Upon release, the song was met with positive reviews from music critics, who compared the song to "Love the Way You Lie". "The Monster" has successfully charted worldwide, topping the charts in twelve countries including Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States' Billboard Hot 100. It also marks Eminem's first number one on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and has reached the top ten in Austria, Belgium, Italy and Spain.
The song's accompanying music video was directed by the American filmmaker Rich Lee. The video depicts Rihanna as Eminem's therapist in a session, as previous videos from his career are shown and referenced including "Mockingbird", "My Name Is", "Lose Yourself", "3 a.m.", "The Way I Am" and the 2001 Grammy Awards performance of "Stan" with Elton John. The video was well received and was nominated for several awards. Eminem and Rihanna performed the song live at the 2014 MTV Movie Awards.
In 2010, Eminem and Rihanna released their first official collaboration titled "Love the Way You Lie". The song received both critical and commercial success and topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven consecutive weeks. By the end of the year, 854,000 copies of the song were sold in the UK, making "Love the Way You Lie" the country's biggest-selling song of 2010. The same year, a sequel to the single, titled "Love the Way You Lie (Part II)" was released as part of Rihanna's fifth studio album Loud; it mainly views matters from the female protagonist perspective. In November 2012, Eminem and Rihanna collaborated again on "Numb", which was included on Rihanna's seventh album Unapologetic.
In November 2012, singer Bebe Rexha was at Stadium Red studio in Harlem, New York working on material to be included in her debut album. During the sessions Rexha stated that she "was in a really dark place, a dark head space. Figuring out where you are in life and trying to make shit work for yourself—it gets to you. You get super down on yourself. I was just trying to get out of a depressed phase." At that moment, she wrote the hook for "The Monster"; in the moment she wrote it she knew that it was going to be a song performed by Eminem. The singer further stated that she got the inspiration from the quote "about the monsters that are around us and that live inside of us"; additionally, Rexha was disappointed at being dropped from the Island Def Jam record label.
The Senior Director of A&R for Shady Records, Riggs Morales started looking for potential songs to be included on Eminem's eighth studio album. When the producer of "The Monster", Frequency played the song for Morales he "freaked out" and asked for the verses to be stripped and ProTools sessions to be sent to Eminem. When Eminem heard the demo he then added his own verses and adjusted the instrumental portion(s) of the track. However, he left the background vocals sung by Rexha intact. On September 11, 2013, Rihanna wrote on her Twitter account that she had recorded a "#monster" hook for one of her favorite artists. On October 22, Eminem revealed the track listing for his eighth studio album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2, including "The Monster" on which Rihanna was credited as a featured artist. Shortly after premiering the song, Eminem spoke of working with Rihanna again to MTV News: "The perception of the record, what it's saying, I thought it would be a good idea to have her on it because I think people look at us like we're both a little nuts. That's one of the things that I was telling her in making the record: I think that people look at us a little crazy."
The song was generally well received by critics. Writing for the IBTimes, Tarun Mazumdar reacted positively to it, praising its "memorable lines" and Rihanna's "soulful" vocals and rating it 3.5 out of 5. Amy Sciaretto of PopCrush gave it the same rating and noted that "it’s not nearly as powerful or affective as the previous partnership, but it’s not supposed to be." Allan Raible of ABC News also enjoyed the song, calling it "a career highlight" and a "personal rhyme about his history." About.com's Bill Lamb had similar thoughts, opining that Eminem's introspection "lends the song engaging power" while also praising Rihanna's vocals. Idolator's Mike Wass noted that while it did not meet the standard of the duo's previous collaboration, the song was still "undeniably catchy and hook-filled enough for top 40 radio success." Keith Murphy of Vibe praised the lyrical content of the song but otherwise found the single lacklustre. Jim Farber of The New York Daily News found it inferior to Eminem's previous single, "Rap God" and too similar to "Love the Way You Lie", but appreciated that "at least Em gets off some good lines in the new song. "XXL positioned it at number 19 on their list of the best songs of 2013. Atlanta Black Star described the song as sounding "like an old school rap song as it blends genres with Eminem's rap vocals, rock guitars, and Rihanna's pop-style singing of the chorus."
"The Monster" first entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number three, on November 6, 2013, marking Eminem's third best entry following "Not Afraid" (No. 1, 2010) and "Love the Way You Lie" also featuring Rihanna (No. 2, 2010). This ties "Berzerk", which also debuted at number three on the Hot 100. The entry gave Rihanna her 25th top ten on the chart, equalling Elvis Presley for the eighth-most top tens in the chart's history. This achievement also earned the singer the honor of being the fastest woman to accumulate the top ten tally (with eight years and four months since her first single), besting Madonna by three months. Furthermore, the debut marked Rihanna's 45th overall chart entry, tying Mariah Carey for the eighth most chart appearances amongst women. The song concurrently opened at number one on the US Digital Songs chart, with sales of 373,000. The feat marked Eminem's ninth chart topper, giving him the third-most leaders in the tally's history, behind Katy Perry (9), and Rihanna, who increased her total to 13. The track also entered the US Radio Songs chart at number 31, marking Eminem's second-best entry position following "Just Lose It" (No. 17, 2004). In the same issue, "The Monster" debuted atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, marking Eminem's first number one on the chart of his career, and Rihanna's third. Furthermore, the song entered at number one on the US Rap Songs chart, marking the sixth and fourth leaders for Eminem and Rihanna, respectively.
The song topped the Hot 100 in its sixth week on the chart, after previously spending four consecutive weeks at number two. The song's ascent to number one marked Rihanna's 13th US number one, tying her with Michael Jackson for the fourth most number ones in the chart's 55-year history. Additionally, Rihanna became the fastest solo artist to achieve 13 chart-toppers, surpassing the previous record held by Mariah Carey (seven-years, eight-month and 19 days), with only The Beatles reaching 13 number ones more quickly. The song also rose to number one on the Billboard Radio Songs chart, marking Rihanna's twelfth and Eminem's third number one on the chart. Rihanna also passes Mariah Carey for the most number ones on the Radio Songs chart with the single's number one peak. For Eminem, he ties P. Diddy and Ludacris for the most Hot 100 number ones among rappers, with five each. The song has sold 3,844,000 digital copies in the US as of June 2015. In Canada, the song debuted at number one on the Canadian Hot 100, selling 54,000 downloads, making it Eminem's highest selling debut week in Canada for a single since his song "Berzerk," which sold 50,000 downloads in its debut week.
In the United Kingdom, "The Monster" entered at number one on the UK Singles Chart on November 3, 2013 ― for the week ending date November 9, 2013 ― selling 74,674 copies, despite being released on the previous Tuesday, and having a 48-hour disadvantage on the rest of the week's new singles. The song however, sold 96,059 copies the following week it dropped to number two, selling more copies than it did on the week it reached number one. The song marked Eminem and Rihanna's eighth number one single in that country of their careers respectively. It became Eminem's first single to top the chart as a lead artist since "Like Toy Soldiers" in 2005. Eminem however was featured on Akon's chart topping single "Smack That" in 2006. As for Rihanna, the chart topper placed her with Elvis Presley and The Beatles in the chart's history, as just one of three acts to have scored seven number ones in Britain over seven consecutive years. The song was commercially successful around Europe, reaching the top of the charts in 8 countries and entered the top 10 in every territory it charted in. In Asia and Oceania, the single was a huge hit reaching the top position in many countries, including Australia and Lebanon where it spent 7 weeks at number 1 in "The Official Lebanese Top 20".
The music video for "The Monster" was Eminem's third to be directed by the American filmmaker Rich Lee. He filmed Eminem's and Rihanna's parts on November 20, 2013 in Detroit. The video, released on December 16, 2013, features references to other music videos that Eminem has released including "My Name Is", "Lose Yourself", "3 a.m.", "The Way I Am" and the 2001 Grammy Awards performance of "Stan" with Elton John. The video received three nominations at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards in the categories "Best Male Video", "Best Collaboration" and "Best Direction".
The Monster
Eminem & Rihanna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're trying to save me, stop holding your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
I wanted the fame, but not the cover of Newsweek
Oh well, guess beggars can't be choosey
Wanted to receive attention for my music
Been wanting my cake, and eat it too, and wanting it both ways
Fame made me a balloon cause my ego inflated
When I blew, see, it was confusing
'Cause all I wanted to do is be the Bruce Lee of loose leaf
Abused ink, used it as a tool when I blew steam (Woo!)
Hit the lottery, oh wee
With what I gave up to get was bittersweet
With this like winning a huge meet
Ironic cause I think I'm getting so huge I need a shrink
I'm beginning to lose sleep, one sheep, two sheep
Going cuckoo and cooky as Kool Keith
But I'm actually weirder than you think
'Cause I'm, I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're trying to save me, stop holding your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
Well, that's nothing
Well, that's nothing
No, I ain't much of a poet but I know somebody once told me
To seize the moment and don't squander it
'Cause you never know when it all could be over tomorrow
So I keep conjuring, sometimes I wonder where these thoughts spawn from
(Yeah, ponder it, do you want this?
No wonder you losing your mind, the way it wanders)
Yo-lo-lo-lo-yee-whoo
I think you've been wandering off down yonder
And stumbled onto Jeff VanVonderen
'Cause I need an interventionist
To intervene between me and this monster
And save me from myself and all this conflict
'Cause the very thing that I love is killing me and I can't conquer it
My OCD is conking me in the head
Keep knocking, nobody's home, I'm sleepwalking
I'm just relaying what the voice in my head's saying
Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just friends with the
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're trying to save me, stop holding your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
Well, that's nothing
Well, that's nothing
Call me crazy, but I have this vision
One day that I walk amongst you a regular civilian
But until then drums get killed and I'm coming straight at
Emcees, blood get spilled and I
Take it back to the days that I get on a Dre track
Give every kid who got played at
Pumped up feeling and shit to say back
To the kids who played 'em
I ain't here to save the fucking children
But if one kid out of a hundred million
Who are going through a struggle feels and then relates that's great
It's payback, Russell Wilson falling way back
In the draft, turn nothing into something, still can make that
Straw into gold chump, I will spin Rumpelstiltskin in a haystack
Maybe I need a straight jacket, face facts
I am nuts for real, but I'm okay with that
It's nothing, I'm still friends with the
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're trying to save me, stop holding your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're trying to save me, stop holding your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
Well, that's nothing
Well, that's nothing
The song "The Monster" by Eminem and Rihanna is a powerful exploration of mental illness and addiction. The chorus speaks to the idea that the monster under the bed and the voices inside one's head are not something to be feared, but in fact can be embraced as part of oneself. The lyrics describe Eminem's own struggles with fame, desire for both attention and privacy, and the complicated relationship he has with his own success. He acknowledges that his ego has become inflated and that he is losing sleep over the pressure to maintain his level of success.
The following verse delves even deeper into the themes of the song, painting a picture of someone who is truly struggling with their mental health. Eminem talks about his obsession with perfection, his OCD, and the way that his own love of music is killing him. He seems to be using the song as a way to confront his own demons and try to come to terms with them. The final verse brings the song full circle, as Eminem speaks about his desire to give back to kids who are struggling and how he hopes his success can be a source of inspiration.
Overall, "The Monster" is a powerful and honest song that provides an insightful exploration of the complexities of mental illness and addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
I accept that the dark side of my personality exists and embrace it as a part of me.
Get along with the voices inside of my head
I have learned to live with and control the intrusive thoughts that constantly plague me.
You're trying to save me, stop holding your breath
I appreciate your concern but I am beyond saving and acceptance is my only way forward.
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
I am aware that society may perceive me as insane, but I cannot change who I am.
I wanted the fame, but not the cover of Newsweek
I craved recognition for my music but did not want the media scrutiny that came along with it.
Oh well, guess beggars can't be choosey
I had to accept whatever opportunities presented themselves, even if they were not ideal.
Wanted to receive attention for my music
I desired to showcase my talent and have my art be recognized.
Wanted to be left alone in public, excuse me
I wished to maintain my privacy despite my growing fame.
Been wanting my cake, and eat it too, and wanting it both ways
I craved all the good things that come with fame but wanted to avoid the negative aspects of it.
Fame made me a balloon cause my ego inflated
The attention and success made me arrogant and overconfident.
When I blew, see, it was confusing
My outburst of emotions surprised me and those around me.
'Cause all I wanted to do is be the Bruce Lee of loose leaf
I aspired to be a master of the art of rap and lyricism.
Abused ink, used it as a tool when I blew steam (Woo!)
I used my writing as a form of therapy and to cope with my emotions.
Hit the lottery, oh wee
I struck success and achieved my dreams.
With what I gave up to get was bittersweet
I had to sacrifice a lot to reach my goals, and the success was not entirely fulfilling.
With this like winning a huge meet
The success was like winning a massive competition.
Ironic cause I think I'm getting so huge I need a shrink
Despite my fame and success, I feel like I am losing control and need help.
I'm beginning to lose sleep, one sheep, two sheep
I am struggling with insomnia and cannot fall asleep at night.
Going cuckoo and cooky as Kool Keith
I am becoming increasingly erratic and unpredictable, like the rapper Kool Keith.
But I'm actually weirder than you think
My behavior may seem unusual to those around me, but they do not know the half of it.
No, I ain't much of a poet but I know somebody once told me
I may lack formal poetic training, but I have received valuable advice in the past.
To seize the moment and don't squander it
I was told to make the most of my opportunities and not waste them.
'Cause you never know when it all could be over tomorrow
Life is unpredictable, and I have to make the most of my opportunities in the present because I do not know what the future holds.
So I keep conjuring, sometimes I wonder where these thoughts spawn from
I constantly come up with new ideas and am not always sure where they come from.
(Yeah, ponder it, do you want this?
Reflect on what I am saying, and ask yourself if you truly desire to pursue success in the same way that I have.
No wonder you losing your mind, the way it wanders)
It is understandable if you find my thought process confusing or hard to follow.
Yo-lo-lo-lo-yee-whoo
An exclamation used to express excitement and enthusiasm.
I think you've been wandering off down yonder
I believe your thoughts have been drifting elsewhere.
And stumbled onto Jeff VanVonderen
You may have found yourself in a situation that requires an intervention to address your underlying problems.
'Cause I need an interventionist
I require outside help to address my issues and get back on track.
To intervene between me and this monster
I need someone to step in and help me deal with my inner demons before they consume me.
And save me from myself and all this conflict
I require assistance to overcome the mental turmoil within me and the resultant external conflicts.
'Cause the very thing that I love is killing me and I can't conquer it
The success and recognition that I hoped for is contributing to my downfall, and I cannot find a way to overcome it.
My OCD is conking me in the head
My obsessive-compulsive disorder is impacting my mental and emotional state.
Keep knocking, nobody's home, I'm sleepwalking
I am physically present but emotionally checked out, and am not capable of responding fully to the outside world.
I'm just relaying what the voice in my head's saying
I am merely sharing the thoughts and impulses that my mind generates internally.
Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just friends with the
Do not blame me for the message that my internal voice delivers, as I have no control over it.
Call me crazy, but I have this vision
Despite what others may think of me, I have a unique and powerful idea of how things can be different.
One day that I walk amongst you a regular civilian
One day, I hope to be able to lead a normal life like anyone else.
But until then drums get killed and I'm coming straight at
In the meantime, I will continue to hone my craft and challenge myself artistically.
Emcees, blood get spilled and I
I will compete against other rappers and leave everything on the table in pursuit of my goals.
Take it back to the days that I get on a Dre track
I want to recapture the feeling of collaborating with legendary producer Dr. Dre.
Give every kid who got played at
I want to inspire and uplift those who have been bullied or mistreated in any way.
Pumped up feeling and shit to say back
I want to empower others to stand up for themselves and express their feelings through music.
To the kids who played 'em
To those who doubted me and tried to bring me down in the past.
I ain't here to save the fucking children
I am not here to single-handedly solve all of society's problems, but I will do what I can to help a few individuals.
But if one kid out of a hundred million
If my music can positively impact even one person out of millions, that is enough for me to feel fulfilled.
Who are going through a struggle feels and then relates that's great
If someone who is struggling can listen to my music and relate to it, that is a success in itself.
It's payback, Russell Wilson falling way back
I am gaining recognition and influence, and those who previously doubted me are now seeing my worth and importance.
In the draft, turn nothing into something, still can make that
Even though my beginnings were humble and disadvantaged, I am still capable of achieving greatness and making something of myself.
Straw into gold chump, I will spin Rumpelstiltskin in a haystack
I am capable of creating something valuable and beautiful out of seemingly worthless materials, just like the singer of the fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin.
Maybe I need a straight jacket, face facts
Perhaps I am mentally unstable and require professional help to address my issues.
I am nuts for real, but I'm okay with that
I know that I am different and have challenges that others do not face, but I have learned to accept and even embrace those differences as a part of me.
It's nothing, I'm still friends with the
Despite everything, I am still at peace with myself and my inner demons.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BLETA REXHA, MARSHALL MATHERS, AARON KLEINSTUB, BRYAN FRYZEL, ROBYN FENTY, JONATHAN BELLION, MAKI ATHANASIOU
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@iancu9602
Lyrics for this masterpice:
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're tryin' to save me, stop holding your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy (crazy)
I wanted the fame but not the cover of Newsweek
Oh well, guess beggars can't be choosey
Wanted to receive attention for my music
Wanted to be left alone in public, excuse me
For wantin' my cake, and eat it too, and wantin' it both ways
Fame made me a balloon 'cause my ego inflated
When I blew, see, but it was confusing
'Cause all I wanted to do's be the Bruce Lee of loose leaf
Abused ink, used it as a tool when I blew steam (ooh)
Hit the lottery, ooh-wee
But with what I gave up to get, it was bittersweet
It was like winnin' a used mink
Ironic 'cause I think I'm gettin' so huge I need a shrink
I'm beginnin' to lose sleep, one sheep, two sheep
Going coo-coo and kooky as Kool Keith
But I'm actually weirder than you think, 'cause I'm
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're tryin' to save me, stop holdin' your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
Well, that's nothin' (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Well, that's nothin' (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Now, I ain't much of a poet
But I know somebody once told me to seize the moment
And don't squander it
'Cause you never know when it all could be over tomorrow
So I keep conjurin'
Sometimes I wonder where these thoughts spawn from
Yeah, ponderin'll do you wonders
No wonder you're losing your mind, the way it wanders
Yodel-odel-ay-hee-hoo
I think it went wanderin' off down yonder
And stumbled onto Jeff VanVonderen
'Cause I need an interventionist
To intervene between me and this monster
And save me from myself and all this conflict
'Cause the very thing that I love's killing me
And I can't conquer it
My OCD is conkin' me in the head, keep knockin'
Nobody's home, I'm sleepwalkin'
I'm just relayin' what the voice in my head's sayin'
Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just friends with the
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're tryin' to save me, stop holdin' your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
Well, that's nothin' (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Well, that's nothin' (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Call me crazy, but I have this vision
One day that I'll walk amongst you a regular civilian
But until then, drums get killed and
I'm comin' straight at MC's, blood gets spilled and
I'll take it back to the days that I'd get on a Dre track
Give every kid who got played that pumped-up feelin'
And shit to say back to the kids who played him
I ain't here to save the fuckin' children
But if one kid out of a hundred million
Who are going through a struggle feels it and relates, that's great
It's payback, Russell Wilson
Falling way back in the draft
Turn nothin' into somethin', still can
Make that, straw into gold, chump, I will spin
Rumpelstiltskin in a haystack
Maybe I need a straight jacket, face facts
I am nuts for real, but I'm okay with that
It's nothin', I'm still friends with the
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're tryin' to save me, stop holdin' your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're tryin' to save me, stop holdin' your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
Well, that's nothin' (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Well, that's nothin' (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Shoutout to google for giving me this lyrics
@kgatorlw
All the song references (Music Video):
0:00 Mockingbird
0:12 Without Me
0:14 My Name Is
0:15 The Way I Am
0:22 The Way I Am
0:25 Lose Yourself
0:27 My Name Is
0:35 The Way I Am
0:36 Stan
0:40 Stan feat. Elton John (Live), My Band
0:42 The Way I Am
0:46 3AM
1:25 The Way I Am
1:34 My Name Is
2:27 Lose Yourself
2:50 The Way I Am
3:04 Lose Yourself
3:31 Lose Yourself
3:32 The Way I Am
3:41 Stan feat. Elton John (Live)
3:57 Lose Yourself
3:58 Stan feat. Elton John (Live)
4:06 Lose Yourself
4:11 My Name Is
4:42 The paper Slim Shady threw is most likely the piece of paper from 8 Mile where he wrote his lyrics
Tell me if i missed something!
@odyss3493
crazy to think that we call these songs old now
@fefejunejo1215
Lil Sizzurp ikr
@jayveecorpuz3333
Ctto
@kiritoakemininja5100
2013
@BMgreekyoutuber
It is like yesterday that this thing came out
@societalrevival1218
Lil Sizzurp damn dude
@Merakalis204
2019 or 2020 we need another Eminem and Rihanna collab.
@charlesgodson2587
Yes bro
@henrythemaster2268
Francis Campbell yes
@shishfox_1738
Yes Bra