Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Growing Up (Sloane's Song) feat. Ed Sheeran

I wish that I could say that I was in a “better place” when I found out the news. It would make for a far more polished and respectable story. But I think back to that night: praying on the floor at 2am as Tricia went to the bathroom to take the pregnancy test I’d just purchased from Walgreens. I was scared. Scared to start working on new music. Scared of trying again and failing. Scared of the process of staring at myself through a page and seeing someone that I wasn’t proud of. Someone that I didn’t like. Someone that wasn’t ready to be a dad.

I’ve always had some make-believe image in my head of who I would be as a father. I held on to clear expectations of where I wanted be in my career, my age, my level of self-care, and my maturity. I basically assumed that I'd have it all together. But in actuality the hypothetical “dad" version of me looked completely different than the man whose heart was beating out of his chest on the carpet, praying to a god or spirit I hadn’t talked to in months. When Tricia walked out of the bathroom, I knew. And I knew I had to change.

5 months later we were recording in a remote cabin away from the density that is Seattle. I was finally having fun in the studio for the first time in years. Songs were getting made, finally. I was going back to the city once a week to attend a birthing class with Tricia. When I got back to the cabin the next day, Ryan had made a new beat that would eventually become the song you’re listening to. Half of it is advice about growing up. The other half is trying to figure out how to grow up myself.

When you try to escape yourself, life has an interesting way of creating situations that force you to come back. To look at who you are. This is why “Growing up” felt like the right song to re-emerge with. It’s where I’ve been the last year, through all the ups and downs. We didn’t want to do a big campaign or anything over the top with this. We just wanted to put out good music, directly to the people that have been here since the beginning. Thank you for your patience. Hope you enjoy.

And if you’re wondering…

Our daughter, Sloane Ava Simone Haggerty was born 2 months ago on May 29th. There is nothing like the joy and happiness that comes from bringing a baby into this universe. She has filled my heart in ways that I never knew were possible. She is the love of my life. This song is for her.

- Ben

Performed by Macklemore
Produced by Ryan Lewis
Featuring Ed Sheeran

Written by: B. Haggerty; R. Lewis; E. Sheeran; J. Karp; O. Arunga; J. Rawlings

Bass by Joshua "Budo" Karp
Piano by Joshua Rawlings and Joshua "Budo" Karp
Guitar by Ryan Lewis and Joshua "Budo" Karp
Trumpet by Owuor Arunga
Trombone by Greg Kramer
Vibraphone by Susan Pascal
Group Vocals by Deshe' Brooks, Tanisha Brooks, Sherri Charleston, Josephine Howell, Dana Jackson, Karma Johnson, Russell Leonce, Shaunyce Omar, Sally Reavis, Austin Rickel, Francisca Shaw, Maelu Strange and Liah Walker

Mixed by Jon Castelli
Mastered by Dale Becker
Engineered by Stephen Hogan
Assistant Engineered by Dave West (London Bridge Studios) and Scott Cedarholm (Avast Studios)
Engineer for mix Ryan Nasci

Macklemore Publishing (BMI)
Ryan Lewis Publishing (BMI)
Gutterfunk (ASCAP)
Arunga Music (BMI)
Joshua Rawlings (ASCAP)

Ed Sheeran Limited and Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK)
Ed Sheeran appears courtesy of Asylum Records UK Ltd

© 2015 Macklemore, LLC. All rights reserved.

[angelo]

eminem = rap into music
macklemore = poem into music

[skissors]

"The quickest way to happiness: learning to be selfless. Ask more questions, talk about yourself less." Damn I love these lyrics.

[seashell]

I can't listen to this song without crying. I have a 2 year old son & his dad has been away studying since baby was 6 months old. We are miles apart and he only comes home once every few months as it is too expensive. We make the sacrifice for our child so his dad can get a good qualification and give him a good life. Its tough but we make it work. My partner sent me the link to this song a week after he first left & it broke me! The line your momma is the toughest person i know really got me as my partner has said that to me before, that im tough & we can get thro the separation. I actually messaged Macklemore to thank him for this beautiful song, not that he'll ever see it but i felt better having sent it 😍

[neeyowm]

This was one of my mums favourite songs 💙
Fly high Mummy 15/10/74 -7/9/18 😭😭

[birdswindows]

"Find something that you love and do it everyday. Do that for the rest of your life, and eventually the world will change" even now, in August 2016 I still love the message behind this song.

[JakeRichandAnnaChah]

Reasons why Macklemore is in my Top5: Relatable. Doesn't rap about guns & hoes. Tells it how it is. Keeps it real. Speaks from his heart. Can't wait for this new album brother!!

[LayBubbleTwubblePand]

One of my favourite lines " the quickest way to happiness, is learning to be selfless ask more questions and talk about yourself less"

[thebobbydshow]

I sit here listening to this song thinking about my son that's about to come into this world. I can't wait to be a dad and I hope I can be the dad that my son needs me to be. This song really hits home. I want to be strict but at the same time forgiving of those dumb kid mistakes. I can't wait. People may say Macklemore isn't the best, but he's the only rapper that can make think, laugh, get pumped up and cry all on one album. That's talent

[josieguernsey]

After hearing this I honestly changed. I be decided tomorrow Imma compliment my mum instead of yell and argue. It's not much but hey, it's a start.

[ellalerch]

They say boys don't cry
But your dad has shed a lot of tears
They say I should be a strong man
But baby, I'm still filled with fear
Sometimes I don't know who I am
Sometimes I question why I'm here
I just wanna be a good dad
Will I be I have no idea
They say girls shouldn't be tough
And moms should raise their kids at home
But baby, I know that that isn't true
'Cause your momma's the toughest person I know
I wanna raise you to be like her
And watch you show the world how to do it on your own
I'm still tryna figure out who I am
I don't wanna mess this up or do this wrong
I'm gonna be there for your first breath
I don't know if I'll be there for your first step
I can promise you that I'll try to work less
But the tour's routed, and I got this album
Put in so many hours, and I just want the outcome
To be something that I can look back and I can be proud of
Don't wanna be a dad that's living in FaceTime
But I've got a world to sing to and you at the same time
I won't spoil you, you can trust that
For your sweet sixteen, you get a bus pass
Had your heart broken, been there, done that
I love you and I can't give you enough of that
Get back to community that raised you up
Read Langston Hughes, I suggest A Raisin in the Sun
Listen to Sam Cooke, a change gon' come
You put the work in, don't worry about the praise, my love
Don't try to change the world, find something that you love
And do it every day
Do that for the rest of your life
And eventually, the world will change
I'll be patient, one more month
You'll wrap your fingers round my thumb
Times are changing, I know, but who am I if
I'm the person you become
If I'm still growing up, up, up, up
I'm still growing up, up, up, up
I'm still growing up
I recommend that you read The Alchemist
Listen to your teachers, but cheat in calculus
Tell the truth, regardless of the consequence
And every day, give your momma a compliment
Take your girl to the prom
But don't get too drunk hanging out the limo
Slow dance with your woman in your arms
Sneak her in after but boy, you better tiptoe
Don't wake your mom up, do yoga, learn 'bout karma
Find God, but leave the dogma
The quickest way to happiness learning to be selfless
Ask more questions, talk about yourself less
Study David Bowie, James Baldwin and 2Pac
Watch the sun set with best friends from a rooftop
Wear a helmet, don't be stupid, jaywalk, but look before you do it
If it snows, go outside, build a jump, get some help
Get a sled, thrash the hill with your friends, 'til it melts
Go to festivals, camp, fall in love and dance
You're only young once, my loved one, this is your chance
Take risks, 'cause life moves so fast
You're only young once, my loved one, this is your chance
I'll be patient, one more month
You'll wrap your fingers round my thumb
Times are changing, I know, but who am I
If I'm the person you become
If I'm still growing up, up, up, up
I'm still growing up, up, up, up
I'll be patient, one more month
You'll wrap your fingers round my thumb
Times are changing, I know, but who am I
If I'm the person you become
If I'm still growing up, still growing up, still growing up
If I'm still growing up, still growing up, still growing up
If I'm still growing up
I'm still growing up, ooh
I'm still growing up
I'm still growing up

[nathalia]

I dunno how many stays came here, but thankfully Felix reminded us how amazing this song is

[Christian-vowp]

This song hits the nail on the head. I am 28 and going to be a father in February, and I am excited, frightened, happy, anxious, etc. I have a fantastic wife, who also happens to be the toughest person I know. I have a career that is demanding, and I work 70+ hours, and I don't want to be the dad who is absent but at the same time need to maintain the same level of income (if not more) to support my little guy. I guess what I am trying to say is- I cant wait to be a Dad, I hope I am the father my son needs, and Honeygirl, if you read this, you're going to crush it and be a perfect mother to our perfect son.

[thithuhuyenhoang]

I almost cried when i saw the short video of his family at the end. 
The lyric, the message, the beat, the voices, all about them, so beautiful and sweet.

[imboreebyeee]

I love how relatable this song is. My dad passed away in 2013 and I feel like he’s talking me through this song. Especially the “Your mom is the toughest person I know.” It makes you realize how important family is and what they do. My mom is by herself raising 3 kids and I honestly don’t know how she does it

[TheZavinskiStories]

Awesome.  We can always count on Macklemore and Ryan Lewis to make amazing music.

[keonj]

Why does a song like this have a dislike button?

[ypxcyub]

I'm here. Because SKZ's Felix likes this song. Now, I like too.❤️

[filmandfirearms]

I feel like Macklemore and Ryan Tedder are the two most human, most real celebrities in the modern day. I think it's because, like some of the greats of the past, like The Rat Pack, they came from having very little, to having everything, but they did it through hard work and dedication, not through hand outs. They busted their asses, doing everything they could to get where they wanted in life. They are the kind of people America was built by and for, and they're the ones that take full advantage of that today. Macklemore's songs remind me of things my high school PE teacher used to say. Mr Ninnis, if you're reading this, your little speeches every day in class were the only thing I liked about that school. Very little brings a tear to my eye, but these songs come damn close every time. It's beautiful, frankly

[itsskyrocketm]

coming from someone who never really had a father figure growing up, this song hits hard, right in the feels.

[chelseaevans]

"You're only young once, my love, one. This is your chance. Take risks cause life moves so fast. You're only young once, my love, one. This is your chance."