Macklemore and Lewis's single "Thrift Shop" reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2013. The single was soon dubbed the first song since 1994 to top the Hot 100 chart without the support of a major record label by Billboard, although Macklemore, in a slightly unusual recording contract, pays a nominal percentage of sales to use Warner Bros. Records' radio promotion department to push his singles. Their second single, "Can't Hold Us", also peaked at number one on the Hot 100 Chart, making Macklemore and Lewis the first duo in the chart's history to have their first two singles both reach the peak position. Macklemore and Lewis released their debut studio album, The Heist, on October 9, 2012, which charted at number 2 on the US Billboard 200. The pair won four Grammy Awards at the 2014 ceremony, including Best New Artist, Best Rap Album (The Heist), Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance ("Thrift Shop"). Their second album, This Unruly Mess I've Made, was released on February 26, 2016.
On June 15, 2017, Macklemore announced via his official Instagram that the duo were on hiatus.
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis met in 2006 when Lewis worked on Macklemore's promotion as a photographer, and they soon became good friends. Lewis produced Macklemore's mixtape The Unplanned, in 2008. They performed together for the first time at Bumbershoot, at the Sasquatch Music Festival in The Gorge Amphitheatre, and at the Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco. In 2009 they formalized the duo as Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and released the debut extended play, The VS. EP. The latter reached No. 7 on the iTunes Hip Hop chart. They also released "Irish Celebration" in December 2009 in anticipation of the release of The VS. EP. In March 2010, the duo released a free download, "Stay At Home Dad", a track that didn't quite make VS. In October 2010, they released the VS. Redux EP. Macklemore and Lewis used his experience with substance abuse as the inspiration for the mixtape's critically acclaimed song "Otherside", which samples the Red Hot Chili Peppers song of the same title.
In 2011, they released the single "My Oh My" as a tribute to recently deceased Seattle Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus, which received extensive coverage in Seattle media. On April 8, 2011, they performed the song at the 2011 Mariners Opening Day to a sold-out crowd of nearly 48,000 attendees. "Wings" was released on January 21, 2011, and charted on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles at number 12, and was followed by "Can't Hold Us" featuring Ray Dalton on August 16, 2011. "Can't Hold Us" eventually became the duo's second number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on May 18, 2013, and stayed there for 5 weeks. In February 2011, they kicked off a multi-city tour in Pullman, Washington, which included three sold-out shows at Showbox at the Market, a Seattle music venue. That same year, the rapper appeared at several U.S. music festivals including Bumbershoot, Outside Lands, Lollapalooza, Rock the Bells, SoundSet, Sasquatch, and Bonnaroo. His album The Heist was released in October 2012. Previously released singles "My Oh My", "Wings", and "Can't Hold Us" were announced to be included on the album – as was the song "Make the Money". "Can't Hold Us" was used as the soundtrack for a Miller beer ad in the UK and Ireland in June 2012, increasing Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's recognition in Europe.
"Same Love" was released on July 18, 2012, and later peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The songs "White Walls" featuring ScHoolboy Q and "Jimmy Iovine" featuring Ab-Soul were confirmed to be included on the album. "Thrift Shop" was released on August 27, 2012, and charted at number 1 on 24 charts worldwide, including topping the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks, giving them their first number 1 hit in the US. The Heist debuted on the US Billboard 200 at number 2 of the week dated October 27, 2012, selling over 78,000 copies. On October 30, 2012, Macklemore and Lewis appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show performing their single "Same Love" and then again on January 18, 2013, performing their single "Thrift Shop", which they had sung previously on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on December 11, 2012. "The Heist World Tour" began in August 2012 to promote The Heist. On October 8, 2013, they released their fifth and final single from The Heist, "White Walls", which charted at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. On January 26, 2014, they performed "Same Love" at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, where Queen Latifah read marriage vows for 33 couples who lined the aisles. "This is a love song, not for some of us but for all of us," she said, followed by an appearance from Madonna singing "Open Your Heart".
In January 2015, Macklemore announced via Twitter that the duo's second studio album would be released sometime in the second half of the year. On August 5, 2015, Macklemore released a song as a free download, titled "Growing Up (Sloane's Song)", which featured Ed Sheeran. On August 27, 2015, the duo released "Downtown", the first single of their second studio album, which they performed at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards on August 30. It charted at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. On November 22, 2015, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis debuted the song "Kevin" at the American Music Awards with Leon Bridges. On January 22, 2016, the duo released "White Privilege II", the second promotional single on This Unruly Mess I've Made. "Spoons" was released as the third promotional single on February 14, 2016, but did not appear on the final album. "Buckshot" & "Kevin" were released as the fourth and fifth promotional singles on February 23, 2016. "Dance Off" was released as the second single from the album on February 25, 2016. Their album, This Unruly Mess I've Made, was released on February 26, 2016. It charted at number 4 on the Billboard 200.
The duo was in the Unsigned Hype in The Source in early 2012 and was also on the cover of XXL Magazine as part of the Freshman Class of 2012. Rolling Stone called Macklemore and Ryan Lewis an "indie rags-to-riches story". "Thrift Shop" was voted #1 in Australian radio station Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2012. Their song "Same Love" also featured highly, coming in at #15 in the countdown. The Hottest 100 is the world's largest music poll held every year on Australia Day and currently attracts over one million votes from within Australia and around the world. There was a three-page article on Macklemore and Lewis's career in the February 8, 2013, issue of ESPN the Magazine.
They received seven Grammy award nominations at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, which included Best New Artist, Album of the Year, Song of the Year ("Same Love"), and Best Music Video ("Can't Hold Us"). On January 26, 2014, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis won four Grammy awards including those for Best New Artist, Best Rap Album (The Heist), Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance ("Thrift Shop"). Some rap critics took issue with Macklemore's win over Kendrick Lamar for Best Rap Album. In an interview with The Source, Macklemore said that Lamar had a better rap album, and acknowledged that the hip-hop community would be justified in feeling that Kendrick was robbed that year.
Gold
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Posted on the porch just chillin', me and my people
Eyelids closed, gold sun shines on
The world's coated in the gold Krylon
Yea, and these days days days
They never run away
Gold tints, shades, that block out that golden haze
Take all the gold from the pawnshop that lives behind the case
My gold erupted from volcano's in the heavens
And every shrine that existed in time melting
Tombs open, Dookie Ropes on the bells
When everything is gold, who cares about the carats?
They say that gold's the skin of the gods
You can't take the band there when you're gone
Now I'll tip over that kiosk in the mall
As the sunset falls into tomorrow
Today we're feeling like gold, five hundred thousand sold
Slick Rick Gold, row fun, hella cold
And we stay fresh, so fresh head to toe
Ghost slowly faded, 14 carat plated
So we're feeling like gold
Five hundred thousand soul
Slick rick gold, row fun, hella cold
Yea we're feeling like gold
So fresh head to toe
Ghost slowly faded, 14 carat plated
So we're feeling like gold
Alright now we open up that car door
Hop out, hope they notice us
Throughout society we been locked in that cobra clutch
More gold bottles, gold bottles, never sober up
Ditch Jesus, In gold I Trust
I solemnly swear to wear my cross and stunt
Separate myself by sticking out just because
That's how you illustrate power and who you're above
But nah, tonight we take it, take it, giving it back
Crack open the vault, let everyone mob in the bank
Take whatever they want, we party and give thanks
I've been rocking gold chains since pee was in the tank
You only live once, you only live once
Watch Rick Ross give his Jesus piece to a bum
'Cause tonight we ball, we ball, we comin' up
Paintin' the globe gold, two steppin' on the sun
Like gold, five hundred thousand sold
Slick Rick Gold, row fun, hella cold
And we stay fresh, so fresh head to toe
Ghost slowly faded, 14 carat plated
So we're feeling like gold
Oh, oh, oh, oh oh
Today we're feeling like gold
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Gold coins, gold phone, gold car
Costs at least 10 racks to get 16 gold bars
Gold rush, suck on my gold dust stuntin'
Under these gold trunks, that's 2 golden nugget
Flyin' on the gold eagle, flier than the rest of 'em
Passing space needle, golden shower on pedestrians
Excuse me, that's my bad, that's my eagle and he shouldn't of
My eagle got hair, that motherfucker got a mullet bruh
And it's gold, two girls gold brass
Lounging on the water, feet in the gold sand
Sipping on Orangina, arms around them both pants
They're sipping Olde English right out of a gold can
Two girls, gold spandex so pretty
That girl ain't even gold, she just got golden girl titties
I'm kidding, everyone is gold in my city
You paint Betty White gold, even Betty White can get it
Get it, get it, get it, get it
Today we're feeling like gold, five hundred thousand sold
Slick Rick Gold, row fun, hella cold
And we stay fresh, so fresh head to toe
Ghost slowly faded, 14 carat plated
So we're feeling like gold
Five hundred thousand sold
Slick Rick Gold, row fun, hella cold
And we stay fresh, so fresh head to toe
Ghost slowly faded, 14 carat plated
So we're feeling like gold
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
So we're feeling like gold
Oh, oh, oh, oh,
Oh, oh, oh, oh,
Oh, oh, oh, oh,
Oh, oh, oh, oh,
Oh, oh, oh, oh,
The song "Gold" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis is about feeling powerful, rich, and invincible. The lyrics talk about how everything is coated in gold, how it blocks out the golden haze, and how gold is equal and everything is equal when everything is gold. They seem to embrace the idea of wearing and owning gold as a sign of power, showcasing it by giving gold to people and wearing gold chains. Meanwhile, the song contrasts the notion of wealth and ultimate self-fulfillment with the reality of the world – where people need to hope that others notice them and success involves efforts that validate their existence.
Moreover, "Gold" also alludes to physical gold, the precious metal formed through volcanic eruptions and melting of shrines and tombs. They sing about how gold is an essential element of society, even becoming its skin, and how people are often faced with the stark reality of life through its scarcity or the exploitation of it. They give gold as collateral, buy gold jewelry that signifies status, and use it as a means to escape momentarily from life's troubles.
The song is an upbeat, danceable anthem that inspires confidence and features intricate rapping from Macklemore. It contains a mixture of hip-hop, rap, and pop elements, making it an accessible track for a diverse range of listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything is gold, everything is equal
No matter who you are or what you have, everyone is equal in this world which is full of opportunity.
Posted on the porch just chillin', me and my people
Just relaxing with friends on a calm afternoon, enjoying the view of the outside world and taking a break from our busy lives.
Eyelids closed, gold sun shines on
With our eyes closed, we feel the warmth of the shining sun and appreciate its beauty and importance to our lives.
The world's coated in the gold Krylon
The world can be seen as a beautiful place, covered in gold as if it has been painted with Krylon spray paint.
Yea, and these days days days / They never run away
Time seems to pass by so quickly that every day feels like it's blending into another, and they never seem to end.
Gold tints, shades, that block out that golden haze
Sometimes we need to wear sunglasses with gold tinted lenses to help us see things more clearly and block out any distracting golden haze that might be clouding our vision.
Take all the gold from the pawnshop that lives behind the case / And get to give it away
We have so much gold in our possession that we can afford to give it away, sharing our wealth with those who might not have as much as we do.
My gold erupted from volcano's in the heavens / And every shrine that existed in time melting / Tombs open, Dookie Ropes on the bells
Our gold is not just material wealth, but something that is spiritually earned and represents our personal journey to success. It is a symbol of our cultural heritage and the progress that we've made in our lives.
When everything is gold, who cares about the carats?
When we are surrounded by so much gold, the small details such as how many carats it has or its weight do not matter as much as its aesthetic value and the joy it brings us.
They say that gold's the skin of the gods / You can't take the band there when you're gone
Gold is said to be the skin of the gods because it is so precious and rare. However, we cannot take our material possessions with us when we pass on, so we should instead savor them while we still have them.
Now I'll tip over that kiosk in the mall / As the sunset falls into tomorrow
As the sun sets on another day, we feel a sense of urgency and restlessness, wanting to take risks and live life to the fullest, even if it means tipping over a kiosk in the mall.
Gold coins, gold phone, gold car / Costs at least 10 racks to get 16 gold bars / Gold rush, suck on my gold dust stuntin'
We are living in a culture obsessed with material possessions, particularly those of gold. However, the price of gold is high and we are not always conscious of the trade-offs we need to make in our lives to afford it.
Under these gold trunks, that's 2 golden nugget / Flyin' on the gold eagle, flier than the rest of 'em
We feel unstoppable and invincible when we have gold at our fingertips, and it gives us a sense of pride in ourselves and our accomplishments.
Excuse me, that's my bad, that's my eagle and he shouldn't of / My eagle got hair, that motherfucker got a mullet bruh / And it's gold, two girls gold brass
We are so proud of our gold possessions that we become possessive of them, even if we are in the wrong. We are willing to change the narrative to make ourselves look good and show off how luxurious our possessions are.
You paint Betty White gold, even Betty White can get it
We do not discriminate based on wealth or status; anyone, even the elderly and beloved actress Betty White, can have the feeling of luxury and exclusivity that comes with owning something gold.
Today we're feeling like gold, five hundred thousand sold / Slick Rick Gold, row fun, hella cold / And we stay fresh, so fresh head to toe / Ghost slowly faded, 14 carat plated / So we're feeling like gold
Through our acquisition of gold, we feel a sense of pride and accomplishment that makes us feel like we can take on the world. We want to look good and show off our material wealth, and the feeling of being gold is something that we will carry with us forever.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BEN HAGGERTY, DEAVONDIA PONCE TAYLOR, RYAN LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Devxn
I remember collecting clusters with this song on repeat 🥺 time flies man
(-( Naikurio / Naiki Eri Y'anmi )-)
i still love that game
Daivon Jones
I still do it 🥺
Tripz4daze_
@Daivon Jones same man
UnChiseledAdonis
FAX SR4 one of the greatest games EVer
quiseYT
I long this song and game
Oskar Krekora
This song is pure gold!
ELITE GAMES
Fuck yeah bro
Rapid420
Oskar K corny
Dynamic Dylan
Hell yes and saints row 4 3 and 2 r my favs those games r gold this song is gold I can’t wait til I get some gold tho u feel me lol