Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - "Can't Hold Us" featuring Ray Dalton Video, Review and Lyrics

Lyrics

[Verse 1: Macklemore]
Return of the Mack - get up
What it is, what it does, what it is, what it isn't
Looking for a better way to get up out of bed
Instead of getting on the internet and checking a new hit
We get up, fresh out, pimp strut walking
Little bit of humble, little bit of cautious
Somewhere between like, Rocky and Cosby, Sweater Gang
Nope, Nope. y'all can't copy that
Bad, moonwalkin', This here, is our party
My posse's been on broadway, and we did it our way
Grown music
I shed my skin and put my bones into everything I record to it
And yet I'm on
Let that stage light go and shine on down
Got the Bob Barker suit game and Plinko in my style
Money
Stay on my craft and stick around for those pounds
But I do that to pass the torch and put on for my town
Trust me, on my I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T shit hustling
Chasing dreams since I was 14
With the 4 track, bussing
Halfway cross that city with the backpack, fat cat, crush shit
Labels out here, nah they can't tell me nothing
We give it to the people, spread it across the country
Labels out here, nah they can't tell me nothing
We give it to the people, spread it across the country

[Hook x2 Ray Dalton]
And then 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
Like the ceiling can't hold us

[Verse 2: Macklemore]

Now, can I kick it? Thank you
Yeah I'm so damn grateful
I grew up really wanting gold fronts
 But that's what you get when Wu-Tang raised you
Y'all can't stop me, I go hard like I've got an 808 in my heart beat
And I'm eating at the beat
 Like you gave a little speed to a great white shark on shark week
(Raw! Time to go off. Gone)? Deuces, goodbye
I've got a world to see;
And my girl, She wanna see Rome
Caesar'll make you a believer
Nah, I never ever did it for a throne
That validation comes
So I'm giving it back to the people now
Sing that song and it goes like...
Raise those hands, this is our party
We came here to live life like nobody was watching
I got my city right behind me;
If I fall they got me
 Learn from that failure, gain humility
Then we keep marching, I said

[Hook x2 Ray Dalton]

[Bridge] And all my people say' "Na na NAna na naNA na"

[Hook x2 Ray Dalton]




Review 

"Can't Hold Us" is a fitting follow up to the massive breakthrough hit "Thrift Shop" from Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. It expresses gratitude and a feeling of unity with fans and supporters. The rhythmic horn choruses are instantly catchy inspiring listeners to sing along with guest vocalist Ray Dalton. Macklemore and his musical partner Ryan Lewis sound like they are settling in to stay for awhile.

Pros

• Community celebration atmosphere
• Horn-infused rhythmic production
• Ray Dalton's guest vocals

Cons

• Lacking slightly in the humor and immediacy of "Thrift Shop"

Description

• Written by Ben Haggerty
• Produced by Ryan Lewis
• Released August 2011 by Macklemore

Guide Review - Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - "Can't Hold Us" featuring Ray Dalton

"Can't Hold Us" kicks off with a marching beat accented by piano that leads directly into a rapid fire delivery from Macklemore. He explains his reasons for rapping and declares that no one will stand in his way. This gives way to a smooth R&B chorus from Seattle singer Ray Dalton that takes the song toward epic status. During the second verse from Macklemore horns kick in as "Can't Hold Us" continues to build to the world party of the final two minutes of the song. There is a driving energy that is infectious and self assured. With attention focused on the hip hop duo, hit status was guaranteed.

The production here by Ryan Lewis crackles with live energy. In place of slick studio effects, "Can't Hold Us" sounds almost like it could have been recorded on a street corner. There is a strong organic feel that threads through all of the work of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. You will want to throw your hands in the air, "Like the ceiling can't hold us."

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are the biggest new breakthrough act on the pop charts for 2013 thus far. "Thrift Shop" used humor to find its way on to pop charts. "Can't Hold Us" follows with the irresistible sound of a community anthem. If there is a down side this song sacrifices a bit of clever wordplay, but the sentiment is a strongly positive one. This is a well deserved follow up hit.