20 OF EMINEM’S MOST PAINFULLY HONEST LYRICS

Eminem’s technical command of the microphone is undeniable. The speed and precision with which he utters his syllables are enough to already establish him as one of the greatest rappers of all time. With that being said, many Eminem critics have argued that while Slim Shady’s prowess on the mic is impressive, he often doesn’t rap about anything meaningful. This is a critique Eminem is completely aware of, and one he’s pushed back on in his songs multiple times over the course of his career.

On the flip side, Eminem’s Stan’s would argue the Detroit rapper has spit plenty of bars that are moving, heartfelt, earnest and inspiring. Bars that don’t just rely on quick wit. He’s rapped about the estranged relationship with his mother on 2013’s “Headlights.” Em’s reflected on the impact of his drug overdose on 2017’s “Arose.” Slim Shady has even rapped sincerely about how he inappropriately exploited Black culture as a kid on 2004’s “Yellow Brick Road.” Any Em supporter also knows he’s rapped emphatically about his daughters dozens of times over the years, so much so it merited its own list.

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As Eminem prepares to drop off his 12th studio album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coupe de Grâce), XXL has taken a deep dive through some of Em’s honest lyrics from over the years. While Eminem has spit plenty of bars as Slim Shady to showcase his talent and to shock the general public, these are the times the walls came down. This is when fans got to have a peek at the humanity of Marshall Mathers.

These lyrics give Stans a look at how Marshall feels about the state of hip-hop, and how he feels about his relationship with his peers and his family. They demonstrate how he feels about being critiqued and picked apart over the years, and how much pressure he faces being one of the biggest rappers in a generation. Most importantly, they show that he’s not just the diabolical Slim Shady, but that he’s here to inspire and champion those who listen to his music.

Here are 20 of Eminem’s most painfully honest lyrics. Check out the full list below.

See 20 of Eminem’s Most Painfully Honest Lyrics

Vector art with a pair of hands giving a birthday gift with a monster with red eyes inside. Neon illustration of a christmas present with an evil halloween creature.

“Jealousy Woes II”

“I buy you jewelry, you make a fool of me/I bring you diamond rings, you say I’m bad at timin’ things/So what’s a man to do when all I hand to you is handed back to me?”

Starving Famine Hands with Empty Plates and Bowls – Poverty concept

“Rock Bottom”

“My life is full of empty promises and broken dreams/I’m hopin’ things look up, but there ain’t no job openings/I feel discouraged, hungry and malnourished/Livin’ in this house with no furnace, unfurnished.”

exam sheet with F grade, flat design

“As The World Turns”

“We drive around in million dollar sports cars/While little kids hide this tape from their parents like bad report cards/Outsidaz, and we suin’ the courts/’Cause we dope as f**k and only got a two in The Source”

Angry businessman pulling hair icon. Vector. eps10.

“The Way I Am”

“And I just do not got the patience/To deal with these cocky Caucasians who think/I’m some wigger who just tries to be Black ’cause I talk/With an accent and grab on my balls so they always/Keep askin’ the same f**kin’ questions/What school did I go to, what hood I grew up in/The why, the who, what, when, the where and the how/’Til I’m grabbin’ my hair and I’m tearin’ it out”

Movie theater seat with popcorn and drink in dark place, 3d rendering.

“Who Knew”

“And last week I seen this Schwarzenegger movie/Where he’s shootin’ all sorts of these motherf**kers with a Uzi/I see these three little kids up in the front row/Screamin’ ‘Go’ with their 17-year-old uncle/I’m like, guidance?/Ain’t they got the same moms and dads who got mad when I asked if they liked violence?”

CAPITOL

“White America”

“How could I predict my words would have an impact like this?/ I must’ve struck a chord with somebody up in the office/’Cause Congress keep tellin’ me I ain’t causin’ nothin’ but problems/And now they’re sayin’ I’m in trouble with the government/I’m lovin’ it, I shoveled s**t all my life, and now I’m dumpin’ it on”

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“Sing for the Moment”

“We entertainers, of course the s**t’s affectin’ our sales/You ignoramus, but music is reflection of self/We just explain it, and we get our checks in the mail/It’s f**ked up, ain’t it? How we can come from practically nothin’/To bein’ able to have any f**kin’ thing that we wanted”

Family in Heart Icon – Linear Pictogram for United Love. Home and Kinship in Valentine Emblem, Protective Bond and Warmth of Family Vector Design

“Mockingbird”

“Hailie, I know you miss your mom, and I know you miss your dad/When I’m gone, but I’m tryin’ to give you the life that I never had/I can see you’re sad, even when you smile, even when you laugh/I can see it in your eyes, deep inside you wanna cry/’Cause you’re scared, I ain’t there, Daddy’s with you in your prayers”

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“Yellow Brick Road”

“African symbols and medallions represent Black Power/And we ain’t know what it meant, me and my man Howard/And Butter would go to the mall/With ’em all over our necks like we’re showin’ ’em off/Not knowin’ at all we was bein’ laughed at/’You ain’t even half black!/You ain’t ‘posed to have that, homie, let me grab that!/And that Flavor Flav clock, we gon’ have to snatch that!'”

Vector illustration depicts execution problem, karma, bad luck, after effect, repercussion, and consequences.

“When I’m Gone”

“But what happens when karma turns right around to bite you?/And everything you stand for turns on you to spite you?/What happens when you become the main source of her pain?”

A blue pair of shoes as they might be left in the closet; one left untied.

“Beautiful”

“God gave you shoes to fit you/So put ‘em on and wear ‘em/Be yourself man be proud of who you are/Never let anyone tell you you ain’t beautiful.”

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“Going Through Changes”

“Hailie, this one is for you, Whitney and Alaina too/I still love your mother, that’ll never change/Think about her every day, we just could never get it together”

cartoon dangerous pills

“Talkin’ 2 Myself” featuring Kobe Honeycutt—Eminem

“Hit my bottom so hard I bounce twice suffice this time around/It’s different, them last two albums didn’t count/Encore I was on drugs, Relapse I was flushin’ ’em out/I’ve come up to make it up to you no more f**king around/I’ve got something to prove to fans I feel like I let ’em down”

Gods guardian angel in white dress with golden radiance and wings down on black background. Archangels image. Religious concept

“You’re Never Over”

“There wasn’t no way that I was ever gonna leave them babies, and Proof/Not many are lucky enough to have a guardian angel like you/Lord I’m so thankful, please don’t think that I don’t feel grateful, I do/Just grant me the strength that I need, for one more day to get through”

Sorry Speech Bubble Vector Illustration

“Headlights”

“‘Cause to this day we remain estranged, and I hate it though/’Cause you ain’t even get to witness your grandbabies grow/But I’m sorry, momma, for ‘Cleanin’ Out My Closet’/At the time I was angry, rightfully? Maybe so/Never meant that far to take it though”

Many people pointing to the center scolding and shaming publicly, Same target

“Castle”

“I’ve said your name but always tried to hide your face/This game is crazy, I wanted to claim my love for you, but dang/I never knew it’d be like this, if I did I wouldn’t have done it/You ain’t asked for none of this s**t, now you’re being punished?”

Vector illustration of a pair of athletic shoes on an active retro style background

“Arose”

“And, Proof, I’m truly sorry if I let you down, but this tore me in two/The thought of no more me and you/You gave me shoes, Nikes like new for me for school/Doody, I’m trying, but you, you were the glue that binded/So many things, time, I’d give anything to rewind it”

Lil Yachty performs at the Mojave Tent during the 2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 21, 2024 in Indio, California.

“The Ringer”

“I can see why people like Lil Yachty, but not me though/Not even dissin’, it just ain’t for me/All I am simply is just an emcee/Maybe ‘Stan’ just isn’t your cup of tea/Maybe your cup’s full of syrup and lean”

A sketchbook opened on the last page with “The End” written by pencil.

“Stepping Stone”

“A Freudian slip, subconsciously, I honestly wished/I ain’t feel so much guilt and y’all didn’t harbor resentment/But it’s hard to pretend that y’all ain’t got none/I just wish I had words, but I guess there just are none for this/To my partners, I can’t say how sorry I am/This is not how I planned for our story to end/I love all of you men/But I just can’t be the guy everybody depends/On for entire careers ’cause that’s not even fair”

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“Premonition – Intro”

“But then when I put out Revival and I had something to say/They said that they hated the awake me/I lose the rage, I’m too tame/I get it back, they say I’m too angry/I need to get me some Dre beats/No, I should hook up with Tay Keith/Fans keep on pulling me one way/Haters pull me in another”