Cat Cohen's Songwriters' Community Website Temporary Archive

Same Love by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Mary Lambert

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“Same Love” is a soulful sung-rap recording that makes a strong civil rights case for same sex couples and marriage equality.

Concept
A gospel-tinged rap song that celebrates love and marriage regardless of gender preference.

Lyric
VERSE (Macklemore) When I was in the 3rd grade
 I thought that I was gay
 Cause I could draw, my uncle was
 and I kept my room straight 
I told my mom, tears rushing down my face
 She's like, "Ben you've loved girls since before pre-K"
 Trippin', yeah, I guess she had a point, didn't she
 A bunch of stereotypes all in my head
 I remember doing the math like
"Yeah, I'm good at little league"
 A pre-conceived idea of what it all meant
 For those who like the same sex had the characteristics
 The right-wing conservatives think it's a decision
 And you can be cured with some treatment and religion
 Man-made, rewiring of a pre-disposition
 Playing God
Ahh nah, here we go
America the brave
 Still fears, what, we don't know
 And God loves all His children 
Is somehow forgotten
 But we paraphrase a book written
 35 hundred years ago
 Don't know CHORUS 
(Mary Lambert) And I can't change 
even if I tried,
 even if I wanted to
 And I can't change
 even if I tried, 
even if I wanted to
 My love, my love, my love, she keeps me warm

Groove
A mid-tempo 8th-note groove on the piano accompanied by occasion subtle overlaid 16ths in the drums.

Melody
The verse is a rap narration and the sung chorus has a hooky hymnal quality.

Harmony
Three simple church chords are used throughout. I vi IV I

Structure
Verse Chorus Post-Hook Verse2 Chorus Post-Hook Verse 3 Chorus Post-Hook Tag Intro ABC ABC ABC D

Signature
Gospel piano figure.

Production
The well-crafted production is simple, transparent, and layered with contrast and variety.

Performance
Macklemore’s rap delivers its message with strong personal conviction. Lambert’s vocals are emotionally warm and haunting.

Predicted Longevity
A powerful watershed social commentary recording about gay rights that has justifiably earned Mackelmore Grammy recognition as best new artist and more. The video is equally cogent and memorable. It should be around for a long time. A “5” on the “Cat Scale” from 1 to 5.