A Thank You Letter to 2009

Written by Marissa BeatyPhotography by Tori TisoNo, I don’t mean the year, because, let’s face it, that was middle school years and no one needs to relive those. I’m talking about “2009” by Mac Miller. The nostalgic, school-kid-esque beat off of Mac Miller’s most recent and final album, “Swimming.” This song, captures the notion of pain and overcoming it, both in its lyrics and in it’s soft, repetitive beat, seeming like a more complex, adult version; of a children’s hand at a piano.This is the pattern that follows Miller’s lyrical composition, as his words take you back to the past, only to reflect on their effect on the present, and to propel their notion into the future. It is a story that reminds one of the pain they have experienced, but not in a way to drag oneself back into this cyclical pattern of deprivation, rather to display how one can overcome fear, loneliness, heartbreak, addiction and so on, in order to become better and stronger and happier. Despite being told through the eyes of Miller, his experiences and his words express emotions universally felt. He talks about struggling to find joy in times of darkness. He also talks about finally attaining happiness, or at least about finally finding a beacon of light to guide him through life. That is the beauty of this song, and, truly, of music. If done well, a song has the ability to transcend the listener into a spectrum of moments, both past, present, and future, in which they felt or desired to feel a particular emotion. A song can bring joy and strength, or it can bring tears and anger. It is this versatility that makes music so profound, and the best artists are those that can continuously elicit these emotional states - these stories - through their craft. “2009” is Miller at his best. It with an orchestra accompanied by a piano, offering a setting of grandeur and richness, which is then simplified to a drum and piano playing the same repetition of notes again and again. This musical structure reflects the meaning of the song: I am here at this place of success and joy, but I am built upon these little moments. This complexity that has become my life is due to a collection small, simple memories both good and bad, but, most importantly, influential.Again and again in his song, Miller is reminiscing on 2009, on his past, but not as a means of remembering deprivation or sadness, rather he is reflecting on it as though understanding that this struggle has made him who he is today. Ultimately, he is reflecting on his dark times as a way to show that he knows what it feels to be in that state of mind, but is not so afraid of it anymore, because now he knows how to find the light again. This is an idea of life everyone could find influential to live by, and this is what makes Miller such an important artist. Within his melodies, he captures what it means to feel sadness, while simultaneously urging his listeners to continue in their search for joy. A few months ago, Mac Miller passed away from a drug overdose. Though his demons overcame him, it is important to look at what he left without this influence, because his message, especially within “2009,” is about more than him. It is about every individual who has ever felt that they were not enough and reminding them that being enough and being happy depends on the eye of the beholder. He reminds us to keep going, regardless of what’s in our past. Most importantly, however, he reminds us of the power of creation, and the influence it can have when shared with the world. So to Mac Miller, for your creations, for “2009,” for every ounce of care you put into this work for us, thank you.