I Need A Doctor
Dr. Dre ft Eminem & Skylar Grey Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Hook: Skylar Grey]
I'm about to lose my mind
You’ve been gone for so long, I’m runnin' outta time
I need a doctor, call me a doctor
I need a doctor, doctor to bring me back to life

[Verse 1: Eminem]
I told the world one day I would pay it back
Say it on tape, and lay it, record it so that one day I could play it back
But I don’t even know if I believe it when I’m sayin' that
Doubts startin' to creep in, every day it's just so grey and black
Hope, I just need a ray of that, cause no one sees my vision
When I play it for ‘em, they just say it's wack, but they don’t know what dope is
And I don’t know if I was awake or asleep when I wrote this
All I know is you came to me when I was at my lowest
You picked me up, breathed new life in me, I owe my life to you
But for the life of me, I don't see why you don't see like I do
But it just dawned on me you lost a son, demons fighting you, it’s dark
Let me turn on the lights and brighten me and enlighten you
I don't think you realise what you mean to me, not the slightest clue
Cause me and you were like a crew, I was like your sidekick
You gon either wanna fight me when I get off this f***in' mic
Or you gon' hug me, but I'm outta options, there's nothin' else I can do cause

[Hook]

[Verse 2: Eminem]
It hurts when I see you struggle, you come to me with ideas
You say they're just pieces, so I’m puzzled, cause the s*** I hear is crazy
But you're either gettin' lazy or you don’t believe in you no more
Seems like your own opinions, not one you can form
Can't make a decision you keep questionin' yourself
Second guessin' and it's almost like your beggin' for my help
Like I’m your leader, you're supposed to f***in' be my mentor
I can endure no more I demand you remember who you are
It was YOU, who believed in me when everyone was tellin'
You don't sign me, everyone at the f***in' label, let's tell the truth
You risked your career for me, I know it as well as you
Nobody wanted to f*** with the white boy, Dre, I’m cryin' in this booth
You saved my life, now maybe it's my turn to save yours
But I can never repay you, what you did for me is way more
But I ain't givin' up faith and you ain't givin' up on me
Get up Dre I'm dyin', I need you, come back for f***’s sake

[Hook]

[Verse 3: Dr. Dre]
It literally feels like a lifetime ago
But I still remember the s*** like it was just yesterday, though
You walked in, yellow jump suit, whole room, cracked jokes
Once you got inside the booth, told you, mic smoke
Went through friends, some of them I put on, but they just left
They said they was ridin' to the death, but where the f*** are they now?
Now that I need them, I don't see none of them
All I see is Slim, f*** all you fair-weather friends, all I need is him
F***in' backstabbers, when the chips were down you just laughed at us
Now you bout to feel the f***in' wrath of Aftermath, faggots
You gon' see us in our lab jackets and ask us where the f*** we been?
You can kiss my indecisive a** crack, maggots
And the crackers' a**, little cracker jack beat
Makin' wack math, backwards producers, I'm back bastards




One more CD and then I’m packin' up my bags and as I’m leavin'
I’ll guarantee they scream, "Dre, don’t leave us like that man!" cause

Overall Meaning

The song I Need A Doctor by Dr. Dre featuring Eminem and Skylar Grey is a powerful and emotional track about the importance of support and friendship during difficult times. The lyrics describe the struggle that Eminem and Dr. Dre have faced in their lives and careers, and how their friendship has been a source of strength and inspiration. The chorus, sung by Skylar Grey, speaks to the desperation that comes when someone is in dire need of help or support, and the hope that a friend or doctor can bring them back to life.


Verse one begins with Eminem expressing his doubts about whether he will ever live up to his own aspirations, and feeling lost and alone in the world. He acknowledges that Dr. Dre has been instrumental in his success and has helped him when he was at his lowest. He continues to express his love and loyalty to Dr. Dre, despite the challenges they have faced, and pledges to always be there for him.


Verse two takes a turn, with Eminem confronting Dr. Dre about his own struggles, doubts, and fears. He urges him to remember who he is and to have faith in himself, as Dr. Dre once did for him. He acknowledges the sacrifices that Dr. Dre has made for him and expresses his gratitude and admiration.


Verse three sees Dr. Dre reflecting on the past, and how he has put his trust and faith in people who have ultimately let him down. He singles out Eminem as the only one who has been there for him through thick and thin, and vows to always stand by him. He expresses his anger and frustration at those who have betrayed him and his crew, and promises to come back stronger than ever.


Overall, I Need A Doctor is a powerful and emotionally charged song that speaks to the importance of support, friendship, and loyalty.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm about to lose my mind
I am becoming overwhelmed with stress and worry.


You’ve been gone for so long, I’m runnin' outta time
Your absence has been prolonged and I feel as if time is running out for me.


I need a doctor, call me a doctor
I require immediate medical attention and assistance to save me from a dire situation.


I need a doctor, doctor to bring me back to life
I need a skilled professional to revive me and provide me with hope and motivation to keep going.


I told the world one day I would pay it back
I made a promise to repay those who helped me when I was struggling.


But I don’t even know if I believe it when I’m sayin' that
I am beginning to doubt my own ability to follow through on my promise.


Doubts startin' to creep in, every day it's just so grey and black
Negative thoughts and feelings are constantly haunting me, making it difficult to see any hope or positivity in my life.


All I know is you came to me when I was at my lowest
I recall how you helped me when I was at my most vulnerable and in need of support.


But it just dawned on me you lost a son, demons fighting you, it’s dark
I have just realized that you have been going through unimaginable pain and personal struggles that I was previously unaware of.


Let me turn on the lights and brighten me and enlighten you
I want to help you overcome these personal demons and help you find hope and light in your life again.


It hurts when I see you struggle, you come to me with ideas
It pains me to see you struggling and coming to me for guidance.


Seems like your own opinions, not one you can form
You seem to be lacking the confidence to form your own opinions and make your own decisions.


Like I’m your leader, you're supposed to f***in' be my mentor
I feel as if you should be the one guiding and mentoring me, not the other way around.


You saved my life, now maybe it's my turn to save yours
You helped me overcome great challenges in my life, and now it's my turn to return the favor and help you.


All I need is him / F***in' backstabbers
Amidst all the deceit and disloyalty from others, all I need is the support and companionship of those who truly care about me.


One more CD and then I’m packin' up my bags
I have decided to retire from music after one more album.


I’ll guarantee they scream, 'Dre, don’t leave us like that man!'
I am confident that my fans will plead for me to continue making music despite my decision to retire.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDRE YOUNG, MARSHALL B III MATHERS, HOLLY B HAFERMANN, ALEXANDER JUNIOR GRANT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@kareemlawson878

this song so emotional they probably cried when they made it

@sadmidniite7640

Kareem Lawson dre for sure did cos he was eazy-e they were friends maybe more than friends

@kareemlawson878

Sweet Dreams 4realll

@YAHAHAMILTON

Kareem Lawson I cried

@devinheida8694

I remember reading somewhere that Skylar Grey did the first time she heard Eminem's verses. the other two, I don't know

@meow-wn7fr

They're brother's.

10 More Replies...

@connorcassey1193

Most of Eminem’s lines were basically about how Dre put faith in him and gave him a chance in a career. Without Dre there would be no Eminem.True legend

@promo2099

Not sure about that because Eminem is really talented and would still be Eminem even without Dre

@misterfancy9528

ProMo have you heard rock bottom?
Dre risked his career for Eminem
If he didn’t he would be a guy with a lame job

@richiepetrol1875

Matter of fact Eminem was at the verge of committing suicide

More Comments

More Versions