"Good Old Days"
Single by Macklemore featuring Kesha
from the album Gemini
ReleasedSeptember 19, 2017 (2017-09-19)
GenrePop
Length4:00
LabelBendo
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
  • Ben Haggerty
  • Kesha Sebert
Producer(s)Budo
Macklemore singles chronology
"Marmalade"
(2017) 		"Good Old Days"
(2017) 		"These Days"
(2018)
Kesha singles chronology
"Praying"
(2017) 		"Good Old Days"
(2017) 		"This Is Me"
(2017)
Music video
"Good Old Days" on YouTube

"Good Old Days" is a song by American rapper Macklemore, featuring American singer-songwriter Kesha. It was written by Macklemore, Kesha, Budo, Andrew Joslyn, Sam Wishkoski and Tyler Andrews, with lyrics written by Macklemore and Kesha and production handled by Budo. Originally released as a promotional single on September 19, 2017, the song was sent to adult contemporary radio in the United States on October 9, 2017, as the third single from Macklemore's second solo studio album, Gemini (2017). As of October 9, 2017, "Good Old Days" has sold 48,000 digital copies in the United States according to Nielsen SoundScan.[1]

Background

On January 18, 2017, Macklemore posted a photo of him and Kesha together on Instagram, hinting at an upcoming collaboration.[2][3] The song first appeared in the track list of Gemini, which was unveiled on August 22, 2017.[4] Macklemore spoke to Rolling Stone about collaborating with Kesha, saying: "Kesha, she is a great spirit. She is someone that I walked into the room and I immediately just caught a vibe with and became friends with pretty instantaneously... She's a musician, she's a writer, she's someone that is not afraid to try ideas in the studio, not afraid to get vulnerable in front of people, not scared to go for the high note when she doesn't know if she can hit it or not. She is a musician in every sense of the word, and she's hilarious." He also revealed that Ryan Lewis facilitated the collaboration. When asked about how he reached out to Kesha, he said: "Well, Ryan had a session with her in Seattle. She was already here. They had already done 'Praying' and they were working on a couple other records that I don't think made her album. She had [an] off day and I hit Ryan and was like, 'Would you mind if I hit up Kesha?' And he was like, 'Of course not.'"[5][6] Kesha said of the song on Twitter: "My new song with Macklemore reminds me of being 16 chasing wild dreams not knowing those moments would be so precious."[7][8]

Critical reception

Caitlin Kelley of Billboard deemed "Good Old Days" a "mellow yet catchy pop song".[9] Mark Braboy of Vibe praised Macklemore for showcasing "his best, introspectively rapping", and Kesha providing "some soul-stirring vocals to make the song hit home".[10] Madeline Roth of MTV News wrote that "the nostalgic track is a stripped-back affair".[11] Alex Ungerman‍ of Entertainment Tonight felt Kesha's voice "soars over a piano ballad that is somehow both somber and uplifting in tone".[12] Peter Berry of XXL thinks that the song is "fueled by piano, sentimentality and the sweet vocals of Kesha".[13] Jon Powell of Respect regarded the song as "a pop ballad-esque cut" and "the perfect record for personal reflection and self-love".[14] Derrick Rossignol of Uproxx called the song a "piano-led pop ballad", and felt Kesha's vocal is beautiful and powerful.[15] Anya Crittenton of Gay Star News described the song as "an emotional tune" that "features a simple piano and drum-filled melody".[16] Aron A. of HotNewHipHop wrote: "Kesha handles the hook with her powerful vocals over a soft and simple piano progression".[17] Lindsay Howard of Variance described the song as an "explicitly nostalgic cut".[18]

Live performances

On September 25, 2017, Macklemore performed "Good Old Days" with Kesha on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[19] They gave their second televised performance of the song at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards on May 20, 2018.[20][21][22]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from YouTube.[23]

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[58] 4× Platinum 280,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[59] Platinum 80,000‡
France (SNEP)[60] Gold 100,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[61] Gold 25,000‡
Netherlands (NVPI)[62] Gold 20,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[63] Gold 15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[64] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[65] 3× Platinum 3,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various[a] September 19, 2017 Digital download Bendo [23]
United States October 9, 2017 Hot adult contemporary radio Macklemore [66]
October 10, 2017 Contemporary hit radio [67]

Notes

  1. ^ Release as a promotional single.

References

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  3. ^ "Macklemore and Kesha have collaborated on a new song - hear 'Good Old Days' now". entertainment.ie. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  4. ^ Mike, Wass (August 22, 2017). "Kesha Features On A New Macklemore Track Called "Good Old Days"". Idolator. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
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  10. ^ Mark, Braboy (September 19, 2017). "Macklemore Calls On Ke$ha To Look Back On The "Good Old Days"". Vibe. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  11. ^ Madeline, Roth (September 19, 2017). "Macklemore And Kesha Air Out Their Regrets On New Song 'Good Old Days'". MTV News. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
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