When I first heard about this track, I had to wonder what had possessed Macklemore to write a song about thrift shopping; it’s not a subject usually incorporated into rap songs. I was a huge fan of his earlier single ‘Can’t Hold Us’ (AKA that song from the beer advert), so wondered how a song about old clothes would work. And then I heard it, and I don’t think I’ve stopped listening since.
It’s everything that shouldn’t work in a rap song; a saxophone riff and frankly hilarious lyrics (my personal favourites: ‘I could take some Pro Wings, make them cool, sell those / The sneaker heads would be like “Aw, he got the Velcros”‘); but it just does. And then there’s the video. With over 70 million views on Youtube it has well and truly gone viral. It’s basically just Macklemore and his crew prancing about in some ridiculous clothes (think huge fur coats and a batman onesie), it sounds silly, but give it a watch.
Although it’ll win no awards for the most ‘emotive and moving’ lyrics, it’s a humorous song that will be stuck in your head for days afterwards. I’m interested to see what Macklemore does next, or if he ends up as a one hit wonder here in the UK.
9/10
