Steven Skelley is a journalist, photographer, author, singer, songwriter - all in spite of being legally disabled. Instead of focusing on his disability, he chooses to focus on the positive and to experience and share the beauty of the world through his writing, music and photography.
Tough weekend - I fainted for no reason. I went to the hospital Emergency Room on Sunday. On Wednesday, a Cardiologist scheduled me for a procedure on Friday!
I was awake as the surgeon's tool entered an artery in my wrist then traveled all the way to inside my heart. The results - aorta heart valve failure.
I'll have another test this week and then will be scheduled for heart surgery. One possibility is to install a mechanical heart valve. The other possibility is open heart surgery.
Pawpaw loves you.
P.S. I contacted your Mom but received no response.
"You Mattered" is a deeply emotional indie rock and acoustic-vibe ballad written, recorded, and performed by singer-songwriter Steven Skelley. Released as a single on March 30, 2026, the song is structured as a series of heartfelt, imaginary conversations with deceased family members, serving as a moving tribute to loved ones who have shaped the artist's life. [1, 2, 3]
Musical Style and Vibe
The track blends raw indie-rock instrumentation with an intimate acoustic ballad structure. Described as "very moving" and "wholesome," it focuses heavy emphasis on the vocals and lyrics to capture the bittersweet nature of grief and gratitude. [1]
Lyric Breakdown and Narrative
The lyrics chronicle a sequence of messages sent across time to specific family members, counting the years since their passing: [1]
The Mother: The song opens with the singer speaking to his mom, noting it has been 30 years since she passed away, simply wanting her to hear the words, "I miss you."
The Father: He addresses his dad next, marking 15 years since his passing, saying, "I heard you."
The Sister: He speaks to his sister, who passed 18 years prior, telling her, "I believed you."
The Grandmother: Finally, he reaches out to his grandma, 22 years after her death, to say, "I remember you." [1]
The driving chorus punctuates each of these confessions with the repeating, powerful affirmation: "You mattered." [1]
Core Theme and Message
The final verse shifts its focus to the listener, serving as an explicit call to action. Skelley urges people to speak with their loved ones today—even if they have already passed away—and to trust that they can hear the sentiment. [1, 2]
According to Skelley, the song was written because "life moves way too fast to leave the important things unsaid," making it a dedication piece meant to be shared with anyone who has completely transformed your life
YOU MATTERED composed by, recorded by and performed by STEVEN SKELLEY - "You Mattered" by Steven Skelley is the perfect track to send to the person who completely changed your life. Life moves way too fast to leave the important things unsaid.
#YouMattered#StevenSkelley#TellSomeoneYouLoveThem#WholesomeTikTok#IndieRock#AcousticVibes#MusicDiscovery#YouMatterToMe#TellSomeoneYouLoveThem#GratefulForYou#IndieRockBallad#NewMusic2026#SongwriterTikTok
You Mattered by Steven Skelley
I spoke with my Mom today
30 years since she passed away
I wanted her to hear me say
I miss you
You mattered
You Mattered
You Mattered
You Mattered
I spoke with my Dad today
15 years since he passed away
I wanted him to hear me say
I heard you
I spoke with my sister today
18 years since she passed away
I wanted her to hear me say
I believed you
You mattered
You Mattered
You Mattered
You Mattered
I spoke with my Grandma today
22 years since she passed away
I wanted her to hear me say
I remember you
Speak with your loved ones today
Even years since they passed away
Believe they hear you say
You mattered
You Mattered
You Mattered
You Mattered
You Mattered
You Mattered
Hi
Kiddos! Pawpaw loves you.
This
is a music video of one of the songs I've composed and recorded. I
leave it for you to see and hear because I want you to know your
Pawpaw. My songs and my poems are my life stories, my beliefs, my
hopes and they tell fully who I am.
Pawpaw
loves you forever. I may not be here for the rest of your life but I
will love you for the rest of mine and beyond.
Intimate, comforting, and deeply personal, the song is a reminder that people are "beautiful and perfect just as they are." The message is one of hope, self-acceptance, and resilience—encouraging listeners to embrace their imperfections and allow their inner light to push through the dark times.
It’s Important To Shine
By Steven Skelley
I search the dark skies
Almost every night
For my lifelong friend
Shining its light
It’s sometimes a whole
It’s sometimes a half
It’s sometimes a smile
As if it could laugh
I also see scars
That mark its round face
My own scars call out
That I’m a damaged disgrace
Yes, the moon has its scars
And I have mine
Maybe scars are to teach us
It’s important to shine
o o o o
Yes, the moon has its scars
And I have mine
Maybe scars are to teach us
It’s important to shine
It’s important to shine
It’s important to shine
It’s important to shine
It’s important to shine
Shine with me
Shine with me
Shine with me
"Little Things Make Life Better" by Steven Skelley is a gentle, reflective folk-pop track that serves as a musical reminder to practice daily mindfulness and gratitude. Clocking in at exactly 2 minutes and 20 seconds, the track functions like an audio journal entry, capturing the beauty of mundane, everyday occurrences. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Lyric and Narrative Themes
The narrative structure revolves around a sequence of simple, fleeting interactions that the singer actively vows not to take for granted. The lyrics prominently feature small moments of human connection and nature: [1, 2, 3]
Human Kindness: Seeing a child smile from their mother's arms or holding the door open for an elderly woman.
Sensory Details: Feeling the physical warmth of the sun on his face or a blade of grass brushing against his nose.
Daily Comforts: Hearing a favorite song catch on the radio or finding peace at night knowing he tried his best to be a good man. [1]
Musical and Structural Vibe
Repetitive Mantra: The track utilizes a highly repetitive, chant-like hook ("little things make life better") to drive home its grounding message. [1]
Vibe: It is stripped-back and acoustic-driven, matching the artist's broader discography of poetry and introspective music. [1, 2]
Purpose: Skelley designed the track as a functional mindset tool meant to help the listener maintain mental clarity and stay sane in a chaotic world.
Hi
Kiddos! Pawpaw loves you.
This
is a music video of one of the songs I've composed and recorded. I
leave it for you to see and hear because I want you to know your
Pawpaw. My songs and my poems are my life stories, my beliefs, my
hopes and they tell fully who I am.
Pawpaw
loves you forever. I may not be here for the rest of your life but I
will love you for the rest of mine and beyond.
A force of nature in a song ⚡️ Let the music bring light to the dark places. "Lightning and Thunder" by Steven Skelley is out now! You are not now and you have never been alone!
"Lightning and Thunder" is an uplifting, introspective spoken-word track and poem by musician and author Steven Skelley. Originally released as a single and later included on his album Pawpaw's Diary 1, the track blends acoustic elements with nature-centric imagery to deliver a message of hope, reassurance, and profound self-worth. [1, 2, 3]
Themes and Content
The song functions as a spiritual and emotional antidote to loneliness and identity crises. It explicitly focuses on three core pillars: [1, 2, 3]
Combating Loneliness: The narrative speaks directly to a listener who is wondering who they are and feeling isolated, explicitly reminding them, "You are not now and you've never been alone." [1]
Oneness with Nature: Skelley grounds human existence in the natural world. The lyrics parallel human life to deep-rooted trees, flowing seas, spreading wind, and the dark-piercing sun. [1, 2]
Ancestral Legacy: The song shifts into a celebration of heritage, telling the listener that they are the literal "voice of all your ancestors' dreams," the "victory of their struggles," and the ultimate "masterpiece of all your ancestors' artistry." [1]
Musical Style and Impact
Clocking in at 2 minutes and 38 seconds, the track is a stripped-back, intimate composition. Its primary intent is to function as "a force of nature in a song" meant to "bring light to the dark places." Listeners and followers of Skelley's work have noted it acts as a grounding mechanism to maintain peace and mental clarity in a chaotic world. [1, 2, 3]
Hi
Kiddos! Pawpaw loves you.
This
is a music video of one of the songs I've composed and recorded. I
leave it for you to see and hear because I want you to know your
Pawpaw. My songs and my poems are my life stories, my beliefs, my
hopes and they tell fully who I am.
Pawpaw
loves you forever. I may not be here for the rest of your life but I
will love you for the rest of mine and beyond.
"Every Time I See Something Beautiful I Think Of You" music video with pics of you guys.
Acoustic storytelling at its finest. This is a song for the person you miss the most. Skelley crafts lyrics that delve into how experiencing everyday moments of beauty can trigger profound recollections of loved ones. The song operates like an audio journal entry or a spoken-word poem set to music. The 3/4 waltz-like rhythm naturally mimics the gentle "ebb and flow" of human emotion and nostalgia. Skelley transforms a personal reflection into a comforting anthem for his audience. It stands out as a sincere, heartfelt piece of independent storytelling that leaves a lasting, comforting impression.
Known for his work across poetry, photography, and songwriting, Skelley brings his signature theme of finding "joy in the journey" to this poignant musical track. Skelley sings that he encounters stunning sights in nature or daily life, which immediately evoke the presence of someone special. If this song by Steven Skelley reminds you of your favorite person, send it to them right now.
Hi
Kiddos! Pawpaw loves you.
This
is a music video of one of the songs I've composed and recorded. I
leave it for you to see and hear because I want you to know your
Pawpaw. My songs and my poems are my life stories, my beliefs, my
hopes and they tell fully who I am.
Pawpaw
loves you forever. I may not be here for the rest of your life but I
will love you for the rest of mine and beyond.
"The Dash" by indie artist, author, and poet Steven Skelley is a poignant, acoustic storytelling track that explores mortality, legacy, and the true meaning of life. Formatted like a spoken-word poem set to music, the song features a distinct 3/4 waltz-like rhythm designed to mimic the emotional ebb and flow of human nostalgia. [1, 2]
The Core Theme and Lyrics
The song centers entirely on the metaphor of a tombstone. Skelley notes that while everyone receives a birth date and a death date ("date dash date"), the dates themselves are out of our control. Instead, the song emphasizes that the tiny horizontal line separating those years—the dash—is the only part of life we actually get to create. [1, 2, 3]
Key lines from the track reflect this philosophy:
"They say that life is date dash date Your tombstone records your birth and fate... I find myself between the dates The dash represents my current state The place I'm challenged to create The best dash in my date dash date." [1]
Musical and Structural Style
Audio Journal Entry: The track operates with the intimacy of a private diary reflection, serving as a deeply personal yet comforting anthem for the audience. [1]
Signature Artistry: Released on his album Pawpaw's Diary 1, the song incorporates Skelley's signature artistic focus on finding "joy in the journey" and processing grief through everyday moments of beauty. [1, 2]
Impact: It stands as a minimalist, heartfelt piece of independent songwriting meant to prompt listeners to reassess how they treat others and how they spend their own time on Earth. [1, 3, 4]
I did compose this song but my voice wasn't up to recording the vocals due to asthma. I hope you enjoy it anyway.
The Dash
By Steven Skelley
They say that life is date dash date
Your tombstone records your birth and fate
It matters not how grand or great
We all receive our date dash date
We do not choose the date we are born
And death does not choose to forewarn
Some see one hundred years while others still-born
Life mimics the mystery of the rose and thorn
I find myself between the dates
The dash represents my current state
The place I'm challenged to create
The best dash in my date dash date
Copyright 2021 Steven Skelley
Hi
Kiddos! Pawpaw loves you.
This
is a music video of one of the songs I've composed and recorded. I
leave it for you to see and hear because I want you to know your
Pawpaw. My songs and my poems are my life stories, my beliefs, my
hopes and they tell fully who I am.
Pawpaw
loves you forever. I may not be here for the rest of your life but I
will love you for the rest of mine and beyond.
