Funny Papers

Album: Balloonerism (2025)
Charted: 77
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Back in the era between World War I and World War II, one of the more popular ways for saying goodbye was, "See you in the funny papers!" - a phrase that suggested, with a wink, that life might take a turn for the absurd before the next meeting, much like the chaotic, exaggerated antics of the characters in the newspaper comics.

    Mac Miller takes this quaint little expression and spins it into something far weightier. In "Funny Papers," he plays with the contrast between life's comedy and tragedy, much like an old comic strip sitting side by side with an obituary. The result is a song that acknowledges the grand narrative of existence, where we are all just one plot twist away from slapstick or sorrow.
  • The song's production creates a dreamy, atmospheric backdrop that complements Miller's reflective lyrics. The producers are:

    Larry Fisherman (Miller's alter ego as a producer)
    Taylor Graves
    Thundercat

    Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner is renowned for his virtuosic bass playing. He frequently works with Kendrick Lamar and played on much of To Pimp a Butterfly.

    Taylor Graves hails from a talented family of musicians, with his brother Cameron having once shared a band with Kamasi Washington and Thundercat's brother, Ronald Bruner Jr.
  • "Funny Papers" appears on Balloonerism, Mac Miller's second posthumous release. Recorded in 2014 during the same feverishly creative period as Faces, the album finally surfaced in 2025 - proof, if any were needed, that Mac Miller's artistry continues to resonate, even from beyond the funny pages.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Paul Williams

Paul WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

He's a singer and an actor, but as a songwriter Paul helped make Kermit a cultured frog, turned a bank commercial into a huge hit and made love both "exciting and new" and "soft as an easy chair."

Thomas Dolby

Thomas DolbySongwriter Interviews

He wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct a video about a home for deranged scientists.

Eric Clapton

Eric ClaptonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really write "Cocaine" while on cocaine? This question and more in the Clapton edition of Fact or Fiction.