Meaning of "Good Old Days" by Macklemore

The meaning of "Good Old Days" centers around the idea of appreciating the present moment and cherishing the memories that will eventually become nostalgic. Macklemore reminisces about his early days as a struggling underground artist, longing for the simplicity and passion of that time. He reflects on the fleeting nature of time and the tendency to idealize the past, wishing he had embraced his youth more fully and worried less about the future or others' opinions. The song encourages listeners to value the current experiences and relationships in their lives because one day they will look back and realize that those were the "good old days." Macklemore also touches on the importance of self-acceptance and not being weighed down by regrets or external judgments. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing and bittersweet nostalgia, expressing a universal sentiment of how time transforms and shapes our perspectives.