Top 10 Best Macklemore Songs
Macklemore has been making music for years, blending sharp storytelling with anthemic hooks and a unique perspective that sets him apart. From his early days as an independent artist grinding out mixtapes in Seattle to his massive breakout success, he's built a career that balances mainstream appeal with deeply personal songwriting. His tracks can be uplifting, thought-provoking, or just plain fun, sometimes all at once.You might know him from the chart-topping hits that dominated the airwaves, or maybe you connected with one of his more introspective songs that tackle everything from addiction to consumerism. His collaborations, especially with producer Ryan Lewis, played a huge role in shaping his sound. Together, they crafted some of the most recognizable songs of the 2010s and proved that independent artists could break through without major label backing. Even after stepping away from their partnership, Macklemore has continued to evolve as a solo artist, experimenting with different styles while staying true to his roots.
I love Can't Hold Us. It's got a great beat and a hilarious video. If some guys are saying Thrift Shop is better than Can't Hold Us, why the heck is it number 1? I don't care what you think, this song is the best. I absolutely love it.
Here 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. Can I kick it? Thank you. I'm so damn grateful. Laugh out loud!
I love this song (the music video version, not the album version, because the music video version just has a better start and just gets better throughout). This is a song with a purpose, a song you listen to when going to fight, a song to get you ready and pumped for whatever it is you do. It doesn't hold back and, unlike some of the other songs, feels like it was made with literal passion.
This song brought me to tears. I'm straight but have always had friends and even family of different lifestyles. I have always believed no one has the right to tell you who to love! How ridiculous to deny any love in a world filled with hate, prejudice, and racism! Promote love, joy, happiness, compassion, peace, and equality for this sad planet!
Number 3? Really? Had this song never existed, chances are, I never would've come out, because this is what I made my parents listen to while I did that. If this song never existed, I'd be in the closet my whole life, never would've gotten married to the love of my life (Chris), and my life would be a major bummer. This song seriously needs to be higher.
This is my absolute favorite song. Many rappers rap about drugs, drinking, and ignoring authority, but Macklemore is one of the few who raps with meaning. What we wear doesn't define us. What we say defines who we are. An article of clothing that will be deemed "old school" within the next month shouldn't be the highlight of our lives.
I was once this person, and still am today, but this song has changed my thoughts, feelings, and opinions. I know Macklemore won't read this comment, but thank you. Words cannot describe how thankful I am to have rappers like you influence this generation.
Honestly, this song tells a story. It makes you cry. It makes you realize what's wrong in life and what we need to make better. Drugs are a big problem in the world and kill people daily. Otherside is a song to listen to. It's the best.
This song has a lot of meaning behind it. It's the complete opposite of a lot of songs and different, and I absolutely love it because of that. This should be number one because it addresses so many things at once.
Being in love with someone struggling with addiction is also a battle. This song gives me goosebumps every single time. It's opened my eyes, and the music video is phenomenal. When I see Macklemore rap in the official video, I see the passion in his eyes.
I really love Can't Hold Us, but Thrift Shop is just amazing. I have to admit, Can't Hold Us made more sense and involved more skill, but still, something about Thrift Shop is totally epic.
Thrift Shop and Can't Hold Us are the best songs I have ever heard. But I'm gonna pop some tags and only got $20 in my pocket.
This song is 10 times better than Can't Hold Us. Please vote for this and get it to number 1. Great work by Macklemore, R. Lewis, and Wanz.
The greats weren't great because they were born painting. The greats were great because they painted a lot.
This song is good, inspirational, and should be closer to the top.
An amazing song. Their best in my opinion.
Can't Hold Us and Thrift Shop are great, but I've heard them so many times they have kind of lost their appeal.
This should be closer to the top. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis spent over 10,000 hours working on The Heist.
The first song that got me into Macklemore was Downtown. Although I'm still currently only playing this song, I am going to check out his other music thanks to this gem. This was after I heard Thrift Shop. Not saying I hate it, but this song is really different and what really caught my ear.
So, if you are fed up with generic hip hop and want a rapper who is literally different, then you should try some Macklemore for size! I double dare you to name a rapper you've heard in the last decade who has stood out more than this guy!
This song is amazing! It is about his relapse with drugs, and you can just hear the emotion he puts into it. It has a great beat, great lyrics, and a great chorus. I wish more people knew about this song!
"And you know what pain looks like,
when you tell your dad you relapsed, then look him directly in the face."
Macklemore has been through some tough times. You can really tell he means it when he says he regrets what he's done. He's encapsulated those feelings into a song that can change lives forever.
I hate the fact that this is under Thrift Shop. I hate that people recognize Macklemore more for that song than his older stuff. This song is deep. Listen to it, and listen to the rest of his older stuff, and you'll see.
Interestingly, this is one of the best on this list so far. If only more people listened to more of Mack's earlier work.
This is one of the best songs I have ever listened to. This song is not on top only because not many people know it.
I was born in Seattle, and I was only 8 when Dave Niehaus died. But my dad was always a hardcore Mariners fan, and he grew up listening to Niehaus' commentary, just like Macklemore. My dad would take my brother and me to Mariners games when we were little, all the way up to now.
After they put up the statue of Dave as a tribute to him, we took a picture next to it every time we went to a game. You can watch us grow up next to him, even if it was just a statue. Beautiful tribute to a great man. Seattle!
This song brings me chills and tears to my eyes, and I'm not even from Seattle. The way that the song leads into the call is unbelievably perfect. Chills!
The Newcomers
I could play this song a hundred times over and not get tired of it. Inspirational rap and the chorus is amazing. It lifts up my spirits.
I can't believe this isn't in the top 5! It's a belter song with a total feel-good vibe!
A very moving and emotional song, reminiscing about younger and simpler times but also reminding us that we must cherish each day before we miss them.
Kesha is the perfect choice to help Macklemore on this track. She adds great vocals that pair well with the piano part, making it even more emotional.
Damn, this is the most beautiful song I have ever heard. Really, even more than Eminem's Beautiful. Listen to the song once again and I promise you, you will want this one to be in the top five at least!
I heard this song and I am simply mesmerized. Macklemore has a crazy good flow, Hollis does an impressive and beautiful job on the chorus, and Schoolboy Q came right on time to deliver another dope verse. Everything about this song is just perfect. Please put this in the top five. It deserves better!
This song is so inspiring. It should be number 1!
This should be #1. I'm not a fan of his "fun" songs. For example, "Downtown," "Thrift Shop," "Penis Song," and so forth. This song, however, along with "Starting Over" and "Ten Thousand Hours," are the songs that really connect to the soul.
This is a great song about Macklemore's personal battle against alcoholism! How is this not in the top 10?
This is an overall great song about alcoholism and how it can ruin one's life.
This is funny and actually somewhat poignant (to me anyway). If you're offended by it, you're probably "that guy."
So. Flippin'. Funny. Not only that, but it's still relevant to politics. Way to go, Mack.
Probably one of the funniest songs by Macklemore. Still really catchy.
The moment I heard "Inhale Deep," I added it here. Now that I am listening to "Hold Your Head Up," I am adding it here too. It's one of the best songs!
So catchy, good meaning, not just some rap about greatness and all that crud. Macklemore is the best rapper. His raps have a really good meaning.
The music in this song is just amazing. I love it because this song is great, and we should learn from the lyrics, which tell us the truth.
Make the money, don't let the money make you. It's been making me reconsider my job choice.
Honestly, I think this song needs more attention. It's amazing from start to finish.
I've listened to a lot of his music. This is still my favorite. I wouldn't expect it to be higher though, as I understand that the majority of listeners are content with the more superficial tracks like "White Walls" and "Can't Hold Us." It's a really relatable track. "Yeah, let's keep swimming in the snake pit, get bit, get out, then jump back into the suffocation."
This is so amazing! One of those songs you put on repeat and listen to over and over until you get bored of it.
Number 4 behind Thrift Shop, Can't Hold Us, and Wings.
Please listen to this song. It is truly amazing. Give it a chance.
The chorus is amazing. It's probably the best chorus in all of his songs.
Love this song! Such a good beat, and it really pumps me up. It helps me with problems. When I'm feeling bad and I listen to Macklemore, I feel better. I could vote for Can't Hold Us, Thrift Shop, Wing$, Same Love, or Downtown, but this needs a bump. Amazing song.
This song is amazing! Come on, guys, vote for this song. It really needs a bump up higher!
This is my legitimate favorite song! I honestly don't understand why it's down at 22.
This song still pops into my head when all others have faded (of Macklemore's).
Absolutely one of his top songs. I hope more people hear this song, honestly.
This is one of his best. I can't believe people like anything from The Heist more.
The rapping is amazing, and Ed Sheeran's voice is flawless! Macklemore's advice to his daughter is well done and so meaningful. It made me think of my own life and gave me goosebumps.
Definitely my new favorite by Macklemore! Such a happy and relaxing song. The lyrics have a big message behind them, and Ed Sheeran is there to top it all off. I love it.