Can't Hold Us
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Ft. Ra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What it is
What it does
What it is
What it isn't
Looking for a better way to get up out of bed
Instead of getting on the internet and checking out who hit me, get up
Thrift shop, pimp strut walking
Somewhere between like Rocky and Cosby
Sweater game nope nope y’all can’t copy
Yup, Bad, moonwalking
This here, is our party
My posse's been on Broadway
And we did it our way
Grown music
I shed my skin and put my bones into everything I record to it
And yet I’m on
Let that stage light go and shine on down
Got that Bob Barker suit game and plinko in my style
Money, stay on my craft and stick around for those pounds
But, I do that to pass the torch and put on for my town
Trust me, on my I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T shit hustlin'
Chasing dreams since I was 14
With the four track bussing
Halfway cross that city with the backpack
Fat cat, crushing labels out here
Nah they can’t tell me nothing
We give that to the people
Spread it across the country
Labels out here
Nah they can’t tell me nothing
We give it to the people
Spread it across the country
Can we go back, this is the moment
Tonight is the night, we’ll fight till it’s over
So we put our hands up like the ceiling can’t hold us
Like the ceiling can’t hold us
Can we go back, this is the moment
Tonight is the night, we’ll fight till it’s over
So we put our hands up like the ceiling can’t hold us
Like the ceiling can’t hold us
Now can I kick it, thank you
Yeah I’m so damn grateful
I grew up, really wanted gold fronts
But that’s what you get when Wu-Tang raised you
Y’all can’t stop me
Go hard like I got an 808 in my heart beat
And I’m eating at the beat like you gave a little
speed to a great white shark on shark week
Raw, time to go off, I'm gone!
Deuces goodbye, I got a world to see, and my girl she wanna see Rome
Caesar make you a believer
Nah I never ever did it for a throne
That validation comes from giving it back to the people
Nah sing a song and it goes like
Raise those hands, this is our party
We came here to live life like nobody was watching
I got my city right behind me, if I fall, they got me
Learn from that failure gain humility and then we keep marching I said
Can we go back, this is the moment
Tonight is the night, we’ll fight till it’s over
So we put our hands up like the ceiling can’t hold us
Like the ceiling can’t hold us
Can we go back, this is the moment
Tonight is the night, we’ll fight till it’s over
So we put our hands up like the ceiling can’t hold us
Like the ceiling can’t hold us
Na na na na na na na na
And all my people say
Na na na na na na na na
And all my people say
Na na na na na na na na
And all my people say
Na na na na na na na na
Ma-ckle-e-e-e-e-more
Can we go back, this is the moment
Tonight is the night, we’ll fight till it’s over
So we put our hands up like the ceiling can’t hold us
Like the ceiling can’t hold us
Can we go back, this is the moment
Tonight is the night, we’ll fight till it’s over
So we put our hands up like the ceiling can’t hold us
Like the ceiling can’t hold us
The song "Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis is an upbeat track that talks about their journey to success, the challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. The lyrics are motivational, encouraging people to chase their dreams, never give up, and to always look for a better way. Macklemore references the 90s hit song "Return of the Mack," which emphasizes his come-back story and the fact that he is here to stay.
The chorus, "Can we go back, this is the moment, tonight is the night, we'll fight till it's over, so we put our hands up like the ceiling can't hold us," encourages people to live in the moment and not worry about the future. The writers want the listener to feel immersed in the song, as though they are a part of the group, collectively enjoying life.
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis implemented various stylistic elements into the song to maximize its impact. They use rhyming couplets to give the song a rhythmic flow, incorporating different styles of music, including disco, hip hop, and pop. The lyrics are also delivered in a fast and energetic manner, making the song engaging and uplifting.
Line by Line Meaning
Return of the Mac, get em
I've returned to the scene and I'm ready to dominate
What it is
I'm acknowledging the current situation
What it does
I understand the function of the situation
What it is
I'm again acknowledging the current situation
What it isn't
I also understand what the situation isn't
Looking for a better way to get up out of bed
I'm searching for a more productive way to start my day
Instead of getting on the internet and checking out who hit me, get up
I'm avoiding distractions and focusing on my goals
Thrift shop, pimp strut walking
I walk with confidence and pride in my unique style
Little bit of humble, little bit of cautious
I stay grounded and aware of my surroundings
Somewhere between like Rocky and Cosby
I'm a blend of determination and humor
Sweater game nope nope y’all can’t copy
My fashion sense is original and can't be replicated
Yup, Bad, moonwalking
I'm killing it and confidently dancing like Michael Jackson
This here, is our party
We're here to have a good time and enjoy ourselves
My posse's been on Broadway
My crew has had success and been in the spotlight
And we did it our way
We achieved our goals on our terms
Grown music
We make music that reflects our maturity and experiences
I shed my skin and put my bones into everything I record to it
I pour my heart and soul into every piece of music I create
And yet I’m on
Despite obstacles, I've still managed to achieve success
Let that stage light go and shine on down
I want the audience to focus on me and my performance
Got that Bob Barker suit game and plinko in my style
My fashion sense is fresh and unique
Money, stay on my craft and stick around for those pounds
I'm staying focused on my music and will reap the financial rewards later
But, I do that to pass the torch and put on for my town
I'm paving the way for others to follow and represent our city
Trust me, on my I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T shit hustlin'
I'm self-sufficient and working hard to succeed
Chasing dreams since I was 14
I've been striving for success from a young age
With the four track bussing
I've been making music with limited resources
Halfway cross that city with the backpack
I've been hustling and traveling to advance my career
Fat cat, crushing labels out here
I'm succeeding despite the challenges put forth by larger record labels
Nah they can’t tell me nothing
I won't let others discourage me from pursuing my dreams
We give that to the people
Our music is for the fans and we want them to enjoy it
Spread it across the country
We want our music to reach a wider audience
Now can I kick it, thank you
Can I begin my performance now? Thank you
Yeah I’m so damn grateful
I'm thankful for the opportunities I've been given
I grew up, really wanted gold fronts
I used to desire material wealth and status symbols
But that’s what you get when Wu-Tang raised you
However, my upbringing taught me the importance of staying true to oneself
Y’all can’t stop me
I'm unstoppable and will continue to succeed
Go hard like I got an 808 in my heart beat
I work tirelessly and passionately
And I’m eating at the beat like you gave a little speed to a great white shark on shark week
I'm devouring the music like a predator consuming prey
Raw, time to go off, I'm gone!
It's time to unleash my full potential and go hard
Deuces goodbye, I got a world to see, and my girl she wanna see Rome
I'm leaving behind negative energy and embracing new experiences with my loved ones
Caesar make you a believer
I possess great power and influence
Nah I never ever did it for a throne
I'm not seeking fame or power, just success on my own terms
That validation comes from giving it back to the people
My true success comes from making music that resonates with fans
Nah sing a song and it goes like
Let me show you how it's done with my music
Raise those hands, this is our party
Let's have fun and enjoy ourselves together
We came here to live life like nobody was watching
We're living in the moment and embracing our freedom
I got my city right behind me, if I fall, they got me
I have the support of my hometown behind me and I know they will catch me if I stumble
Learn from that failure gain humility and then we keep marching I said
Even when we fail, we learn from our mistakes and continue moving forward
Na na na na na na na na
Vocalization to show excitement and hype
Ma-ckle-e-e-e-e-more
Referring to himself by his stage name
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Flavie ASSEL
Return of the Mack
Get 'em, what it is, what it does, what it is, what it isn't
Looking for a better way to get up out of bed
Instead of getting on the Internet
And checking a new hit me, get up
Thrift shop, pimp-strut walkin'
Little bit of humble, little bit of cautious
Somewhere between like Rocky and Cosby
Sweater game, nope nope, y'all can't copy
Yup, Bad, moonwalking, this here is our party
My posse's been on Broadway, and we did it our way
Grown music, I shed my skin and put my bones
Into everything I record to it and yet I'm on
Let that stage light go and shine on down
Got that Bob Barker suit game and plinko in my style
Money, stay on my craft and stick around for those pounds
But I do that to pass the torch and put on for my town
Trust me, on my I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T shit, hustlin'
Chasing dreams since I was fourteen
With the four-track, bussin'
Halfway cross that city with the backpack
Fat cat, crushing labels out here, nah, they can't tell me nothin'
We give that to the people, spread it across the country
Labels out here, nah, they can't tell me nothin'
We give it to the people, spread it across the country
Can we go back? This is the moment
Tonight is the night, we'll fight 'til it's over
So we put our hands up
Like the ceiling can't hold us
Like the ceiling can't hold us
Can we go back? This is the moment
Tonight is the night, we'll fight 'til it's over
So we put our hands up
Like the ceiling can't hold us
Like the ceiling can't hold us
Now, can I kick it? Thank you
Yeah, I'm so damn grateful
I grew up really wanting gold fronts
But that's what you get when Wu-Tang raised you
Y'all can't stop me
Go hard like I got a 808 in my heartbeat
And I'm eating at the beat like you gave a little speed
To a great white shark on Shark Week, raw!
Tell me go up, gone
Deuces, goodbye, I got a world to see
And my girl, she wanna see Rome
Caesar'll make you a believer
Nah, I never ever did it for a throne
That validation comes from giving it back to the people
Now sing a song, and it goes like
Raise those hands, this is our party
We came here to live life like nobody was watching
I got my city right behind me, if I fall, they got me
Learn from that failure, gain humility
And then we keep marching, I said...
Can we go back? This is the moment
Tonight is the night, we'll fight 'til it's over
So we put our hands up
Like the ceiling can't hold us
Like the ceiling can't hold us
Can we go back? This is the moment
Tonight is the night, we'll fight 'til it's over
So we put our hands up
Like the ceiling can't hold us
Like the ceiling can't hold us
And so we put our hands up
And so we put our hands up
Oh, oh, oh, oh...
Na na na na, na na na na
Hey-ee ay-ee ay-ee ay ay-ee ay-ee, hey
And all my people say
Na na na na, na na na na
Hey-ee ay-ee ay-ee ay ay-ee ay-ee, hey
And all my people say
Na na na na, na na na na
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
And all my people say
Na na na na, na na na na
Mack-le-eh-eh-eh-eh-more!
Can we go back? This is the moment
Tonight is the night, we'll fight 'til it's over
So we put our hands up
Like the ceiling can't hold us
Like the ceiling can't hold us
Can we go back? This is the moment
Tonight is the night, we'll fight 'til it's over
So we put our hands up
Like the ceiling can't hold us
Like the ceiling can't hold us
Freckle Ginger
8 years since this masterpiece touched the earth… And it still SLAPS!
clément condamin
Yes
HuddyWuddy
and it has never left...
Trav Highley
Yes
chikntaco
@HuddyWuddy and it never will
Hicks Kids Vids
Yesssser
Noice Llama
2021...this song still gives me the best vibes ever
LAMY
Same.....
bulltrunch
I couldn’t agree more. Macklemore is so awesome. Always enjoyed his music. His songs put me in such a great mood and makes you feel like a badass as well. 😎💪
TheGingerGamer007
It’s an amazing song!