and wild
She saw the boy behind the gridiron smile
They danced in the kitchen, they fought in the rain
She’d vanish to Nashville, then come back again
He learned her rhythms, her fears, her scars
Still engulfed in the curiosity of who you are
You were melody, mystery, fire and grace
He was bruises and glory and hometown praise
Two worlds apart, but the stars aligned
In the hush of your song, he crossed the line
Now he’s chasing more than a touchdown star
Engulfed in the curiosity of who you are
She wrote him into verses, soft and true
He wore her lyrics like a jersey he never outgrew
And when the spotlight came, they stood side by side
Not just a love story, but a legacy ride
You were melody, mystery, fire and grace
He was bruises and glory and hometown praise
Two worlds apart, but the stars aligned
In the hush of your song, he crossed the line
Now he’s chasing more than a touchdown star
Engulfed in the curiosity of who you are

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!

https://soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/best-new-folk-americana?si=04e0155163644977b37cf8c0a04f3c53&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Engulfed in the Curiosity of Who You Are

Paul Anka requested takes of this hit and Tina said yes...

Put Your Head On My Shoulder As Requested by Paul

baby, 
I saw your name light up in grayscale tone
Right there between my coffee and my phone
You typed “yo”—I blinked, then hit postpone
Now I’m pacing rooms I used to own
I’m not tryna beg, but I’m losing grip
Every buzz feels like a fingertip
You vanish fast, then you reappear
Still I check my screen like hope lives here
Text text me baby, baby baby please
Just test me baby, I’m down on my knees
I’m not crazy, just caught in the tease
So text me baby, (baby)  baby pleeease 
baby, (baby)  baby
Your last post hit like a sideways glance
Caption said “chill,” but it felt like chance
I liked, I paused, then I missed the dance
Now I’m stuck in scrolls that feel like trance
I’m not tryna chase, but I’m caught in spin
Every dot-dot-dot feels like a win
You read, you wait, then you fade again
Still I whisper “maybe” now and then
Text text me baby, baby baby please
Just test me baby, I’m down on my knees
I’m not crazy, just caught in the tease
So text me baby, (baby) baby pleeease
Maybe I’m just digits in your cloud
But I swear this silence feels too loud
If you tap back once, I’ll write it proud
A song we’ll scream above the crowd
Text text me baby, baby baby please
Just test me baby, I’m down on my knees
I’m not crazy, just caught in the tease
So text me baby, (baby) baby pleeease
baby, (baby)  baby, ...(baby)  ...baby......pleeease.....pleeease

Text Me Baby by  American K-Pop Boys

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🌹

I gave my all to a love that broke
Built a house of dreams, now it’s filled with smoke
Kept the lights on, waited by the phone
But silence became my second home
I wore the weight like a second skin
Smiled through the ache, let the hurt sink in
But I’m done with the shadows, done with the doubt
Tonight’s the night I’m walking out
Let’s make this toast, let’s celebrate the most
Everybody get a dose, everybody feel real close
Everybody time to boast
Let’s make this toast, make this toast, make this toast
I danced alone in a crowded room
Played our song, but it felt like doom
You said forever, then disappeared
Now I’m raising glass to the wasted years
I cried in colors you’ll never see
Painted pain into melody
But I’m done with the waiting, done with the ache
Tonight’s the night I finally break
 Let’s make this toast, let’s celebrate the most
Everybody get a dose, everybody feel real close
Everybody time to boast
Let’s make this toast, make this toast, make this toast
I kept your secrets, swallowed pride
Held the line while you chose sides
But I’m not your echo, not your ghost
I’m the fire you feared the most
I gave you verses, you gave me blur
Now I’m singing what I deserve
Done with the silence, done with the cost
Tonight’s the night I count the loss
Let’s make this toast, let’s celebrate the most
Everybody get a dose, everybody feel real close
Everybody time to boast
Let’s make this toast, make this toast, make this toast
Here’s to the tears that taught me grace
To the scars that found their place
To the love I gave that never grew
To the strength I never knew
May that shit be over.
May the hurt be gone.
May the truth feel louder
Than the lies we leaned on.
Let’s make this toast, let’s celebrate the most
Everybody get a dose, everybody feel real close
Everybody time to boast
Let’s make this toast, make this toast, make this toast
Raise it high, let it shine
We survived, now it’s our time
No more ghosts, no more pain
Let the love pour like champagne
Let’s make this toast…
Make this toast…
Make this toast…
🌹🥂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:
soundcloud.com/edwin-balder/sets/tina-talone-may-this-kind-of?si=c962a19838244cafab03c08ba110c75f&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=t

Let’s Make This Toast 🥂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

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