Downtown
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis & Eric Nally & Melle Mel & Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I went to the Moped store, said fuck it
Salesman's like what up, what's your budget?
And I'm like honestly, I don't know nothing about Mopeds
He said I got the one for you, follow me
Ooh, it's too real
Chromed out mirror, I don't need a windshield
Banana seat, a canopy on two wheels
Eight hundred cash, that's a hell of a deal

I'm headed downtown, cruising through the alley
Tip-toeing in the street like Dally
Pulled up, moped to the valley
Whitewalls on the wheels like mayonnaise
Dope, my crew is ill, and all we need is two good wheels
Got gas in the tank, cash in the bank
And a bad little mama with her ass in my face
I'mma lick that, stick that, break her off, Kit-Kat
Snuck her in backstage, you don't need a wristband
Dope

Killing the game, 'bout to catch a body
Passed the Harley, Dukie on the Ducati
Timbaland, Khaled, Scott Storch, Birdman
God damn, man, everybody got Bugattis
But I'ma keep it hella nineteen eighty seven
Head into the dealership and drop a stack and cop a Kawasaki
I'm stunting on everybody, hella raw, pass the Wasabi
I'm so low that my scrotum's almost dragging up on the concrete
My seat is leather, alright, I'm lying, it's pleather
But girl, we could still ride together
You don't need a Uber, you don't need a cab
Fuck a bus pass, you got a Moped man
She got nineteen eighty eight Mariah Carey hair
Very rare, mom jeans on her derriere
Throwing up the West Side as we tear in the air
Stop by Pike Place, throwing fish to a player

Downtown, downtown (downtown)
Downtown, downtown (downtown)
She has her arms around your waist
With a balance that will keep her safe
(Downtown)
Have you ever felt the warm embrace
(Downtown)
Of the leather seat between your legs
(Hey-ey-ey-ey, hey-ey-ey-ey)
(Hey-ey-ey-ey, hey-ey-ey-ey)
Downtown
You don't want no beef, boy
Know I run the streets, boy
Better follow me towards
Downtown
What you see is what you get girl
Don't ever forget girl
Ain't seen nothing yet until you're
Downtown

Dope
Cut the bullshit
Get off my mullet
Stone washed, so raw
Moped like a bullet
You can't catch me
A po-po can't reprimand me
I'm in a B-Boy stance, I'm not dancing
I got your girl on the back going tandem
'Cause I'm too damn quick, I'm too damn slick
Whole downtown yelling out who that is?

It's me, the M, the A-C, the K
Sounding like a French pimp from back in the day
I take her to Pend Oreille and I watch her skate
I mean, water ski, ollie ollie oxen free
I'm perusing down fourth and they watching me
I do a handstand, the eagle lands on my seat
Well hello, but baby, the kickstand ain't free
Now do you or do you not wanna ride with me
I got one girl, I got two wheels
She a big girl, that ain't a big deal
I like a big girl, I like 'em sassy
Going down the backstreet listening to Blackstreet
Running around the whole town
Neighbors yelling at me like, you need to slow down
Going thirty-eight, Dan, chill the fuck out
Mow your damn lawn and sit the hell down
If I only had one helmet I would give it to you, give it to you
Cruising down Broadway, girl, what a wonderful view, wonderful view
There's layers to this shit player, tiramisu, tiramisu
Let my coat-tail drag but I ain't tearing my suit, tearing my suit

Downtown, downtown (downtown)
Downtown, downtown
She has her arms around your waist
With a balance that will keep her safe
Have you ever felt the warm embrace
Of the leather seat between your legs
Downtown
You don't want no beef, boy
Know I run the streets, boy
Better follow me towards
Downtown
What you see is what you get girl
Don't ever forget girl
Ain't seen nothing yet until you're
Downtown

You don't want no beef, boy
Know I run the streets, boy
Better follow me towards
Downtown
What you see is what you get girl
Don't ever forget girl




Ain't seen nothing yet until you're
Downtown

Overall Meaning

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis's song titled "Downtown" is about the two rappers buying mopeds as a means of transportation. Macklemore goes to a moped store not knowing anything about mopeds, and the salesman shows him a chromed out moped with a banana seat and a canopy on two wheels. Macklemore buys the moped for eight hundred dollars, and he takes a ride through the streets of downtown to show off his new ride. The song features an upbeat and catchy chorus sung by Eric Nally of Foxy Shazam. The downtown setting of the song also becomes a backdrop for other various adventures, such as hooking up with a girl backstage and getting caught by the paparazzi.


The lyrics in the song have an underlying message of empowerment and self-confidence, with Macklemore rapping about being proud of who he is and not caring what others think. Additionally, the song celebrates the freedom of being able to explore and navigate the world on two wheels, rather than being confined to a car or public transportation.


Overall, "Downtown" is a fun and lively anthem that showcases Macklemore's unique style and ability to tell a story through his music.


Line by Line Meaning

I went to the Moped store, said fuck it
I went to the Moped store without any intention of buying anything.


Salesman's like what up, what's your budget?
The salesman greeted me and asked how much I want to spend.


And I'm like honestly, I don't know nothing about Mopeds
I said that I have no knowledge about Mopeds.


He said I got the one for you, follow me
The salesman claimed that he has the perfect Moped for me and offered to show it to me.


Ooh, it's too real
I was impressed with the quality and reality of the Moped.


Chromed out mirror, I don't need a windshield
The Moped had a shiny reflective mirror, and I didn't mind not having a windshield.


Banana seat, a canopy on two wheels
The Moped had a comfortable banana seat and a canopy on two wheels.


Eight hundred cash, that's a hell of a deal
The Moped cost 800 dollars, which is a great deal in my opinion.


I'm headed downtown, cruising through the alley
I am going to downtown and cruising through the alley.


Tip-toeing in the street like Dally
I was sneaking around the street cautiously, like Dally from The Outsiders.


Pulled up, moped to the valley
I rode my Moped to the valley and parked it.


Whitewalls on the wheels like mayonnaise
The Moped had white-walled wheels that looked like mayonnaise.


Dope, my crew is ill, and all we need is two good wheels
My crew is amazing, and we only need two wheels to be satisfied.


Got gas in the tank, cash in the bank
I had enough gas in my Moped, and I had money in my bank account.


And a bad little mama with her ass in my face
I had a gorgeous woman sitting right behind me on my Moped.


I'mma lick that, stick that, break her off, Kit-Kat
I am going to treat her right and can't wait to be intimate with her.


Snuck her in backstage, you don't need a wristband
I managed to sneak her into the backstage area without needing a wristband.


Killing the game, 'bout to catch a body
I am doing well in life and about to become successful.


Passed the Harley, Dukie on the Ducati
I passed both a Harley and a Dukie while riding my Ducati.


Timbaland, Khaled, Scott Storch, Birdman
Famous celebrities Timbaland, Khaled, Scott Storch and Birdman are also riding their motorbikes.


God damn, man, everybody got Bugattis
Everyone seems to have a Bugatti, which is a luxurious car brand.


But I'ma keep it hella nineteen eighty seven
I prefer to keep things old school and am stuck in the 80s.


Head into the dealership and drop a stack and cop a Kawasaki
I am planning to go to a dealership, spend some money, and buy a Kawasaki motorbike.


I'm stunting on everybody, hella raw, pass the Wasabi
I am impressive and cool, just like Wasabi, and I'm outshining everyone around me.


I'm so low that my scrotum's almost dragging up on the concrete
I am riding the motorbike in a low and sexy position.


My seat is leather, alright, I'm lying, it's pleather
My seat on the motorbike is made of pleather, but I lied and said it was leather.


But girl, we could still ride together
Regardless, she can still ride with me on the motorbike.


You don't need a Uber, you don't need a cab
She doesn't have to use Uber or a cab. I can give her a ride.


Fuck a bus pass, you got a Moped man
Who needs a bus pass when you have a Moped like mine?


She got nineteen eighty eight Mariah Carey hair
The woman with me has hair like Mariah Carey from 1988.


Very rare, mom jeans on her derriere
She's unique and wears vintage mom jeans on her backside.


Throwing up the West Side as we tear in the air
We are celebrating and throwing up the West Side as we cruise through the air.


Stop by Pike Place, throwing fish to a player
We stopped at Pike Place market to check out the seafood and threw some fish to someone.


She has her arms around your waist
The woman has wrapped her arms around my waist while we ride the motorbike.


With a balance that will keep her safe
She's holding onto me with good balance, so she's safe.


Have you ever felt the warm embrace
Have you ever felt the warmth of someone embracing you like this?


Of the leather seat between your legs
The leather seat between my legs is providing comfort and warmth.


You don't want no beef, boy
You don't want to mess with me, boy.


Know I run the streets, boy
I am a powerful and authoritative figure on the streets.


Better follow me towards
You better follow me to avoid any trouble.


What you see is what you get girl
I am straightforward and what you see is what you get, girl.


Don't ever forget girl
Remember to always be true to yourself, girl.


Ain't seen nothing yet until you're
You haven't seen anything yet unless you try this.


Cut the bullshit
Stop lying and exaggerating.


Get off my mullet
Stop nagging me and getting in my hair, or my mullet.


Stone washed, so raw
I am wearing stone-washed clothes that are authentic and untouched.


Moped like a bullet
My Moped is incredibly fast and reminiscent of a bullet.


You can't catch me
Nobody can keep up with me and my Moped.


A po-po can't reprimand me
Even the police can't catch me breaking the law.


I'm in a B-Boy stance, I'm not dancing
I am standing in a B-Boy stance, not dancing but ready to prove myself.


I got your girl on the back going tandem
I have your girlfriend riding with me on the back in a tandem position.


'Cause I'm too damn quick, I'm too damn slick
I am too fast and too good at what I do.


Whole downtown yelling out who that is?
People in downtown are wondering who I am and are intrigued.


It's me, the M, the A-C, the K
My name is Mack, and I am the best at what I do.


Sounding like a French pimp from back in the day
I sound like a French pimp from decades ago.


I take her to Pend Oreille and I watch her skate
I take her to Pend Oreille to watch her skateboard and show off her skills.


I mean, water ski, ollie ollie oxen free
I mean, she's water skiing or doing a skateboarding trick called ollie ollie oxen free.


I'm perusing down fourth and they watching me
I am going down Fourth Street, and everyone is watching me.


I do a handstand, the eagle lands on my seat
I do a handstand, and it looks like I am landing on the seat like an eagle.


Well hello, but baby, the kickstand ain't free
Hello there, but the kickstand on this Moped is not free.


Now do you or do you not wanna ride with me
Are you going to ride with me or not?


I got one girl, I got two wheels
I only need one girl and two wheels to be happy.


She a big girl, that ain't a big deal
She is a plus-sized woman, but that doesn't matter to me.


I like a big girl, I like 'em sassy
I prefer a woman who is confident and has an attitude.


Going down the backstreet listening to Blackstreet
I am going down the backstreet, and we are listening to Blackstreet's music.


Running around the whole town
We are running around the entire town.


Neighbors yelling at me like, you need to slow down
My neighbors are shouting at me to slow down.


Going thirty-eight, Dan, chill the fuck out
I am going 38 miles per hour and need to calm down, according to Dan.


Mow your damn lawn and sit the hell down
Dan needs to mow his lawn and mind his own business.


If I only had one helmet I would give it to you, give it to you
If I had only one helmet, I would give it to her for safety.


Cruising down Broadway, girl, what a wonderful view, wonderful view
We are cruising down Broadway, and it is a beautiful sight.


There's layers to this shit player, tiramisu, tiramisu
The situation and my perspective are complex, just like tiramisu.


Let my coat-tail drag but I ain't tearing my suit, tearing my suit
I might let my coat-tail drag, but I won't ruin my suit.


Downtown, downtown
We are going downtown.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JACOB DUTTON, BEN HAGGERTY, RYAN LEWIS, ERIC NALLY, JOSHUA KARP, JOSHUA RAWLINGS, DARIAN ASPLUND, EVAN FLORY-BARNES, TIM HAGGERTY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Diesel1Dain

[Verse 1: Macklemore]
I went to the moped store, said "Fuck it"
And salesman's like "What up, what's your budget?"
And I'm like "Honestly, I don't know nothing about mopeds"
He said "I got the one for you, follow me"
Ooh, it's too real
Chromed out mirror, I don't need a windshield
Banana seat, a canopy on two wheels
Eight hundred cash, that's a hell of a deal
I'm headed...

[Verse 2: Grandmaster Caz, Kool Moe Dee & Melle Mel]
Downtown, cruising through the alley
Tip-toeing in the street like ballet
Pulled up, moped to the valet
White walls on the wheels like mayonnaise
Dope, my crew is ill, and all we need is two good wheels
Got gas in the tank, cash in the bank
And a bad little mama with her ass in my face
I'ma lick that, stick that, break her off, Kit-Kat
Snuck her in backstage, you don't need a wristband
Dope

[Verse 3: Macklemore]
Killing the game, 'bout to catch a body
Passed the Harley, Dukie on the Ducati
Timbaland, Khaled, Scott Storch, Birdman
Goddamn, man, everybody got Bugattis
But I'ma keep it hella 1987
Head into the dealership and drop a stack and cop a Kawasaki
I'm stunting on everybody, hella raw, pass the Wasabi
I'm so low that my scrotum's almost dragging up on the concrete
My seat is leather, alright, I'm lying, it's pleather
But girl, we could still ride together, oh
You don't need an Uber, you don't need a cab
Fuck a bus pass, you got a moped, man
She got 1988 Mariah Carey hair
Very rare, mom jeans on her derriere
Throwing up the West Side as we tear in the air
Stop by Pike Place, throwing fish to a player

[Pre-Chorus: Eric Nally]
Downtown, downtown (Downtown)
Downtown, downtown (Downtown)
She has her arms around your waist
With a balance that will keep her safe (Downtown)
Have you ever felt the warm embrace (Downtown)
Of a leather seat between your legs
Hey, hey-oh-ey-ey
Hey, hey-oh-ey-ey
Hey, hey-oh-ey-ey
Hey, hey-oh-ey-ey

[Chorus: Eric Nally]
Downtown
You don't want no beef, boy
Know I run the streets, boy
Better follow me towards
Downtown
What you see is what you get, girl
Don't ever forget, girl
Ain't seen nothing yet until you're
Downtown

[Verse 4: Grandmaster Caz, Kool Moe Dee & Melle Mel]
Dope
Cut the bullshit, get off my mullet
Stone washed, so raw, moped like a bullet, oh, yee-ow
You can't catch me, a po-po can't reprimand me
I'm in a B-Boy stance, I'm not dancing
I got your girl on the back going tandem
Cause I'm too damn quick, I'm too damn slick
Whole downtown yelling out "Who that is?"

[Verse 5: Macklemore]
It's me, the M, the A-C, the K
Sounding like a French pimp from back in the day
I take her to Pend Oreille and I water skate
I mean, water ski, ollie, ollie, oxen free
I'm perusing down Fourth and they watching me
I do a headstand, the eagle lands on my seat
Well hello, but baby, the kickstand ain't free
Now do you or do you not wanna ride with me?
I got one girl, I got two wheels
She a big girl, but ain't a big deal
I like a big girl, I like 'em sassy
Going down the backstreet listening to Blackstreet
Running around the whole town
Neighbors yelling at me like, "You need to slow down"
"Going thirty-eight, Dan, chill the fuck out
Mow your damn lawn and sit the hell down"
If I only had one helmet, I would give it to you, give it to you
Cruising down Broadway, girl, what a wonderful view, wonderful view
There's layers to this shit, player, tiramisu, tiramisu
Let my coat-tail drag but I ain't tearing my suit, tearing my suit

[Pre-Chorus: Eric Nally]
Downtown, downtown (Downtown)
Downtown, downtown
She has her arms around your waist
With a balance that will keep her safe
Have you ever felt the warm embrace
Of a leather seat between your legs

[Chorus: Eric Nally]
Downtown
You don't want no beef, boy
Know I run the streets, boy
Better follow me towards
Downtown
What you see is what you get, girl
Don't ever forget, girl
Ain't seen nothing yet until you're
Downtown

[Outro: All]
You don't want no beef, boy
Know I run the streets, boy
Better follow me towards
Downtown
What you see is what you get, girl
Don't ever forget, girl
Ain't seen nothing yet until you're
Downtown



All comments from YouTube:

@MrDalekJD

Damn, why is this song so damn catchy.

@dreambigdreammaker2483

Ikr!

@leoncarroll3069

+MrDalekJD its cuz one of the singers is possessed by the ghost of michael jackson ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

@User-do1hx

+Leon Carroll

ARE YOU IMPLYING THE GREAT MACKLE JACKSON?

@lovethwillock8952

it's my morning wake up tune

@lukekeegan2374

know how u feel

126 More Replies...

@dmesserl

The level of happiness this provides me is immeasurable.

@LesProjetsDeSoO

Hey, ☺️ enjoy this song again. 🩵 Hope it gives you happiness 😊

@danabryant9119

This is my hometown, Spokane, born and raised...I am so proud that Macklemore and Lewis represent this amazing town!

@ohemjones

Whose watching this in 2024

More Comments

More Versions