Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 1

“Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism

Ashley King

Com 420

Regent University

Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 2

Introduction

The issue of gay rights is a prominent topic in our culture today. It has been addressed in movies, television shows, news casts and songs. One song in particular prominently addresses the issue and provides a firm stance on it. The song “Same Love” by Macklemore and Ryan

Lewis. In this critique, we will consider the background and context of the song, apply ideological criticism to answer the research question, what is the ideology manifest in the song

“Same Love”? and provide an interpretation of the rhetoric used to display this ideology.

Description of the Artifact

“Same Love”

The artifact analyzed in this critique is the song “Same Love” written and performed by

Macklemore, Ryan Lewis and Mary Lambert. It debuted on Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s first duo album The Heist in 2012. Other popular songs on the album are “Thrift Shop” and “Can’t

Hold Us”. “Thrift Shop” held the number one spot on “Billboard Hot 100 chart” and “The duo's second single, "Can't Hold Us," reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart as well, making Macklemore

& Ryan Lewis the first duo in music history to have their first two singles reach the top of the pop charts” ("Macklemore. biography," ). “Same Love” raises many issues, most prominently

Gay Rights and has been declared by many a Gay rights anthem. It is a song that calls for equality and human rights.

Context: The Artists

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

Ben Haggerty is Macklemore’s birth name. He was born in 1983 in Seattle, Washington.

Growing up his mother was a social worker who influenced Macklemore to accept the differences found in people ("Macklemore. biography," ). Macklemore took a liking to hip-hop Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 3 and performing at an early age, but during high school began to use and abuse drugs and alcohol.

Macklemore began his career by releasing an EP in 2000 and a full-length album in 2005.

Ryan Lewis was born on March 25, 1998 in Spokane, Washington. In his youth, Lewis developed musical interest, taking up the guitar and media production ("Ryan lewis. biography,"). Lewis and Macklemore connected over Myspace in 2006. The two collaborated creatively, until Macklemore entered rehabilitation in 2008. Once out of rehabilitation,

Macklemore and Lewis teamed up professionally. They released an EP in 2010. Avoiding the traditional record label route, the two independently worked on their album, titled The Heist, which they released in October 2012 ("Macklemore. biography," ). The duo launched an international tour in 2013. When asked about his faith and the amount of times the church is brought up in his music Macklemore states that,

My relationship with God is as strong as the time and energy I put into connecting with

God... I've never been a religious person. I've been a spiritual person since I was about 15,

16, when I was first introduced to Psilocybin [mushrooms]. That really opened me up to

thinking about the universe in a different way, and coming to significant realizations about

my connection to something greater than me (BUYANOVSKY).

The Church is a major factor in the song “Same Love”, but the background and reasoning for that seems to be more from Mary Lambert’s experiences.

Mary Lambert

Mary Lambert, also, a Seattle native, and unlike Macklemore and Lewis, is homosexual.

Lambert grew up in a Pentecostal home where she felt trapped because she struggled with accepting her sexual identity, which she knew was gay. In her teens, Lambert spent most

Sundays after church crying. Eventually at the age of 17, she came out and since has become a Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 4 part of the Evangelical church, both her and her current partner profess to be Christians. Lambert worked on the lyrics of “Same Love” with Macklemore and Lewis. Lambert met the pair through mutual friends in the music community. Lambert performs the female vocals in the song, the chorus and final lines. Lambert’s contribution to the song are words inspired from the experiences of her own life, which are seen prominently in the lyrics (Zepps, Singer Mary

Lambert Expands on "Same Love").

Context: Washington Referendum 74

Washington Referendum 74 was passed on November 7th, 2012. It served to pass a bill that was earlier proposed to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington state ("Washington approves gay," 2012). Macklemore, Lewis and Lambert agreed that the upheaval caused by this referendum made the timing of “Same Love” ideal. Macklemore stated,

I wrote the song in April. Shortly after Obama came out in support of gay marriage. Then

Frank Ocean came out. It seemed like time was of the essence…I knew I wanted to write

the song since 2011, I just couldn't figure out the perspective. The fact that there is an

election coming up in Washington is huge. I know that a large portion of my fan base is

18-25, many of whom have never voted. If the song can get people out to the polls to pass

same-sex marriage in Washington, that is a very beautiful and exciting thing

(BUYANOVSKY).

Following the approval of Referendum 74 three others states made prominent decisions regarding gay marriage. Maine legalized gay marriage, as well as Maryland and Minnesota denied a change that would make same sex marriages illegal ("Washington approves gay,"

2012). The time was ideal for “Same Love” to be released amidst the rising and discussion of its’ most prominent issue. Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 5

Method: Ideological Criticism

Ideological criticism will be used in this critique for the song “Same Love”. Ideological criticism is employed when a rhetorical critic is seeking to look “beyond the surface structure of an artifact to discover the beliefs, values, and assumptions it suggests (Foss, 2009). According to

Sonja Foss, “An ideology is a pattern of beliefs that determines a group’s interpretations of some aspect (s) of the world” (Foss, 2009). This method goes beneath the surface of an artifact to interpret the deeper meaning of the rhetor. Ideological criticism is a tool for the critic to determine the rhetor’s view on culture, politics, social and economic ideas. Discovering their view on these particular facets of life helps the critic to determine the worldview of the rhetor.

Worldview, defined for the purpose of this explanation, is a conception of the world or the lens in which a particular person or group sees and therefore interacts with the world. According to

Foss, “beliefs…compromise an ideology” which “serve as the foundation for the knowledge, attitudes, motives, and predilections of groups that adhere to [a particular]… ideology” (Foss,

2009). Foundational to this method of criticism “is the idea that multiple ideologies- multiple patterns of belief- exist in any culture and have the potential to be manifest in rhetorical artifacts”

(Foss, 2009).

The process of finding these foundational beliefs is outlined by Sonja Foss in four steps.

The first step is “Identifying presented elements” (Foss, 2009). This step includes looking at the

“rhetorical content and form of the artifact” to determine what ideology they point to. Foss says that in this step, “the critic seeks to identify the assumptions or premises behind the artifact that constitutes its ideology” (Foss, 2009). The critic is essentially noting the “observable aspects” of an artifact and noting them. In a written artifact, such as the one analyzed in this critique, these features may be, “major arguments, types of evidence, images, particular terms, or metaphors” Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 6

(Foss, 2009). Ideological criticism can be focused on a particular topic within an artifact and this first step of identification should focus on elements related to that topic.

The second step is to identify the suggested elements. In this step the critic looks at the presented elements found in the first step to determine the “ideas, references, themes, allusions or concepts that are suggested by the presented elements” (Foss, 2009). The purpose is to identify their meaning that leads to the foundation for an ideology. From these steps, the critic moves to the third, which is to formulate an ideology. Foss explains that, “In the third step of ideological criticism, the critic groups the suggested elements into categories and organizes them into a coherent framework that constitutes the ideology you suggest is implicit in your artifact”

(Foss, 2009). This process allows the critic to determine what ideas or beliefs cluster most of the elements in an artifact. Lastly, the critic delves into the function of this ideology. Foss labels this step, “Identifying the Functions Served by the Ideology” (Foss, 2009). In this step the critic is determining what the rhetor wants the audience to believe or see through their artifact.

Essentially, the critic is determining what function the artifact serves for the audience and the rhetor.

Analysis

Next, this section will answer the research question, what is the ideology manifest in the song “Same Love”? “Same Love” articulates an ideology of acceptance of homosexuals and unacceptance for intolerance or hate towards homosexuals. It also suggests that homosexuals have no need to change, but rather the society that does not accept them needs to. It boasts in the power of the individual to rise up and cause change and portrays division as easier than reconciliation. These views are founded in a belief in the need for absolute freedom for all humans, which begins to look like moral relativism from the following analysis. The song Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 7 portrays homosexuality as an upright and acceptable lifestyle, while it condemns those who disagree.

Unacceptable Intolerance and Hate

Although the idea presented through the song “Same Love” that homosexuality is acceptable is vital to the presented ideology, the concept of intolerance and hate is even more vital and prevalent in the song. The writers focus most on what is going wrong with the interaction between society and homosexuals, placing the blame on society and a large part on the Church, in a sense, condemning anyone who disagrees with them. The overwhelming focus on the hate and rejection found in the song potentially could be a rhetorical device to parallel the amount of hate, rather than love or acceptance in society for homosexuals.

From the suggested elements of the song, pertaining to how society interacts with homosexuals, there is a high focus on the ideas of ignorance and fear. The concept of ignorance is seen in the presented elements of the “preconceived idea” of gay presented in the first section of the song. This is meant to draw on the stereotypes and characteristics that people place on homosexuals. Also, the reference to the Bible in the lines, “And God loves all his children is somehow forgotten, But we paraphrase a book written thirty-five hundred years ago” directly blames the Church for ignorance and suggests that the Church misinterprets scripture (“Same

Love”). Another presented element that furthers the idea of ignorance in society is the lines,

“The right wing conservatives think it’s a decision, And you can be cured with some treatment and religion, Man-made rewiring of a predisposition, Playing God… (“Same Love”). These lines suggest that homosexuality is not a decision, it can not be cured, and one cannot be predisposed to it like a disease. The writers here are providing the reader or listener with the correct information, in their view, and telling what is wrong. The chorus that says, “I can’t change, Even Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 8 if I tried, Even if I wanted to” provides the listener with somewhat of a personal testimony to the truth that the writers are sharing.

There is also the idea of fear presented in the song. This fear is associated with society fearing what it does not know, and that ties back in with the concept of ignorance. The writers first present fear in the lines, “America the brave still fears what we don’t know” and again in the lines, “It’s the same hate that’s caused wars from religion, Gender to skin color, the complexion of your pigment , The same fight that led people to walk outs and sit in (“Same Love”). This presentation of fear is associated with fear of people who are different than you. In the Civil

Rights Movements and before, many argue that fear feeds racism and here the writers are saying that the fear or unacceptance of homosexuals is one in the same with the rejection of “colored people” or women during the suffrage movement. The writer’s purpose in linking ignorance and fear with society is to show that society is the one that needs to change, not homosexuals.

Movement

The writers focus on a change that needs to happen. This change is only possible if society sees their error and accepts homosexuals and promotes equal human rights for all. The writers want to see a movement of change and freedom, not for homosexuals, but for all people who are in the wrong mindset. The strongest plea for this concept is the association with the civil rights movement, though there are still people today who believe that there is a hierarchy of race, the general population agrees that all men were created equal in regards to race and a major part of that change was the Civil Rights Movement. The writers wish to see the same kind of movement rise up for the equality of homosexuals. This concept is presented in the following lines, “It’s the same hate that’s caused wars from religion, Gender to skin color, the complexion of your pigment, The same fight that led people to walk outs and sit ins, It’s human rights for Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 9 everybody, there is no difference!” (“Same Love”). In these lines the writers say that this oppression of a particular group of people is the same kind of oppression our nation has seen since it was founded, and just like the other movements this movement must continue and progress. They also say, “When everyone else is more comfortable remaining voiceless, Rather than fighting for humans that have had their rights stolen…No freedom till we’re equal, damn right I support it” (“Same Love”). Here we see the writer’s view of power. Currently, society has power over people being oppressed and the writers suggest ways to rise up and grasp the power that each of us actually possesses to cause change. In fact they write, “We press play, don’t press pause, Progress march on, with the veil over our eyes…No law is gonna change us,

We have to change us…Strip away the fear, Underneath it’s all the same love, about time that we raised up…sex” and in these lines is the call to action, the movement that Macklemore, Lewis and Lambert want a blind society to see.

Homosexuality is Acceptable

Through the articulation of the previous two points, the acceptability of homosexuality is portrayed. The portrayal of how society is in the wrong and the need for change in itself deems homosexuality acceptable in the song. But the important vital piece of the ideology presented is that the laws or legalization of marriage is not the main issue, it is our mindsets and beliefs within ourselves. The song reads, “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 is gonna change us, We have to change us…” (“Same Love”). Here we see that the writers believe power does not reside with the government or laws, but within each of us to choose to believe the truth and remove any veil that covers our eyes to it. The last lines of the song read,

“I’m not crying on Sundays, Love is patient, love is kind” (“Same Love”). This is a testimony of Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 10

Lambert, who shares in her story that growing up she often cried every Sunday because the message the Church presented her and the knowledge that she was homosexual caused her turmoil and hurt. The one simple line of no longer crying on Sundays is a testimony that the hate and judgment found today in society against homosexuals can be overcome. The following lines,

“Love is patient, love is kind” are a reference to often quoted text in 1 Corinthians 13, which is a plea to society to practice this true love, and potentially an association with the hypocrisy that the church does not follow this scripture in regards to homosexuals. But, the writers present our responsibility as a society that is we need to change, not the homosexuals that are being oppressed, nothing is wrong with their mind, but there is something wrong with ours. That is the underlying belief to the ideology presented in the song “Same Love”.

Interpretation

Macklemore, Lewis and Lambert bring up important issues, for the sake of this critique, we will look at a few and offer interpretations for the rhetoric used. First, there is the issue of equality and the very vague presentation of it. The line “It’s human rights for everybody, there is no difference!” (“Same Love”) shows the vague concept of freedom and equality that Macklemore presents. Not only is this concept of equality vague, but it is very relativistic. What about murderers and rapists? If there is a call to freedom with no difference between anyone where do we draw the line in society and on what grounds do we even make laws? The writer’s ideology shines through the artifact here, calling the audience to march for freedom for all, but on passion and hype rather than critically thinking through it. Within this is also the rather vague definition of rights. Three lines in the lyrics read, “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” (“Same Love”). Jimmy Schambach warns in an article regarding the song that, Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 11

“the constant redefinition of rights results in the abolition of rights. The annihilation of rights…” and that Macklemore “opts for a general definition of rights, one that only further obscures what rights really mean” (Schambach, 2013).

Second, the song very blatantly attacks the Church and makes rather bold generalizations about its people. This creates a divide between people groups and I think that is a major concern of the impact of the ideology and rhetoric of the song. Schambach writes, the process of reconciliation results not from generalizations, the watering down of people’s arguments or by a witty and creative rap song. Reconciliation occurs when people are committed first and foremost to each other and our plight on this earth” (Schambach, 2013). And from this song, rather than reconciliation or the unification of people, the writers portray the need for a further divide. This will create even more difficulties in coming to an agreement about major issues such as gay rights.

The vague ideas presented in the lyrics begin to show moral relativism traits and show that the lyrics, while catchy and relevant, provide a cheap life philosophy. The writers dare to dive into major issues and implore the audience to jump blindly with them. The change that needs to happen in our society will begin from much more stable means than a popular pop song.

The song is an anthem for people who are on the fence, deciding whether they support gay rights or not, or accept gay people or not or even people who have not decided if its okay for them to be gay. The song seems to be an anthem for change and full of power, but many in the

LGBT community were not excited over a straight man declaring an anthem for them. Tyler

Coates writes in an article that, ‘Same Love’ is Acceptance for Dummies, essentially, a song for those who need to be told by one of their own that those who are different from them are human beings, too, and deserving of the same respect as anyone else (Coates, 2013). Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 12

The final point to look at in this interpretation is the line, “And I can’t change, Even if I tried, Even if I wanted to” (“Same Love”). This line is an argument presented by the writers as to why Homosexuality should be acceptable. But Michael J. Kruger in an article concerning the song writes, “In the end, the “I can’t change” argument is not an argument. Whether someone feels inclined towards a behavior or even trapped by a behavior has nothing to do with whether it is a moral behavior” (Kruger, 2013). Someone may feel trapped as an alcoholic or a rapist, but that argument is unconcerned with the acceptance of something as moral or not.

Also, the appeal in the last few lines to scripture is very shaky. The lyrics read, “Love is patient, Love is Kind” (“Same Love”). Which comes from 1 Corinthians 13:4, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant…” (The Holy Bible, 2001). These characteristics are employed in this song to appeal to the audience that is rejecting homosexuals to suggest that they are not patient and kind. And it is interesting that the writers, after saying

“And God loves all his children, is somehow forgotten, But we paraphrase a book written thirty- five hundred years ago” (“Same Love”) would appeal to the bible out of context. The Anchor

Bible Commentary on 1 Corinthians regarding love in this passage reads,

It is patient- willing to receive slights, injuries, and hardships without complaint, even

over a long period of time. It is kind; it eases another person’s pain, soothes anxieties, fears,

and hostilities, and contributes positively to the happiness of others. The root word occurs

in the Gospels…and suggests that kindness is characteristic of God, is a concern to

eliminate suffering and increase joy (Orr, W. F., & Walther, 1976).

Through this commentary we see how the verse is supposed to be applied and how true patience and kindness is a trait of God and can only be reflected through knowing Him. Therefore, the use of this verse seems misguided in the song. The ideology presented in “Same Love” boils down to Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 13 acceptance and equality for all, but it is presented on a thin foundation. It is catchy and certainly has sparked a conversation, but as for changing the minds of its listeners? Probably not, after all its’ target audience is the society that does not accept or judges the LGBT community, and they are probably not listening to it.

Conclusion

To conclude, there is an ideology manifest in the song “Same Love”, it is one of universal acceptance for homosexuals and boasts human rights for all. The foundation in the song for this ideology is shaken and the arguments made are not very solid. The analysis and interpretation of this paper can serve future rhetors and critics. While pop songs can hold an ideology, they are not the most conducive means to argue a deeply moral and ethical issue, especially in a vague and extremely overarching way. “Same Love” brings up important and relevant issues, but the change that the writers want will not be sparked by this song, much more communication on both sides of the issue need to happen. And in that more effective rhetoric needs to be used than what is found in “Same Love”

Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 14

References BUYANOVSKY, D. (n.d.). Macklemore & ryan lewis find clarity. Retrieved from

http://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/macklemore-ryan-lewis-the-heist/

Coates, T. (2013, August 27). Queer rapper le1f speaks out against macklemore: Why “same

love” doesn’t speak for the lgbt community. Flavorwire: Music, Retrieved from

http://flavorwire.com/412156/queer-rapper-le1f-speaks-out-against-macklemore-why-

same-love-doesnt-speak-for-the-lgbt-community/

Foss, S. (2009). Rhetorical criticism:exploration and practice. (4 ed.). Long Grove, IL:

Waveland Pres, Inc.

Kruger, M. J. (2013, August 26). [Web log message]. Retrieved from

http://michaeljkruger.com/macklemores-same-love-and-the-incoherence-of-postmodern-

morality/

Macklemore. biography. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/macklemore-

21277565

Macklemore lyrics: Same love lyrics. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.metrolyrics.com/same-

love-lyrics-macklemore.html

Orr, W. F., & Walther, J. A. (1976). 1 corinthians. In The Anchor Bible. Garden City, New York:

Doubleday & Company, INC.

Ryan lewis. biography. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/ryan-lewis-

21277603

Schambach, J. (2013, August 30). Same love, same story: On macklemore and the

other. Theomag: Entertainment, Retrieved from http://www.theomag.com/2013/08/same-

love-same-story-on-macklemore-and-the-other/ Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 15

Washington approves gay marriage in referendum 74 vote (update). (2012, November 07). The

Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/washington-

referendum-74-gay-marriage_n_2050539.html

(2001). The holy bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Illinois : Crossway

Zepps, J. (Performer). (2013, July 30). Singer Mary Lambert Expands on "Same Love" [Web

Video]. Retrieved from http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/singer-mary-lambert-

expands-on-same-love/51f2dd6078c90a3edc0005aa

Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 16

“Same Love” Lyrics by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

[Verse 1: Macklemore] 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" Trippin', 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 a little league" A pre-conceived idea of what it all meant For those who 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 35 hundred years ago Don't know

[Hook: Mary Lambert] 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 [x4]

[Verse 2: Macklemore] 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 sayin' Our culture founded from oppression Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 17

Yeah, we don't have acceptance for 'em Call each other faggots Behind the keys of a message board A word routed 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 and skin color Complexion of your pigment The same fight that lead 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 And that Holy Water That you soak in Is then 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

[Hook: Mary Lambert] 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 [x4]

[Verse 3: Macklemore] We press play Don't press pause Progress, march on! With a veil over our eyes Running head: “Same Love” Critiqued Through Ideological Criticism 18

We turn our back on the cause 'Till the day That my uncles can be united by law Kids are walkin' around the hallway Plagued by pain in their heart A world so hateful Someone 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

[Hook: Mary Lambert] 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 [x4]

[Outro: Mary Lambert] Love is patient, love is kind Love is patient (not cryin' on Sundays) Love is kind (not crying on Sundays) [x5]