Yucca Valley High School senior Cassia Edwards recently wrote, performed, and recorded a song outlining her recent struggles with depression and thoughts of suicide. Reporter Andrew Dieleman sat down with Cassia Edwards to discuss the origin and importance of the song…
Today we visit with Yucca Valley High School senior Cassia Edwards to discuss her new song “Stay.” Tell me Cassia, How long have you been writing music?
Cassia: “It was quite a while ago, actually. I think I wrote my first songs while I was at school. The songs weren’t very good because I didn’t know how to write, so the lyrics weren’t that great and neither was the music. But as I’ve practiced writing more, I’ve gotten better at it.”
What were the circumstances in your life before you wrote the song?
Cassia: “For several years, I’ve struggled with really bad depression and, recently, I’ve been having suicidal thoughts. I’ve thought so many times that I’m not worthy, or I’m not good enough, I don’t deserve any good that happens to me, I don’t deserve love and that I deserve to die. I’ve had a lot of struggles with that.”
Why is the song titled “Stay”?
Cassia: “To me, to ‘stay’ means to keep working hard, never give up and to never quit no matter what happens because it’s always going to be worth it in the end. Your life is your own personal mission and I haven’t completed mine yet, I know that. I know that I’m not meant to leave this world right now, or for a very long time. I have a purpose in life and, if I take my life, then what good is that going to do? Everyone who loves me and cares for me would be very devastated and I would never want to hurt them in any way. So, for me, to ‘stay’ is very important, it means to keep working hard [in life] and to pick yourself back up no matter how many times you fall.”
What would you like people to take away from the song after they hear it?
Cassia: “I just want to inspire people, to let them know how unique and special they really are. Anyone who has ever been abused or neglected or is going through depression or bullying, people who never forgive themselves after making mistakes or never love themselves or always give themselves a hard time, or anyone who is having a hard time; I just want them to know that they are who they are for a reason. I hope they will have the courage in their hearts to keep trying and I want them to know that they’re not alone. I want everyone to know how beautiful and special and unique and divine they really are. I hope that my song will inspire many people out there and I hope I can help make a change in people’s lives.”
Cassia Edwards’ song “Stay” will be featured in this week’s Z107.7 Local Artist Showcase, which airs Sunday, March 10, at 4 p.m.
