This album is now available for download on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and Bandcamp.com. To purchase physical copies, simply visit the Store here on KevinHeider.com.
Overview, Credits & Lyrics
To Whom It May Concern is the debut acoustic piano album from singer-songwriter Kevin Heider. The flowing, melodic temperament of his music, combined with poetic and heartfelt reflections on war and peace, saints and angels, hope and forgiveness, love lost and love found, is sure to give its listener a unique glimpse into one artist’s quest to more fully understand and appreciate the great mystery of life.
Regarding the title track, Kevin states: “I wrote this song in response to John Mayer’s Grammy-winning song Waiting on the World to Change, which claims to represent the views of his [and my] generation with the defeatist and hopeless message that nothing we can do will make a difference. But I don’t believe that, not for one second.” The artwork for the album was all created by Kevin’s five year-old sister and goddaughter, Faith Elizabeth Heider. The very first song is a prayerful lullaby written just for her.
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Paul Lehner with Drive-by Recording in Dayton, Ohio. Recorded in St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Dayton, Ohio. Album artwork by Faith Elizabeth Heider. All songs written by Kevin Heider. (C) Copyright 2009 by Kevin Heider.
1. No More Tears (Faiths Lullaby)
Kevin Heider: piano, vocals
Hush, little baby, don’t you cry. Everything is gonna be alright Momma’s gonna hold you when you’re scared at night and daddy’s gonna teach you how to ride your bike. It’s alright now, Faithy girl. You’re gonna grow up and it’s gonna be tough. You’re gonna get hurt, you’re gonna fall in love. Life can be hard and the world can be cruel. Just don’t do drugs, and stay in school. Jesus loves you, Faithy girl, Faithy girl. Hush, little darling, don’t you cry. Everything is gonna be alright. Wipe those tears now from your eyes. Let the fears in you subside. No more tears now, Faithy girl.
2. Christmas Without Brian
Kevin Heider: piano, vocals
Double-knots on dirty shoes, give me some, some happy news. Tell me that you’re coming home this year. I can’t afford to sing the blues, but I’ll play you a prayerful tune that my brother doesn’t disappear. You wrote that you weren’t feeling well, and told me you’re in a living hell. Please, ask mom and dad to say a prayer. When another letter comes for me, I just don’t want to believe you probably won’t be here Christmas Day. And mother starts to cry for you, and daddy starts to cry for you again. Just give it all you’ve got to give. Try your best so you can live, and someday soon you’ll come back home for good. ‘Cause every time I close my eyes, another soldier’s mother cries “I’d be there right beside you if I could.” Well, I know you and Jesus lives inside your heart, so please forgive all the times I wasn’t there for you. The Advent candles are burning bright. They say it’s supposed to snow tonight. I just thought you’d like some happy news. ‘Cause you wrote that you weren’t feeling well and told me you’re in a living hell. Please, ask mom and dad to say a prayer. When another letter comes for me, I just don’t want to believe you probably won’t be here Christmas Day. And mother starts to cry for you, and daddy starts to cry for you, and then I start to pray for you because you’ve never missed a Christmas Day.
3. Buttercup
Kevin Heider: piano
(instrumental)
4. In Good Company
Kevin Heider: piano, vocals
The car is running. We’re not moving anywhere. Just sit right here and talk to me awhile. It’s cold outside, so cold outside, but it’s so warm in here with you. I wanna keep on talking to you. What I’m trying to make you see is that I like your company. Do you think I could see you again? ‘Cause I’d really love to see you again sometime, sometime. It’s one in the morning, in the blink of an eye. Time has gone and passed me by. It’s four o’clock. It’s time for you to get yourself home and get yourself in bed. ‘Cause what I’m trying to make you see is that I like your company. Do you think I could see you again? ‘Cause I’d really love to see you again. Do you think I could see you again? ‘Cause I’d really love to see you again sometime, sometime.
5. An Irish Blessing
Kevin Heider: piano, vocals
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. I pray the rain falls on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His loving hand. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His loving hand. May God hold you in His hand.
6. Waterslide
Kevin Heider: piano, vocals
Look at me, I march in the parade. My daddy says I’m old enough today. To be stuck in the middle of this, it isn’t fair. And it feels like all my thoughts, they all are dead. Every time I try, I fall down. And my head just starts to spin around, like I’m stuck on the side of a dried-up waterslide, and it feels just like I’m hanging by a thread. Everything’s about to change. There’s nothing I can do or say. I’m rusted. I’m weathered. I can’t get back together. Nothing here will ever be the same. Everything’s about to change. There’s nothing I can do or say. I’m rusted. I’m weathered. I can’t get back together. Nothing here will ever be the same. Nothing here will ever be the same.
7. Guardian
Kevin Heider: piano, vocals
When I was young I prayed I’d never see an angel. You see, I thought that I’d be too afraid. I thought that I would be too scared, and the Lord, He heard my prayer. But I can see now that I am much older, so much more than five years old. I can see now that what I need in this world is an angel or three. So Guardian, lead me on to the great life beyond. If I should falter, bring me back to the path of righteousness. So Guardian, lead me on to the great life beyond. If I should falter, bring me back to the path of righteousness. Guardian, lead me on to the great life beyond. I need direction and so much grace for the path of righteousness. Righteousness, oh, righteousness…..
8. The Road to Damascus
Kevin Heider: piano, vocals
Why are you still lying on the ground? Can’t you take anymore? I know that you’ve been blinded by the light, but you can see better now than ever before. Have you fallen to your knees? Are you trying to save your life? Has something changed in your heart? Has something changed your mind for good? Have you fallen off your horse? Have you fallen to your knees? Are you crying out to God, will You forgive me, please? Have you fallen off your horse? Have you fallen to your knees? Are you crying out to God, will You forgive me? Have you fallen off your horse? Have you fallen to your knees? Are you crying to the God above you, will You forgive me? Will You forgive me? Will You forgive me? Will You forgive me, dear Jesus?
9. Before the Storm
Kevin Heider: piano, vocals
I’ve been treading water forty days and forty nights. I’m slipping under. Lord, I’m slipping under. I’m sinking into the world. Pull me out. I’ve been looking for shelter from the storm inside of me. It isn’t easy. No, this isn’t easy. I’m sinking into the world. Pull me out. Waves crash inside my head. I can’t hold my own. I feel like I’m drowning in dark waters all alone. A shed of light, it breaks the sky. I can see the shore. And in my heart I feel the calm I had before the storm.
10. The Pedestal
Kevin Heider: piano, vocals
You walk ahead of yourself and go too fast. But if you go too far, you might not come back. You’ve reached the point of no return and it’s not where you want to be. You’ve been thrown out on a limb and it hurts, but it’s not where you want to be. For every dark night, there is a brighter day. At least, that’s what you’ve heard, you’ve heard them say. You’ve reached the point of no return and it’s not where you want to be. You’ve been thrown out on a limb and it hurts, but it’s not where you want to be. Oh no, it’s not where you want to be. Oh yeah, oh no, it’s not where you want to be. Oh yeah, you’ve reached the point of no return and it’s not where you want to be. You’ve been thrown out on a limb and it hurts, but it’s not where you want to be. Yeah, oh, it’s not where you want to be. Oh yeah, it’s not where you want to be. I’m standing on your pedestal. Try all you want, but I won’t fall. I’m breaking down your pedestal, but I’m not gonna let you break me down. No, I’m not gonna let you break me down. No, I won’t.
11. A Brighter Day
Kevin Heider: piano
(instrumental)
12. To Whom It May Concern
Kevin Heider: piano, vocals
To whom it may concern, I’ve got something to say. Before I share what’s on my mind, I must let you know I don’t pretend that I always do what’s right, that I’m without sin, that I’ve got all the answers. But I don’t believe that we can wait. What good is love that concedes to hate? I don’t believe that we can wait for the world to change. To whom it may concern, I’ve got something to say about what’s being said by some members of my generation. They say that despite our best efforts we could never make a difference, and so they would rather just sit back and wait. When it comes to our wars and our self-destruction, I don’t like it. But when it comes to their choice to not make a change, well, I’m gonna try. ‘Cause I don’t believe that we can wait. What good is love that concedes to hate? No, I don’t believe that we can wait for the world to change. Waiting won’t straighten crooked information. And waiting for control of the population? Tell me, would you trust a man who did nothing but wait for fifty years? And waiting won’t bring our neighbors home. And waiting won’t fix anything at all. God didn’t send His only Son so we could sit and wait for the world to change. Oh no, I don’t believe it, not for one second. And I don’t believe that we can wait. What good is love that concedes to hate? I don’t believe that we can wait for the world to change, for the world to change. Oh no, I don’t believe it, not for one second.
(C) Copyright 2009 by Kevin Heider
