Thrift Shop – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz

“Thrift Shop,” the breakout hit by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz, is a song that took the music world by storm when it was released in 2012. With its catchy beat, humorous lyrics, and unique message, “Thrift Shop” became an anthem for frugal fashion and an instant classic that resonated with a wide audience. This article explores the creation, themes, impact, and legacy of “Thrift Shop.”

The Artists: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Macklemore, born Ben Haggerty, is a rapper from Seattle, Washington, known for his introspective lyrics and independent approach to music. Ryan Lewis, a producer, DJ, and musician, collaborated with Macklemore on several projects, bringing a distinctive sound to their music. Their partnership resulted in a blend of witty, socially conscious lyrics with innovative production.

The Song: “Thrift Shop”
“Thrift Shop” was released as the fourth single from their debut studio album, “The Heist.” The song quickly gained traction for its humorous take on secondhand shopping, a stark contrast to the typical themes of luxury and excess often found in hip-hop. Featuring the deep, soulful voice of Wanz on the chorus, “Thrift Shop” delivers a fun and memorable listening experience.

The song opens with a catchy saxophone riff, setting the tone for the playful lyrics that follow. Macklemore’s verses are filled with witty observations and clever wordplay, celebrating the joys of finding unique and affordable fashion treasures in thrift stores. The chorus, sung by Wanz, reinforces the song’s theme of pride in thrift shopping: “I’m gonna pop some tags / Only got twenty dollars in my pocket.”

Themes and Lyrics
“Thrift Shop” stands out for its unconventional subject matter, focusing on the thrill of finding bargains and the individuality that comes with wearing secondhand clothes. The lyrics are a humorous commentary on consumerism and the obsession with brand names and luxury items. Instead of glorifying expensive designer brands, Macklemore champions the idea that personal style and creativity are more important than price tags.

Lines like “I wear your granddad’s clothes / I look incredible” highlight the fun and eclectic nature of thrift shopping, while the repeated phrase “This is f***ing awesome” captures the excitement of discovering a great deal. The song’s message is clear: fashion should be about self-expression and originality, not about following trends or spending a lot of money.

The Music Video
The official music video for “Thrift Shop,” directed by Jon Jon Augustavo, Ryan Lewis, and Macklemore, is a vibrant and humorous visual representation of the song’s themes. It features Macklemore and his crew visiting various thrift stores, trying on outlandish outfits, and having a great time. The video is filled with colorful and quirky visuals, from Macklemore riding a mobility scooter through the streets to scenes of him wearing outrageous fur coats and retro styles.

The video’s playful and lighthearted approach resonated with viewers, contributing to the song’s viral success. It has amassed over a billion views on YouTube, making it one of the most-watched videos on the platform.

Reception and Impact
“Thrift Shop” received widespread acclaim from critics and listeners alike. It topped the charts in multiple countries, including the United States, where it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s success was a testament to the power of independent music, as Macklemore and Ryan Lewis released it without the backing of a major record label.

The song’s popularity also had a significant impact on thrift stores and secondhand fashion. Many stores reported an increase in sales and foot traffic following the release of “Thrift Shop,” as people were inspired to explore thrift shopping themselves. The song’s message of sustainable and affordable fashion struck a chord with audiences, promoting a more eco-friendly and budget-conscious approach to style.

Cultural Significance
“Thrift Shop” became a cultural phenomenon, influencing fashion trends and popularizing the idea of thrift shopping as a fun and fashionable activity. It challenged the norms of the music and fashion industries, encouraging people to embrace their individuality and make creative choices without breaking the bank.

The song’s success also highlighted the potential for independent artists to achieve mainstream recognition without traditional industry support. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s DIY approach to music production and distribution inspired many aspiring artists to pursue their creative visions independently.

Legacy
“Thrift Shop” remains a beloved and influential song, continuing to resonate with new generations of listeners. Its catchy melody, humorous lyrics, and positive message have ensured its place as a timeless classic. The song’s impact on fashion and consumer culture is still felt today, as more people turn to thrift shopping as a sustainable and stylish alternative to fast fashion.

For Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, “Thrift Shop” was a defining moment in their careers, catapulting them to international fame and opening doors for future projects. It showcased their ability to create music that is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking and socially relevant.

Conclusion
“Thrift Shop” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz is a song that transcended its humorous origins to become a cultural landmark. Its celebration of thrift shopping and individuality, combined with its catchy sound and memorable visuals, made it a standout hit in the early 2010s. The song’s legacy continues to inspire and entertain, reminding us that true style comes from creativity and self-expression, not from the price tag.

Hey, Macklemore, can we go thrift shopping?
What? What? What? What?
What? What? What? What?
What? What? What? What?
What? What? What? What?
What? What? What? What?
What? What? What? What?
What? What? What? What?
What? What? What? What?
Oh!
Oh!
Ow!
I’m gonna pop some tags
Only got 20 dollars in my pocket
I’m, I’m, I’m hunting, looking for a come up
This is fucking awesome
Now, walk into the club like, “What up? I got a big cock”
Nah, I’m just pumped, I bought some shit from a thrift shop
Ice on the fringe is so damn frosty
The people like, “Damn, that’s a cold-ass honky”
Rolling in hella deep, headed to the mezzanine
Dressed in all pink ‘cept my gator shoes, those are green
Draped in a leopard mink, girl standing next to me
Probably shoulda washed this, smells like R. Kelly’s sheets (piss)
But shit, it was 99 cents (bag it)
Copping it, washing it, ’bout to go and get some compliments
Passing up on those moccasins, someone else’s been walking in
Bummy and grudgy, fucking it, I am stunting and flossing and
Saving my money and I’m hella happy, that’s a bargain bitch
I’ma take your grandpa’s style
I’ma take your grandpa’s style
No, for real, ask your grandpa
Can I have his hand-me-downs? (Thank you)
Velour jumpsuit and some house slippers
Dookie brown leather jacket that I found, dig it
They had a broken keyboard, I bought a broken keyboard
I bought a skeet blanket, then I bought a knee board (yeah)
Hello, hello, my ace man, my Mello
John Wayne ain’t got nothing on my fringe game, hell no
I could take some Pro Wings, make ’em cool, sell those
The sneaker heads would be like, “Ah, he got the Velcros”
I’m gonna pop some tags
Only got 20 dollars in my pocket
I’m, I’m, I’m hunting, looking for a come up
This is fucking awesome, ow
I’m gonna pop some tags
Only got 20 dollars in my pocket
I’m, I’m, I’m hunting, looking for a come up
This is fucking awesome
What you know about rocking a wolf on your noggin?
What you knowing about wearing a fur fox skin?
I’m digging, I’m digging, I’m searching right through that luggage
One man’s trash, that’s another man’s come up
Thank your granddad for donating that plaid button
Up shirt, ’cause right now, I’m up in here stuntin’
I’m at the Goodwill, you can find me in the (bins)
I’m not, I’m not stuck on searchin’ in that section (men’s)
Your grammy, your aunty, your momma, your mammy
I’ll take those flannel zebra jammies, secondhand and rock that motherfucker
The built-in onesie with the socks on that motherfucker
I hit the party and they stop in that motherfucker
They be like, “Oh that Gucci, that’s hella tight”
I’m like, “Yo, that’s 50 dollars for a t-shirt”
Limited edition, let’s do some simple addition
50 dollars for a t-shirt, that’s just some ignorant bitch shit
I call that getting swindled and pimped, shit
I call that getting tricked by a business, that shirt’s hella dough
And having the same one as six other people in this club is a hella don’t
Peep game, come take a look through my telescope
Trying to get girls from a brand, man, you hella won’t
Man, you hella won’t
(Goodwill, poppin’ tags, yeah)
I’m gonna pop some tags
Only got 20 dollars in my pocket
I’m, I’m, I’m hunting, looking for a come up
This is fucking awesome
I’ll wear your granddad’s clothes
I look incredible
I’m in this big-ass coat
From that thrift shop down the road
I’ll wear your granddad’s clothes (damn right)
I look incredible (uh, come on, man)
I’m in this big-ass coat (big ass coat)
From that thrift shop down the road (let’s go, we coming)
I’m gonna pop some tags
Only got 20 dollars in my pocket
I’m, I’m, I’m hunting, looking for a come up
This is fucking awesome (hahaha)