The Monster
Eminem (Feat. Rihanna) Lyrics

I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed
I have accepted my inner demons, and I'm okay with it.

Get along with the voices inside of my head
I have learned to understand and communicate with my internal conflicts and emotions.

You're trying to save me, stop holding your breath
Stop trying to change me. I am who I am and you need to accept that.

And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy
Society sees me as abnormal or crazy, but that's because they don't understand me.

I wanted the fame but not the cover of Newsweek
I desired success, but not the intense scrutiny and judgment that comes with it.

Oh well, guess beggars can't be choosey
I must accept what comes with my choices and can't complain about it.

Wanted to receive attention for my music
I wanted recognition and validation for my artistry and talent.

Wanted to be left alone in public, excuse me
I desired privacy and respected boundaries despite my public career.

For wantin' my cake, and eat it too, and wantin' it both ways
I wanted the best of both worlds without having to sacrifice one for the other.

Fame made me a balloon ‘cause my ego inflated
Success made me arrogant and self-centered.

When I blew, see, but it was confusing
My ego was so big that it became confusing and overwhelming.

‘Cause all I wanted to do's be the Bruce Lee of loose leaf
I aspired to be a master of my craft and an inspiration to others.

Abused ink, used it as a tool when I blew steam
I expressed my frustrations and emotions through my music.

Ooh! Hit the lottery, ooh-wee!
I achieved massive success and wealth.

But with what I gave up to get it was bittersweet
I had to sacrifice important things to achieve my goals, which was a bittersweet experience.

It was like winnin' a used mink
The success was not as glamorous and satisfying as I expected.

Ironic ‘cause I think I'm gettin' so huge I need a shrink
My success has led to more emotional struggles and mental health issues that require therapy.

I'm beginnin' to lose sleep: one sheep, two sheep
My mind is racing at night, and I can't sleep.

Going coo-coo and kooky as Kool Keith
I'm losing my mind and acting irrational and strange like Kool Keith.

But I'm actually weirder than you think, ‘cause I'm
Despite my strange behavior, my true self is even stranger and more complicated than what people see on the surface.

Now, I ain't much of a poet
I don't consider myself a skilled poet.

But I know somebody once told me to seize the moment
Someone gave me advice to seize opportunities when they arise.

And don't squander it
Don't waste these opportunities.

‘Cause you never know when it all could be over tomorrow
Success is fleeting, and it can all be taken away in an instant.

So I keep conjurin'
I keep creating and producing music while I still have the chance.

Sometimes I wonder where these thoughts spawn from
I don't always understand the source of my creative inspirations and ideas.

Yeah, ponderin' will do you wonders
Reflecting and thinking deeply can help you gain more understanding and clarity.

No wonder you're losing your mind, the way it wanders
No wonder I'm struggling with my mental health given how much my mind wanders and races.

Yodel-odel-ay-hee-hoo!
I'm expressing my emotions and frustrations in a silly and nonsensical way.

I think it went wanderin' off down yonder
My thoughts and emotions are lost and wandering aimlessly.

And stumbled onto Jeff VanVonderen
My internal struggles have led me to seek help and intervention.

‘Cause I need an interventionist
I need someone to help me overcome my demons and conflicts.

To intervene between me and this monster
I need someone to help me confront and overcome my inner demons and struggles.

And save me from myself and all this conflict
I need help to save myself from my self-destructive behavior and emotional struggles.

‘Cause the very thing that I love's killing me
My passion and love for music and success are causing me harm and emotional pain.

And I can't conquer it
I can't overcome my inner struggles and conflicts alone.

My OCD is conkin' me in the head, keep knockin'
My OCD is causing me intense anxiety and stress.

Nobody's home, I'm sleepwalkin'
I feel alone and unsupported in my struggles.

I'm just relayin' what the voice in my head's sayin'
I'm expressing what my inner voice and emotions are telling me.

Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just friends with the
Don't blame me for what I'm saying, I'm just expressing my emotions and inner conflicts.

Call me crazy, but I have this vision
People may think I'm insane, but I have a clear goal and ambition.

One day that I'll walk amongst you a regular civilian
Someday I hope to walk among people as a normal person without the pressure and scrutiny of fame.

But until then, drums get killed and
Until that day comes, I will continue to produce music and express my emotions.

I'm comin' straight at MC's, blood gets spilled and
I'm coming at other rappers with my music, and there will be conflict and competition.

I'll take it back to the days that I'd get on a Dre track
I will return to my roots and work with Dr. Dre to make music like we used to.

Give every kid who got played that pumped-up feelin'
I want to inspire and uplift those who have been rejected or overlooked.

And shit to say back to the kids who played him
I want to give those who have been bullied or criticized words and confidence to fight back.

I ain't here to save the fuckin' children
I'm not here to be a savior or role model for others.

But if one kid out of a hundred million
Even if I inspire just one person, it is worth it.

Who are going through a struggle feels it
If someone who is going through their own struggles feels connected to my music, I have done my job.

And relates, that's great, it's payback, Russell Wilson
If someone relates to my music, it is a rewarding experience, like Russell Wilson's success as a quarterback.

Falling way back in the draft
Just like Russell Wilson was underestimated as a quarterback, I too have faced setbacks and rejection.

Turn nothin' into somethin', still can
Despite adversity, I can still create something from nothing and be successful.

Make that, straw into gold chump, I will spin
I have the ability to turn something ordinary into something amazing, just like spinning straw into gold.

Rumpelstiltskin in a haystack
I may be like Rumpelstiltskin spinning straw into gold, but I have a difficult and nearly impossible task ahead of me.

Maybe I need a straight jacket, face facts
Maybe I need to be institutionalized or seek serious help for my mental health struggles.

I am nuts for real, but I'm okay with that
I am truly crazy, but I have accepted my inner demons and emotional struggles.

It's nothin', I'm still friends with the
It may seem like a problem to others, but I have made peace with my inner demons and continue to be friends with them.