"Can't Hold Us" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton | ||||
from the album The Heist | ||||
B-side |
| |||
Released |
| |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
| |||
Label |
| |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Ryan Lewis | |||
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Ray Dalton singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Can't Hold Us" on YouTube | ||||
Audio sample | ||||
"Can't Hold Us" is a song written and performed by American hip hop duo Macklemore &Ryan Lewis featuring American singer Ray Dalton,originally released on August 16,2011,as the second single from the duo's debut album The Heist (2012).
The song was a sleeper hit,gaining more attention in 2012 and 2013. In May 2013,it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100,making it their second number-one hit in the United States. [1] It is also their third consecutive number-one single in Australia. The music video was nominated for Best Music Video at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in 2014. [2] The song was also listed as "The Most-Streamed Song of 2013" by Spotify. [2]
The song runs for 4 minutes and 18 seconds and is in the key of E minor,with a fast tempo of 146 beats per minute.
"Can't Hold Us" received critical acclaim. NJ.com named it as "Song of the Week". [3] Lewis Corner of Digital Spy gave the song four stars out of five,praising its "infectious,soul-soaked piano line and beats more vibrant than Rio de Janeiro's finest carnival floats". [4] Writing for The Edge,Hannah Mylrea rated the song 9/10 and complimented the duo's dynamism,deeming it "another massive summer hit". [5] AllMusic's David Jeffries also gave it four stars out of five and wrote:"Macklemore &Ryan Lewis combine the handclapping,foot-stomping,and propulsive rhythms of old-fashioned gospel music with an infectious,uplifting chorus that could have been ripped straight out of will.i.am's playbook...this motivational,"this is the moment" number is identifiably and lovably Macklemore." [6]
Due to the major international success of the duo's "Thrift Shop",there was a resurgence in sales of their previous singles and their album The Heist.[ citation needed ]
In the United Kingdom,the song debuted in the UK Singles Chart at number 187 on March 17,2013,climbing up to number 53 the following week. It eventually peaked at number three on the chart. In Australia,"Can't Hold Us" became Macklemore &Ryan Lewis' third consecutive number-one single after "Thrift Shop" and "Same Love",reaching the top of the chart on March 25,2013. In the United States,the song became a sleeper hit,and following a performance of the song on Saturday Night Live ,the song cracked the top 10 at number 7,becoming the duo's second top 10 hit,following the number-one single "Thrift Shop". "Can't Hold Us" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 during the chart issue May 18,2013. They became the first duo to place their two debut singles atop the chart. [1] They also became the fifth act to place their two debut singles atop the Billboard Hot 100,following Mariah Carey with "Vision of Love" and "Love Takes Time",Christina Aguilera with "Genie in a Bottle" and "What a Girl Wants",Lady Gaga with "Just Dance" and "Poker Face" and Bruno Mars with "Just the Way You Are" and "Grenade". [1] The song stayed at number one for five consecutive weeks before being surpassed by Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines". As of December 29,2013,the song had sold 4,383,000 downloads in the United States,with 4,260,000 sold in 2013,making it the eighth best-selling song of the year. [7]
Macklemore premiered the music video for "Can't Hold Us" on April 17,2013. [8] The video was directed by Ryan Lewis,Jason Koenig and Jon Jon Augustavo,and shooting took place for 17 days,on 2 continents and 16 different shoots,ranging from the Pacific Northwest to Southern California to New Zealand at Cathedral Cove where scenes for The Chronicles of Narnia:Prince Caspian were also shot. [9] Several prominent parts were filmed on the tall ship Lady Washington .
The video won two MTV Video Music Awards for Best Hip-Hop Video and Director of Photography Jason Koenig,and Mego Lin won Best Cinematography,the video was nominated for Best Direction and Best Editing Nomination to Jason Koenig and Ryan Lewis. It also was placed at No. 12 on BET Notarized Top 100 in 2013. It was nominated for Best Music Video at the 2014 Grammy Awards. It reached 1 billion views in December 2022.
In May 2012,the song was re-released and featured in an International TV commercial for Miller Genuine Draft,created by the advertising agency me&lewis ideas. [10] In early 2013,the song was used in a U.S. television commercial for Microsoft's Outlook.com webmail service. [11] The song was also used in the background of ESPN's College GameDay commercials,the March 2013 premiere episode of MTV's The Real World:Portland ,in commercials for the movie R.I.P.D. [12] [13] and in the trailer for the film Grudge Match . It is featured on the soundtrack for the 2013 film on Steve Jobs titled Jobs [14] and the American basketball video game NBA 2K14 . The song is featured on the Ubisoft dance game Just Dance 2014 as downloadable content. On July 2,2013,mash-up artist DJ Earworm released a summer mash-up,incorporating "Can't Hold Us" with 10 other songs that became popular in summer 2013. [15] In late 2013,the chorus from the song was used in an ad campaign for the opening of the Graton Resort &Casino in Northern California. [16] The song was also used in YouTube's Rewind video for 2013. The song's segment in the video featured YouTube personalities including The Slow Mo Guys,Smosh,KassemG,CorridorDigital,Jimmy Kimmel,Freddie Wong,and Macklemore himself accompanied by Grover from Sesame Street. [17]
The song was also used in WWE Raw's 2012 Slammy Awards for the Match of the Year nominations.[ citation needed ]
The song was used in a 2012 video by FaZeClan titled "FaZe ILLCAMS –Episode 37".[ citation needed ]
During the 2012 Seattle Seahawks season,the song became the official touchdown song for the team thanks to big fan coach Pete Carroll. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis,also big supporters of the Seahawks,performed "Can't Hold Us" along with "Thrift Shop" during the NFC Championship game halftime show at CenturyLink Field on January 19,2014.[ citation needed ]
When the Oklahoma City Thunder started to use the song during games,Macklemore took issue with the team as they had controversially relocated from Seattle when they were formerly the Seattle SuperSonics. [ citation needed ]
The song was used in the trailer of the 2013 film Jobs .[ citation needed ]
On March 17,2014 Season 2 Episode 3 of the A&E TV show Bates Motel ,"Can't Hold Us" was featured in a scene as music in the background.[ citation needed ]
On December 13,2014 Season 11 player Fleur East sang the song at The X Factor final.[ citation needed ]
In 2014,the song was also used in the comedy film Horrible Bosses 2 .[ citation needed ]
The song was also used in the third trailer of Ice Age:Collision Course .[ citation needed ]
The song was used in season 5,episode 12 of 90210 ,when Liam was fighting in the gym.[ citation needed ]
The song is also used in the 2016 film Middle School:The Worst Years of My Life.[ citation needed ]
The song was also used for Canada,Mexico and United States' Joint Bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[ citation needed ]
The song is used as the theme song for the Brodozer monster truck on the Monster Jam circuit.[ citation needed ]
Macklemore performed the song during MLS Cup 2019,which was held at CenturyLink Field. [ citation needed ]
Macklemore himself performed the song with the Detroit Youth Choir on the season 14 finale of America's Got Talent (The Detroit Youth Choir also performed the song in the audition and the finals. This came after performing with the Ndlovu Youth Choir and Kygo performing his version of the Steve Winwood song "Higher Love" with posthumous vocals from Whitney Houston)[ citation needed ]
The song is used by the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning stretch at T-Mobile Park. It was previously played after every home run.[ citation needed ]
The song was used in the roll call for Washington state at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. [18]
Weekly charts
| Monthly charts
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [129] | 13× Platinum | 910,000‡ |
Austria (IFPI Austria) [130] | 6× Platinum | 180,000* |
Belgium (BEA) [131] | 2× Platinum | 60,000* |
Canada (Music Canada) [132] | 4× Platinum | 320,000* |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [133] | Gold | 15,000^ |
France (SNEP) [134] | Diamond | 250,000* |
Germany (BVMI) [135] | Platinum | 300,000^ |
Italy (FIMI) [136] | 5× Platinum | 250,000‡ |
Mexico (AMPROFON) [137] | Platinum+Gold | 90,000* |
Netherlands (NVPI) [138] | 4× Platinum | 80,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [139] | 7× Platinum | 105,000* |
Portugal (AFP) [140] | 4× Platinum | 80,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [141] | 4× Platinum | 240,000‡ |
Sweden (GLF) [142] | 2× Platinum | 80,000‡ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [143] | Platinum | 30,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [144] | 5× Platinum | 3,000,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [145] | Diamond | 10,000,000 [7] |
Streaming | ||
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [146] | 5× Platinum | 9,000,000† |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [147] | 2× Platinum | 16,000,000† |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Year | Ceremony | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Song | Won |
MTV Video Music Awards | Best Hip-Hop Video | Won | |
Best Direction in a Video | Nominated | ||
Best Editing in a Video | Nominated | ||
Best Cinematography in a Video | Won | ||
2014 | Grammy Awards | Best Music Video | Nominated |
Country | Date | Format | Label | Catalog no. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States [19] | August 16, 2011 | Digital download | Macklemore | — |
France [20] | November 2011 | 7-inch 45 rpm single | Noiseland | 11-0504 |
Germany [21] | May 24, 2013 | CD single | Rykodisc | 0825646441426 |
Hot Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. Streaming data and digital downloads were added to the methodology of determining chart rankings in 2012. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single sold in that given week. The song with the most weeks at number one is "Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar, with a total of 25 weeks.
"Good Old Days" is a song by American rapper Macklemore, featuring American singer-songwriter Kesha. It was written by Macklemore, Kesha, Budo, Andrew Joslyn, Sam Wishkoski and Tyler Andrews, with lyrics written by Macklemore and Kesha and production handled by Budo. Originally released as a promotional single on September 19, 2017, the song was sent to adult contemporary radio in the United States on October 9, 2017, as the third single from Macklemore's second solo studio album, Gemini (2017). As of October 9, 2017, "Good Old Days" has sold 48,000 digital copies in the United States according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The Heist is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. It was released on October 9, 2012, by Macklemore LLC, distributed under the Alternative Distribution Alliance. The album was independently self-produced, self-recorded and self-released by the duo, with no mainstream promotion or support. After the album's release, the duo hired Warner Music Group's radio promotion department to help the push with their singles for a small percentage of the sales.
"Thrift Shop" is a song written and performed by American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring vocals from American singer Wanz, released in 2012, as the fourth single from the former's debut studio album, The Heist (2012). The lyrics tell of Macklemore's esteem for going to thrift shops and saving money, rather than flaunting expensive items like many rappers. The song was met with universal acclaim, with various music reviewers praising its humorous lyrics and social critique.
"Same Love" is a song by American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, released as the third single from their 2012 debut studio album, The Heist. The track, featuring vocals by Seattle-based singer Mary Lambert, talks about the issue of gay and lesbian rights and was recorded during the campaign for Washington Referendum 74, which, upon approval in November 2012, legalized same-sex marriage in Washington State. The song reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, number 1 in Australia and New Zealand, and the top 10 in Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom. The song was nominated at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards for Song of the Year.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis were an American hip hop duo from Seattle, Washington, formed in 2009 by rapper Macklemore and record producer Ryan Lewis. In 2009, they released their first collaborative effort, an EP titled VS. EP. They later followed up with VS. Redux (2010), the Grammy Award-winning album The Heist (2012) and This Unruly Mess I've Made (2016).
"And We Danced" is a song by Macklemore, under the alter-ego Raven Bowie, and features singer Ziggy Stardust. It was released as a single on October 31, 2011 by Macklemore LLC.
Raymond Adrien Dalton is an American singer based in Seattle, Washington. He began his career as a gospel and R&B singer. Dalton gained prominence as the featured artist on Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' 2011 song "Can't Hold Us", which gained popularity between 2012 and 2013, eventually topping the charts in multiple countries including the Billboard Hot 100. The song was certified platinum in the U.S. in April 2013. He has won two MTV Video Music Awards.
"Hold On, We're Going Home" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake, featuring R&B duo Majid Jordan. The song was produced by Noah "40" Shebib, OVO Sound's Majid Jordan and Nineteen85, and it is the second single from his third studio album, Nothing Was the Same, and was released for digital download on August 7, 2013, following the 2013 OVO Fest. It was later released to mainstream and rhythmic contemporary radio on August 13, 2013.
"White Walls" is a hip-hop song by an American hip-hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, taken from their collaborative debut studio album The Heist (2012). The song's hook is performed by singer Hollis, while American rapper Schoolboy Q, performs a guest verse. "White Walls" was released to American contemporary hit radio on October 8, 2013 as the fifth and final single from The Heist. The song debuted at number 100 and has since peaked at number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and has sold 1,000,000 copies as of January 2014.
The Billboard Hot 100 is a chart that ranks the best-performing singles of the United States. Its data, published by Billboard magazine and compiled by Nielsen SoundScan, is based collectively on each single's weekly physical and digital sales, as well as airplay and streaming. Throughout a year, Billboard will publish an annual list of the 100 most successful songs throughout that year on the Hot 100 chart based on the information. For 2013, the list was published on December 13, calculated with data from December 1, 2012, to November 30, 2013.
The discography of American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis consists of two studio albums, two extended plays, 17 singles and 15 music videos. Macklemore and Lewis' single "Thrift Shop" reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2013. The single was soon dubbed the first song since 1994 to top the Hot 100 chart without the support of a major record label by Billboard, although Macklemore, in a slightly unusual recording contract, pays a nominal percentage of sales for the usage of Warner Bros. Records' radio promotion department to push the releases of their singles.
"Arrows" is a song by American indie rock artist Fences, pen name of singer Christopher Mansfield. The song features American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. It was released on July 29, 2014, coinciding with Mansfield's announcement of the release of the debut Fences studio album Lesser Oceans on January 13, 2015. The single topped Billboard magazine's Emerging Artists chart and has also peaked at number 33 in Australia.
"Downtown" is a song by American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring fellow American musicians Eric Nally of Foxy Shazam, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee, and Grandmaster Caz. The song was officially released on August 27, 2015, as the lead single from the duo's second studio album This Unruly Mess I've Made (2016). A music video for the song was uploaded to Ryan Lewis' YouTube channel on the day of the song's release.
This Unruly Mess I've Made is the second and final studio album by American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. It was released on February 26, 2016, by Macklemore LLC and Alternative Distribution Alliance. Following the success of the duo's hit album The Heist (2012), which earned them their first Grammy wins, the duo delved into lyrical themes that tackle political and social issues, including white privilege, fame and the scrutiny of the media and tabloids. The album was supported by two singles: "Downtown" and "Dance Off", along with "White Privilege II" featuring Jamila Woods, which was released as the album's promotional single.
"Glorious" is a song by American rapper Macklemore, featuring American singer Skylar Grey. The song was written by the artists alongside Tyler Andrews and producers Joshua "Budo" Karp and Tyler Dopps. It was released to digital retailers on June 15, 2017, as the lead single from Macklemore's second solo studio album, Gemini (2017). The song was used in a 20-second trailer for the eleventh series of Doctor Who and the trailer for Crazy Rich Asians.
"These Days" is a song by English drum and bass band Rudimental, featuring British singers Jess Glynne and Dan Caplen as well as American rapper Macklemore. It was released on 19 January 2018 as the second single from Rudimental's third studio album, Toast to Our Differences, following their UK top 10 hit "Sun Comes Up".
"Summer Days" is a song by Dutch producer Martin Garrix, featuring American rapper Macklemore and singer Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy. The song was released on 25 April 2019. The music video for the song was released on 22 May 2019.