“Thrift Shop” is a hit song by American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, featuring vocals from singer Wanz. It was released in 2012 as the fourth single from Macklemore’s debut album, “The Heist.”
The song celebrates Macklemore’s love for thrift shopping and saving money, contrasting with the typical flaunting of expensive items often seen in rap music. It received widespread praise for its humorous lyrics and social commentary.
In this article, we’ll delve into the deeper meaning behind the song’s lyrics.
Table of Contents
“Thrift Shop” Lyrics Meaning
[Intro]
Hey, Macklemore, can we go thrift shopping?
What-what, what, what?
What-what, what, what?
What-what, what, what?
What-what, what, what? (Da)
What-what, what, what? (Da-dum, ba-dum, ba-da-do-da)
What-what, what, what? (Da-dum, ba-dum, ba-da-do-da)
What-what, what, what? (Da-dum, ba-dum, ba-da-do-da)
What-what, what, what? (Da-dum, ba-dum, ba-da-do-da)
Da-dum, ba-dum, ba-da-do-da
Da-dum, ba-dum, ba-da-do-da
Da-dum, ba-dum, ba-da-do-da
Da-dum, ba-dum, ba-da-do-da
The intro sets the scene with someone asking Macklemore if they can go thrift shopping, followed by a repeated refrain of “what.”
[Chorus: Wanz & Macklemore]
I’m gonna pop some tags
Only got twenty dollars in my pocket
I’m, I’m, I’m huntin’, lookin’ for a come up
This is fucking awesome (Now)
The chorus describes Macklemore’s intention to purchase items from a thrift shop despite having only twenty dollars in his pocket.
He expresses excitement about finding bargains, portraying the experience as “fucking awesome.”
[Verse 1: Macklemore]
Walk into the club like, “What up? I got a big cock”
Nah, I’m just pumped, I bought some shit from a thrift shop
Ice on the fringe is so damn frosty
The people like, “Damn, that’s a cold-ass honkey”
Rollin’ in hella deep, headed to the mezzanine
Dressed in all pink ‘cept my gator shoes, those are green
Draped in a leopard mink, girl standin’ next to me
Probably should’ve washed this, smells like R. Kelly sheets
Piss
But shit, it was ninety-nine cents (Bag it)
Coppin’ it, washin’ it, ’bout to go and get some compliments
Passin’ up on those moccasins someone else has been walkin’ in
Bummy and grungy, fuck it, man, I am stunting and flossin’
And saving my money and I’m hella happy, that’s a bargain, bitch
I’ma take your grandpa’s style, I’ma take your grandpa’s style
No, for real, ask your grandpa, can I have his hand-me-downs? (Thank you)
Velour jumpsuit and some house slippers
Dookie-brown leather jacket that I found diggin’
They had a broken keyboard, I bought a broken keyboard
I bought a skeet blanket, then I bought a knee board
Hello, hello, my ace man, my mellow
John Wayne ain’t got nothing on my fringe game, hell no
I could take some Pro Wings, make ’em cool, sell those
The sneaker heads would be like, “Ah, he got the Velcros”
Verse 1 provides descriptions of Macklemore’s experience in a thrift shop and his enthusiasm for finding unique items at low prices.
Macklemore enters the scene with confidence, using humor to grab attention, as he sings, “Walk into the club like, ‘What up? I got a big cock.'”
He clarifies that his confidence comes from finding great deals at a thrift shop rather than boasting about wealth, as expressed in the line “Nah, I’m just pumped, I bought some shit from a thrift shop.”
The lines “Ice on the fringe is so damn frosty” describes the stylishness of his clothing, suggesting that even thrifted items can look cool. He imagines people admiring his style, as he sings, “The people like, ‘Damn, that’s a cold-ass honkey.'”
He’s with a large group of people and heading to a higher level of the club, singing, “Rollin’ in hella deep, headed to the mezzanine.”
In the line “Dressed in all pink ‘cept my gator shoes, those are green,” he describes his colorful outfit, highlighting specific items like his green alligator shoes.
He mentions wearing a faux leopard fur coat and being accompanied by a girl. In the following line “Probably should’ve washed this, smells like R. Kelly sheets / Piss,” He humorously acknowledges that his thrifted items may not always be in the best condition, referencing a controversial figure, R. Kelly.
Despite the flaws, he’s happy with his purchase because it was incredibly cheap. He plans to clean the item and anticipates receiving compliments on his unique style.
In the line “Passin’ up on those moccasins someone else has been walkin’ in,” he prefers to buy items that haven’t been heavily worn by others.
He doesn’t mind if his clothes give off a worn-out vibe because he still feels confident and stylish, as he sings, “Bummy and grungy, fuck it, man, I am stunting and flossin’.”
In the end, he’s proud of his thrift shopping skills and the money he saves while still looking good.
[Verse 2: Macklemore]
What you know about rockin’ a wolf on your noggin?
What you knowin’ about wearin’ a fur fox skin?
I’m diggin’, I’m diggin’, I’m searchin’ right through that luggage
One man’s trash, that’s another man’s come up
Thank your granddad for donatin’ that plaid button-
Up shirt ’cause right now, I’m up in here stuntin’
I’m at the Goodwill, you can find me in the bins
I’m not, I’m not stuck on searchin’ in that section (Men’s)
Your grammy, your auntie, your mama, your mammy
I’ll take those flannel zebra jammies second hand and rock that, motherfucker
The built-in onesie with the socks on the motherfucker
I hit the party and they stop in that motherfucker
They be like, “Oh, that Gucci? That’s hella tight”
I’m like, “Yo, that’s fifty dollars for a T-shirt”
Limited edition, let’s do some simple addition
Fifty dollars for a T-shirt, that’s just some ignorant bitch shit
I call that getting-swindled-and-pimped shit
I call that getting tricked by business
That shirt’s hella dope
And having the same one as six other people in this club is a hella don’t
Peep game, come take a look through my telescope
Tryna get girls from a brand? Man, you hella won’t
Man, you hella won’t
Goodwill
Poppin’ tags, yeah
In verse 2, Macklemore starts by asking what others know about wearing a unique item like a wolf hat, as he sings, “What you know about rockin’ a wolf on your noggin?”
In the line “What you knowin’ about wearin’ a fur fox skin?” he extends the question to wearing fur, suggesting that thrift shopping allows for the exploration of unconventional fashion choices.
He describes his thorough search through the thrift shop’s items, indicating his dedication to finding hidden gems, as he sings, “I’m diggin’, I’m diggin’, I’m searchin’ right through that luggage.”
Macklemore reflects on the concept that what some people discard as trash can be valuable to others, emphasizing the potential for finding treasures in thrift shops. He sings, “One man’s trash, that’s another man’s come up.”
He jokingly thanks the granddad (or others) who donate their clothing, implying that he’s stylishly showing off in those thrifted clothes.
Macklemore mentions specifically shopping at Goodwill, a popular thrift store chain, and expresses his dedication to searching through bins for hidden treasures.
He asserts that he’s not confined to shopping in the men’s section, as he sings, “I’m not stuck on searchin’ in that section (Men’s).”
The line “Your grammy, your auntie, your mama, your mammy” humorously suggests that he’s willing to wear clothing donated by various family members.
He declares his willingness to wear even unconventional or quirky clothing items, singing, “I’ll take those flannel zebra jammies second hand and rock that, motherfucker.”
He mentions finding a onesie with built-in socks, further highlighting the unique and eclectic items one can find in thrift shops.
He describes the attention he receives when he wears his thrifted outfits to parties, suggesting that his style stands out and attracts admiration.
He humorously imagines people mistaking his thrifted clothing for expensive designer brands, as expressed in the line, “They be like, ‘Oh, that Gucci? That’s hella tight.”
In the line “I’m like, ‘Yo, that’s fifty dollars for a T-shirt’,” he contrasts the perceived value of thrifted items with the exorbitant prices of designer clothing, suggesting that paying high prices for fashion is ridiculous.
He sarcastically comments on the notion of limited edition items being worth their high prices, suggesting that the value is artificially inflated. He sings, “Limited edition, let’s do some simple addition.”
He bluntly criticizes the idea of spending so much money on a simple item of clothing, sings, “Fifty dollars for a T-shirt, that’s just some ignorant bitch shit.”
Macklemore characterizes overpriced fashion as a form of exploitation, as expressed in the line “I call that getting-swindled-and-pimped shit.”
He further criticizes the fashion industry for deceiving consumers into believing that expensive clothing is worth the high prices. He sings, “I call that getting tricked by business, That shirt’s hella dope.”
He acknowledges that the T-shirt may look stylish, but still insists that its high price is unjustified. In the line “And having the same one as six other people in this club is a hella don’t,” he highlights the downside of expensive fashion by pointing out that many people may own the same expensive T-shirt, diminishing its uniqueness and exclusivity.
He invites listeners to see things from his perspective and recognize the folly of chasing expensive fashion trends, as he sings, “Peep game, come take a look through my telescope.”
Macklemore suggests that relying on expensive brands to attract romantic interest is ineffective and misguided. He sings, “Tryna get girls from a brand? Man, you hella won’t.”
He reiterates his point that seeking validation through expensive fashion is unlikely to succeed.
Macklemore concludes the verse with a nod to Goodwill, emphasizing his preference for thrift shopping and his disdain for overpriced fashion. The phrase “Poppin’ tags, yeah” is a reference to the act of removing price tags from thrifted items.
[Bridge: Wanz]
I’ll wear your granddad’s clothes
I look incredible
I’m in this big-ass coat
From that thrift shop down the road
I’ll wear your granddad’s clothes (Damn right)
I look incredible (Now come on, man)
I’m in this big-ass coat (Big-ass coat)
From that thrift shop down the road (Let’s go, come on)
In the bridge, Wanz begins by expressing his willingness to wear clothing that belonged to someone’s grandfather, as he sings, “I’ll wear your granddad’s clothes.”
Wanz confidently asserts that he can make these vintage clothes look amazing, regardless of their origins or age. He describes wearing a large coat, as evident in the line “I’m in this big-ass coat, From that thrift shop down the road.” He specifies that the coat (and likely other items) were purchased from a local thrift shop.
Wanz affirms his previous statements with confidence. He encourages listeners to join him in appreciating the value and style of thrifted clothing.
In the end, he repeats the description of the coat “Big-ass coat,” possibly for emphasis or as a playful reference to its size and impact.
[Outro]
Hahaha
Is that your grandma’s coat?
The outro is a brief exchange that adds a final touch of humor to the song.
Macklemore jokingly asks if the large coat Wanz is wearing could belong to someone’s grandmother.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Thrift Shop”
The song “Thrift Shop” shows Macklemore’s preference for buying inexpensive clothing from thrift shops, rejecting designer labels and mainstream trends.
He proudly celebrates the unique finds and bargains he discovers while thrift shopping, emphasizing the idea that one can find fashionable items without spending a lot of money.
Macklemore discussed the song’s meaning in an interview with MTV News:
“Rappers talk about, oh I buy this and I buy that, and I spend this much money and I make it rain, and this type of champagne and painting the club, and this is the kind of record that’s the exact opposite,” he explained. “It’s the polar opposite of it. It’s kind of standing for like let’s save some money, let’s keep some money away, let’s spend as little as possible and look as fresh as possible at the same time.”
In another video, Macklemore explained the message behind the song, saying:
“Don’t be a fuckboy and think that a logo is going to make you cool. There are finds out there. There are treasures. There are amazing ways that you can freak fashion and be an individual, and we don’t need to get caught up spending all this money. Save it. Go to the thrift shop.”
In “Thrift Shop,” Macklemore shares his excitement for finding unique items at affordable prices.
Thrift shops are known for selling secondhand goods at affordable prices, including clothing, accessories, and household items.
Macklemore embraces the unique and often overlooked treasures found in thrift shops. As he declares, “I’m gonna pop some tags, only got twenty dollars in my pocket.”
The song’s humorous anecdotes, such as buying a fur stole for “99 cents” and rocking “your granddad’s clothes,” highlight the fun and creativity that can be found in thrift shopping.
Macklemore jokes about society’s obsession with brands, encouraging listeners to rethink fashion and consumerism. But beyond the jokes, “Thrift Shop” is about being true to yourself. When Macklemore says, “I’ma take your grandpa’s style,” he’s urging people to embrace their own style, no matter what others think.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.