The Monster
Eminem/Rihanna Lyrics

I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
I have accepted and made peace with the inner turmoil and darker parts of my psyche

Get along with the voices inside of my head
I have learned to coexist with my own mental struggles and mental illness

You're tryin' to save me, stop holding your breath
The people who care about me should stop trying to change me and just accept me for who I am

And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy (crazy)
I acknowledge that my actions and behavior may be labeled as 'crazy' by others but I am accepting of that fact

I wanted the fame but not the cover of Newsweek
I desired success in my music career but did not anticipate or want the intense media scrutiny that comes with it

Oh well, guess beggars can't be choosey
I understand that sometimes we have to accept the less-than-ideal consequences of our decisions

Wanted to receive attention for my music
I craved recognition for my artistic ability

Wanted to be left alone in public, excuse me
I desired privacy while still being in the public eye

For wantin' my cake, and eat it too, and wantin' it both ways
I wanted to have the best of both worlds - fame and success, as well as privacy and normalcy

Fame made me a balloon 'cause my ego inflated
My fame caused me to become arrogant and egotistical

When I blew, see, but it was confusing
When I finally achieved fame, it was overwhelming and difficult to navigate

'Cause all I wanted to do's be the Bruce Lee of loose leaf
I just wanted to be the best at my craft

Abused ink, used it as a tool when I blew steam (ooh)
I often turned to writing and music to vent my frustrations and express my emotions

Hit the lottery, ooh-wee
When I achieved success, it felt like I had won the jackpot

But with what I gave up to get, it was bittersweet
I made sacrifices in my personal life to achieve professional success, and it came at a cost

It was like winnin' a used mink
Although I had achieved a level of success, it wasn't exactly what I had hoped for or imagined

Ironic 'cause I think I'm gettin' so huge I need a shrink
Despite achieving success, I am still plagued by personal problems and struggles with mental health

I'm beginnin' to lose sleep, one sheep, two sheep
I am struggling with insomnia and not sleeping well

Going coo-coo and kooky as Kool Keith
I feel like I am losing my mind and becoming unhinged

But I'm actually weirder than you think, 'cause I'm
Despite being labeled as 'crazy' by others, I am still unique and have my own quirks

Now, I ain't much of a poet
I don't consider myself to be particularly skilled at writing lyrics

But I know somebody once told me to seize the moment
I have heard and taken to heart the advice to live in the present and make the most of every opportunity

And don't squander it
I understand the importance of not wasting my opportunities or taking them for granted

'Cause you never know when it all could be over tomorrow
Life is unpredictable and can end suddenly, so it's important to make the most of every day

So I keep conjurin'
I continue to write and create music, even in difficult times

Sometimes I wonder where these thoughts spawn from
I am sometimes surprised by the content of my own lyrics and thoughts

Yeah, ponderin'll do you wonders
Reflecting on my own thoughts and emotions has been beneficial for me in terms of personal growth and healing

No wonder you're losing your mind, the way it wanders
It's no surprise that I struggle with mental illness given how my mind often wanders and becomes fixated on negative thoughts

Yodel-odel-ay-hee-hoo
A nonsensical exclamation, perhaps indicating frustration or distraction

I think it went wanderin' off down yonder
My thoughts and attention have wandered elsewhere and become unfocused

And stumbled onto Jeff VanVonderen
A reference to a television interventionist, suggesting that I am in need of an intervention to address my problems

'Cause I need an interventionist
I recognize that I need help and support to overcome my struggles

To intervene between me and this monster
The 'monster' in this case refers to my inner turmoil and mental illness, and I need someone to help me confront and overcome it

And save me from myself and all this conflict
I am in conflict with my own thoughts and behaviors, and need someone to rescue me from this internal struggle

'Cause the very thing that I love's killing me
My pursuit of music and success, while fulfilling, is also contributing to my inner turmoil and problems

And I can't conquer it
Despite my efforts, I am unable to overcome my struggles alone

My OCD is conkin' me in the head, keep knockin'
My OCD is causing me great distress and making it difficult to function

Nobody's home, I'm sleepwalkin'
I feel lost and directionless, as if I am going through the motions without truly engaging with my life

I'm just relayin' what the voice in my head's sayin'
My lyrics and thoughts are a reflection of my inner struggles and the voice in my head that I am trying to contend with

Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just friends with the
I am not responsible for my mental illness or inner turmoil, and am only trying to express it through my music

Call me crazy, but I have this vision
Despite my struggles, I still have hope and a vision for what I want to achieve

One day that I'll walk amongst you a regular civilian
I hope to one day live a normal, everyday life without the intense scrutiny or pressure of fame

But until then, drums get killed and
For now, I will continue to create and release music at a high level

I'm comin' straight at MC's, blood gets spilled and
I am still a highly competitive and skilled rapper, and will not hesitate to challenge other artists if necessary

I'll take it back to the days that I'd get on a Dre track
I will draw on my past successes and collaborations with Dr. Dre to continue propelling my career forward

Give every kid who got played that pumped-up feelin'
I hope to inspire and empower other young people who, like me, may have struggled with mental illness or other challenges

And shit to say back to the kids who played him
I want to give other young people a voice and a sense of empowerment to stand up against their own struggles and challenges

I ain't here to save the fuckin' children
I am not trying to act as a savior or hero to anyone else, but simply using my platform to tell my own story

But if one kid out of a hundred million
Even if I only reach and inspire one young person, it will still be worth it to me

Who are going through a struggle feels it and relates, that's great
If my music can help someone else who is struggling with mental health or other issues, that is all the validation I need

It's payback, Russell Wilson
A reference to football player Russell Wilson, suggesting that I am seeking revenge or justice in some way

Falling way back in the draft
A metaphor for feeling overlooked or underrated

Turn nothin' into somethin', still can
Despite facing challenges and setbacks, I am still capable of creating something meaningful and successful

Make that, straw into gold, chump, I will spin
I am capable of turning even the most meager or difficult circumstances into something valuable and beautiful through my music

Rumpelstiltskin in a haystack
A reference to the fairytale character Rumpelstiltskin, who could spin straw into gold

Maybe I need a straight jacket, face facts
Acknowledging my own mental illness and the potential need for professional help or medication

I am nuts for real, but I'm okay with that
Accepting and embracing my own mental illness as a part of who I am

It's nothin', I'm still friends with the
Despite any struggles or challenges, I am at peace with my own inner turmoil and mental illness