Come Back to Earth
Rapper Mac Miller was a major influence on my young life.
He and I were close in age, and as a quiet kid, I genuinely admired the way he was able to articulate himself so clearly and confidently.
It seemed as though I could always intimately relate to the core themes of his songs: the tribulations of being a young man, finding one’s place in life, navigating relationships, experimenting with partying and drug use, struggling with depression and maintaining mental sanity...
Below are the video and lyrics to Mac Miller’s song “Come Back to Earth” — a song saturated with themes of mental dis-order and health that many of us can relate to in the modern day…
“My regrets look just like texts I shouldn't send
And I got neighbors, they're more like strangers
We could be friends
I just need a way out
Of my head
I'll do anything for a way out
Of my head…”
Mac’s vulnerability here is commendable —
He spoke into feelings of regret, loneliness, isolation, a yearning to connect with others, and the feeling of being trapped in his own head…
These concerns retain their relevance today.
How many of us truly know our neighbors?
How many of us yearn for connection?
How many of us experience an incessant stream of thoughts, hindering us from genuine and present interaction?
As the added piano riffs brighten the tone of the song and Mac’s message continues, he offers a glimpse of hope amidst the stress and confusion…
"In my own way, this feel like livin'
Some alternate reality
And I was drownin', but now I'm swimmin'
Through stressful waters to reliefYeah, oh, the things I'd do
To spend a little time in HellAnd what I won't tell you
I'll prolly never even tell myselfDon't you know that sunshine don't feel right
When you inside all day?
I wish it was nice out, but it look like rain
Grey skies are driftin', not livin' forever
They told me it only gets better…”
In this verse, Mac seems to confess that even though he had built a dream life for himself, his self-destructive tendencies often obstructed him from contentment.
However, he ends the verse by beginning to embrace of the stressful burdens of life for the sake of moving towards Freedom…
He notes that life is short, and it gets better if we openly and courageously embrace it. He further reminds us of the natural waves and crests of life — that the grey clouds are destined to part, and the sunshine to return.
Mac ends the song the same way he began it, emphasizing the necessity to escape the confines of the mind…
“My regrets look just like texts I shouldn't send
And I got neighbors, they're more like strangers
We could be friends
I just need a way out
Of my head
I'll do anything for a way out
Of my head…”
If we can learn anything from Mac Miller’s song, it is that we are not alone in experiencing these types of thoughts and emotions. This sense of solidarity can drive us forward in unity and hope.
Mac’s message also seems to emphasize the fact that opportunities always surround us, as long as we see past our oftentimes cloudy perceptions of the world:
The sun always shining, if we only take a step outside and experience it for ourselves.
There is always a sea of souls surrounding us — our neighbors — to share this adventure of life with, as long as we reach out our hands.
There always exists the potential to “Come Back to Earth” and wholeheartedly embrace Life, as long as we break the illusory walls of our own prisons.
May Malcom James McCormick rest in peace, and may his music continue to be a source of solace and inspiration to all.
Max Kristopher Komes
www.MaxKomes.com
Max Komes is a Masters-level Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern offering supervised in-person counseling services in Pensacola, Florida, as well as statewide.
If these messages resonate with you, take the next step in rediscovering a life of clarity by scheduling a session below:
Join Clarity Culture — a community of like minds at www.ClaritySanctuary,org.
No copyright infringement is intended. I do not own nor claim to own the rights to any of the music or lyrics shared.
This writing is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you have imminent health concerns, please call 1-800-NAMI.
