Atmospheric Journey Through Time and Thought
Tomorrow Will Never Know from Mac Miller’s posthumous album Balloonerism is a hauntingly slow and introspective journey, lasting a staggering 11 minutes. The track builds a psychedelic atmosphere that blends abstract and ambient sounds with a sense of deep existential reflection. Its dreamy, atmospheric qualities set the tone for Mac Miller's exploration of the intricacies of life, death, and the blurred lines between them. This track’s immersive quality captures listeners in a hypnotic flow that resonates deeply with the themes of mortality and introspection.
Dynamic Shifts That Keep the Listener Engaged
The song’s pacing and structure are deliberate, with a gradual evolution from near unintelligibility to moments of clarity. It’s a dynamic journey, as the layered, distorted vocals give way to cleaner, more discernible lyrics. This transition helps to maintain the listener's attention, drawing them further into the emotional weight of the song. Tomorrow Will Never Know is far from a conventional track, as its long duration allows for a profound unfolding of ideas, creating an atmospheric experience that feels like a lucid dream.
A Glimpse Into Mac Miller’s Creative Process
An abstract piece, the track’s origins date back to 2013, when Mac Miller himself described it as a personal creation for late-night reflection. According to an interview with HardKnockTV from August 2013, Mac revealed that he created the song while under the influence, merely for his own pleasure. He didn’t even know if it was “good”; it was simply a song that brought him peace. The carefree attitude toward the track’s creation highlights its spontaneous, organic nature, adding another layer of depth to its production.
The Struggles of Existence and Inner Turmoil
Lyrically, the song delves into themes of inner turmoil and the struggle for answers. The opening verse introduces an individual grappling with feelings of emptiness, questioning their purpose and existence. The recurring line, “living and dying are one and the same,” speaks to the song’s central message of existential surrender. As the lyrics continue, Mac Miller contemplates the nature of human experiences, pondering whether others feel the same struggles, desires, and emotional weight. It’s an exploration of the human condition wrapped in a layer of metaphysical musings.
The Haunting Outro and Reflection on the Human Experience
The closing moments of the song, with its haunting instrumental outro, leave the listener in a reflective state, mirroring the questions posed throughout the track. The recurring theme of whether “they” — others or perhaps even the universe — dream, love, and feel like we do amplifies the sense of isolation and wonder that permeates the song. Tomorrow Will Never Know is not just a song; it’s a meditative journey, exploring the complexities of existence and offering listeners a glimpse into Mac Miller’s inner world in its most raw and unfiltered form.
Listen To Mac Miller Tomorrow Will Never Know
Mac Miller Tomorrow Will Never Know Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of Tomorrow Will Never Know by Mac Miller is a poignant exploration of existential struggle, self-doubt, and the relentless pursuit of answers in the face of addiction and mental anguish. Through a mix of introspective lyrics and metaphoric imagery, Mac delves into his inner turmoil, grappling with feelings of helplessness, isolation, and regret. The song reflects a longing for redemption and the painful awareness that time is fleeting, with the repeated motif of unanswered calls symbolizing his final moments and the sense of being unreachable. Ultimately, Tomorrow Will Never Know portrays the delicate balance between life and death, capturing Mac’s internal battle and his yearning for a second chance to start over.
Verse 1
The opening line, "Do you fear (Your call has been forwarded to—) that you'll have no control?", introduces an unsettling sense of helplessness, with Mac questioning whether the loss of control is something he fears. The phrase "Your call has been forwarded" is symbolic of Mac being unreachable, foreshadowing his isolation and eventual overdose. It hints at a disconnection from the world and the inability to reach out for help.
"You walk through this world with your head above water / Shoes made of copper, just tryin' to float" offers a metaphor for the struggle of surviving depression and addiction. The "shoes made of copper" are heavy and impractical for staying afloat, suggesting that Mac's attempts to stay above water in life are weighed down by his burdens and are ultimately futile.
"The lake's frozen over, look down at yourself / What's starin' back doesn't please you" reflects an emotional state of stagnation and isolation. The "frozen lake" symbolizes being stuck in a state of emotional paralysis, unable to move forward. When Mac looks at his reflection, he’s confronted by a version of himself that he cannot accept, marking a deep sense of self-loathing and dissatisfaction.
"The man don't believe you, he sees through the lies that you tell / Cards in your hand, you're lookin' at nothin'" speaks to the emptiness behind the facade Mac presents to the world. The "cards in your hand" represent his life choices, but in this moment, they hold no value or meaning. He is left with nothing, no control or guidance, and cannot escape the lies he tells, even to himself.
"You wonder when God will just listen and give you a break / And He says, 'See, living and dying are one and the same'" reflects Mac’s search for solace. His plea to God for a break is met with the harsh realization that life and death are intertwined. This notion suggests that the suffering he experiences in life feels as overwhelming and inevitable as death itself, blurring the lines between living and dying.
Chorus
The chorus, "Do they dream just like we do? / Do they love just like we do?", contemplates the nature of existence after death. Mac wonders if those who have passed still experience the same emotions as the living—dreams, love, and feelings. This line suggests a deep uncertainty about the afterlife, questioning whether the essence of human experience transcends death.
Verse 2
"Do you know anything at all? / You've been waiting for answers" expresses the frustration of not having clarity or answers to life’s existential questions. Mac’s longing for understanding reflects his inner turmoil and the ongoing search for meaning, which remains elusive.
"These parades and dancers keep building your castle so strong" refers to the indulgences Mac turned to for distraction—parties ("parades") and sexual encounters ("dancers"). The "castle" symbolizes how these behaviors become ingrained in his life, solidifying bad habits that are difficult to break. These actions create an emotional and psychological prison that traps him in a cycle of excess.
"The moon made of water, you swim to the shore / You can try your best escaping, the universe is breaking" uses the moon as a metaphor for hope or recovery, but it's an unattainable ideal. The act of swimming toward the shore symbolizes Mac’s attempts to escape his struggles, but the line "the universe is breaking" suggests that his efforts to escape his pain are met with resistance. It reflects the difficulty of overcoming his personal battles with addiction and mental health.
"You say you can't take it no more / The pressure is building like buildings you jumped from" reveals the overwhelming pressure Mac feels, comparing it to the emotional and mental weight of jumping from great heights. The statement "can't take it no more" signals a breaking point where escape seems inevitable, illustrating how the pressures of life have become too much to bear.
"Wishing that wishing could lift this conundrum / The streets that you walk on are shallow / But do you feel as big as your shadow?" highlights Mac's desire for a solution that can lift his struggles, but he recognizes that wishing alone can't fix the problem. The "shallow streets" metaphor suggests that his existence feels empty and superficial. The question about his shadow asks whether his darker emotions and self-doubt feel bigger than him, or if he can still identify with the person he once was.
Bridge
The bridge, filled with the repetition of "No-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh / No-oh-oh, oh-oh / No-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh / No, no, no, no-oh," serves as an emotional release, a vocal expression of despair. The lack of words conveys an overwhelming sense of frustration and helplessness, as if the weight of the emotions Mac is experiencing is too great to articulate.
Outro
In the outro, "Said, if you could make, if you could make / If you could make, if you could make, if you could make / If you could make, if you could make, if you could make / It go away / Give you a chance to start all over" Mac expresses a longing for a chance to reset his life. He wishes he could undo his mistakes and live a healthier, more fulfilling life, free from addiction and mental suffering. This desire to "start over" shows his deep regret and yearning for redemption, wishing for a second chance to live differently.
Instrumental and Phone Ringing
The song’s instrumental outro, paired with dreamy synths and the distant sounds of children laughing, evokes a sense of nostalgia for a simpler, more innocent time in Mac’s life. The laughter represents a past he may long for, before fame and addiction took over. As the sound of a phone ringing fades in, it serves as a haunting reminder of the moments before Mac’s overdose. The repeated voicemail responses, unanswered, symbolize his death and the finality of his departure. It’s a painful reminder that his friends’ attempts to reach him were in vain, underscoring the sense of loss and the fragility of life.
Mac Miller Tomorrow Will Never Know Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Do you fear (Your call has been forwarded to—) that you'll have no control?
You walk through this world with your head above water
Shoes made of copper, just tryin' to float
The lake's frozen over, look down at yourself
What's starin' back doesn't please you
The man don't believe you, he sees through the lies that you tell
Cards in your hand, you're lookin' at nothin'
(Your call has been forwarded to an automated—)
You wonder when God will just listen and give you a break
And He says, "See, living and dying are one and the same"
(Your call has been forwarded to an automated—)
[Chorus]
Do they dream just like we do?
Do they dream just like we do?
Do they love just like we do? (Oh)
Do they love just like we do? (Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh)
Do they feel just like we do? (Oh)
Do they feel just like we do? (Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh)
[Verse 2]
Do you know anything at all?
You've been waiting for answers
These parades and dancers keep building your castle so strong
The moon made of water, you swim to the shore
You can try your best escaping, the universe is breaking
You say you can't take it no more
The pressure is building like buildings you jumped from
Wishing that wishing could lift this conundrum
The streets that you walk on are shallow
But do you feel as big as your shadow?
[Bridge]
No-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
No-oh-oh, oh-oh
No-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
No, no, no, no-oh
[Chorus]
Do they dream just like we do?
Do they dream just like we do?
Do they love just like we do?
Do they love just like we do?
Do they feel just like we do?
Do they feel just like we do?
[Outro]
Said, if you could make, if you could make
If you could make, if you could make, if you could make
If you could make, if you could make, if you could make
It go away
Give you a chance to start all over