Eminem

Lyrics

[Intro: Paul Rodgers]
Lately I've been hard to reach
I've been too long on my own
Everybody has a private world where they can be alone
Are you calling me?
Are you tryin' to get through?
Are you reaching out for me?
I'm reaching out for you

[Verse 1: Eminem]
I'm just so fucking depressed
I just can't seem to get out this slump
If I could just get over this hump
But I need something to pull me out this dump
I took my bruises, took my lumps
Fell down then I got right back up
But I need that spark to get psyched back up
In order for me to pick the mic back up
I don't know how or why or when
I ended up in this position I'm in
I'm starting to feel distant again
So I decided just to pick this pen
Up and try to make an attempt
To vent, but I just can't admit
Or come to grips with the fact that
I may be done with rap, I need a new outlet
And I know some shit's so hard to swallow
But I just can't sit back and wallow
In my own sorrow, but I know one fact:
I'll be one tough act to follow
One tough act to follow
I'll be one tough act to follow
Here today, gone tomorrow
But you'd have to walk a thousand miles—
[Pre-Chorus: Eminem]
In my shoes, just to see
What it's like to be me
I'll be you, let's trade shoes
Just to see what it'd be like to
Feel your pain, you feel mine
Go inside each other's minds
Just to see what we find
Look at shit through each other's eyes

[Chorus: Eminem]
But don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful, oh
They can all get fucked, just stay true to you, so
Don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful, oh
They can all get fucked, just stay true to you, so

[Verse 2: Eminem]
I think I'm startin' to lose my sense of humor
Everything's so tense and gloom
I almost feel like I gotta check the temperature
Of the room, just as soon as
I walk in, it's like all eyes on me
So I try to avoid any eye contact
'Cause if I do that, then it opens a door
For conversation like I want that
I'm not lookin' for extra attention
I just wanna be just like you
Blend in with the rest of the room
Maybe just point me to the closest restroom
I don't need no fuckin' man servant
Tryna follow me around and wipe my ass
Laugh at every single joke I crack
And half of 'em ain't even funny, like, "Ha!
Marshall, you're so funny, man
You should be a comedian, goddamn!"
Unfortunately I am
I just hide behind the tears of a clown
So why don't you all sit down?
Listen to the tale I'm about to tell
Hell, we don't gotta trade our shoes
And you ain't gotta walk no thousand miles—
[Pre-Chorus: Eminem]
In my shoes, just to see
What it's like to be me
I'll be you, let's trade shoes
Just to see what it'd be like to
Feel your pain, you feel mine
Go inside each other's minds
Just to see what we find
Look at shit through each other's eyes

[Chorus: Eminem]
But don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful, oh
They can all get fucked, just stay true to you, so
Don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful, oh
They can all get fucked, just stay true to you, so
[Verse 3: Eminem]
Nobody asked for life to deal us
With these bullshit hands we're dealt
We gotta take these cards ourselves
And flip 'em, don't expect no help
Now, I could've either just sat
On my ass and pissed and moaned
Or take this situation in which I'm placed in
And get up and get my own
I was never the type of kid
To wait by the door and pack his bags
And sat on the porch and hoped and prayed
For a dad to show up who never did
I just wanted to fit in
In every single place, every school I went
I dreamed of being that cool kid
Even if it meant actin' stupid
Aunt Edna always told me:
"Keep making that face, it'll get stuck like that."
Meanwhile, I'm just standin' there
Holdin' my tongue, tryin' to talk like this
'Til I stuck my tongue on that frozen
Stop sign pole at eight-years-old
I learned my lesson then, 'cause I wasn't
Tryin' to impress my friends no mo'
But I already told you my whole life story
Not just based on my description
'Cause where you see it from where you're sittin'
It's probably a 110% different
I guess we would have to walk a
Mile in each other's shoes at least
What size you wear? I wear 10's
Let's see if you can fit your feet—
[Pre-Chorus: Eminem]
In my shoes, just to see
What it's like to be me
I'll be you, let's trade shoes
Just to see what it'd be like to
Feel your pain, you feel mine
Go inside each other's minds
Just to see what we find
Look at shit through each other's eyes

[Chorus: Eminem]
But don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful, oh
They can all get fucked, just stay true to you, so
Don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful, oh
They can all get fucked, just stay true to you, so

[Bridge: Paul Rodgers, Eminem]
Lately I've been hard to reach
I've been too long on my own (Oh)
Everybody has a private world
Where they can be alone (So)
Are you calling me?
Are you tryin'g to get through? (Oh)
Are you reaching out for me?
I'm reaching out for you (So)

[Outro: Eminem]
Yeah
To my babies:
Stay strong
Your Dad'll be home soon
And to the rest of the world:
God gave you shoes
To fit you
So put 'em on and wear 'em
Be yourself, man
Be proud of who you are
Even if it sounds corny
Don't never let no one tell you
You ain't beautiful (So-oh-oh-oh-oh)

When it comes to Eminem, it's tough to pick just one "most important" song, as the rapper's discography is chock full of powerful, thought-provoking tracks. However, "Beautiful," a standout on the 2009 album "Relapse," is a song that resonates with many fans and critics. It's a track that showcases Eminem's deep introspection and raw vulnerability, as he opens up about his struggles with addiction, depression, and the difficulties of fame.

About Beautiful

As the story goes, "Beautiful" was partially written while Eminem was in rehab, a fact that adds a layer of significance and sincerity to the track. In an interview with Vibe Magazine in June 2009, Eminem explained his reasoning for including the song on the album, stating that it was the only track from that period in his life that he felt comfortable sharing with the world. He called it "the best song out of that batch," and explained that not only did it not bring up bad memories, but it also expressed a message of hope and optimism for the future.

The track itself is a poignant and powerful exploration of depression and the struggle to find meaning and purpose despite overwhelming feelings of hopelessness. In the first verse, Eminem raps about feeling "ugly" and "alienated," and struggling to find his place in the world. He reflects on his past mistakes and the guilt and remorse that come along with them, admitting that "I've been trying to hide it / Not wanting to admit it to myself or anybody else sometimes." There's a sense of desperation and sorrow in these early lyrics, as Eminem seems to be grappling with some of the darkest demons in his psyche.

However, as the song progresses, it starts to take on a more hopeful tone. In the chorus, Eminem sings, "Don't let 'em say you ain't beautiful / They can all get fucked, just stay true to you," a rallying cry for anyone who's ever felt judged or misunderstood. It's a message that's universal and relatable, and it's one that has resonated with fans from all walks of life.

The second verse moves into themes of self-acceptance and growth, as Eminem raps about his desire to be a better person and to learn from his mistakes. He acknowledges that he's still a work in progress, but he's committed to the journey of self-improvement. This verse also contains some of the most striking and poetic lyrics on the song, such as the lines "But it seems like the more they talk / The less I got to lose / I'm a verbal abuse, they say that I'm fire / But I spit on these hoe's, before I skip town and they flip me off / They'll never understand, it's a cycle / And I'm on a unicycle, but I'm trying to stay balanced / Through life in general, which ain't easy" - a testament to Eminem's lyrical prowess and ability to blend emotion with razor-sharp wordplay.

By the third verse, Eminem is firing on all cylinders, delivering some of the most incendiary lines on the entire song. Here, he takes on his critics and naysayers, calling them out for their negativity and insensitivity. He also reaffirms his commitment to his art and his fans, stating "I can see the fatigue in your eyes / Just let me explain, please / I never been a liar, she claimin' I'm a cheater / I ain't got neither the time nor the inclination to play with your mind / I'm willing to bet you're mine, that's all I'm saying / Come and get me, bitch, if you're really feeling froggy, we'll jump then." It's a powerful and defiant verse, one that showcases Eminem's bravado and swagger in the face of adversity.

Overall, "Beautiful" is a remarkable song that encapsulates some of the most important themes and ideas in Eminem's work. It's a song about pain and struggle, but it's also a song about perseverance and hope. And it's a song that exemplifies what makes Eminem such a unique and vital artist - his ability to speak the truth, no matter how uncomfortable or challenging it may be.

• Release Date: May 15, 2009
• Artist: Eminem