RickParker
All Songs written by Rick Dieffenbach; performed by Rick except as noted.

Latest Songs

Propaganda News (2024)
Lead vocals: Tom Savage, piano Luca Longini both of FiveRR. There's so many political pundits out there. Some of them make anywhere from large to insane sums of money by telling people what they want to hear, even if lies.
High School (2013)
Puff! One minute you are in high school, and in the next, you are drawing social security. This song was written and recorded in 2013, and it is about four of my high school friends and I who formed a little band so many years ago. I'm still in touch with two of them, one passed away and the last (David!) I wish I could find. Life goes on Ob-la-Dee Ob-la-da and each moment with each person is precious. Love ya Wayne, Manny, Jimmy and Dave. Note: the talking in the song are from old high school recordings. Love hearing their voices again.
Splended Blended Lov'n Family (2024)
I was not raised in a blended family, but I raised my children in one. A blended family adds an additional layer of richness. Background vocals Tim Patterson, Nick R and Elenaravelli81. Drums: Esteban. All of FiveRR. All else me.

Loving that Special Someone

Fine Fine Day (2022)
When I first met my future wife, we were both 13 years old. She was the most beautful soul I had ever met. It was a joyful day. So joyful. This song is how I felt. Then and for all time. I am saddened she is gone, but the joy of her presense in my life lives on. Clarinet: Fishsaw, Lead vocals: Tim Patterson.
Forevermore (2024)
Elenaravelli81 provides her amazing vocals and Luca Longini adds his amazing piano. It's a song about being connected to your closest love now and forever.
You and I (written 2011, recorded 2023)
Vocals: Tim Patterson, female vocals, Elena, pianp Luca Longini. Duet. I wrote this around 2011.
Always Love You (2024)
Love for one's life partner. Vocal: Nick R, BG vocs during bridge: Elenaravelli81, piano/organ Luca Longini
Happiness Engineer (2023)
Female background vocals Elenaravelli81, sax manueltrabucco. "I'm a happiness engineer and it's my job to hold her near..."
Beautiful (2021)
Vocals: Tim Patterson. There is an actress I feel is so warm and kind and beautiful that I wrote this song. Who is it? I won't say. Piano Luca Longoni
Love of My Life (written 2011, recorded 2022)
Vocals Tim Patterson and Elenaravelli81, both of Fivrr. Also: guitar StudioAmando.
Ferris Wheel (2021)
Vocals: Tim Patterson, Lead Guitar Alinilie . Love is like a ferris wheel... going round and round... it can bring you extacy, it can wear you down..."
Friends (1981-2016)
Written in 1981, but has undergone many versions since then. This is the latest. About my soulmate, Kathie.
Oh So Lovely (2021 - written 2011)
Piano Luca Longoni; Vocals by Tim Patterson. The story of my life with Kathie, who I met at 13, again at 16, married at 33 and had a wonderful 25 year marriage before loosing her. I never wanted to forget our story, so I committed it to song.
My Burning Heart (2024)
Gabriel Cafa of FiveRR provides the passionate lead vocal for this song. Esteban Rotunno of FiveRR on drums. All else me. A song about a burning love. (The good kind....)

Thinking about those who are gone

Reels of Worn Out Movies (2022 - written 2014)
beautiful vocals by Elenaravelli81. Piano Longoni. "Reels of worn out Movies, turning slowly in my head" refers to fading memories of people and times past, and how we rerun those memories over the years to hold onto those we've lost.

Political Related

I Love Guns (2023)
Think 'Mel Brooks'. Female vocals Elenaravelli81, sax manueltrabucco, piano Luca Longoni all of FiveRR.com. PS: DON'T ASSUME YOU KNOW WHAT THE MESSAGE IS IN THIS SONG BY THE TITLE.
The Ballad of January 6 (aka Just Another Day) (2023)
I sing but am backed by the beautiful harmonies by Elenaravelli81 and a sax solo by manueltrabucco both of Fivrr. Piano Luca Longoni also of Fivrr.com. Song is about the sadness and tragedy of January 6, 2021. At one level it's about the brutality towards police, especially the death of Brian Sicknick. But it's also about the sadness and grieving I and so many others felt because our nation was attacked from within.
Propaganda News (2024)
Lead vocals: Tom Savage, piano Luca Longini both of FiveRR. There's so many political pundits out there. Some of them make anywhere from large to insane sums of money by telling people what they want to hear, even if lies.
Guns, Guns, Guns (2011)
I 'carry'. But the things some people say about guns... yikes...
So F$#%$ Tired (2022)
Rock'n guitar solo by 'studioarmadillo' from Fiverr.com.
Country on the Brink - Oh Say Can You See (2020)
Conceived in the immediate era after the 2020 election.
Too Much Stupid in His Head (2021)
Vocals: Tim Patterson. So many people died during covid because they were stupid - listening to assholes to not get vaccinated. All the stories in this song are based on things that happened.

Children/Parents

Avery (2023)
Fiddle: Shimna. Vocals: Tim Patterson, Elenaravelli81. All else me. "Avery you're the earth, the moon the sky.... and as tears swell in my eyes... son I'm missing you tonight."
Abandoned Parent (2021)
My song about the *millions* of parents in the US who are abandoned by their adult children... cutting aging parents off from affection and communication. Tossing them in the trash. There are many parents who deserve this, but there are many more that don't. It's like a knife in one's heart. The pain never ends. And there is nothing one can do about it.
Dream a Happy Dream (Lullaby) (2022 - written 2011)
Vocals: elenaravelli81, Piano Luca Longoni available on FiveRR.com. A lullaby for my boys.
Ordinary Man (Spring 2013)
Life has unexpected twists and turns. And sometimes, life sneaks up behind you and unexpectively gives you a swift kick with size 15 boots up your butt. "I'm an ordinary man... doing the best I can.... but it wasn't good enough..."
Children One Time (2024 - recorded)
I wrote the core of this song in the early 80's. It was inspired by my boys. Elenaravelli81 of FiveRR provides incredible vocals.
Three (a Family) (2024)
A song about what happens to a couple when they have their first child. Lead voc: Tim Patterson with Elenaravelli81. Clarinet Manueltrabucco. All of FiveRR. Everything else me.
Music's a Part of You (Philosophie's song) (2022)
Beautiful granddaughter
Santa Rocks (2021 - written 2011)
Vocals: Tim Patterson, Lead Guitar Alinilie

Narcissistic Relationship

The Last Goodbye (2018)
Ever been in a toxic relationship? When it was over did you get down on your hands and knees and thank God for that Last Goodbye?
The Narcissist (2018)
Those who have had a relationship with a narcissist will understand just about every word in this song. I needed no research to write this song, I lived it for a time.
The Narcissist Needs (2018)
"The narcissist needs, you down on your knees, filling the void, inside of them. No matter what you do, the narcissist is cruel, getting off by hurting you"
The Narcissist (She's the Victim You Know) (2018)
"The narcissist doesn't care anyone else. She'll promise you heaven then chain you in hell. If you think you can talk it out, you'll fool'n yourself. She's the victim you know, in every story she tells... and in the end she left me on a summer's day... I cried for an hour... then I said hurrah!"
Watching for Rain [DEMO - TO BE REDONE] (2019)
NOTE. "My life's an open book, I just can't seem to write..."

MUSINGS ABOUT MY LIFE:

As It Turns Out (2022)
Background singer elenaravelli81. The older I get, the more I back and see my life as chapters and actors. Chapters have a start, middle and end. Actors come and go, some are in multile chapters, some only brief guest appearances. The chapter I am in now is both a happy one and a bit of a lonely one. But I am living a day at a time and appreciating each day more than I did when I was younger. As it turns out...
Grey Skies (2021 - written 2012)
Fighting back against sadness and loss. Vocals: Tim Patterson
Livin' on the Run (2022)
"Livin on the run... feel'n old and done...."
I Believe (2021)
Vocals: Gabrielcafa

'STORY IN A SONG'

Tra La La (2023 - written 2010 and it was '73, not 03...)
The Beatles have Ob La Dee Ob La Da, and my song is Tra La La. Both paint a picture of a version of life. Female vocals Elenaravelli81, sax manueltrabucco. All else me.
Sarah Jones (2021 - written 2010)
Vocals Tim Patterson. The (fictional) story of a young waitress who stood her ground.
Great Apple Pie (2021 - written 2012)
A story about a waitress. Vocals: Tim Patterson
Liza Jayne (2014)
Mary's younger sister... my double entendre song.

MISC:

Won't Let You Down (2015)
Letting a friend know...
Lies and Alibis (2011)
'You and me' written by me but brilliantly performed vocally and musically by "Stickboy".
You (2015)
A story about a friend who helps you when you need help.
One at a Time (2022)
Vocals: elenaravelli81
Sallie (2022)
Vocals: Tim Patterson. Git pick'n: Bartdietvorst from FiveRR
Christmas 1964 (2021 - written 2012, about Christmas 1964. The best Christmas ever!)
If there is one Christmas in my life that stands out, it is 1964. I was 9 years old. My family was all alive, and we had the most memorable Christmas. So much joy. A lot went downhill after that, but that Christmas day stand out in my mind. Vocals: Tim Patterson
Camping Holiday (2011)
Love camping? I do....
Hope in this Hopeless Night (2013)
Lyrics inspired by a poem written by J.F.
Lovely Face (2021 - written 2010)
My attempt at an old-timely country song. Vocals: Tim Patterson, Lead Guitar Alinilie
Rocken (2021 - written 2014)
About a musically talented Georgia girl. Lead guitar Alinilie
2025 (2022)
Trumpet: FrankTrumpet (Fivrr), synth trumpets: Rick
I Love Birds (2010)
Co-written by Kathie Dieffenbach - much of the lyrics
Old Fashioned Songs (2021)
Multi-decade (1940s-1980s) parody of music styles. Vocals: Tim Patterson, Lead Guitar Alinilie, Piano Luca Longoni;
Fiddle in the Sky [COVER SONG] (2022)
This song was written by my good friend Wayne when we were in high school. A fun tune that always put a smile on my face. I asked permission to record a cover of it. Wayne's "intro" and "do do do do" 'solo' are from the original 1972 home recording. Yeah we were just kids... Love ya Wayne.
Alabama (2014)
co-written by Lee
My Old Guitar (2024)
Music has been a part of my life since a young age. Until it wasn't. Two decades later, it was again. And now it remains. Lead guitar: Vanja G of FiveRR.

Please note:

  1. You & Me - written by me, but this version covered by Stickboy. A very talented young man!
  2. I Love to Count Birds - children's song co-written with Kathleen Dieffenbach
  3. Visit my website about Huntsville, Alabama Original Music