Mac Miller’s “Congratulations” is a track about young love from his personal experience, filled with joy, doubt, and the struggle to hold on. Featuring soul singer Bilal, the song’s meaning centers on the kind of connection that stays alive through all the ups and downs.
Below is a section-by-section breakdown of the lyrics in “Congratulations.”
- Song: Congratulations
- Artists: Mac Miller, Bilal
- Songwriters: Malcolm McCormick, Bilal Oliver, Aja Grant
- Released: 2016
- Album: The Divine Feminine
- Genre: Alternative hip-hop
What is “Congratulations” About?
Verse 1: Love and Doubt
This sun don’t shine when I’m alone
I lose my mind and I lose control
He opens with how much his mood depends on another person. When she’s not around, everything falls apart.
This sets the tone for how serious and all-consuming this relationship is.
I see your eyes look through my soul
Don’t be surprised, this all I know
He feels exposed because she sees the parts of him shaped by his past and habits. He can’t be any different since this is how he’s always been.
She’s looking right at who he really is.
I felt the highs and they feel like you
See, a love like mine is too good to be true
He compares the best moments of his life to her, implying that she represents happiness itself.
But there’s also insecurity. He doesn’t believe something this good could actually be real, at least not for him.
Alternatively, this could be a compliment, saying she is too good to be true.
And you too divine to just be mine
You remind me of the color blue
Girl, I’m so in love with you
She’s so amazing that it’s hard for him to believe she’s really his.
Comparing her to blue shows how much joy and calm she brings into his life.
Verse 2: Memories, Regret, and Trying to Hold On
Baby, you were everything I ever wanted
Bought a wedding ring, it’s in my pocket
Planned to ask the other day, knew you’d run away, so I guess I just forgot it
He’s serious about the relationship and even bought a ring, but fear of rejection keeps him from proposing.
It comes more from his own insecurity than anything she’s done.
Remember when you went away to college?
Hours on the phone we end up talkin’
Past, present, future, all the gossip, goddamn
This takes us back to when they were apart but still made the effort to stay close through long phone calls.
Those chats were more than small talk. They show how much they wanted to hold on even when distance made things harder.
Spending hours on the phone shows how important the relationship was despite the challenges.
Puppy love ain’t what it was, darlin’
Feelings that we have are so alarmin’
He’s saying this wasn’t some teenage phase.
The love got stronger, messier, and more intense. Maybe that’s part of what made it hard for him to handle.
I can make you laugh, I can break the glass
If we made it last, it’d be a bargain
Mr. Charmin’, that is my department
He says he can make her laugh and mentions breaking the glass, referencing the Jewish wedding tradition.
Calling himself “Mr. Charmin’” shows he knows how to keep things light and playful.
You was there before the fancy cars and
You was there when I was just a starvin’ artist
When the car was havin’ trouble startin’
She was there before he made it big. She saw him struggle and stuck by his side.
That kind of loyalty shows real trust built over years of real-life challenges.
Now we got our own apartment, same box for the mail
Same hamper for the laundry, the food in the fridge is stale
And this mornin’, you cooked the eggs with the kale
He describes everyday life together. They share routines, deal with stale groceries, and have simple breakfasts.
It may seem ordinary, but that’s what makes it real. They built a life side by side.
I tried to hit it while you was gettin’ dressed
You said, “All you ever think about is sex”
I’m like, “Oh well, you know me so well“
She’s frustrated by how much sex seems to dominate his mind.
He brushes it off with humor, but the tension hints at growing differences in their needs.
“And if this what make you late, I swear I won’t tell
And every time I call your phone, you better pick up your cell
I swear to God I’ma freak out if it go straight to voice mail”
He jokes about being jealous but reveals real insecurity.
He needs constant contact and feels panicked when he can’t reach her.
It’s love, but it’s also insecurity boiling over.
Well, I’m the jealous type, but I swear that ass is what Heaven’s like
And when I’m in that pussy, it’s a better life
Now he’s back to sex, calling it “Heaven” and saying it’s the only thing that feels right.
Sex is where he feels closest to her and where things feel right.
That’s the only way I’m tryna end the night
It’s my only chance, I better get it right
He’s saying the only way he wants to finish the night is by having sex with her.
If it’s good sex, it makes up for his jealousy and any other problems between them.
Chorus: Waiting and Wanting
Take your time, my baby
It’s all waitin’ for you
Everything he has, including his love, attention, and hope, is ready for her when she is ready.
There is no rush. He wants to keep the door open.
I know I make your mind go crazy
But it’s all waitin’ right here for you
He admits he can be overwhelming or stressful. Still, he remains committed, offering a steady place to return to.
The push and pull create tension, but his feelings do not change.
Outro: Letting Love In
You would get close, I would run away
All I ever known is the color gray
Your loving ways bring me sunshine
He admits to a pattern of pulling away when someone gets close, which leaves his world feeling empty and dull.
Her love breaks through that numbness and brings a sense of hope and warmth that wasn’t there before.
I found an angel so divine
Heaven probably not the same without you
But now you’re in my world
He recognizes how rare and special she is, almost like a blessing.
Now that she’s part of his life, everything feels fuller and more meaningful.
“Congratulations” Song Meaning: A Young Love Facing Real Life
“Congratulations” is about a young couple navigating love, doubt, and desire. It captures real moments like fears, jokes, jealousy, and everyday routines.
The song shows how holding on can be tough, but trust grows through loyalty and shared struggles. There is no perfect ending, just two people trying to make it work.
Songs Like “Congratulations”
Here are some other songs about the ups and downs of young love and complicated relationships:
1. “Get You” by Daniel Caesar ft. Kali Uchis
“Get You” is about the excitement and vulnerability of falling for someone new, with admiration and nerves all mixed in.
2. “Location” by Khalid
“Location” is about the early stages of a relationship where uncertainty mixes with hope, as two people try to find the right moment and place to open up and get closer.
3. “Come Through” by H.E.R. ft. Chris Brown
“Come Through” explores desire and trust in a relationship that’s a bit more established, highlighting the tension between wanting intimacy and navigating complicated emotions.
Conclusion: Love That’s Real and Messy
“Congratulations” shows how young love holds hope and doubt, closeness and distance, laughter and jealousy. It’s about holding on even when things get complicated.
The song doesn’t promise a perfect future. Instead, it’s about the real feelings that come with growing together and figuring out what love means.
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