In 1998, songwriter Allen Shamblin had something on his heart and dealt with it the only way he knew how, through music.

Because of what was going on in his life at the time, Shamblin wrote the Mark Wills hit “Don’t Laugh At Me”.

According to Lancasteronline, Shamblin was inspired to write the tune after his young daughter came home from school and told him she was made fun of at school because of her freckles.

The song resonated with Wills because his own daughter has freckles, which he likes to call “angel kisses”.

“Don’t Laugh At Me” is a ballad where different characters who are being teased for one thing or another, ask for acceptance.

In the powerful chorus, he sings the following lyrics:

“You don’t have to be my friend
But is it too much to ask

Don’t laugh at me
Don’t call me names
Don’t get your pleasure from my pain
In God’s eyes we’re all the same
Someday we’ll all have perfect wings
Don’t laugh at me”

The song reached No. 2 on the Billboard charts and received CMA nominations for Single of the Year, Song of the Year, and Video of the Year.

Wills has received countless letters from teachers and students who have revealed that they identify with the lyrics and are thankful to Wills for releasing such a powerful and meaningful song.

According to Wills himself, “Don’t Laugh At Me” is one of the strongest songs he’s ever recorded.

“[The song has] taken on a life of its own because everyone can relate to it,” Wills said. “Everyone at some point in their life has been picked on, made fun of or put down.“

In one instance when a teacher wrote to him, he just so happened to be playing near her school later that week, so Wills stopped by to perform the song and talk about its message.