Tag Archives: Mike Posner

Grammys, Music

Song of the Year Prediction

Song of the Year is perhaps one of my favorite categories at the Grammys because they honor the songwriter.  Far too often, songwriters are not credited fairly for their work, which doesn’t make sense as there would be no song if it weren’t for the songwriter.

This year, the nominees are:

  • Khalif Brown, Asheton Hogan, Beyoncé Knowles, and Michael L. Williams II for “Formation” by Beyoncé.
  • Adele Adkins and Greg Kurstin for “Hello” by Adele
  • Mike Posner for “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” by Mike Posner
  • Justin Bieber, Benjamin Levin, and Ed Sheeran for “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber
  • Lukas Forchhammer, Stefan Forrest, Morten Pilegaard, and Morten Ristorp for “7 Years” by Lukas Graham

Who Should Win: Mike Posner for “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” by Mike Posner

The original version of “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” is incredibly beautiful.  It has the timeless sound to it, grabs at your heart, and you truly feel Posner’s pain.  Out of all the nominees, Posner crafted a world that his listeners travel into, and leave feeling feeling his emptiness and loneliness.  Yes, it’s not a fun experience, but it’s one that leaves me with goosebumps every time.

Who Will Win: Adele Adkins and Greg Kurstin for “Hello” by Adele

It’s not that I think Adele doesn’t deserve to win the Grammy – “Hello” is indeed a gorgeous song – I simply think “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” captured Posner’s pain a bit better.  However, out of these songs nominated, I believe “Hello” was the biggest of 2016.  Adele dominated the charts, and she is indeed incredibly talented.  She has a Grammy-winning streak – she’s won every Grammy she has won since she released 21 in 2011.  So, it seems inevitable that she will win again.

#PhillipsSongOfTheDay, Music

I Took a Pill in Ibiza

For a while I’ve seen Mike Posner’s new song “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” rise on the charts on iTunes.  I never listened to the preview because, yes, I judged a book by it’s cover (or a song by it’s title).  I figured based on the title and Posner’s previous work that it probably was about doing drugs in a foreign land. And while it kind of is about that, it’s actually the complete opposite than I expected.

So, there I was, scrolling through iTunes trying to find something new to listen to…I’ve kind of been a music rut lately…and I kept seeing “I Took a Pill in Ibiza.”  So, I finally caved and I hit the preview.  And then I searched for it on YouTube to listen to the whole thing.  And then I bought it from iTunes.  Because holy crap I was completely wrong thinking it was some party anthem.  It’s incredibly beautiful and moving.

Yes there is a dance remix that is climbing the iTunes charts, but the original version from his The Truth – EP is amazing.  It starts off with this folksy guitar and it has warmth and soul in it.  The beauty of the song comes from his raw, honest truth (probably the inspiration behind the title of his EP).

Mike Posner was big a few years ago with his hit “Cooler Than Me,” and then I believe he produced or cowrote (or both) a song for Justin Bieber and he was a big/in-demand synth pop producer.  So this is a complete 180 from what I’m familiar with.  I don’t know where Mike Posner has been in the past few years or what exactly happened to him, but from this song you know he’s been through a lot.  You can feel his struggle as he tells his truths.  It’s both heartbreaking and heartwarming to experience someone being that honest in music.

#PhillipsSongOfTheDay, Music

You Think You’re Cooler Than Me?

Finally.  Finally it’s warm, sunny, and beautiful.  It’s the type of weather where you roll down the windows, put the shades on, and drive with the radio blaring.  On repeat during my commute was “Cooler Than Me” by Mike Posner….#PhillipsSongOfTheDay

Mike Posner started out producing mix tapes for hip hop artist Big Sean.  He has grown to writing and producing for other artists, including Justin Bieber, Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz, Nelly, Pharrell Williams, among many others.  In 2010, he released his solo debut album, 31 Minutes to Takeoff.

When “Cooler Than Me” first came out, I did find the song incredibly catchy, but it never was a song I had on repeat.  Perhaps it was because I found Posner’s vocals to be slightly off-putting.  I’m not suggesting that he is a poor vocalist or musician, it’s more the fact that his voice comes off a bit too….husky.  It may just be his voice and who he is, but it just seems almost unnatural.  However, once I swallowed my pride, I realized that this song truly has substance/attitude that I really relate to:

“You got designer shades,
Just to hide your face
And you wear them around like you’re cooler than me.
And you never say “Hey”
Or remember my name.
And it’s probably cause you think you’re cooler than me.”

I  had the pleasure to meet someone just like this in one of my classes this semester.  They wear the designer clothes, they try to hide their emotions, and they think they’re cooler than me.  I learned in another one of my classes and read in a textbook that a key to power and leadership is to act aloof like this because people will want to know you and be like you.  This might be somewhat true because I originally thought I had/needed to get this person to like me.  I thought I needed to be like them and that I needed to be friends with them.  But like Posner, I now couldn’t care anymore about this person or people like them.  We might try to win aloof people over, but when it comes down to it, we won’t wait forever.  You lost us.

Moving on….Musically, Posner pulls of intriguing beats (dance party!…ahem) and synths that are catchy, another reason to put it on repeat.  My favorite part is the last thirty-four seconds.  I like how he ends the song with a counter-melody, which he brings up an octave…I find it inspiring and it gives me goosebumps.

Listen to “Cooler Than Me:”

*If it's sunny out and finally warm where you are, enjoy the weather!  I plan on doing homework/studying for finals outside.  Deep breaths, we made it through winter!*