Congratulations (feat. Bilal)

"Congratulations" is a profound exploration of love's complexities, celebrating a deep and meaningful relationship while also acknowledging the vulnerabilities and insecurities that come with such a powerful connection. The song, which opens Mac Miller's album "The Divine Feminine," sets the thematic tone for the entire project, which delves into various aspects of love, femininity, and intimacy from Miller's personal perspective. The overarching message is one of immense gratitude and admiration for a partner who has been a constant source of support and light. It's a journey through the evolution of a relationship, from its tentative beginnings to a shared, established life. Miller reflects on the paradox of finding a love that feels "too good to be true," yet is grounded in the reality of shared history and everyday moments. The song is often interpreted as being about his relationship with Ariana Grande at the time, which adds a layer of poignant and bittersweet emotion for many listeners.

The song begins with a soft, atmospheric intro featuring whispered vocals and the announcement, "The Divine Feminine, an album by Mac Miller." This sets a gentle and intimate tone. Mac Miller's first verse delves into a state of emotional dependency and deep connection with his lover. He feels lost and out of control when she's not around, as if the sun ceases to shine. Her presence is so powerful that her eyes seem to peer directly into his soul. He acknowledges that this intense love feels almost too perfect to be real, describing her as "divine" and reminiscent of the color blue, a metaphor for her calming yet profound nature. He openly declares his deep love for her.

In the second verse, the narrative becomes more detailed and grounded in shared experiences. Mac reflects on the depth of their relationship, admitting he bought a wedding ring but hesitated to propose, fearing she might leave. This reveals a layer of vulnerability and insecurity beneath his adoration. He reminisces about their long conversations when she was away at college, covering everything from their past to their future. He contrasts their humble beginnings—when he was a "starvin' artist" with a car that wouldn't start—with their present life in a shared apartment. This history underscores the strength and loyalty of their bond. He paints a picture of their domestic life, mentioning mundane details like sharing a mailbox and laundry hamper, and even the food they eat. A moment of playful intimacy is described where he tries to be affectionate while she's getting dressed, and she teases him about his constant thoughts of sex. He acknowledges her knowing him so well and expresses a jealous, protective side, admitting he would be frantic if she didn't answer her phone. He equates their physical intimacy with a heavenly experience, a better life that he cherishes. The verse concludes with his determination to get things right in their relationship, recognizing the preciousness of what they have.

The song's bridge and outro, featuring the soulful vocals of Bilal, create a more atmospheric and pleading feel. The repeated lines about waiting for her and knowing he drives her crazy reinforce the theme of patience and the intensity of their connection. The imagery of his world being a dull "color gray" before her, and her bringing him "sunshine," further emphasizes her transformative impact on his life. He sees her as an angel who has completely changed his world for the better. The song fades out with this sense of serene and grateful love, solidifying the idea that his partner is his everything.

"Congratulations" is the opening track on Mac Miller's fourth studio album, "The Divine Feminine," released on September 16, 2016. The song was produced by Aja Grant and features vocals from the soul singer Bilal. The writing credits are shared between Mac Miller (Malcolm McCormick), Bilal Oliver, and Aja Grant. The recording took place at Encore Recording Studios with Nicholas Cavalieri as the recording engineer and Derek "MixedByAli" Ali handling the mixing. The track also includes additional vocals from Ariana Grande, Kilo Kish, Chloe Clancy, and Paige Montgomery, which contribute to the ethereal and intimate atmosphere of the song's introduction. The instrumentation is notable for its prominent piano melody and lush string arrangements provided by Nathan Chan, Drew Forde, and Lee Jeon. The song's creation reflects a significant artistic evolution for Mac Miller, as he moved towards a more melodic, jazz, and R&B-influenced sound, stepping away from his earlier, more straightforward rap style.

"Congratulations" features a relaxed and conversational rhythmic flow that complements its introspective lyrical content. Mac Miller's verses often utilize a free verse style, with rhymes that feel natural rather than forced. He employs a mix of perfect rhymes (e.g., "glass"/"last") and slant rhymes (e.g., "darlin'"/"alarmin'"). The rhyme scheme is not strictly structured, which contributes to the song's intimate, storytelling feel. The tempo is slow, at approximately 58 beats per minute, creating a calm and contemplative mood. The rhythmic structure is set in a 4/4 time signature. The interplay between Miller's laid-back lyrical rhythm and the song's jazzy, piano-led musical rhythm is a key element. The rhythm of his rap delivery sometimes pulls against the beat, adding to the conversational and heartfelt quality of his performance.

Musically and lyrically, "Congratulations" employs several stylistic techniques to achieve its intimate and reflective tone.

• Musical Style: The song blends elements of hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and soul. It features a prominent, tender piano melody that creates a soulful and introspective mood, complemented by mellow horns and smooth drum patterns. Bilal's soulful vocal contributions add a layer of classic R&B, contrasting with Miller's conversational rap style.
• Vocal Delivery: Mac Miller's vocal delivery is gentle and almost conversational, enhancing the song's intimacy and sincerity. There's a moment of what sounds like him stumbling over his words before his first verse, which has been interpreted as a deliberate choice to convey a sense of nervousness and authenticity, like a young man approaching his crush.
• Narrative Structure: The lyrics follow a narrative arc, moving from abstract declarations of love to concrete, shared memories. This progression grounds the grand emotions in relatable, everyday experiences, making the love story more tangible and heartfelt.
• Intro and Outro: The song's intro, with its whispered female voices, creates an ethereal, dreamlike atmosphere, immediately drawing the listener into an intimate space. The outro, carried by Bilal's powerful and emotive vocals, provides a soaring, soulful conclusion that elevates the song's emotional climax.

As the opening track to the critically acclaimed album "The Divine Feminine," "Congratulations" played a significant role in showcasing Mac Miller's artistic growth and versatility. The song was praised for its mature and nuanced exploration of love, moving away from more common hip-hop tropes. It has become a fan favorite and is widely regarded as one of Miller's most beautiful and sincere love songs. Following Mac Miller's death in 2018, the song has taken on an even more poignant and emotional weight for many listeners, especially given its connection to his past relationship with Ariana Grande. While it wasn't a major chart-topping single, its popularity on streaming platforms like Spotify is significant. "Congratulations" is frequently used in fan-made tribute videos and remains a cornerstone of his legacy, representing his ability to blend hip-hop with profound emotional and musical depth.

"Congratulations" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that deepen its emotional impact.

• The Color Blue: Miller's line, "You remind me of the color blue," is a significant metaphor. Blue can symbolize a range of emotions and concepts, including calmness, serenity, depth, and even a touch of melancholy. In this context, it suggests that his partner brings him a sense of peace and has a profound, almost celestial quality.
• The Unoffered Wedding Ring: The lyric, "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," serves as a powerful symbol of vulnerability and the fear of commitment or rejection. It encapsulates the tension between his deep love and his internal anxieties about taking the next step.
• Starving Artist and Fancy Cars: The contrast between being a "starvin' artist" and now having "fancy cars" is a metaphor for his journey to success. By highlighting that his partner was with him through both phases, he emphasizes her loyalty and the authenticity of their bond, which transcends material wealth.
• Divine Feminine: The song, and the album it belongs to, revolves around the concept of the "Divine Feminine." This is a recurring motif that portrays the woman as a spiritual, almost godly figure who brings enlightenment, love, and inspiration. The use of the word "divine" directly in the lyrics underscores this theme.

The most significant recurring motif in "Congratulations" is the concept of the "Divine Feminine," which is not only the album's title but also a central theme of the song. This is explicitly referenced in the line, "And you too divine to just be mine." This phrase elevates his partner beyond a mere mortal, portraying her as a source of spiritual inspiration and profound love. The intro to the song, with a female voice announcing "The Divine Feminine, an album by Mac Miller," establishes this motif from the very beginning. Another recurring idea is the contrast between his past struggles and his present success, and his partner's unwavering presence throughout. The lines about her being there "before the fancy cars" and when he was a "starvin' artist" are repeated in sentiment throughout his verses, emphasizing the depth and history of their relationship. The feeling of a love that is almost surreal or "too good to be true" is another recurring sentiment that captures the awe he feels. The name of the song itself, "Congratulations," can be seen as a recurring idea of celebrating this love and the journey they have shared.