"Once I was seven years old and my mama told me to be the kindest girl that I could be"- Leah Guest

If these lyrics look a bit different from the main stream version being played every other song on the radio, thats because they are different.

7 Years by Lukas Graham reached Number 2 for the Hot 100 Chart. It has been played and covered numerous times by those who feel a deep connection to the message. My issue with today's world is that music is supposed to be a form of art and sometimes the messages being made are not beneficial to producing positive change.

Leah Guest is a 19-year-old singer/songwriter from England. She sings and produces covers from various artists as well as producing her own content. The first time I ever heard Leah was when Facebook notified me that her cover of 7 Years was a trending shared video. I clicked on it out of curiosity, and since then, it has become hard to turn off. I personally love the original version by Graham, however the raw depth of Guest's original lyrics hit me with a wave of emotion. Her words are not just her own personal grief she has experienced, but connects to the world outside and how individuals treat one another in today's society. When she sings, you can hear the perfect flaws and rasp of her voice. It is not smooth or edited, just as life isn't. When I realized the lyrics were not those I was used to, I was blown away that someone could produce a message in a way that went perfectly together.

"And by eleven I learnt words that hurt more than bruises, Life is a restless game, we're tryin not to lose it."

I often write about how previous experiences in my life taught me to be the person I am today. The lyrics of this version resonate with me. I feel as though the youth of today could all think in the mindset of these words, then maybe our generation or those to come will not live in a world of hate, violence, and discrimination. Life is hard. I have said it many times, but I truly believe it is hard in order to see how hard you will fight to push through and come out on top.

"No, I don't wanna see anyone's sons or daughters cryin, cause they don't fit in with what society has taught them."

Society today dictates what is and is not the norm. Well guess what, no one should be in the position to tell another individual that they do not fit in and are not welcomed by the rest of mankind. Fat, skinny, tall, short, white, black, asian, hispanic, special needs, nerd, the list goes on and on to label others who we judge too quickly. Young adults, even those older, end their lives everyday or attempt to after losing the battle to feel valued. Once day I plan to have children, and I refuse to raise them to believe that they are entitled to anything before anyone else. I will not teach them to use their words and actions as a weapon towards those around them.

"Soon I'll be sixty years old, and God will show me that he was by my side through my every heartbeat"

I will not make this article about religion. Whether you follow a religion of any kind or do not, that is your given right. Once I got to this part of the lyrics, I lost it. Personally I have had a strained relationship with God. I was raised Catholic and went to church daily when I was younger. However, events in my life caused me to wonder if I had faith anymore. I blamed God for the bad in my life and those taken too soon. It was not till recently I realized that through it all, despite the bad, I have been offered numerous blessings. This one line reminded me and continues to remind me that God is there and will test me, but he will also catch me when I fall.

This was somewhat of a review/rant about this beautiful song. I wanted to copy and paste the full lyrics, but decided that it is best for you to hear them for yourself. Please listen to it. I know this song helped me, and I hope whether you are seven years-old or sixty years-old you can take in the lyrics and continue painting a beautiful life, and a better future.

Leah Guest: