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10 Rawest Confessions In MGK's 'Treading Water' Lyrics: An Unflinching Look At The Megan Fox Split And Rehab

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The release of Machine Gun Kelly's latest album, *Lost Americana*, has sent shockwaves through the music world, but no track is more intensely scrutinized than "Treading Water." This song, a raw and unflinching confession, serves as a direct lyrical diary of the most tumultuous period in Colson Baker's life: the highly publicized split from actress Megan Fox and his subsequent stay in a rehabilitation facility over the Christmas 2024 holiday. The track is not merely a breakup song; it is a deep dive into self-recrimination, fatherhood, and the crushing weight of public scrutiny, offering a rare and painful glimpse into the artist's struggle to stay afloat. As of December 18, 2025, "Treading Water" is being hailed as one of MGK's most vulnerable compositions to date, capturing the agony of personal failure and the long road to redemption. The lyrics are packed with specific, gut-wrenching details that confirm fan theories and media speculation, cementing the track as the definitive statement on his recent personal crises and the dark themes explored throughout the *Lost Americana* project.

Richard Colson Baker: A Comprehensive Profile

Richard Colson Baker, known professionally as Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) or simply mgk, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor whose career has spanned multiple genres, from hip hop to pop-punk and back to a more introspective rock-rap style on his latest work. He was born on April 22, 1990, in Houston, Texas, to missionary parents.

  • Full Name: Richard Colson Baker
  • Stage Names: Machine Gun Kelly (MGK), mgk, Kells
  • Born: April 22, 1990
  • Birthplace: Houston, Texas, U.S.
  • Hometown/Raised In: Cleveland, Ohio
  • Occupation: Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Actor
  • Notable Albums: *Lace Up* (2012), *General Admission* (2015), *Hotel Diablo* (2019), *Tickets to My Downfall* (2020), *Mainstream Sellout* (2022), *Lost Americana* (2025)
  • Key Relationships: Megan Fox (former fiancée), Casie Colson Baker (daughter)
  • Recent Context: The song "Treading Water" details his split from Megan Fox and his stint in rehab during late 2024/early 2025.

The Darkest Confessions: Decoding the 'Treading Water' Lyrics

"Treading Water," a standout track on the *Lost Americana* album, is an emotional centerpiece that provides a painful, minute-by-minute account of MGK's mental state following his separation from Megan Fox. The title itself is a perfect metaphor for his struggle—the feeling of exhausting effort just to stay in the same place, desperately trying not to sink.

The song is an unflinching confession, touching on themes of heartbreak, fatherhood, and deep personal mistakes. It’s a significant departure from the high-energy pop-punk of his previous era, showcasing a vulnerable, stripped-down lyrical style that resonates with listeners facing their own battles with mental health and relationship trauma.

1. The Painful Plea: "Don't Write a Song for Me"

One of the most quoted lines from the track is the heartbreaking echo of a former partner’s words: "Echoes of your words saying, 'Don't write a song for me'". This line is widely interpreted as a direct reference to Megan Fox, suggesting that in the throes of their breakup, she specifically asked him not to immortalize their pain in his music. By including it, MGK highlights the impossibility of that request, as music is his primary form of therapy and expression. It underscores the tension between his public persona and his private, agonizing reality.

2. Christmas in Rehab: "I Just Ruined Their Holiday"

The lyrics offer a concrete timeline for his crisis, confirming his stint in rehab. He raps about the timing of the split, stating, "I just ruined their holiday, and lies don't die, they grow". Further lyrics specifically mention spending "Christmas 2024 in rehab". This is a profound admission, revealing the depth of his struggles that required institutional help during a time meant for family and celebration. It is a moment of raw self-blame and accountability.

3. Self-Loathing and the Father's Shadow

MGK has often been open about his complicated relationship with his late father. In "Treading Water," he draws a painful parallel, lamenting disappointing his children and comparing himself to his father. The lyrics express a fear of repeating generational trauma and a crushing sense of inadequacy as a parent. This vulnerability, particularly concerning his daughter Casie Colson Baker, adds a layer of depth that extends far beyond a typical celebrity breakup narrative.

4. The Prophecy of Solitude: "I'll Die Alone"

Perhaps the most devastating line is his bleak prediction for the future. The lyrics include a moment where the musician predicts he'll "die alone". This dark prophecy reflects a deep-seated fear of permanent isolation and the crushing weight of his mistakes. It is a moment of ultimate despair, suggesting that the cost of his actions is not just the loss of a relationship, but the loss of his belief in a future with companionship.

5. The Album's Context: *Lost Americana*

The entire *Lost Americana* album serves as the backdrop for this confession. The tracklist, which includes songs like "Outlaw Overture," "Cliché," "Goddamn," and the final, reflective track "Orpheus," frames "Treading Water" as the emotional turning point. The song is thematically linked to other tracks that deal with the collapse of his world, such as "Can't Stay Here," which, along with "Treading Water" and "Orpheus," is theorized to detail the beginning, middle, and end of the tumultuous situation. The production, featuring collaborators like SlimXX, BazeXX, Nick Long, Andrew Migliore, and Emma Rosen, supports the raw, confessional nature of the track.

The Impact and Topical Authority of MGK's New Vulnerability

The critical success of "Treading Water" lies in its brutal honesty and its establishment of a new level of topical authority for MGK in the realm of confessional music. By addressing such sensitive topics—rehab, relationship failure, and fatherhood—with specific, verifiable details, Colson Baker moves beyond generic pop-punk angst into the territory of profound self-examination.

The song is a masterclass in using music as a therapeutic tool. It allows fans to connect with him not as the "Machine Gun Kelly" rock star, but as Colson Baker, a man grappling with the consequences of fame and addiction. The sheer number of specific entities and themes—from the exact timing of his rehab stay to the direct quotes from his former fiancée and the comparison to his father—creates a narrative density that drives engagement and discussion.

Ultimately, "Treading Water" is more than a track on an album; it's a cultural document of a celebrity's public and private breakdown. It ensures that *Lost Americana* will be remembered not just for its sound, but for its role in MGK's ongoing journey toward sobriety and self-acceptance, proving that sometimes, the most painful lyrics are the ones that resonate the deepest.

mgk treading water lyrics
mgk treading water lyrics

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