Melodically and thematically similar to Curtis Mayfield’s “Pusherman”:
On this topic, in Angry Blonde Em wrote:
"It’s funny cause I didn’t get the idea from Mayfield’s song. I got it from Ice-T’s “Power” record. I didn’t know Ice got it from “Pusherman.” I used the melody but changed the words."
In his 2000 book Angry Blonde Eminem revealed:
"This is a song I wrote in Kim’s upstairs apartment. Oh, the memories. I originally wrote this to one of Sade’s tracks [“Turn My Back on You”]. I thought of the bass line and we made the song. I already had the rhyme written, so we did the track to the rhyme. Then I kind of fucked with Curtis Mayfield’s “Pusherman”. It’s funny ‘cause I didn’t get the idea from Mayfield’s song. I got it from Ice-T’s “Power” record. I didn’t know Ice got it from “Pusherman”. I used the melody, but I changed the words."
I'm Shady
Eminem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Told you how to slap dicks and murder your girl (I did!)
Gave you all the finger and told you to sit and twirl
Sold a billion tapes and still screamed, "Fuck the world!"
(I'm Slim Shady) so come and kill me while my name's hot
And shoot me twenty-five times in the same spot (ow!)
I think I got a generation brainwashed
To pop pills and smoke pot 'til they brains rot (uh-oh)
I need a pain shot, and a shot of plain scotch
Purple haze and acid raindrops
Spike the punch at the party and drink pop (gulp gulp)
Shaved my armpits and wore a tank top
Bad Boy, I told you that I can't stop
You gotta make 'em fear you 'fore you make 'em feel you
So everybody buy my shit or I'm a come and kill you
I got mushrooms, I got acid, I got tabs and aspirin tablets
I'm your brother when you need, some good weed to set you free
You know me, I'm your friend, when you need a mini-thin
(I'm Slim Shady) I'm Shady!
I like happy things
I'm really calm and peaceful (uh-huh huh)
I like birds, bees, I like people
I like funny things
That make me happy and gleeful (he he he)
Like when my teacher sucked my wee-wee in preschool (woo!)
The ill type, I stab myself with a steel spike
While I blow my brain out, just to see what it feels like
'Cause this is how I am in real life (mm-hm)
I don't want to just die a normal death, I wanna be killed twice (uh-huh)
How you gonna scare somebody with a gun threat
When they high off of drugs they haven't even done yet (huh?)
So bring the money by tonight, cause your wife
Said this the biggest knife she ever saw in her life (help me! Help me!)
I try to keep it positive and play it cool
Shoot up the playground and tell the kids to stay in school (stay in school!)
'Cause I'm the one they can relate to and look up to better
Tonight I think I'll write my biggest fan a fuck you letter
I got mushrooms, I got acid, I got tabs and aspirin tablets
I'm your brother when you need, some good weed to set you free
You know me, I'm your friend, when you need a mini-thin
(I'm Slim Shady) I'm Shady!
I listen to your demo tape and act like I don't like it
(Aw that shit is wack!)
Six months later you hear your lyrics on my shit
(What? That's my shit!)
People don't buy shit no more they just dub it
That's why I'm still broke and had the number one club hit (yup, uh huh)
But they love it when you make your business public
So fuck it, I've got herpes while we on the subject (uh-huh)
And if I told you I had aid y'all would play it
'Cause you stupid motherfuckers think I'm playin' when I say it
Well, I do take pills, don't do speed
Don't do crack (uh-uh) don't do coke, I do smoke weed (uh-huh)
Don't do smack, I do do shrooms, do drink beer (yup)
I just wanna make a few things clear
My baby mama's not dead (uh-uh)
She's still alive and bitchin' (yup)
And I don't have herpes, my dick's just itchin'
It's not syphilis, and as for being aids infested
I don't know yet, I'm too scared to get tested
I got mushrooms, I got acid, I got tabs and aspirin tablets
I'm your brother when you need, some good weed to set you free
You know me, I'm your friend, when you need a mini-thin
(I'm Slim Shady) I'm Shady!
(Ha ha ha ha)
I told you I was Shady!
(Ha ha)
Y'all didn't wanna believe me!
I'm Shady!
And that's my name
The lyrics to Eminem's song "I'm Shady" present a character that embodies the rapper's alter ego: Slim Shady. The song is about Slim Shady's persona and how he has become a cultural icon that both attracts and incites controversy.
In the first verse, Slim Shady boasts about his wealth and fame, making it clear that he doesn't care about critics who condemn his behavior. He claims that he has a whole generation of fans brainwashed into drug use and pill-popping. He also suggests that he's fearless and ready to die at any moment, which reinforces his self-proclaimed status as a danger to society.
The second verse features Slim Shady's twisted sense of humor, where he describes enjoying "funny things" like his teacher molesting him in preschool. He also mentions self-harm and suicide, revealing darker aspects of his personality. The third verse takes on a more aggressive tone, with Slim Shady threatening those who cross him, including a wife and kids.
Overall, "I'm Shady" can be interpreted as a commentary on Eminem's experience in the music industry and the reception of his persona. The song is widely regarded as a controversial classic, with its explicit lyrics and references to violence, drug use, and sexual content.
Line by Line Meaning
Who came through with two glocks to terrorize your borough (huh?)
Who came through with guns to cause chaos in your neighborhood?
Told you how to slap dicks and murder your girl (I did!)
I taught you how to be violent towards your partner.
Gave you all the finger and told you to sit and twirl
I insulted and disrespected you.
Sold a billion tapes and still screamed, "Fuck the world!"
I achieved great success but still expressed my anger and dissatisfaction towards society.
(I'm Slim Shady) so come and kill me while my name's hot
I'm daring anyone to try and kill me while I'm still popular and notorious.
And shoot me twenty-five times in the same spot (ow!)
If you're going to kill me, do it brutally and excessively.
I think I got a generation brainwashed
I believe I have influenced a whole generation into unhealthy habits and behaviors.
To pop pills and smoke pot 'til they brains rot (uh-oh)
I think young people are abusing drugs and it's dangerous for their health and well-being.
Stop they blood flow until they veins clot
People are doing dangerous things to themselves that are causing their blood to clot.
I need a pain shot, and a shot of plain scotch
I need to ease my pain and stress with alcohol and medication.
Purple haze and acid raindrops
I enjoy drugs that alter my perception of reality.
Spike the punch at the party and drink pop (gulp gulp)
I secretly add drugs to drinks and enjoy seeing the effects on others.
Shaved my armpits and wore a tank top
I ignore societal gender norms and do as I please in terms of appearance.
Bad Boy, I told you that I can't stop
I'm unapologetic about my controversial and rebellious behavior.
You gotta make 'em fear you 'fore you make 'em feel you
You have to intimidate people before they will respect and understand you.
So everybody buy my shit or I'm a come and kill you
I'm using aggressive marketing tactics to coerce people into buying my music.
I got mushrooms, I got acid, I got tabs and aspirin tablets
I have access to and enjoy using a variety of drugs.
I'm your brother when you need, some good weed to set you free
I act like a supportive friend when you need drugs to escape reality.
You know me, I'm your friend, when you need a mini-thin
I'm always there to offer drugs to those in need.
(I'm Slim Shady) I'm Shady!
I am the controversial and rebellious persona known as Slim Shady.
I like happy things
I prefer to focus on positive things and experiences.
I'm really calm and peaceful (uh-huh huh)
Despite my controversial behavior, I feel calm and peaceful inside.
I like birds, bees, I like people
I enjoy nature and socializing.
I like funny things
I appreciate humor and enjoy laughing.
That make me happy and gleeful (he he he)
Funny things bring me joy and laughter.
Like when my teacher sucked my wee-wee in preschool (woo!)
I find absurd and inappropriate things to be funny.
The ill type, I stab myself with a steel spike
I engage in self-harm and enjoy feeling pain.
While I blow my brain out, just to see what it feels like
I contemplate suicide and seek new experiences even if they are dangerous.
'Cause this is how I am in real life (mm-hm)
I am not pretending, this is how I truly am in reality.
I don't want to just die a normal death, I wanna be killed twice (uh-huh)
I want to go out in a dramatic and unforgettable way.
How you gonna scare somebody with a gun threat
Threatening someone with a gun is not effective when they are already high on drugs.
When they high off of drugs they haven't even done yet (huh?)
When people are influenced by drug culture, they can still experience negative effects even without using the drugs.
So bring the money by tonight, cause your wife
I am blackmailing someone to pay me because of their wife's fear of me.
Said this the biggest knife she ever saw in her life (help me! Help me!)
I use fear and intimidation to get what I want.
I try to keep it positive and play it cool
I try to maintain a calm and happy demeanor, but it's not always genuine.
Shoot up the playground and tell the kids to stay in school (stay in school!)
My actions and behavior contradict my positive image and message.
'Cause I'm the one they can relate to and look up to better
I want to be a role model for those who feel like outcasts or misfits.
Tonight I think I'll write my biggest fan a fuck you letter
I have a love-hate relationship with my fans and often express my disdain for them.
I listen to your demo tape and act like I don't like it
I will pretend not to enjoy something to maintain a certain image or reputation.
(Aw that shit is wack!)
I will express disapproval even if it's not genuine.
Six months later you hear your lyrics on my shit
I will steal or copy someone's work and pass it off as my own.
(What? That's my shit!)
I will claim ownership of someone else's work without remorse.
People don't buy shit no more they just dub it
People are no longer willing to pay for music, they just make illegal copies of it.
That's why I'm still broke and had the number one club hit (yup, uh huh)
Despite my success, I am still not wealthy because of piracy and other factors.
But they love it when you make your business public
People enjoy exposing and discussing others' personal and private affairs.
So fuck it, I've got herpes while we on the subject (uh-huh)
I am not afraid to reveal my personal information and flaws, such as having herpes.
And if I told you I had aid y'all would play it
People would not believe me even if I told them I had AIDS.
'Cause you stupid motherfuckers think I'm playin' when I say it
People underestimate the seriousness of my words and actions.
Well, I do take pills, don't do speed
I am honest about my drug use and preferences.
Don't do crack (uh-uh) don't do coke, I do smoke weed (uh-huh)
I choose to use certain drugs while avoiding others.
Don't do smack, I do do shrooms, do drink beer (yup)
I use different types of drugs and consume alcohol.
I just wanna make a few things clear
I am trying to set the record straight and provide clarity.
My baby mama's not dead (uh-uh)
Rumors about my personal life are not always true.
She's still alive and bitchin' (yup)
I am admitting that my relationship with my child's mother is not always positive.
And I don't have herpes, my dick's just itchin'
Rumors about my sexual health are not always true.
It's not syphilis, and as for being aids infested
I am denying rumors about my health and sexual activity.
I don't know yet, I'm too scared to get tested
I am refusing to acknowledge the possibility or confirm the truth about my health.
(Ha ha ha ha)
I am laughing or mocking something.
I told you I was Shady!
I have established and reinforced my persona as Slim Shady.
(Ha ha)
I am laughing or mocking something.
Y'all didn't wanna believe me!
People doubted or refused to accept my controversial and rebellious nature.
I'm Shady!
I am Slim Shady, the controversial and rebellious persona.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jeff Bass, Mark Bass, Marshall Mathers, Curtis Mayfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Noah
on Remember Me?
Remember me? S executions
Remember me? I have no remorse
Remember me? I'm high-powered
Remember me? I drop bombs like Hiroshima
For this one, they scream "X, you retarded?!"
'Cause I grab the mic and get down like syndrome
Hide and roam into the masses
Without boundaries, which qualifies me
For the term "universal" without no rehearsal
I leak words that's controversial
Like I'm not the one you wanna contest, see
'Cause I'll hit your ass like the train did that bitch
That got banned from TV, heavyweight getup
Hit you, watch your whole head split up
Loco is the motion, we comin' through
Hollow-tips is the lead the .45 threw
Remember me? Throw your guns in the air
Remember me? Slam, slam
Remember me? Nigga, back the fuck up
Remember me? Chka-chka-Onyx
Niggas that take no for an answer get told no
Yeah, I been told no, but it was more like "No! No! No!"
Life a bitch, met her, fuck you if you let her
Better come better than better to be a competitor
This vet is ahead of the shit, it's all redder, you deader and deader
A medic instead of the cheddars and credda
Settle vendetta with metal Beretta from ghetto to ghetto
Evidence, nope, never leave a shred of
I got the soul of every rapper in me, love me or hate me
My moms got raped by the industry and made me
I'm the illest nigga ever, I told you
I get more pussy than them dyke bitches Total
Want beef, nigga? Pfft, you better dead that shit
My name should be Can't-Believe-That-Nigga-Said-That-Shit
Probably sayin' he ain't a killer, but I'm killin' myself
Smoke death, fuck bitches raw on the kitchen floor
So think what I'ma do to you, have done to you
Got niggas in my hood who'd do that shit for a blunt or two
What you wanna do? Cocksuckers, we Glock busters
'Til the cops cuff us, gon' start ruckus and drop blockbusters
Round the clock hustlers, you cannot touch us
I'm gettin' wires, niggas wantin' me dead
Wantin' my head, you think it could be somethin' I said?
Remember me? I just don't give a fuck
Remember me? Yeah, fuck you too
Remember me? I'm low down and I'm shifty
Remember me? I'm Shady
When I go out, I'ma go out shootin'
I don't mean when I die, I mean when I go out to the club, stupid
I'm tryin' to clean up my fuckin' image
So I promised the fuckin' critics
I wouldn't say "fuckin'" for six minutes
(Six minutes, Slim Shady, you're on)
My baby's mom, bitch made me an angry blonde
So I made me a song, killed her and put Hailie on
I may be wrong, I keep thinkin' these crazy thoughts
In my cranium, but I'm stuck with a crazy mom
(Is she really on as much dope as you say she's on?)
Came home and somebody must've broke in the back window
And stole two loaded machine guns and both of my trench coats
Six sick dreams of picnic scenes
Two kids, sixteen, with M-16s and ten clips each
And them shits reach through six kids each
And Slim gets blamed in Bill Clint's speech to fix these streets?!
Fuck that! Pfft, you faggots can vanish to volcanic ash
And reappear in hell with a can of gas and a match
Aftermath, Dre, grab the gat, show 'em where it's at
(What the fuck you starin' at, nigga?)
Don't you remember me?
Remember me?
Remember me?
Remember me? (Slim Shady!)
28Rivals
on Lose Yourself
@elchihuahua420 Damn bro, stay strong "You only get one shot don't miss your chance to blow." Don't let them bring you down in life and keep pushing
Noah
on Till ICollapse
Not Afraid
hope
on The Real Slim Shady
hi
eminem
on Crazy In Love
great song
serenity noble
on Lose Yourself
awesome
serenity noble
on The Real Slim Shady
awesome
serenity noble
on Lose Yourself
i love it
#eminemfan
Mind Space Apocalypse
on ShadyXV
Greatest of all time