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You may not be aware of this, but if you’re a pop music fan, there’s a good chance that Mike Posner had a hand in some of your favorite songs.
Posner has writing or producer credits on hits such as “Boyfriend” by Justin Bieber, “Sugar” by Maroon 5 and “Beneath Your Beautiful” by Labrynth.
But he also has some big songs of his own. In 2010, his hit single “Cooler Than Me” reached No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, then in 2015, “I Took A Pill In Ibiza” climbed all the way to No. 4. Despite the success of the latter, however, Posner shared recently that the song represented a low period in his life, and explained out much he’s changed since.
on my 26th birthday, i wrote I Took A Pill in Ibiza…11 years ago. The song became popular several years after i wrote it.
This year I celebrated my 37th birthday. I feel proud to look at the song lyrics and know that NONE of them are true anymore. I’ve grown into a completely…— Mike Posner (@MikePosner) July 31, 2025
Mike Posner Has Turned His Life Around Since Writing ‘I Took A Pill In Ibiza’
According to Posner, the song was an extremely literal retelling of a time when he took ecstasy on the Spanish island of Ibiza, which is known for its vacation and party culture.
The lyrics reference taking the pill to show Swedish DJ Avicii, who at the time was one of the biggest artists in the world, that he was cool. Sadly, Avicii (real name Tim Berg) died by suicide in 2018 while in Oman.
In a thread on X, Posner broke down how much his life has changed in the 11 years since he wrote the song and 10 since it went viral.
“26: 1 took a pill in Ibiza to show Avicii I was cool and when I finally got sober, felt 10 years older, but f— it, it was something to do.
37: I love myself more than ever, no longer do shit that harms my body to try to get people to like me,” he posted.
26: I’m living out in LA, I drive a sports car just to prove I’m a real big baller ’cause I made a million dollars and I spend it on girls and shoes
37: donated massive jordan collection, drive 4runner, don’t need to prove anything to anyone other than God, love myself. If i buy myself something nice, it’s because i love myself and i deserve it, not because i’m trying to prove to others i’m good enough.
26: But you don’t wanna be high like me. Never really knowing why like me. You don’t ever wanna step off that roller coaster and be all alone
37: not even close to alone. spent a decade creating a community of the most loving high powered friends in the world. massive investment into relationship with my mom and sister… best it’s ever been. relationship with God is on a whole new level.
26: You don’t wanna ride the bus like this Never knowing who to trust like this You don’t wanna be stuck up on that stage singing All I know are sad songs, sad songs
37: i am the happiest i have ever been in my life and have sustained faith love and joy mindset for over a year and am not going back.
26: And I can’t keep a girl, no ‘Cause as soon as the sun comes up I cut ’em all loose and work’s my excuse But the truth is I can’t open up
37: overcame my fear of intimacy and old patterns, worked though the pain of my previous breakups, recognized how much having a wife and family would actually mean to me, got the best help, did the inner work, and now I’m in the healthiest and most beautiful relationship I’ve ever had.
26: All I know are sad songs, sad songs
37: i know sadness and pain very well, i also know how i overcame/overcome it. it is my duty to teach others to do the same. I know sad songs, but i also know redemptions songs, songs of freedom, songs of faith, and songs of devotion
Posner finished the thread off with a message: “I love you. If you’re going through s— right now, keep going, you have no idea how good your life may be in 10 years. in gratitude, mp.”
In the years since the song, Posner has walked across America from New Jersey to California. He raised money for those affected by COVID-19, and climbed Mount Everest.
Safety to say, life looks very different for 37-year-old Mike Posner than it did for 26-year-old Mike Posner, and it’s wonderful to see.