January 11th 2017
Mike Posner Lyrics


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I cleaned out your dresser, found some joints
My sister smoked 'em, I didn't see the point
And everyone keeps sayin' that I look just like you
Life don't seem so alone anymore

The day my daddy died, I damn near quit the band
The day my daddy died, I held my mama's hand
I cried my tears, then dried 'em up
Put my face inside my hands
The day my daddy died, I became a man

The cops came, they did not take off their shoes
People hug me, I smell like 10,000 perfumes
Gave away the wheelchair, you're gone, but I'm still here
January in Detroit is cold as fuck

The day my daddy died, I damn near quit the band
The day my daddy died, I held my mama's hand
I cried my tears, then dried 'em up
Put my face inside my hands
The day my daddy died, I became a man
The day my daddy died, I became a man

I love you a lot
I love you, too
Remind me to let you run away if you need to run places, like the basement
I mean, that's what it's a part, isn't it? Being an individual
Yeah, letting people go
Yeah
Remind me to let you go, too, if you need to
Absolutely




I love you
I love you so much. You're gonna put that into a song?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Mike Posner's song "January 11th 2017" delve into the personal and emotional journey of the singer following the death of his father. The first verse reflects on the discovery of some joints in the dresser of his father, indicating a moment of reckoning with his father's humanity and habits. The mention of his sister smoking the joints without seeing the point suggests a sense of detachment or indifference in the face of his father's belongings. However, the acknowledgment that people say he looks just like his father hints at a newfound connection and closeness that he may be feeling post his father's passing, making him feel less alone.


The chorus of the song focuses on the day his father passed away and the impact it had on him. The singer admits that he almost quit the band out of grief, but ultimately found strength in supporting his mother through the difficult time. The imagery of crying tears and becoming a man highlights the transformative nature of grief and loss, as well as the responsibilities that come with such a profound event in one's life.


The second verse describes the aftermath of his father's death, with the police arriving and the overwhelming scent of perfumes from those offering condolences. The act of giving away his father's wheelchair symbolizes the permanence of his father's absence and the difficult process of moving forward in the wake of loss. The mention of the cold January weather in Detroit emphasizes the harsh reality of his father's absence and the starkness of his grief in that moment.


The final verse introduces a poignant conversation between the singer and someone close to him, likely a loved one or a confidant. The exchange about letting each other go if needed and the declarations of love reveal a sense of vulnerability and acceptance in relationships. The closing lines, "You're gonna put that into a song?" suggest a desire to immortalize these intimate moments and emotions through music, underscoring the cathartic and therapeutic power of songwriting as a means of processing grief and difficult emotions. Overall, the lyrics of "January 11th 2017" paint a raw and introspective picture of loss, growth, and the complexities of love and letting go.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Adam Friedman, Mike Posner, Pete Kuzman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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