Eminem

Lyrics

[Intro]
Yeah, it's my life
In my own words, I guess

[Verse 1]
Have you ever loved someone so much, you'd give an arm for?
Not the expression, no, literally give an arm for
When they know they're your heart and you know you are their armor
And you will destroy anyone who would try to harm her
But what happens when karma turns right around to bite you?
And everything you stand for turns on you to spite you?
What happens when you become the main source of her pain?
"Daddy, look what I made!" "Dad's gotta go catch a plane"
"Daddy, where's Mommy? I can't find Mommy, where is she?"
"I don't know, go play, Hailie, baby, your daddy's busy
Daddy's writin' a song, this song ain't gon' write itself
I'll give you one underdog, then you gotta swing by yourself"
Then turn right around on that song and tell her you love her
And put hands on her mother who's a spitting image of her
That's Slim Shady, yeah, baby, Slim Shady's crazy
Shady made me, but tonight Shady's rock-a-bye baby, ha
[Chorus]
And when I'm gone, just carry on, don't mourn
Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice
Just know that I'm lookin' down on you smilin'
And I didn't feel a thing
So, baby, don't feel no pain, just smile back
And when I'm gone, just carry on, don't mourn
Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice
Just know that I'm lookin' down on you smilin'
And I didn't feel a thing
So, baby, don't feel my pain, just smile back
[Verse 2]
I keep havin' this dream, I'm pushin' Hailie on the swing
She keeps screamin' she don't want me to sing
"You're makin' Mommy cry, why? Why is Mommy cryin'?"
"Baby, Daddy ain't leavin' no more" "Daddy, you're lyin'!
You always say that, you always say this is the last time
But you ain't leavin' no more, Daddy, you're mine!"
She's pilin' boxes in front of the door, tryna block it
"Daddy, please! Daddy, don't leave! Daddy, no, stop it!"
Goes in her pocket, pulls out a tiny necklace locket
It's got a picture, "This'll keep you safe, Daddy, take it wit' ya!"
I look up, it's just me standin' in the mirror
These fuckin' walls must be talkin' 'cause, man, I can hear 'em
They're sayin', "You got one more chance to do right and it's tonight
Now go out there and show 'em that you love 'em 'fore it's too late."
And just as I go to walk out of my bedroom door
It turns to a stage, they're gone and the spotlight is on and I'm singin'

[Chorus]
And when I'm gone, just carry on, don't mourn
Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice
Just know that I'm lookin' down on you smilin'
And I didn't feel a thing
So, baby, don't feel no pain, just smile back
And when I'm gone, just carry on, don't mourn
Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice
Just know that I'm lookin' down on you smilin'
And I didn't feel a thing
So, baby, don't feel my pain, just smile back
[Verse 3]
Sixty-thousand people all jumpin' out their seat
The curtain closes, they're throwin' roses at my feet
I take a bow and "Thank you all for comin' out"
They're screamin' so loud, I take one last look at the crowd
I glance down, I don't believe what I'm seein'
"Daddy, it's me! Help Mommy, her wrists are bleedin'!"
"But baby, we're in Sweden, how did you get to Sweden?"
"I followed you, Daddy, you told me that you weren't leavin'
You lied to me, Dad, and now you made Mommy sad
And I bought you this coin, it says 'Number One Dad'
That's all I wanted, I just wanna give you this coin
I get the point, fine, me and Mommy are goin'."
"But baby, wait!" – "It's too late, Dad, you made the choice
Now go up there and show 'em that you love 'em more than us
That's what they want, they want you, Marshall, they keep
Screamin' your name, it's no wonder you can't go to sleep
Just take another pill, yeah, I bet you you will
You rap about it, yeah, word, k-keep it real."
I hear applause, all this time I couldn't see
How could it be that the curtain is closin' on me?
I turn around, find a gun on the ground, cock it
Put it to my brain, scream, "Die, Shady!" and pop it
The sky darkens, my life flashes, the plane that I was
Supposed to be on crashes and burns to ashes
That's when I wake up, alarm clock's ringin', there's birds singin'
It's spring and Hailie's outside swingin'
I walk right up to Kim and kiss her, tell her I miss her
Hailie just smiles and winks at her little sister, almost as if to say
[Chorus]
And when I'm gone, just carry on, don't mourn
Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice
Just know that I'm lookin' down on you smilin'
And I didn't feel a thing
So, baby, don't feel no pain, just smile back
And when I'm gone, just carry on, don't mourn
Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice
Just know that I'm lookin' down on you smilin'
And I didn't feel a thing
So, baby, don't feel my pain, just smile back
*Curtains closing*

If there's one song that captures the essence of Eminem - the man and the musician - it's "When I'm Gone." This 2005 hit is emotionally loaded, intensely personal and utterly heartbreaking. It is a song about fatherhood, fame, and the struggles of balancing the two. It has been hailed as one of the best songs ever recorded by Eminem, and it's not hard to see why.

About When I’m Gone

"When I'm Gone" is a deeply personal song that tells the story of Eminem's relationship with his daughter, Hailie. The song is about the toll that his life as a rap superstar has taken on his family, and how the constant touring and performing has affected his ability to be there for his daughter. Eminem's verses in the song are a letter to his daughter, in which he apologizes for not being around enough, and assures her that he loves her more than anything in the world.

The chorus of "When I'm Gone" is one of the most powerful and memorable moments in the song. Eminem sings, "And when I'm gone, just carry on, don't mourn/ Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice/ Just know that I'm looking down on you smiling/ And I didn't feel a thing, so baby, don't feel no pain, just smile back." The message in the chorus is clear - Eminem wants his daughter to be happy and to know that he will always be with her, even when he's gone.

The song takes on even more significance when you consider the fact that it was released just before Eminem's hiatus from music. In 2005, Eminem announced that he would be taking a break from the music industry, citing exhaustion and emotional burnout. He didn't release another album for four years, and during that time, many fans wondered whether he would ever return. "When I'm Gone" was therefore seen as a farewell to Eminem's fans, and a sign that he was moving on from rap music.

"When I'm Gone" is also notable for its use of samples from Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Tuesday's Gone." The song was produced by Eminem's long-time collaborator Luis Resto, who had previously worked with him on hits like "Lose Yourself" and "Without Me." Resto's production gives the song a haunting, melancholy feel that perfectly matches the lyrics.

The music video for "When I'm Gone" is a work of art in its own right. The video is a surreal, dreamlike depiction of Eminem's life, with scenes of him performing onstage intercut with footage of his family and home life. The video has been praised for its artistry and its emotional impact.

Overall, "When I'm Gone" is a song that perfectly captures the complex emotions of parenthood and fame. It is a powerful reminder of the human cost of success, and a touching tribute to the enduring love between a father and daughter. Eminem's words in "When I'm Gone" are a testament to his skill as a storyteller and his ability to connect with his audience on a deep, emotional level.

• Release Date: December 6, 2005
• Artist: Eminem