Music is an incredible way to express oneself. With the release of Same Love in 2012, Macklemore became one of the most famous advocates for marriage equality. The song is a call to action to support marriage equality. It became a radio hit around summer 2013, when the Defense of Marriage Act was struck down. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the meaning of the song and explore the impact it had on the world.
The Message
Macklemore, born Benjamin Haggerty in 1983, is an American rapper from Seattle. He and his producer Ryan Lewis wrote Same Love in support of legalizing gay marriage in Washington state. The song is a deeply personal and political anthem that encouraged understanding, tolerance, and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.
The song lyrically explores Macklemore’s views of hip-hop culture’s traditional homophobia and his own attempts to reconcile his brother’s LGBTQ+ identity within his own life.
The lyrics speak to a person’s right to love whoever they choose, regardless of gender:
“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, she keeps me warm”
The “she” in the lyrics is used to refer to a male partner, challenging traditional gender norms and misconceptions about the LGBTQ+ community.
Another important message of Same Love is the need to challenge homophobia and stereotypes within the rap scene. Macklemore uses his platform to advocate for acceptance and calling out discrimination. He takes a political stance that is impactful and emotional:
“If I was gay, I would think hip-hop hates me
Have you read the YouTube comments lately?
“Man, that’s gay” gets dropped on the daily
We’ve become so numb to what we’re saying”
The song also highlights the lack of legal protection afforded to same-sex couples, including hospital visitation rights, inheritance and health benefits. The catchy chorus stresses that love is the same no matter who you love:
“Love is patient, love is kind
Love is patient, love is kind
Not crying on Sundays”
The Impact
Same Love earned global recognition and critical acclaim. It won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Video with a Social Message in 2013 and reached number one in several countries, including Australia, Belgium, and New Zealand. Beyond chart success, the song’s impact on marriage equality and LGBTQ+ acceptance was immeasurable.
In an interview with NPR, Macklemore said, “I think that the world is ready for some progress in the same-sex marriage realm. And I think that this song has given that progress a little bit of a pulse.” His heartfelt message and personal story that he weaves into the song resonated with people all over the world.
As the song continues to remain relevant today, it’s clear that Same Love has become an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community. Its unapologetic stand for marriage equality helped raise awareness and contributed to the fight for equal rights for all.
Conclusion
Overall, Same Love is a powerful song that pushes the boundaries of traditional rap norms while advocating for marriage equality and acceptance. It speaks to people of all backgrounds, encouraging them to love without conditions, to challenge stereotypes and work towards a more inclusive society. As we continue to progress as a society, it’s important to recognize the impact music can have in spreading messages of love and acceptance.
FAQ
What literary devices does Macklemore use in Same Love?
Macklemore’s “Same Love” is a thought-provoking and influential song that highlights the issue of homophobia and the struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights. The lyrics of this song are powerful and emotional, and Macklemore makes use of several literary devices to convey his message.
One of the literary devices used in “Same Love” is repetition. Throughout the song, Macklemore repeats the phrase “love is love.” This repetition emphasizes his central message that love is a universal emotion that transcends race, gender, and sexual orientation. It also helps to reinforce the idea that people cannot change who they are, and that love is the same no matter what sexual orientation a person is.
Imagery is another literary device used in “Same Love.” Macklemore paints a vivid picture of the struggles faced by the LGBTQIA+ community and the discrimination that they have to endure. He uses the imagery of blood, tears, and broken hearts to depict the pain and suffering experienced by those who are marginalized and oppressed.
Symbolism is also used heavily in “Same Love.” For example, Macklemore references the biblical story of Adam and Eve to illustrate the idea that love should be based on personal connection and not gender. He also uses the symbol of the rainbow to represent the LGBTQIA+ community and their fight for equal rights.
Word choice is another literary device used by Macklemore in “Same Love.” The words he chooses to use are deliberate and impactful. He uses language that is both inclusive and exclusive, highlighting the ways in which some groups are marginalized while others are privileged. For example, he uses words like “privilege” and “ignorance” to call out those who are complicit in perpetuating discrimination and inequality.
Finally, cognitive dissonance is another literary device used in “Same Love.” Cognitive dissonance occurs when an individual holds two conflicting beliefs or values. Macklemore uses this to challenge the listener’s assumptions and preconceived notions about love, sexuality, and gender. He challenges the idea that masculinity is invincible and unemotional and calls out the hypocrisy of those who claim to be against same-sex marriage on religious grounds.
Macklemore’S “Same Love” is an impactful and powerful song that uses several literary devices to convey its message. By using repetition, imagery, symbolism, word choice, and cognitive dissonance, Macklemore challenges societal norms and calls for a more inclusive and equal world for all.
What does the expression love song mean?
The expression “love song” refers to a musical, lyrical, or poetic expression of romantic love. It is a genre of songs that typically focus on the emotional aspects of falling in love, being in a relationship, and experiencing the ups and downs of a romantic connection. Love songs are often written from a personal and heartfelt perspective, capturing the essence of the human experience when it comes to love and relationships.
Love songs can be found in different musical styles, from ballads to pop or rock songs, and from country to classical compositions. They can be written and performed by solo artists or groups, and they have been around for centuries. Love songs continue to be popular because of their ability to connect with people on an emotional level, especially when it comes to romantic love.
Love songs are often used in various media, such as in movies, TV shows, and the theater. They can also be a popular choice for weddings, anniversaries, and other romantic occasions. Love songs can help express a person’s feelings and emotions towards their partner, or they can simply be enjoyed for their beauty and ability to evoke strong emotions.
Love songs are a beautiful and expressive way to convey the emotions and feelings associated with romantic love. From the soft melodies of ballads to the upbeat rhythms of pop songs, love songs have been a timeless way to connect with others and express emotions that are sometimes too difficult to put into words.
Why all the songs talk about love?
Love is a universal concept that has been celebrated and studied in various forms throughout history. A countless number of songs have been written on the topic of love, be it in the form of romantic love, platonic love, or even unrequited love. The question arises, why do so many songs talk about love?
One reason for this phenomenon is that love is one of the strongest emotions that a person can experience, and it drives people to express themselves passionately through art, music, writing, and so on. Love is a fundamental human emotion that can bring immense joy and happiness to a person’s life, but it can also bring feelings of sadness and heartbreak. As a result, artists have found a wealth of inspiration to create music, lyrics, and poetry that explores different aspects of love.
Another possible reason is that songs about love are seen as the most accessible for listeners to relate to through their own personal experiences with love. Young people, in particular, often go through a stage where they are still figuring out their emotions and navigating their relationships, making love songs relatable and relevant. These songs often provide a sense of comfort and solace, especially during times of heartbreak.
Another potential factor could be the music industry itself. Music labels and executives want to sell music, and songs about love are more likely to be successful and commercially profitable. For this reason, love songs have become a popular staple in the music industry, with many artists being encouraged to write songs on the topic.
There are several reasons why so many songs talk about love. Love is a complex emotion that has been a source of inspiration for artists for centuries, and it continues to be a universal, relatable topic for people of all ages. While the music industry may play a role in promoting love songs, it ultimately comes down to the fact that love is simply an important and powerful aspect of the human experience that draws people to express themselves through music.
