That's Life (feat. Mac Miller & Sia)

The song 'That's Life' by 88 Keys featuring Mac Miller and Sia is a poignant reflection on the complexities and contradictions of life, especially as experienced by someone struggling with fame, substance abuse, and personal demons. Mac Miller's verses are particularly introspective, delving into his own life experiences and the challenges he faced. The lyrics touch on themes of regret, escapism, and the search for solace in a tumultuous world.

Mac Miller's verse opens with a series of rhetorical questions that paint a picture of a life filled with hedonism and the consequences that come with it. The mention of 'plan B' and the inability to sleep due to drugs in his system suggests a lifestyle of excess and the toll it takes on personal relationships and health. The reference to paying back his mother implies a sense of guilt and a desire to make amends for past behaviors. The line 'Nothing better than some head after a long day' is a stark portrayal of seeking temporary relief from life's pressures, while the entrée line highlights the absurdity of indulgence in the face of deeper issues.

Sia's contribution to the song serves as a compassionate counterpoint to Mac Miller's raw and gritty verses. She expresses a wish to alleviate the pain that comes with the 'toxin of fame' and the emptiness that drugs can't fill. Her lines convey a sense of longing and regret for not being able to support someone who is struggling. The repeated phrase 'That's life' throughout the song becomes a mantra that acknowledges the inevitability of life's ups and downs, and the importance of facing them head-on, despite the temptation to escape into vice or fantasy.