Can't Hold Us

Composition

The song is in the key of E minor with a tempo set at 146 beats per minute. The radio edit cuts out portions of the introduction, as well as the extended bridge section and an alternate beat during the last chorus, replacing them with an introduction from Dalton and a clapping beat. The beat is similar to their live performances of the song.

Critical reception

"Can't Hold Us" was generally well received by music critics. Lewis Corner of Digital Spy gave the song four stars out of five, praising its "infectious, soul-soaked piano line and beats more vibrant than Rio de Janeiro's finest carnival floats". Writing for The Edge, Hannah Mylrea rated the song 9/10 and complemented the duo's dynamism, deeming it "another massive summer hit". AllMusic's David Jeffries also gave it four stars on five and wrote: "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis combine the handclapping, foot-stomping, and propulsive rhythms of old-fashioned gospel music with an infectious, uplifting chorus that could have been ripped straight out of will.i.am's playbook...this motivational, "this is the moment" number is identifiably and lovably Macklemore."

Commercial performance

Due to the major international success of the duo's "Thrift Shop", there was a resurgence in sales of their previous singles and their album The Heist.

In the United Kingdom, the song debuted in the UK Singles Chart at number 187 on March 17, 2013, climbing up to number 53 the following week. It eventually peaked at number three on the chart. In Australia, "Can't Hold Us" became Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' third consecutive number one single, reaching the top of the chart on March 25, 2013, after "Thrift Shop" and "Same Love". In the United States, the song became a sleeper hit, and following a performance of the song on Saturday Night Live, the song cracked the top 10 at number 7, becoming the duo's second top 10 hit, following the number-one single "Thrift Shop". "Can't Hold Us" reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the week dated May 17, 2013. They became the first duo to place their two debut singles atop the chart. They also became the fifth act to place their two debut singles atop the Billboard Hot 100, following Mariah Carey with "Vision of Love" and "Love Takes Time", Christina Aguilera with "Genie in a Bottle" and "What a Girl Wants", Lady Gaga with "Just Dance" and "Poker Face" and Bruno Mars with "Just the Way You Are" and "Grenade". The song stayed at number one for five consecutive weeks before being surpassed by Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines". As of January 2014, the song has sold 4,383,000 downloads in the United States with 4,260,000 sold in 2013, making it the eighth best-selling song of the year.

With the helpful release and advertisement of DJ crue and several other artists/producers, remixes were made. One of the most successful one's was Eminem, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Just Can't Hold Us. This was hosted by Ryan Lewis himself and produced by many artists such as OfficialDJLithium who is current day Dj Crue, and Sparks Hopes who is currently known as Jimmy Kang.

Sparks Hopes also helped with the dated release/production working closely with Ryan Lewis, going as far as helping with the 2013 YouTube rewind in order to remix the background track in it. Going as far as helping with the film production, as you can see him in the background of the filming. Overall contributing to the monumental success of the launch.

Music video

Macklemore premiered the music video for "Can't Hold Us" on April 17, 2013. The video was directed by Ryan Lewis, Jason Koenig and Jon Jon Augustavo, and shooting took place for three months, on 2 continents and 16 different shoots, ranging from the Pacific Northwest to Southern California to New Zealand at Cathedral Cove where scenes for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian were also shot. Several prominent parts were filmed on the tall ship Lady Washington.

The video won two MTV Video Music Awards for Best Hip-Hop Video and Best Cinematography, and was nominated for Best Direction and Best Editing. It also was placed at No. 12 on BET Notarized Top 100 in 2013. It was nominated for Best Music Video at the 2014 Grammy Awards.

Oklahoma City Thunder controversy

During the 2013 NBA Playoffs, the Oklahoma City Thunder were using the song "Can't Hold Us" to pump up the crowd during their home games at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Macklemore, a Seattle native and fan of the former Seattle SuperSonics, requested that the Thunder, who moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008, not play the song. The Thunder obliged.

Usage in the media

In May 2012, the song was re-released and featured in an International TV commercial for Miller Genuine Draft, created by the advertising agency me&lewis ideas. In early 2013, the song was used in a U.S. television commercial for Microsoft's Outlook.com webmail service. The song was also used in the background of ESPN College GameDay commercials, the March 2013 premiere episode of MTV's The Real World: Portland, in commercials for the movie R.I.P.D. and in the trailer for the film Grudge Match. It is featured on the soundtrack for the 2013 film on Steve Jobs titled Jobs and the American basketball video games NBA 2K14. And Ubisoft Features On DLC Song Just Dance 2014 On July 2, 2013, mash-up artist DJ Earworm released a summer mash-up, incorporating "Can't Hold Us" with 10 other songs that became popular in summer 2013. In late 2013, the chorus from the song was used in an ad campaign for the opening of the Graton Resort & Casino in Northern California. The song was also used in YouTube's annual Rewind video. The songs segment in the video features YouTube stars, The Slow Mo Guys. Smosh, KassemG, CorridorDigital, Jimmy Kimmel, Freddie Wong, and Macklemore himself accompanied by Grover from Sesame Street. A The song was also used in WWE Raw's 2012 Slammy Awards Show for the Match of the Year Nominations

During 2012 Seattle Seahawks season, the song became the official touchdown song for the team thanks to big fan coach Pete Carroll. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, also big supporters of the Seahawks, performed "Can't Hold Us" along with "Thrift Shop" during the NFC Championship game halftime show at CenturyLink Field on January 19, 2014.

On March 17, 2014 Season 2 Episode 3 of the A&E TV show Bates Motel "Can't Hold Us" was featured in a scene as music in the background.

In 2015, the song was also used in the comedy film Horrible Bosses 2.

The song was also used in the third trailer of Ice Age: Collision Course.

The song was used in an episode of 90210, S5: E12, when Liam was fighting in the gym.

The song is also used in the 2016 film Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life.

Track listing

1. "Can't Hold Us" – 4:10
2. "Can't Hold Us" (instrumental) – 4:10

1. "Can't Hold Us" – 4:10
2. "Make the Money" – 3:45

1. "Can't Hold Us" – 4:10
2. "Wings" – 3:45.

Cover versions

Canadian band *Sumo Cyco covered the song and is main fixture in their live shows.