A talented teenage musician performed a song she wrote about a difficult period in her childhood on American Idol. 

Musicians have written songs on nearly every topic and subject matter imaginable. Love, war, death and the government are just a few areas that have proven to be fertile territories for songwriters. No matter the subject, the songs that seem to have the most staying power, ones that managed to remain relevant over time are those most personal to the singer-songwriter.

Haven Madison, a 16-year-old musician from Tennessee, performed an original song of hers. The song had several wiping tears from their eyes, and was about her brother’s battle with mental illness. Haven mentioned she wrote “Still Need You” when her brother was dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts. 

Haven added that the song was her way of pleading with him during this dark time.

“I wrote this song as kind of my last hope of convincing him to stick around,” she said. 

The young woman states that during that troubling period, she felt she didn’t have anyone to talk to except her piano. So, she channeled that pain, hurt and confusion into music. 

Prior to her performance, Haven reported that her brother is doing much better. 

“And now, he’s Ok,” she said. “He’s healing.”

While playing the piano, Haven turned in a terrific heartfelt and moving performance. Her songwriting ability at the young age of 16 is simply extraordinary. 

Her song’s chorus captures the emotion and heartbreak of someone dealing with an overwhelming and scary period in life. Yet, it beautifully expresses her love for her brother, who was going through one of life’s many storms.

Haven’s performance had tears streaming down the faces of several of her competitors. The judges and Haven’s fellow contestants gave the young woman a well-deserved standing ovation. 

Haven was overwhelmed and brought to tears by the reaction.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”