Conscience
Eminem (Featuring Dr. Dre) Lyrics

Meet Eddie, twenty-three years old.
Introducing the singer and main character of the story.

Fed up with life and the way things are going,
Eddie is dissatisfied with his current life.

He decides to rob a liquor store.
Eddie makes an impulsive decision to commit a crime.

('I can't take this no more, I can't take it no more homes')
Eddie expresses his frustration and desperation.

But on his way in, he has a sudden change of heart.
Eddie has second thoughts about the decision he made.

And suddenly, his conscience comes into play
Eddie begins to listen to his inner voice of right and wrong.

Alright, stop! (Huh?)
The conscience of Eddie takes control and tells Eddie to pause the action.

Now before you walk in the door of this liquor store
The conscience provides advice to Eddie before he takes a wrong action.

And try to get money out the drawer
Giving Eddie a concrete example of a bad decision that would lead to very negative consequences.

You better think of the consequence (But who are you?)
The conscience asks Eddie to think about his actions and the consequences that will follow.

I'm your motherfuckin' conscience
The voice in Eddie's head is his conscience.

That's nonsense!
Eddie disagrees with his conscience.

Go in and gaffle the money and run to one of your aunt's cribs
Eddie's conscience tries to offer a safer way to satisfy his needs.

And borrow a damn dress, and one of her blonde wigs
Further details offered by the conscience.

Tell her you need a place to stay
Conscience tries to help Eddie avoid the negative path he is heading towards.

You'll be safe for days if you shave your legs with Renee's razor blade
The conscience tries to demonstrate concern for Eddie's safety.

Yeah but if it all goes through like it's supposed to
The conscience imagines the future scenario.

The whole neighborhood knows you and they'll expose you
The conscience highlights the social consequences.

Think about it before you walk in the door first
The conscience urges Eddie to consider the full implications of his actions.

Look at the store clerk, she's older than George Burns
The conscience gives an observation of a possible situation.

Fuck that! Do that shit! Shoot that bitch!
Eddie disagrees with his conscience and decides to be violent.

Can you afford to blow this shit? Are you that rich?
Further, the conscience tries to make Eddie consider the negative costs of his actions.

Why you give a fuck if she dies? Are you that bitch?
The conscience tries to make Eddie realise he's making a bad decision.

Do you really think she gives a fuck if you have kids?
The conscience asks Eddie to consider the feelings of other people.

Man, don't do it, it's not worth it to risk it! (You're right!)
The conscience tries to convince Eddie one last time.

Not over this shit (Stop!)
The conscience tries to tell Eddie the issue wasn't worth it.

Drop the biscuit (I will!)
The conscience finally convinces Eddie.

Don't even listen to Slim yo, he's bad for you
The conscience warns Eddie about using bad role models.

('You know what Dre? I don't like your attitude')
Eddie expresses his feelings about the advice of his conscience.

('It's alright c'mon, just come in here for a minute')
The storyline transitions to the next character.

('Mm, I don't know!')
The new protagonist is sceptical.

('Look baby')
Others are trying to persuade him.

('Damn!')
The artist is swayed.

('Yo, it's gonna be alright, right?')
The persuader offers assurances.

('Well OK')
The singer finally agrees.

Meet Stan, twenty-one years old. ('Give me a kiss!')
Introducing another protagonist.

After meeting a young girl at a rave party,
The character meets someone they desire.

Things start getting hot and heavy in an upstairs bedroom.
The characters get intimate.

Once again, his conscience comes into play ('Shit!')
The character's sense of right and wrong step in.

Now listen to me, while you're kissin' her cheek
The conscience tries to be heard over the actions.

And smearin' her lipstick, I slipped this in her drink
The conscience offers another way to pursue the artist's desire.

Now all you gotta do is nibble on this little bitch's earlobe
Continuation of efforts to persuade character.

('Yo! This girl's only fifteen years old
The conscience tries to remind the singer of reality.

You shouldn't take advantage of her, that's not fair')
Further reasoning against the action.

('Yo, look at her bush, does it got hair? (Uh huh!)
The artist ignores the conscience, focusing once more on desire.

Fuck this bitch right here on the spot bare
Ego-centred reasoning.

Til she passes out and she forgot how she got there
More unimaginable violent actions.

('Man, ain't you ever seen that one movie 'Kid')
The conscience tries to reason with the artist using a popular cultural reference.

No, but I seen the porno with SunDoobiest!
The singer dismisses the conscience and makes another vulgar suggestion.

('Shit, you wanna get hauled off to jail?')
The conscience again reminds the singer of negative consequences.

Man fuck that, hit that shit raw dog and bail
The singer ignores the warnings again.

Meet Grady, a twenty-nine year old construction worker.
Another protagonist is introduced into the story.

After coming home from a hard day's work,
The character has an experience after work.

He walks in the door of his trailer park home
The character walks into his home.

To find his wife in bed with another man. ('What the fuck!')
The character is shocked.

('Grady!')
The character's name is revealed.

Alright calm down, relax, start breathin'
The conscience reminds the artist of the need to remain calm.

Fuck that shit, you just caught this bitch cheatin'
The artist becomes violent.

While you at work she's with some dude tryin' to get off?
Continuation of the internal argument.

Fuck slittin' her throat, cut this bitches head off!
Extreme violent imagery is used.

Wait! What if there's an explanation for this shit?
The conscience tries to make the singer think more logically.

('What? She tripped? Fell? Landed on his dick?')
The conscience tries to make light of the situation.

Alright Shady, maybe he's right Grady
The conscience takes on an alternate persona.

But think about the baby before you get all crazy
The conscience of the artist tries to make him consider his family.

Okay! Thought about it, still wanna stab her?
The artist remains violent.

Grab her by the throat, get your daughter and kidnap her?
This character also reaches for a violent solution.

That's what I did, be smart, don't be a retard
The character believes his solution was the best.

You gonna take advice from somebody who slapped Dee Barnes?
The conscience questions the artist's reasoning.

('What you say? (What's wrong? Didn't think I'd remember?)
The conscience reminds the artist of his past actions.

I'ma kill you motherfucker! Uh-ah! Temper temper!
The conscience tries to calm the artist down.

Mr. Dre? Mr. N.W.A.?
The story switches back to a semi-external narrative.

Mr. AK comin' straight outta Compton y'all better make way?
A reference to another rapper's persona.

How in the fuck you gonna tell this man not to be violent?
The tension builds further between violence and restraint.

'Cause he don't need to go the same route that I went
Dre tries to relate to the singer.

Been there, done that, aw fuck it
Dre's effort seems to be in vain.

What am I sayin'? Shoot em both Grady, where's your gun at?
The conscience of the artist wins the battle by adhering to non-violent actions.