So I have been working on my Whiskey Town Alt-Country Album and the last version of this song Heartless was bugging the hell out of me.

So I did a version with piano lead and I think it makes a huge difference. I think this may be the one.

Let me know what you think.



https://www.reverbnation.com/davidpsnyder/song/33525682-heartless

HEARTLESS
By David Snyder

V1

If you ask my opinion
God doesn't ask that much
just try and make a difference
in every life you touch
Everybody in the world is hurt
and they need a friend
it's really not all that hard to understand

CH

You might have got drunk
you might have been fried
you might have been really messed up inside
it doesn't mean
you're going to hell
but if you were heartless
If you were heartless
it ain't gonna go that well

V2

If you ask my opinion
everybody's got it rough
you work and you fight and try
it's never good enough
The only way to win is love
and then love some more
I can promise you someone
is damned sure keeping score

CH

You might have got drunk
you might have been fried
you might have been really messed up inside
it doesn't mean
you're going to hell
it doesn't mean you're going to hell
but if you were heartless
If you were heartless
it ain't gonna go that well

Bridge

You know God weighs the heart
of every woman and man
and all God expects you to do is the best you can
but if you hurt the way you've been hurt
it comes back on you
and you know every single word of this is true

CH

You might have got drunk
you might have been fried
you might have been really messed up inside
it doesn't mean
you're going to hell
it doesn't mean
you're going to hell
but if you were heartless
If you were heartless
it ain't gonna go that well

If you ask my opinion God doesn't ask that much
yeah if you my opinion
God doesn't ask that much

All music and lyrics copyright 2022 by David Snyder
Day of Faith Records/ASCAP

David Snyder: Production, Vocals, Instrumentation, Engineering Mastering

The instruments have not changed from version 1. I just added piano.

David, this sounds fabulous.
Although I didn't hear the first version I don't think it would be as good as this one with the piano.
Great vocal and outstanding lyrics.

Loved it

David.

i like the instrumentation//backing as well as the lyrics and the emotion in the lyrics.

some pro AE's might say to bring the lead vocs forward a tad. but thats just a feeling i have.

i might be wrong.after a second listen...maybe less voc fx ?

this is v good imho ..sincerely.

loved how you reinforced the song with femme bgv's.

i think this is one of your best david.
imho a commercial radio potential hit.
good hooks etc etc.

david you really upped the ante with this song.

kudos mate.

om

I like it. It has a wholesomeness to it.

David...the piano does seem to capture the energy of the song very well...it has a Bob Seger feel to it...which I love...and in my opinion "God doesn't ask that much"...I love the pragmatism of the song..."but if you were heartless, if you were heartless, it ain't gonna go that well"...good line...good song...well done!

Your songs grab me with your lyrics, melody, and vocal presentation, David. You always put the best musicians in the best mix. All of that says it just doesn't matter what accompaniment you chose, I'm hooked. To answer your question, though, the piano version sounds great, and I agree with you. This is the one.

Howdy David - I think you're right. I much prefer this sound. The piano makes a huge difference, and the entire mix is better IMHO. The guitars are clearer and stand out more. The song builds well. The vocal also stands out better. At the end of the song, near 2:54, I heard a humming or feedback type of sound that lasted for a few seconds. I thought that was kind of distracting.

David,
This is an excellent write- direct, honest opinion I can`t argue with!
I didn`t hear the first version but I like the piano here and slightly gospel feel to the band, and, of course,its sung with the conviction you bring to all your work.


Robert

I remember this.

I don't remember what I thought of the old mix, but I like this.

One of your best songs here David. And indeed putting the emphasis on the piano is making a difference.

I can't help but wonder though what effect would be if you would sing V1 + the first CH with piano only. And then on the very beat of the word "well" at the end of the first chorus set in the rest of the band...

Might be interesting, dynamically speaking...

Rob

Hi David,

I don't know the old version but this one is excellent. Everything is well done instrumentation, vocals and lyrics. I appreciated.

Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

Hey David, great work. I got a feel somewhere between the Beatles and Joe Walsh.
Great lyrics and message too. "Everybody in the world is hurt"
If anything, I'd bring the piano up, but that's just my opinion.

Somehow, I missed the first version, but I went back and found it. I like this one better. The piano was an excellent choice. This is a really good song--one of my favorite DS songs.

I like it a lot. Didn't hear the original that I recall but the piano is effective here. And your voice is pure gold. You really got a great Guthrie/Springsteen thing going on with it. Classic!

Hey Thanks Herb!

Glad you like it buddy!

Hello David
What a great song
Perfectly played and sung
Sounds fantastic
One of your best songs - I think so ;-)
Thanks for sharing
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

You are a superb, genuine musician - it shows and how, in this and in your other songs. And the message here is stunning. Shades of John Lennon. One of the best songs I've heard on here - delivery as well as writing-wise. BRAVO - hats off to you. Glad I got to hear this one, tonight.

David,
Yes, this is a more mature / evolved version. Good vocals. Thank you for sharing.
Misha.

Thanks Firesong! I really appreciate that!

Dear Marty, Brad and Robert KC,

Thanks fellows! Your comments mean a lot to me. Thanks so much for the good feedback and encouragement.

David

A very good listen, I like the dynamics, the melody and the piano.

Good song all round.

Peter

YES regarding the piano!

This song would fit right in on Dylan’s “Gotta Serve Somebody” album (lyric and sound) and that is a good thing.

“just try and make a difference
in every life you touch”
Amen to the above.

The lyric reaches that spiritual realm that transcends religion choices.

Good one all the way around!

J&B

Hey, David, the instrumentation is fantastic. All around, great sound. The lyrical treatment and vocals are out of sight. This avenue, I think, you would do well to pursue with vigor.
I'd be interested in hearing a bit more of your personal history with respect to this song, like, what really went into it? There's a profound message. Then you add, " It ain't gonna go that well."

Thanks Brad, and for your notes.

I think I know what it is and I will fix.

Appreciate it Buddy.

Thanks David!

I appreciate the listen!

Thanks Rob and Anne-Marie!

Those are great suggestions.

I will bear them in mind!

Thanks Derochette,

I appreciate that!

David.

Every aspect of this is "one of you best!"

One of your BEST writes. Solid through and through. Lyric and melody.

One of your best vocals. Sung from the heart.

One of your best productions. Everything happens at the right time. I thought "a gospel choir would sound good here" - and it happened.

One of your best mixes.

Do a whole album like this and you would be on fire. (The GOOD "on fire").

Loved it.

fj

David,
"it doesn't mean
you're going to hell
but if you were heartless
If you were heartless
it ain't gonna go that well"
Calling out the hypocrites one song at a time.

The piano works well...nice development.

David,

This is one of your best vocals! Love the song and mix.

Peak performance stuff going on here...

Bob

Even though I don't believe in God, I think your lyrics are very, very good and contain a lot of truth.

I think that your decision for the piano is a good one. When in doubt, use a piano with an acoustic and call it a day

From the mix, I think the darker BG vocals clash with your vocals in some places at the end, maybe they can be panned more to the right. But the rest is really good and well balanced.

PS: in the text above you forgot the "the" in "is damned sure keeping the score"