Eight years ago today, on March 7, 2018, Mike Posner released Tear Drops and Balloons, his spoken word poetry album that brought his written poetry to life through his own voice.
The project followed the release of his physical poetry book of the same name, giving fans the chance to hear Mike perform the deeply personal words he had already shared on the page. Listening to him deliver the poems himself adds another level of emotion and vulnerability, making the experience feel even more personal.
The spoken word album includes 33 tracks, beginning with an introduction and continuing with a series of poems that offer glimpses into Mike’s personal reflections and experiences.
Throughout Tear Drops and Balloons, Mike explores themes like love, loss, insecurity, fame, and self-reflection. One standout piece, “Hate Mail,” features a collage of harsh messages he received online. Instead of letting those words define him, Mike turns them into something thoughtful and even humorous — showing how negativity can be transformed into art.
The title itself reflects one of Mike’s most memorable perspectives. He once explained that when he flipped a drawing of teardrops upside down, they looked like balloons. That simple idea — turning sadness into something lighter — captures the spirit of the entire project and the way Mike often approaches life and creativity.
Eight years later, Tear Drops and Balloons still stands as a unique part of Mike’s artistic journey, offering a deeper look into his thoughts beyond traditional songwriting. If you haven’t listened to it in a while, today is the perfect time to revisit the spoken word album and hear the poetry in Mike’s own voice.