5 Thrift Shop - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Feat. Wanz.

Number one for 1 week

Year end number 7

Number 2 watch -

White Noise - Disclosure/Alunageorge

Here’s an act that’s become very topical whilst I’ve been doing this thread! None of that has affected its position in the ranking though, it was decided long before that blew up.

Thrift Shop is by American hip hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis and featuring vocals from American singer Wanz. It was  released, independently, as the fourth single from the former's debut studio album The Heist. It was the first UK number one for all the artists, but Macklemore would eventually have a second one as a featured artist on Rudimental’s (yes, them again) These Days in 2018.

It was first released in August 2012 and was a genuine organic slow burn success, firstly in Australia at the end of 2012, then achieving massive commercial success in the US in early 2013 before taking off over here too. It’s ascent to number one in the UK was a truly excellent 84>24>2>1 !

It became the Billboard end of year number one for 2013.

A lot was made of the way the song was released. It became only the second independent song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, nearly 20 years after Lisa Loeb’s Stay (I Missed You) in 1994.

The Official Charts Company at the time credited the track as being only the second self-released single to reach Number One in UK Chart history.

Thrift Shop has a certain unique charm.

I love both the humorous lyrics and social commentary. It’s quite an unusual song in both its rhythms and hook but also self deprecating lyrics which contrasted with the bravado of most other rap records. They describe the joy of going to thrift/charity shops, finding bargains and saving money, rather than flaunting expensive designer labels and trends like many rappers at the time. There’ll be another brilliant song discussing similar themes to come here. Macklemore claims to enjoy donning ‘your granddad's clothes’ and impulsively buying a sharp-looking but strong-smelling fur stole just because ‘it was 99 cents’. Championing individuality and still looking great!

And I can’t not comment on those honking horns, a looping saxophone, distinctive and fantastic, a really infectious hook.

Macklemore seems like a genuinely good guy with his social activism too. He has given support to addiction recovery programs after his own battles with this. He has had involvement in programs promoting education of disadvantaged youth and cultural identity through music workshops. His support of LGBTQ+ rights is well known, condemning homophobia in mainstream hip-hop, society and mass media, including the song Same Love supporting same sex marriage. He is also an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, he has frequently highlighted human rights abuses in various conflict zones, and is obviously a very vocal supporter of Palestinian Nationalism, which has been especially prominent in the news just recently.

So, an original song, musically daring and genuinely funny, and a true rags to riches story for a deserving artist. What’s not to like?

Yes it was ‘f*****g awesome’!

8

Quiz -

1. Answer - A photo of a player on the Kansas City Royals baseball team

2. Which Russian-German producer won the Award for Best Dance Recording for their 2013 hit, at the 2014 Grammys?

Really like both of those. 'Wrecking Ball' was in my top 10 and among her best and 'Thrift Shop' top 30 though Macklemore would make my top 10 with the other two singles. He had some right tunes.

prefer to donate to charity shops than buy clothes from them! Though many might think I do...😇

The popularity of Thrift Shop passed me by a bit, the horn riff is a bit annoying after a while now I play it again, and it's a bit short melody-wise. Rap 'n' rhythm on the whole. I rated it a peak of 50 and that sounds about right, I dont dislike it but I'm not fussed, and would be lower half on the list.

Thrift Shop was never really my cup - not the style of music but must admit that it is well-produced and performed. Therefore, this is place #22 for me.

02. Naughty Boy, Sam Smith - La La La (9)

03. Avicii - Wake Me Up (17)

05. One Republic - Counting Stars (22)

06. John Newman - Love Me Again (12)

07. Katy Perry - Roar (8)

08. Eminem Feat. Rihanna - The Monster (24)

09. Lily Allen - Somewhere Only We Know (7)

10. Jason Derulo Feat. 2 Chainz - Talk Dirty (28)

11. Ellie Goulding - Burn (18)

12. Storm Queen - Look Right Through (MK Remix) (10)

13. Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball (6)

14. Martin Garrix - Animals (16)

15. Duke Dumont Feat. A*M*E - Need You (100%) (14)

17. Pharrell Williams - Happy (19)

18. Rudimental Feat. Ella Eyre - Waiting For You (11)

19. Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop (15)

20. Avicii & Nicky Romero - I Could Be The One (23)

21. The Saturdays Feat. Sean Paul - What About Us (21)

22. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Feat. Wanz - Thrift Shop (5)

23. Calvin Harris & Alesso Feat. Hurts - Under Control (20)

24. Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell Williams – Blurred Lines (31)

25. Will.I.Am Featuring Britney Spears - Scream & Shout (26)

27. Sam Bailey - Skyscraper (27)

28. One Direction – One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks) (30)

29. PJ & Duncan – Let's Get Ready to Rhumble (29)

30. James Arthur - Impossible (25)

31. Bingo Players Feat. Far East Movement - Get Up (Rattle) (13)

“Wrecking Ball” is good. The imagery of it works well and it’s actually artistic and not being raunchy for the sake of it.

I was a big fan of The Heist and enjoyed Thrift Shop, Can't Hold Us and Same Love a lot, nice to see it top five, sure it would be in my top ten at least.

I can see how the horn riff might get annoying for some (as I'm not much of a fan of e.g. Get Right by J.Lo or Jason Derulo's Talk Dirty) but I think there's plenty else going on here that makes the song interesting that the riff doesn't become the dominant feature, but one of many.

Thrift Shop is fun but not one of my faves. Can't Hold Us is better.

“Thrift Shop” definitely stands out in a good way looking back and has a much more timeless sound to it than a lot of the others. I think I do still prefer the follow up hit even though it’s a bit more mainstream.

Thrift Shop isn’t my sort of thing, but can’t help liking it!

4 I Love It - Icona Pop Feat. Charli XCX.

Number one for 1 week

Year end number 19

I Love It is by Swedish synth pop duo Icona Pop and features vocals from Charli XCX. It was added to Icona Pop’s self titled debut album.

It was also co-written by Charli, who has said she knew she would not end up releasing it herself because it didn’t fit in with her sound.

Despite being released as a single back in May 2012 in Sweden, it took until late June 2013, over a year later, before it charted at number 1 in the UK. Prior to this, a cover version of the song by Venus Palermo entered the UK singles chart at #71.

Charli’s original version was considered too smooth by Icona Pop so they approached Swedish producer Style of Eye to make a rougher punkier version of the track.

And musically it’s so much fun, definitely revved up (with sounds to match) and maxed out. A synth driven hyperpop dance oriented banger with plenty of sub bass, I love this all-in approach. It has an undeniable energy.

The song's lyrics feel like a feminist anthem describing the break up from a toxic relationship with an older partner, with lines like ‘You're from the 70s but I'm a 90s bitch’, and obviously its defiant chanted ‘I don't care / I love it" chorus. I especially love the ‘I threw your sh*t into a bag and pushed it down the stairs’ line! It has echoes of Shampoo in its brattiness (pun intended!).

With hindsight it seems strange that Charli could be more famous for her songwriting for others at the time, when she’s become such an influential artist in her own right now. She would obviously go on to even bigger (and better) things with her own music further down the line.

9

Quiz -

1. Answer - Zedd (with Foxes) for Clarity

2. What Norwegian artist’s song spawned the top trending video for 2013 in YouTube?

I absolutely loved I Love It at the time. A top 3 hit in Australia the year prior in 2012.

Here goes my number one. Absolutely fantastic song with great lyrics and production.

01. Icona Pop Feat. Charlie XCX - I Love It (4)

02. Naughty Boy, Sam Smith - La La La (9)

03. Avicii - Wake Me Up (17)

05. One Republic - Counting Stars (22)

06. John Newman - Love Me Again (12)

07. Katy Perry - Roar (8)

08. Eminem Feat. Rihanna - The Monster (24)

09. Lily Allen - Somewhere Only We Know (7)

10. Jason Derulo Feat. 2 Chainz - Talk Dirty (28)

11. Ellie Goulding - Burn (18)

12. Storm Queen - Look Right Through (MK Remix) (10)

13. Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball (6)

14. Martin Garrix - Animals (16)

15. Duke Dumont Feat. A*M*E - Need You (100%) (14)

17. Pharrell Williams - Happy (19)

18. Rudimental Feat. Ella Eyre - Waiting For You (11)

19. Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop (15)

20. Avicii & Nicky Romero - I Could Be The One (23)

21. The Saturdays Feat. Sean Paul - What About Us (21)

22. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Feat. Wanz - Thrift Shop (5)

23. Calvin Harris & Alesso Feat. Hurts - Under Control (20)

24. Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell Williams – Blurred Lines (31)

25. Will.I.Am Featuring Britney Spears - Scream & Shout (26)

27. Sam Bailey - Skyscraper (27)

28. One Direction – One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks) (30)

29. PJ & Duncan – Let's Get Ready to Rhumble (29)

30. James Arthur - Impossible (25)

31. Bingo Players Feat. Far East Movement - Get Up (Rattle) (13)

It is 4,16 and 26 left from my ranking.

Great track, and another good song to get to No.1 in a year where the door felt open to anything. A lot of people bang on about Charli not reaching her full commercial potential until Brat, but she had so many classic pop singles before that. Icona Pop are always great too, and yet another No.1 from Sweden!

Glad I Love It was a big hit in Germany too, but not too big, or we wouldn't have had this brilliant meme.

Looking at the three left it seems you still have my No.1 of the year, my No.5, and one which would be a fair bit lower but is still decent.

I love the original 'Somewhere Only We Know' but haven't warmed to the Lily version despite being a fan of her in general. I did appreciate the advert though.

'Wrecking Ball' was the highlight of Miley's Bangerz era for me too, a mature and vulnerable follow-up. The music video was such a talking point at the time and much parodied!

I re-listened to Macklemore's top 40 hits (and 'HIND'S HALL') the other day (a topical time for him to come up here indeed!) and decided my favourite is still 'Downtown'. But 'Thrift Shop' is fun - firstly, that is a errrr rather bold opening line!! like you say, he blends comedy well with a subject that wasn't really trendy at the time, but I felt seen as a charity shop enthusiast

Shame Charli's True Romance era didn't produce any top 40 hits (love that gothic sound) but 'I Love It' was pretty storming. I remember several fake versions of it charting in the top 100 - just double checked and there was: Loreen Harris, Venus Palermo, Remix Junkies, Remix Chix and New Music Masters cashing in on it so an anticipated release for sure.

'Thrift Shop' is great and very unique, 'I Love It' is a total banger and was so pleased to see that make its journey to becoming a number one!

It's a shame they're effectively a one hit wonder, the album had such good stuff on it. (although I'm still so glad they didn't go ahead with following it up with 'Girlfriend')

shouty catchy fun pop very much in the Shampoo mold but not quite as irritating. Icona Pop never did anything else much of note for me beyond the top 20 follow-up, and Charli XCX did a bit better. On the whole I'm a bit meh of late, I like this hit though, it went top 10 for me and would therefore be a top half track, maybe scrape into the top 10. Charli's best for me outside this is Boom Clap and Need Ur Love, so I'm more in the pop mode I think as both went top 10, Beg For You, Used To Know You in more recent years

That is a well named song as indeed I do!