Running head: RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF “SAME LOVE” 1

Rhetorical Analysis of “Same Love” and Macklemore’s Message

Lesly Gordillo Santoyo

Arizona State University

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF “SAME LOVE” 2

Abstract

The essay breaks down specific parts of the lyrics that display the rhetorical appeals of ethos,

pathos, and logos. Kairos is also identified as the message of the song is an intense subject

spoken at the time that Macklemore released it. Instrumentally, the musical sounds that the song

introduces are key details that enhance the songs message. “Same Love” was composed by Ben

Haggarty, Mary Lambert, and Ryan Lewis, creating a masterpiece that was significant for its

time. Macklemore, being the leader and rapper of the song, generated the idea of forming this

song to communicate directly to the LGBT community. He clearly states that he is pro-gay

marriage. The essay sums up the fact that the song was well produced for its audience and time

period, impacting a nationwide issue demanding for equality and freedom.

Keywords: gay marriage, Macklemore, “Same Love,” LGBT community, message, ethos,

pathos, logos, Kairos

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The LGBT, or lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, community had been subordinated

to the point where a majority of the members would stay in the “closet,” until around the 21st

century. The year 2011 was a year of dramatic change when the closet doors were opened, and

the LGBT community finally made their voices heard, wanting their freedom to marry a person

of the same gender. However, this issue became a controversial topic that had strong opposing

sides. The debate to allow same-sex marriage lasted four years, with many opposers having

attempted to cease same-sex marriage from being legalized. Advocates like Ben Haggerty,

commonly known by his stage name Macklemore, used their voices which were louder than the

opposer and successfully contributed to the legalization through a powerful song promoting pro-

gay marriage. This resulted with all 50 states of the United States of America having legalized

same-sex marriage during the summer of 2015, a change that has shaped the society as it is today

(Gates and Brown, 2015).

The song, “Same Love,” is written by Macklemore, Mary Lambert, and Ryan Lewis,

which was the most personal to Macklemore since he had gay uncles and a gay godfather

(Corner, 2013). Macklemore exposed his reality to show that he could be trusted as a well-

known singer that his intentions for writing the song are authentic. He clearly declared that his

uncles and godfather “are a big reason why [he is] so passionate about this issue” (Corner, 2013).

Moreover, Macklemore proclaims that he strives to be a unique artist by touching on subjects

that many other singers will not usually discuss about since certain topics can be edgy. Gay

marriage has always been of conflicting arguments, and Macklemore wanted to present his

viewpoint on this matter through a song. Through ethos, Macklemore raps “Same Love” in first-

person to exhibit that he is moved by this issue. According to Casey McNerthney (2013),
RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF “SAME LOVE” 4

Macklemore “wrote the song out of frustration with hip hop's position on homosexuality” and

wanted to make a change simply for that.

In the music industry, hip hop has interpreted the term “gay” to indicate cowardice and

inferiority, which can hurt people’s emotions because it is used incorrectly. Macklemore inserts

two stanzas that argue how this genre is using “gay” blindly. He uses logic throughout this

section of the song to advise the audience that it is common for people to quickly type “gay”

without even paying attention to what it truly signifies. Macklemore denotes that people “[c]all

each other faggots behind the keys of a message board; [a] word rooted in hate, yet our genre

still ignores it” (Haggerty, Lambert, & Lewis, 2012). Referring to the irrational use of the term,

Macklemore criticized hip hop for carelessly spreading more hate and feeding on the perspective

of the offensive meaning.

Immediately, on the first line of the song, Macklemore points out that “[w]hen [he] was

in the 3rd grade, [he] thought that [he] was gay” (Haggerty, Lambert, & Lewis, 2012). As if

trying to connect to the LGBT community, Macklemore asserts that he once thought he liked

males. He shows his credibility by describing his past experiences with what he used to think

about his sexual orientation and the confusion one might go through when confronting a moment

like his. He believes that generalizations such as being able to draw and maintaining his room

clean were not common for a young boy. Macklemore also implies that since his uncles were

gay, this would have influenced him as a child.

At the national level, Macklemore, plays with words to display that America is not

exactly living up to its motto. The rapper sprinkles religion throughout the song, saying that the

United States of America was acting as God during such a critical time. Yet, America forgot that

“God loves all of his children” including lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders, as
RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF “SAME LOVE” 5

Macklemore metaphorically put it (Haggerty, Lambert, & Lewis, 2012). Although, this country

was acting the way it was because “America the brave still fears what we don’t know,” meaning

that the unexpected does not receive welcoming reactions.

Mary Lambert’s chorus was a crucial part of the song that revealed ethos, pathos, and

logos simultaneously. If this segment of the song was sung by a male, it would not have the same

meaning that Lambert gave it. Lambert is a lesbian singer, and as she sings this portion of the

song, one can imagine that a woman feels affection and comfort towards another woman when

she says “[m]y love, [s]he keeps me warm” (Haggerty, Lambert, & Lewis, 2012). This gives

credibility that “Same Love” was speaking and connecting to the LGBT community. Jointly,

Lambert’s chorus conveyed the thoughts of an LGBT member through logic and emotion, stating

that they “can’t change, even if [they] tried, even if [they] wanted to” (Haggerty, Lambert, &

Lewis, 2012). A gay person can think about wanting and trying to change, but many find it

difficult to do so as it is an overpowering mental effect. Lambert’s 10 lines can especially

become sentimental for a gay person to relate.

Overall, the song maintains a calm tone, releasing Lambert’s melodic chorus.

Macklemore did not intend to dispute with anyone. He did use passive aggressive lyrics to talk to

the common people, but Macklemore’s audience was more targeted toward the LGBT

community to display his support for their freedom to choose whomever they would like to

marry. Macklemore rapped to peacefully discuss gay marriage. The more obvious instruments

supplemented the tranquil tone of “Same Love.” The piano was the major tool used to enhance

the composed message of a delicate issue. While the drums were more constant, the piano did

not have a specific pattern to the rhythm. Rather, it maintained steady and mostly added emotion

to the song. The trombone also augmented the jazzy feeling presented when at a café, though this
RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF “SAME LOVE” 6

instrument was played for small, specific parts of the song. All instruments contributed to the

calm tone that the lyrics presented. It matched perfectly.

Kairos is well distributed around this song. “Same Love” was composed during a time

when gay rights were of great concern, and Macklemore took advantage of this opportune

moment. Macklemore entailed that “[t]he right-wing conservatives think it's a decision,

and you can be cured with some treatment and religion” (Haggerty, Lambert, & Lewis, 2012).

The time revolving the release of this song was dependent on government action, and

Macklemore decides to speak to leaders of the nation through his song. Since this issue was the

highlight for several months, it would be the content that would present itself on the news and

throughout people’s conversations. Society would need to listen to Macklemore’s “Same Love”

as it was relevant to the pressing matter of gay marriage.

“Same Love” not only captures peoples’ attention through the composition and time

period that it was released, but also through the main singer behind the song’s creation.

Macklemore released “Thrift Shop” before “Same Love”, and he became popular through this

song. During the Grammy Awards of 2013, “Thrift Shop” won the Best Rap Performance. This

exhibits that Macklemore is a credible rapper, influencing his later productions. “Thrift Shop,” as

Macklemore’s first hit single, helped him to attract his listeners appeal to “Same Love” through

ethos.

Being the rapper that he aspired to be, Macklemore exposed reality through music. He

examined topics that no other artist had attempted to. The year 2013 was a successful year for the

LGBT community, with the aid of the well-known singer. Rapping about pro-gay marriage

encouraged more acceptance among people. Macklemore’s message, with ethos, pathos, and

logos, spread peace, succeeding in a change that has helped this world evolve into a better place.
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References

Corner, L. (2013, May 15). “Macklemore talks about his gay anthem 'Same Love': 'It's

personal'.” Retrieved February 4, 2018 from

http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a481751/macklemore-talks-about-his-gay-anthem-

same-love-its-personal/

Gates, G. J., & Brown, T. N. T. (2015). Abstract in Marriage and Same-sex Couples after

Obergefell. Retrieved February 4, 2018 from http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-

content/uploads/Marriage-and-Same-sex-Couples-after-Obergefell-November-2015.pdf

Haggerty, B., Lambert, M., & Lewis, R. (2012). Same Love. Retrieved February 4, 2018 from

https://www.deltacollege.edu/emp/pwall/documents/SameLove.pdf

Macklemore Ryan Lewis (2018). Grammy Awards. Retrieved February 4, 2018 from

https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/macklemore-ryan-lewis

McNerthney, C. (2013, April 10). “Mary Lambert: The voice behind Macklemore's 'Same

Love'.” Retrieved February 4, 2018 from http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Mary-

Lambert-The-voice-behind-Macklemore-s-Same-4422552.php

Thrift Shop. (2017, December 26). Retrieved February 4, 2018 from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrift_Shop
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“Same Love”

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!"
Tripping, 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 that 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 thirty-five hundred years ago
I don't know
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
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
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
Our culture founded from oppression
Yet we don't have acceptance for 'em
Call each other faggots
Behind the keys of a message board
A word rooted in hate
Yet our genre still ignores it
"Gay" is synonymous with the lesser
It's the same hate that's caused wars from religion
Gender to skin color, the complexion of your pigment
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The same fight that led people to walk-outs and sit-ins

It's human rights for everybody, there is no difference
Live on! And be yourself!
When I was in church they taught me something else
If you preach hate at the service, those words aren't anointed
That Holy Water that you soak in has been poisoned
When everyone else is more comfortable remaining voiceless
Rather than fighting for humans that have had their rights stolen
I might not be the same but that's not important
No freedom til we're equal
Damn right I support it
I don't know
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
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
We press play, don't press pause
Progress, march on!
With a veil over our eyes, we turn our back on the cause
'Til the day that my uncles can be united by law
Kids are walking around the hallway
Plagued by pain in their heart
A world so hateful
Some would rather die
Than be who they are
And a certificate on paper
Isn't gonna solve it all
But it's a damn good place to start
No law's gonna change us
We have to change us
Whatever god you believe in
We come from the same one
Strip away the fear, underneath, it's all the same love
About time that we raised up!
And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
And I can't change
Even if I tried
RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF “SAME LOVE” 10

Even if I wanted to
My love, my love, my love
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
Love is patient, love is kind
Love is patient (not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind (not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient (not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind (not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient (not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind (not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient (not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind (not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient (not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind (not crying on Sundays)