Who Knew
Eminem Lyrics

Mic check, one-two
I never expected to be on stage, but here I am.

Who would've knew?
Who could have predicted that I would become a successful rapper?

Who would've known?
Nobody could have foreseen that I would have this much influence on people.

Fuck would've thought?
No one could have imagined that someone like me would make it big in the music industry.

Motherfucker comes out
People were surprised when my music started gaining popularity.

Sells a couple of million records
My albums sold more than I ever anticipated.

And these motherfuckers hit the ceiling
The success of my music exceeded everyone's expectations.

I don't do black music, I don't do white music
My music is not defined by racial stereotypes or expectations.

I make fight music for high school kids
My music is meant to connect with teenagers.

I put lives at risk when I drive like this
My reckless behavior puts myself and others in danger.

I put wives at risk with a knife like this
I am capable of causing harm to people, especially women.

Shit, you probably think I'm in your tape deck now
My music is popular and widely listened to.

I'm in the back seat of your truck with duct tape stretched out
I am capable of violence and kidnapping, even to my listeners.

Ducked the fuck way down, waitin' to straight jump out
At any moment, I may attack and take advantage of someone.

Put it over your mouth, and grab you by the face, what now?
I have complete control over those who listen to my music and follow my words.

Oh, you want me to watch my mouth?
People expect me to filter my words for public consumption.

How? Take my fuckin' eyeballs out and turn them around?
I refuse to hold back, even when people demand it of me.

Look, I'll burn your fuckin' house down, circle around
If people try to control or censor me, I will retaliate with violence.

And hit the hydrant, so you can't put your burnin' furniture out
I will take pleasure in destroying anything that represents the control of others.

I'm sorry, there must be a mix-up
I refuse to take responsibility for my actions or the influence of my music.

You want me to fix up lyrics
People expect me to change the aggressive and explicit nature of my music.

While our President gets his dick sucked?
I see hypocrisy in society where leaders engage in inappropriate behavior while expecting the rest of us to behave appropriately.

Fuck that, take drugs, rape sluts
I reject societal norms and promote illegal and immoral behavior.

Make fun of gay clubs, men who wear make-up
I find joy in degrading and bullying those who are different than myself.

Get aware, wake up, get a sense of humor
People need to be more informed, educated, and not take things too seriously.

Quit tryin' to censor music, this is for your kid's amusement
People shouldn't try to control what kids listen to or censor their entertainment.

But don't blame me when little Eric jumps off of the terrace
I don't want to be responsible for the influence my music may have on people or their actions.

You shoulda been watchin' him, apparently you ain't parents
Parents should be responsible for their children's actions and not blame the media or entertainment for their behavior.

'Cause I never knew I, knew I would get this big
The success I have achieved has come as a surprise to me.

I never knew I'd affect this kid
I was not aware of the influence I would have on young and vulnerable people.

I never knew I'd get him to slit his wrist
I didn't predict that my music would drive someone to self-harm.

I never knew I'd get him to hit this bitch
I didn't anticipate my music would influence someone to commit violence against a woman.

So who's bringin' the guns in this country?
I question why there is prevalent gun violence in society.

I couldn't sneak a plastic pellet gun
My experience with customs and gun control laws have made me aware of the severity of the issue.

Through customs over in London
I have experienced the strict customs and security measures at airports in other countries.

And last week I seen this Schwarzenegger movie
I am aware of the portrayal of violence and gun use in the media.

Where he's shootin' all sorts of these motherfuckers with an Uzi
Media often glorifies and promotes gun violence and use as a solution to problems.

I sees three little kids up in the front row
I am concerned with the exposure of young children to violent and inappropriate media.

Screaming 'Go' with their 17-year-old uncle
The fact that a young adult is okay with exposing young kids to this media is concerning.

I'm like, guidance?!
Where are the responsible adults guiding and protecting these children?

Ain't they got the same moms and dads
Don't these kids have parents who are concerned with their exposure to violent media?

Who got mad when I asked if they liked violence?
These parents are hypocritical for being upset at my music's violent lyrics but exposing their children to violent media.

And told me that my tape taught 'em to swear?
Parents often blame media for their children's inappropriate behavior or language.

What about the make-up
Parents often overlook other forms of inappropriate exposure or behavior in their children.

You allow your 12-year-old daughter to wear?
Parents need to recognize and address all forms of inappropriate behavior or exposure in their children.

So tell me that your son doesn't know any cuss words
Parents are often unaware of their children's exposure to inappropriate language or behavior.

When his bus driver's screamin' at him, fuckin' him up worse
Children are exposed to inappropriate language and behavior in many areas of their life, including school and transportation.

(Sit the fuck down, you little fucking prick)
People can be verbally abusive and inappropriate to children, which can have a negative impact on their behavior and outlook on life.

And 'fuck' was the first word I ever learned
I am a product of my environment and the media I was exposed to as a child.

Up in the third grade, flippin' the gym teacher the bird (look)
I have a history of inappropriate behavior and lack of respect for authority figures.

So read up 'bout how I used to get beat up
I have experienced bullying and physical abuse in my past.

Peed on, be on free lunch
I came from a difficult background and experienced poverty and humiliation as a child.

And changed school every three months
My upbringing was unstable and constantly changing.

My life's like kind of what my wife's like
My current situation in life is reflective of my past experiences.

Fucked up after I beat her fuckin' ass every night, Ike
My history of violence and abuse has impacted my personal relationships and mental health.

So how much easier would life be
Life is difficult and complicated, and there are no easy answers.

If nineteen million motherfuckers grew to be just like me?
I am concerned with the influence I have on impressionable young people and the negative impact it may have on society.

How the fuck was I supposed to know?
I reject responsibility for the negative impact my music may have on people.