“That’s on Me” by Mac Miller
“That’s on Me” is featured on a project that actually came out about a year and-a-half after Mac Miller (1992-2018) died. So arguably the lyrics may not have been complete in his eyes. That is to say that they are so ambiguous that it is a challenge to discern definitively what he is talking about. But that being said, some have hypothesized that in “That’s on Me” the artist is actually prophesying his own death. That may be a stretch, but there is some language contained therein, such as his reference to a certain step of obviously metaphysical “stairs”, which can be interpreted as such.
But overall the title and chorus suggest that he is taking the blame for something. Yet what exactly he has deemed to be ‘his fault’ is not specified. But interesting to note is that he did in fact die of a drug overdose. So going back to the theorized prophetic nature of this tune, perhaps it can be said that he foresaw accidentally taking his own life. But ultimately, this song definitely seems to be focused on the artist’s mental struggles, which is the one topic he tended to harp on the most. And as usual, he also offers to help others who are similarly afflicted while fighting his own psychological battles.
So perhaps what “That’s on Me” is really intended to represent is the type of self-defeating mentality which is usually part and parcel of being depressed. That is to say the singer is a victim of depression but is blaming himself for being so challenged.
Writing and Production of “That’s on Me”
“That’s on Me” was written by Mac Miller. He also produced the track alongside his regular collaborator, Jon Brion.
Release Date
This song is featured on Mac’s first posthumous project, “Circles”. And the track was released with that album, by Warner Records, on 17 January 2020. It wasn’t released as a single. “Good News” is the only song from the entire album to have supported the album as an official single.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTERPRETATION OF THIS SONG
When I first heard this song, it felt like entering a peaceful trance where you can forgive yourself for not showing up the way you wish you could or could have for the people you love, taking accountability for where you are and have been mentally and how it’s affected others, while cutting strings and ties to those things that aren’t serving you, that are keeping you and the people you love in a cycle of pain. It felt like a song about acceptance and freedom. In a sense, I can see the lyrics leading through thoughts of taking ones life….but in another sense I can see the stairs as ascension to a better mental state and the don’t wait around as an acknowledgement that it’s something he has to do on his own to an extent and that he’ll get there in time, but he didn’t want to take away from anyone by holding them back (again many interpretations). I appreciate songs with depth and mystery to them allowing space for personal interpretation and imagination, where they can resonate and fit with a variety of experiences. As you grow the meaning can shift and evolve. You get to wonder, imagine and connect more deeply with the artist as you explore their intentions and meanings while feeling into your own. Beautiful. Music is a powerful healer.