Stepping Stone
Eminem Lyrics

(Take me to the river)
Please guide me to a place of reflection and change.

(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Expressing agreement and enthusiasm.

It's 2002, everything was totally new
Referring to a time when everything was fresh and exciting.

We were globally huge, watchin' sales go through the roof
Celebrating the massive success and popularity.

We wrote and we feuded, Runyon Avenue soldiers included
Describing how they were involved in both creativity and conflicts.

A multitude of homies who would bounce for no good excuse
Having many friends who were loyal even without a valid reason.

We were so bulletproof, wrote, souped and soaked in our youth
Feeling invincible and full of energy due to their youth.

Thought we was runnin' shit 'til we lost the sole of our shoe
Believing they were in control until they faced a setback.

The death of Doody broke us in two
Referring to the loss of Proof causing a divide within the group.

We were thrown for a loop, ain't none of us know what to do
Feeling confused and uncertain about the future.

And at the time I was goin' through my own struggles too
Highlighting personal difficulties happening simultaneously.

So I wasn't in no condition to be coachin' us through
Acknowledging that he couldn't provide guidance at that time.

Everyone tried to go solo, really nobody blew
Each member attempted individual success, but none achieved it.

I was hopin' they do so I ain't have to shoulder the group
Wishing for their success, so he wouldn't bear the burden alone.

The plan was put everyone in position so that they knew
The original intention was to empower each member individually.

How to stand on they own and I don't want to open up wounds
Wanting them to be self-reliant without causing further pain.

I just noticed the oomf was gone when we go in the booth
Realizing that the energy and spark were missing during recording.

'Cause the truth is, the moment that Proof died, so did the group, shoot
Acknowledging that the group's unity ended with Proof's death.

If I could leave this all behind
Expressing a desire to escape from the current situation.

I could open up my eyes and walk in a straight line
Seeking clarity and a clear path forward.

Down to the river with you
Inviting someone to join in this journey of change and renewal.

Help me leave this all behind
Asking for assistance in breaking free from the past.

I'ma wash away my sins
Symbolically cleansing oneself of mistakes and regrets.

I'ma rinse away this dirt
Getting rid of the negative influences and baggage.

I forgot to make amends
Realizing the need to apologize and make things right.

To all the friends I may have hurt
Expressing remorse for any pain caused to loved ones.

I better stop and say my grace
Recognizing the need for gratitude and humility.

From it, I pray that I don't fall
Hoping to avoid further mistakes and setbacks.

'Cause on the way back down I may
Fearful of repeating past errors and encountering old demons.

End up runnin' back into them all
Possibly relapsing into negative patterns or encounters.

I never meant to use you all as my stepping stones
Apologizing for unintentionally exploiting them for personal gain.

It was never the same, and it's bothered me since
Highlighting the lasting impact and personal disturbance.

And the farther we drift apart, the more awkward it gets
Describing the increasing discomfort as relationships deteriorate.

The more time goes by, the more life happens
Recognizing that as time passes, circumstances change.

And we gotta be men, we got responsibilities
Acknowledging the need to mature and fulfill obligations.

Plus we don't say how we feel, and I feel like this is what got us in
Pointing out the lack of communication as a factor in their problems.

The debacle we're in, been with you guys thick and thin
Acknowledging the loyalty and history shared with the group.

But it's almost as if sometimes we're not even friends
Feeling a disconnect and questioning the nature of their bond.

Which reminded me, Biz, Rockstar was the shit
Recalling a positive memory and mentioning a successful song.

Y'all coulda got you a hit without me on the shit
Recognizing their potential for success even without his involvement.

If you woulda put D12 on it, wish I coulda did
Wishing he had contributed to their success as a group.

More to try talkin' you into comin' up off of it
Expressing regret for not persuading them to involve D12.

I know it wasn't my fault, but part of it probably is
Accepting some accountability despite acknowledging his innocence.

I think of all of the trips to BET and the rappers
Reflecting on past experiences and missed opportunities.

I wish that we woulda politicked with
Expressing a desire to have networked and collaborated.

Maybe y'all coulda clicked and got you some features
Speculating on potential collaborations and benefits.

But that's water under the bridge
Acknowledging that it is now in the past.

But I'm washin' my sins in it 'til my conscience is clear
Continuing the metaphor of cleansing and seeking forgiveness.

Bacardi and Hen', never thought the party would end
Recalling the indulgent and carefree times.

One minute you're bodyin' shit, but then your audience splits
Going from being successful and influential to losing support.

You can already sense the climate is startin' to shift
Noticing the changing attitudes and trends in the industry.

To these kids you no longer exist
Feeling forgotten or disregarded by the younger generation.

Went from rainin' cats and dogs in this bitch
Transitioning from great success to a decline in popularity.

To tiny drops, little drips
Experiencing a significant decrease in attention and relevance.

And by the time your reign is over, you'll hardly be missed
Realizing that the impact and legacy will fade with time.

You start thinkin' of all the artists you dissed, all the carnage you left
Reflecting on the negative interactions and damage caused.

Is this the kinda karma you get
Questioning the consequences and justice of their actions.

For turnin' your fuckin' back on Bizzy, Kuniva and Swift?
Regretting the strained relationships with fellow group members.

A Freudian slip, subconsciously, I honestly wished
Admitting to secretly wishing things had turned out differently.

I ain't feel so much guilt and y'all didn't harbor resentment
Expressing remorse and hoping they don't hold grudges.

But it's hard to pretend that y'all ain't got none of this
Acknowledging that they indeed have some resentment.

Wish I had words
Feeling at a loss for how to fix the situation.

But I guess they're just none for this
Realizing that words may not be enough to mend the damage.

To my partners, I can't say how sorry I am
Expressing deep remorse and regret to the group members.

This is not how I planned for our story to end
Expressing disappointment and a different vision for their future.

I love all of you men
Reaffirming his love and affection for the group members.

But I just can't be the guy
Admitting that he can't fulfill the role they expect from him.

Everybody depends on for entire careers
Acknowledging the weight of the responsibility placed on him.

'Cause that's not even fair
Stating that it's unfair and unsustainable for him to bear alone.

I will always be here, but that spark isn't there
Promising to support them, but recognizing the lack of inspiration.

And I don't know how to recapture that time and that era
Admitting uncertainty about how to regain the past glory.

I've tried hearkenin' back to it but I'm fightin' for air
Attempting to revisit the past, but feeling suffocated and unsuccessful.

I'm barely chartin' myself
Feeling lost and struggling to find personal success.

Feels like I'm on the descent, but it was not my intent
Experiencing a decline despite not intending for it to happen.

To treat y'all like a stepping stone
Expressing regret for using them as a means to his own ends.

Though I ain't left no one behind
Ensuring they know he didn't abandon or forget about them.

But we been down every road, done all we possibly can
Pointing out their shared experiences and efforts.

I know we kept our hopes up
Recognizing the shared optimism they held onto.

But the longer we spend livin' this lie that we live
Realizing the need to move on from the illusion they've been living.

The less is left for closure, so let's let this go
Understanding that prolonging things only makes it harder to find closure.

It's not goodbye to our friendship, but D12 is over
Acknowledging the end of the group while preserving their friendship.

I never meant to make you feel like my stepping stones
Apologizing for unintentionally using them as a means to his own success.