The Way I Am
Eminem & Prouds Up - M.O.P. VS. Queen (Produced BY Green Lan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am the unclean, dope fiend, I am the whore
I am the beat down, mistreated, sexually abused
I have violated, fornicated and sexually used
I am the con artist, cold-hearted, smooth preacher
Cash stealer, emotion bleeder, the soul lecher
I feed off the poor but I'm a slave to the rich
I'm in depression so, this reflection is making me sick
'Cause if you knew who I am, would you really want to die for me ?
They say you are the cursed man, the one who hangs from this tree
I know this is the one and only son of god but tell who the fuck is he!
So tell me!
I am fake, a fraud, a phony, I'm a known liar
Anorexic, rejected object of your desire
Suicidal thoughts, keep one in the chamber
I'm a turned out street walking heroin banger
I am a secret cutter, porn lover, the town, drunkard
Next door, neighborhood slut, I am somebody's mother
Outcasted arrogant bastard son
I am the talk of the town but this story's just begun
I am what you reaped, I am what you sewed
I am that guy talking to himself, I am alone
I'm the forgotten child ravaged and raped through sex traffic
And since I'm a little strange, my daddy called me a faggot
I am insecure, immature, even I discuss me
In denial, pill pop'n, prescription junkie
I see demons, eyes bleeding, my soul impure
Already know that I'm the disease, but tell me what's the cure?
This is me, we are him and I am you
Old things have passed away and all things become new!
The lyrics to "The Way I Am" by Eminem and Prouds Up are a powerful reflection on the struggles and vices that many people face, particularly those who are marginalized or have experienced trauma. The first stanza portrays the singer as a collection of societal outcasts -- a murderer, drug addict, and sexual abuser. The subsequent lines show a list of additional negative traits, including greed, depression, and a lack of self-worth. The singer recognizes that they have caused harm and questions whether anyone would be willing to die for them, referring to the crucifixion of Jesus.
The second stanza continues with the singer's self-depreciating descriptions, including being a liar, eating disorder sufferer, and suicidal. They also reveal experiences of sexual and physical violence, and feelings of abandonment and rejection. Despite the negative things they have done and their inner turmoil, the singer seems to be reaching out for help, asking for a cure for their "disease." The final lines suggest that the singer is not alone in their struggles and that there is hope for change.
Overall, the song is a poignant commentary on the human condition and the challenges that many people face. It highlights the need for empathy and support, particularly for those who are struggling with mental health issues, addiction, or trauma.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the murdered, the pervert, sick to the core
I am someone who has killed others, I have perverted thoughts and I am deeply disturbed.
I am the unclean, dope fiend, I am the whore
I have a drug addiction, I am dirty and I have sold my body for sex.
I am the beat down, mistreated, sexually abused
I have been physically and sexually assaulted, and I have been treated poorly by others.
I have violated, fornicated and sexually used
I have committed sexual acts with others without their consent and used them for my own pleasure.
I am the con artist, cold-hearted, smooth preacher
I deceive and manipulate people for my own gain, I lack empathy, and I know how to manipulate others well.
Cash stealer, emotion bleeder, the soul lecher
I steal money from others, I drain others of their emotions, and I am someone who is corrupt at the very core of my being.
I feed off the poor but I'm a slave to the rich
I take advantage of those who are less fortunate than me, but I am actually under the control of those who are wealthy and powerful.
I'm in depression so, this reflection is making me sick
I am experiencing depression and looking at myself in the mirror makes me feel even worse about myself.
Are you the one that's come to set me free?
I am wondering if you are the person who has come to help me escape from my current situation.
'Cause if you knew who I am, would you really want to die for me?
If you truly knew what I have done and who I am as a person, would you be willing to sacrifice yourself for me?
They say you are the cursed man, the one who hangs from this tree
Some people claim that you are a cursed man who was killed by being hung on a tree.
I know this is the one and only son of god but tell who the fuck is he!
I acknowledge that you are the son of God, but I am questioning who you truly are.
I am fake, a fraud, a phony, I'm a known liar
I am not genuine, I pretend to be someone I am not, and I am well-known for being dishonest.
Anorexic, rejected object of your desire
I have an eating disorder and I have been rejected as a love interest by someone I desire.
Suicidal thoughts, keep one in the chamber
I have thoughts of killing myself and I have a loaded gun ready to do so.
I'm a turned out street walking heroin banger
I have become addicted to heroin and I am now a prostitute who walks the streets in search of my next fix.
I am a secret cutter, porn lover, the town, drunkard
I have a secret habit of cutting myself, I am addicted to pornography, and I am notorious for being a drunkard in my town.
Next door, neighborhood slut, I am somebody's mother
I am a promiscuous person who lives next door, and I am also a mother to someone.
Outcasted arrogant bastard son
I am someone who has been rejected by society, and I have an entitled and rude personality.
I am the talk of the town but this story's just begun
People are gossiping about me, but there is much more to my story than they realize.
I am what you reaped, I am what you sewed
My current situation is a result of what others have done to me and what I have done to myself.
I am that guy talking to himself, I am alone
I am someone who talks to themselves out of loneliness and isolation.
I'm the forgotten child ravaged and raped through sex traffic
I was a child who was forced into sex trafficking, and I have been severely abused both mentally and physically.
And since I'm a little strange, my daddy called me a faggot
Because I am different from what my father considers 'normal', he has insulted me and called me a derogatory term for a homosexual person.
I am insecure, immature, even I discuss me
I lack self-confidence, I am not fully grown mentally or emotionally, and I even talk about my own issues to other people.
In denial, pill pop'n, prescription junkie
I refuse to acknowledge the truth, I am addicted to taking pills, and I abuse prescription drugs.
I see demons, eyes bleeding, my soul impure
I am hallucinating and I see demons, my eyes are bleeding, and my soul is corrupt and unclean.
Already know that I'm the disease, but tell me what's the cure?
I am aware that I am the root of many problems, but I am unsure how to fix them.
This is me, we are him and I am you
I am revealing my true self to you, and we are all interconnected and share similar traits and struggles.
Old things have passed away and all things become new!
I am optimistic that my life can change, and I am excited for new beginnings and to leave behind my old ways.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CARL CARTEE, JOSEPH DUSTIN DANIELS, ALLEN STANFORD DUKES, DAVID BLAKE NEESMITH, AARON DANIEL TOMBERLIN, NATHAN TIMOTHY TOMBERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@YekaYeptho
Man, whatever
Dre just let it run
Ayo, turn the beat up a little bit
Ayo, this song is for anyone
Fuck it, just shut up and listen, ayo
I sit back with this pack of Zig-Zag's and this bag
Of this weed, it gives me the shit needed to be
The most meanest MC on this—on this Earth
And since birth I've been cursed with this curse to just curse
And just blurt this berserk and bizarre shit that works
And it sells and it helps in itself to relieve all this tension
Dispensing these sentences, getting this stress
That's been eating me recently off of this chest
And I rest again peacefully
But at least have the decency in you
To leave me alone, when you freaks see me out
In the streets when I'm eating or feeding my daughter
To not come and speak to me, I don't know you
And no, I don't owe you a mothafuckin' thing
I'm not Mr. N'Sync, I'm not what your friends think
I'm not Mr. Friendly, I can be a prick if you tempt me
My tank is on empty, no patience is in me
And if you offend me, I'm lifting you ten feet in the air
I don't care who was there and who saw me just jaw you
Go call you a lawyer, file you a lawsuit
I'll smile in the courtroom and buy you a wardrobe
I'm tired of all you, I don't mean to be mean
But that's all I can be, it's just me
And I am whatever you say I am
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am?
In the paper, the news, every day I am
Radio won't even play my jam
'Cause I am whatever you say I am
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am?
In the paper, the news, every day I am
I don't know, it's just the way I am
Sometimes I just feel like my father
I hate to be bothered with all of this nonsense
It's constant, and, "Oh, it's his lyrical content
The song 'Guilty Conscience' has gotten such rotten responses."
And all of this controversy circles me
And it seems like the media immediately points a finger at me
So I point one back at 'em, but not the index or pinkie
Or the ring or the thumb, it's the one you put up
When you don't give a fuck, when you won't just put up
With the bullshit they pull, 'cause they full of shit too
When a dude's getting bullied and shoots up his school
And they blame it on Marilyn and the heroin
Where were the parents at? And look where it's at!
Middle America, now it's a tragedy
Now it's so sad to see, an upper-class city havin' this happening
Then attack Eminem 'cause I rap this way
But I'm glad, 'cause they feed me the fuel that I need
For the fire to burn, and it's burning, and I have returned
And I am whatever you say I am
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am?
In the paper, the news, every day I am
Radio won't even play my jam
'Cause I am whatever you say I am
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am?
In the paper, the news, every day I am
I don't know, it's just the way I am
I'm so sick and tired of being admired
That I wish that I would just die or get fired
And dropped from my label, let's stop with the fables
I'm not gonna be able to top on "My Name Is"
And pigeon-holed into some poppy sensation
To cop me rotation at rock-n-roll stations
And I just do not got the patience
To deal with these cocky Caucasians
Who think I'm some wigger who just tries to be black
'Cause I talk with an accent and grab on my balls
So they always keep asking the same fucking questions
What school did I go to, what hood I grew up in
The why, the who, what, when, the where and the how
'Til I'm grabbing my hair and I'm tearin' it out
'Cause they driving me crazy, I can't take it
I'm racin', I'm pacin', I stand and I sit
And I'm thankful for every fan that I get
But I can't take a shit
In the bathroom without someone standing by it
No, I won't sign you an autograph
You can call me an asshole, I'm glad
'Cause I am whatever you say I am
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am?
In the paper, the news, every day I am
Radio won't even play my jam
'Cause I am whatever you say I am
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am?
In the paper, the news, every day I am
I don't know, it's just the way I am
@nicholasgill9182
Like seriously, this has to be one of the greatest rap albums and singles in history
@KHayes666
There wasn't a white kid in America who DIDNT have this cd in the spring of 2000. I can't think of any album in my lifetime that had that much of a cultural impact on so many different types of kids. Even gothic kids had this cd
@filmmonster90
yes and no eminem just has the best rap albums so yes its in the top 10 rap songs
@JustinBobby-di9zt
It's also the social context of the time thats reflected in the lyrical content of the song that made this such a hit. Not only is it good in its own right at the time Eminem was easily one of the most famous people if not the most famous person in the world.
@peacefulguy4145
You know your in a mood when you're listening to this song on repeat lol
@isaiahserna2811
Guess I am cuz I been listening to this for a week straight lmao
@peacefulguy4145
@Isaiah Serna lol
@honeybadger2206
It’s one of those beats you can just hear on a loop
@blablabarb
@PeacefulGuy qqqqqq
@peacefulguy4145
@blablabarb hi, I don't get it lol