The Way I Am
Green Day vs. Eminem Lyrics

Man, whatever
I don't care about anything right now.

Dre just let it run
Dr. Dre can take control of the music.

Ayo, turn the beat up a little bit
Make the sound louder so everyone can hear it.

Ayo, this song is for anyone
This song is not specifically for anyone, but anyone can relate to it.

Fuck it, just shut up and listen, ayo
Stop talking and pay attention to what I'm saying.

I sit back with this pack of Zig-Zag's and this bag
I relax with my rolling papers and marijuana.

Of this weed, it gives me the shit needed to be
Smoking marijuana gives me the confidence to be the best rapper.

The most meanest MC on this, on this Earth
I am the most aggressive rapper on the planet.

And since birth I've been cursed with this curse to just curse
I have always had a tendency to swear in my music.

And just blurt this berserk and bizarre shit that works
My unconventional style of rap is successful.

And it sells and it helps in itself to relieve all this tension
My music sells well and helps me release my stress.

Dispensing these sentences, getting this stress
I am releasing my stress by rapping.

That's been eating me recently off of this chest
My recent stress has been a burden on me.

And I rest again peacefully
Rapping gives me peace of mind.

But at least have the decency in you
Please be respectful towards me.

To leave me alone, when you freaks see me out
Don't bother me when I'm out in public.

In the streets when I'm eating or feeding my daughter
Don't approach me when I'm spending time with my daughter.

To not come and speak to me, I don't know you
Don't talk to me if we haven't been properly introduced.

And no, I don't owe you a mothafuckin' thing
I don't owe you anything.

I'm not Mr. N'Sync, I'm not what your friends think
I am not a pop artist like N'Sync, and I don't conform to people's expectations.

I'm not Mr. Friendly, I can be a prick if you tempt me
I am not always nice, and I can be rude if provoked.

My tank is on empty, no patience is in me
I am frustrated and have no patience left.

And if you offend me, I'm lifting you ten feet in the air
If you upset me, I will beat you up.

I don't care who was there and who saw me just jaw you
I don't care who witnesses me attacking someone who offends me.

Go call you a lawyer, file you a lawsuit
If you try to sue me for attacking you, you will lose.

I'll smile in the courtroom and buy you a wardrobe
I will remain confident in court and pay for your clothes if I lose.

I'm tired of all you, I don't mean to be mean
I am annoyed with everyone, but I don't intend to be rude.

But that's all I can be, it's just me
I can only be myself.

And I am whatever you say I am
I am perceived based on what others say about me.

If I wasn't, then why would I say I am?
I embrace the persona others have created for me.

In the paper, the news, every day I am
The media talks about me frequently.

Radio won't even play my jam
My music is controversial and not played on the radio.

'Cause I am whatever you say I am
My public image is based on perception and opinion.

I don't know, it's just the way I am
I can't explain who I am, it's just who I am.

Sometimes I just feel like my father
I sometimes feel like my father who was also a nonconformist.

I hate to be bothered with all of this nonsense
I don't like being bothered by people's opinions and criticisms.

It's constant, and, "Oh, it's his lyrical content
People often criticize my lyrics for being violent and offensive.

The song 'Guilty Conscience' has gotten such rotten responses"
My song 'Guilty Conscience' received negative feedback.

And all of this controversy circles me
Everyone is talking about me and my music.

And it seems like the media immediately points a finger at me
The media often blames me for controversial events.

So I point one back at 'em, but not the index or pinkie
I retaliate against the media by flipping them off with my middle finger.

Or the ring or the thumb, it's the one you put up
The middle finger is the one used to show disrespect.

When you don't give a fuck, when you won't just put up
The middle finger is used to show that you don't care about something.

With the bullshit they pull, 'cause they full of shit too
The media is full of lies and misrepresentation.

When a dude's getting bullied and shoots up his school
When a victim of bullying brings a gun to school and opens fire.

And they blame it on Marilyn and the heroin
The media often blames violent events on drug use and pop culture influences.

Where were the parents at? And look where it's at!
Parents are responsible for their children's actions.

Middle America, now it's a tragedy
Tragic events occur even in suburban America.

Now it's so sad to see, an upper-class city havin' this happening
It is shocking to see violence occur in a wealthy community.

Then attack Eminem 'cause I rap this way
People criticize my music and blame me for violent events.

But I'm glad, 'cause they feed me the fuel that I need
Criticism motivates me to continue making successful music.

For the fire to burn, and it's burning, and I have returned
My critics have inspired me to make even more controversial music.

I'm so sick and tired of being admired
Being famous is tiring and stressful.

That I wish that I would just die or get fired
I wish I could escape the pressures of fame.

And dropped from my label, let's stop with the fables
I wish I could be released from my record label so I can be free from their control.

I'm not gonna be able to top on "My Name Is"
It will be difficult to top the success of my first hit song.

And pigeon-holed into some poppy sensation
Being categorized as a pop artist is limiting.

To cop me rotation at rock-n-roll stations
Being played on rock music stations is not my goal.

And I just do not got the patience
I am impatient.

To deal with these cocky Caucasians
I am frustrated with arrogant white people.

Who think I'm some wigger who just tries to be black
Some people assume I am trying to imitate black culture.

'Cause I talk with an accent and grab on my balls
My style of speaking and mannerisms are seen as trying too hard to be cool.

So they always keep asking the same fucking questions
I am constantly asked the same questions about my background and behavior.

What school did I go to, what hood I grew up in
People want to know where I'm from and where I was raised.

The why, the who, what, when, the where and the how
People want to know everything about my personal life.

'Til I'm grabbing my hair and I'm tearin' it out
The constant questioning drives me crazy.

'Cause they driving me crazy, I can't take it
The constant questioning becomes unbearable.

I'm racin', I'm pacin', I stand and I sit
I am restless and can't sit still.

And I'm thankful for every fan that I get
I appreciate my fans and their support.

But I can't take a shit
I can't even use the bathroom in peace.

In the bathroom without someone standing by it
People follow me even into the bathroom.

No, I won't sign you an autograph
I won't sign autographs for everyone who asks.

You can call me an asshole, I'm glad
People can insult me all they want, it doesn't bother me.