Poppin' Philosophies: Post 3 (Quinlan Odom H1G1)

"So we put our hands up like the ceiling can't hold us"

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis preach the same message in each of their songs. Each song is a different version of the lesson and a different way to portray it. Their philosophy that only you can define yourself can be found in even the strangest of their songs. It was strange enough to see that philosophy pop up in a song like "Thrift Shop" but know we find it in an even stranger song. 

"I am not, I am not going to stand on the wall

I will dance, I will dance"

-"And We Danced"

"And We Danced" isn't, particularly, my favorite of their songs. It's a bit more crude than I generally enjoy but it does have a message in it. The philosophical lyrics appear like little gems in this song and are difficult to find. They are there, however, and as strong as ever. It's saying that, no matter how other people make you feel, don't let anything hold you back from doing what makes you happy. 

"I will not, I will not give a damn who watches me

I will live, I will live, liberate the fox in me"

-"And We Danced"

Macklemore and Lewis are pointing out how we let society dictate what we do. If something isn't "socially" acceptable the majority of people won't do it. Even if that thing is something that would make us a thousand times happier. We don't want to be outcasts because of it. The fear of what others will think drives our everyday action to such an extent that we give up happiness for acceptance. 

"Grab my hand, play this song

DJ save my life, come on

Leave your fear, back off the wall"

-"And We Danced"

Through these lyrics, people are being encouraged to overcome that fear. They're saying it's okay to be do what you love. In the end, it's better for you to be happy than to be "accepted" by society. 

"And we danced, and we cried

and we laughed and had a really really really good time"

-"And We Danced"

*Language warning*

Choosing happiness over the fear is something everyone wants. We can all relate to it. So why do we all live our lives by that fear? Macklemore and Lewis are trying to show people they don't have to do what society wants them to. All you have to do is what you want. This philosophy is also present in the song "Can't Hold Us." In this song the philosophy has been expanded on. 

"Tonight is the night, we'll fight till it's over

So we put our hands up like the ceiling can't hold us"

-"Can't Hold Us"

This song presents a more pro-active view on the philosophy. It's not enough to just overcome that fear but you have to fight back if you really want to change societal norms. Once you're set in changing those then nothing can hold you back. Nothing can stop you. 

"Raise those hands, this is our party

We came here to live life like nobody was watching"

-"Can't Hold Us"

This is our party. Right there, in that one line, Macklemore says so much. Society can't define who we are or what we do because it's our life. Society has no right to put restraints on you because they don't own your life. You do. No one can change that. That's what Macklemore and Lewis want people to see. You don't have to live up to everyone's standards, you only have to live up to your's. That's a major part of their philosophy, that society should have no control over any person.