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Analysis of When I’m Gone by Eminem
Eminem is an American rapper, actor and record producer. Eminem’s real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III and was born on October 17, 1972, in Missouri. Eminem has written and produced a lot of music one of them being “When I’m Gone.” When I’m Gone was the lead single off Eminem’s collective album Curtain Call: The Hits that he released on December 6, 2005. The song “When I’m gone” tells of Eminem’s struggles that he undergoes while conducting his music career. Eminem speaks of family problems and drug issues that he faces.
When the video to “When I’m Gone” is starting, the opening scene is Eminem in a drug rehabilitation meeting, and there is an opening up about his experience to the group. The man starts by sharing that he remembers the first time visiting the group, states that he has been in the group for six years and he is happy not to be that person anymore. The man goes on to add that his wife is also happy and thanks to the group members for their support. The members of the group give him applause and the group moderator proceeds to asks if there is anyone else would like to share their story. Eminem steps up to the podium and does not use the microphone. Eminem introduces himself as Marshal to the group, and it is at this point that Eminem then begins performing to the group (Macleod). Eminem performing at the Narcotics Anonymous meeting shows that he has drug issues that he has to deal with as well as family issues. The line “Take another pill, yeah I bet you, you will” (Eminem, 80) is Hailie telling his father to take another sleeping peel for he has become hocked to them and is always singing about their use in songs.
When I’m Gone is a song that Eminem speaks about the love he has for Hailie, his daughter and to what extent he loves her. The song’s first verse starts by Eminem saying there his own words and life and proceeds to ask the listener whether they have loved someone so much that they can do anything for them, “Have you ever loved someone so much/ You’d give an arm for/ Not the expression no/ Literally give an arm for” (Eminem, 3-7). The verse shows how much Eminem loves Hailie and is willing to make any sacrifice for her. In the same first verse, Eminem indicates how with time he got so carried away by being Slim Shady that he wouldn’t give Hailie the attention she deserved when he was busy trying to finish his songs. (Song facts) “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 writing a song, this song ain’t gon’ write itself,”(Eminem, 14-19 ) Eminem states that he goes on to become his own daughter’s source of pain even though he wanted to protect her from anyone who would try to hurt her.
The song uses questions that appear to be posed to the audience so that they are able to relate with his thoughts. These questions are part of also creating the dialogue between Eminem and the daughter in the song. Eminem sings “Have you ever loved someone so much/ you’d give an arm for?” (Eminem 3/4), in this line he is comparing the act of giving one’s arm as an act of love. He proceeds to state that this act as a literal act and not just the expression. From the beginning of the song, one may not know who the song is addressed to but the theme of love suffice from the beginning. However as you proceed listening to the song you will learn of this from the line “Daddy, look what I made!” (Eminem 18) This is the daughter line trying to state his achievement. This is one of Eminem’s song that looks at how his career may be time consuming but tries to ensure that he remains there for the daughter by creating time. This song also explores how hard Eminem is struggling with his addiction causing him to drift from his family
Verse two of the song talks of Eminem dreaming about him pushing his daughter on a swing and the daughter tells him that his making her mother cry and asking why the mother is crying. Hailie goes on to ask Eminem in his dream not to leave anymore and tries to stop Eminem from going by piling boxes on the door. Eminem tries to tell Hailie he is not going, but Hailie knows he is lying./ You’re making mommy cry, why, why is mommy crying/ Baby, daddy ain’t leaving no more, daddy you’re lying, you always say that you always say this is the last time, but you ain’t leaving no more daddy, you’re mine/ She’s piling boxes in front of the door trying to block it/ Daddy please, daddy, don’t leave, daddy, no, stop it” (Eminem, 42-46). The verse shows that Eminem’s frequent departures are causing pain and suffering to both Hailie and her mother. Eminem is also hurt by the fact Hailie remembers that he always tells her that he won’t leave but ends up going every time.
Eminem at the end of verse two finds himself in front of a mirror telling himself that he only has one chance to make it right for his family. Eminem goes to open the door to join his wife and Hailie but finds himself in front of a huge crowd. This shows that Eminem knows that he needs to give his family priority in his mind but ends up finding himself attending tours without knowing for he becomes lost in his career that he recognizes it at the last minute when he is in front of his crowd. The third verse begins with a vast cloud applauding Eminem for his performance, and as he takes one last look at the cloud, he notices his daughter Hailie and is surprised. Hailie tosses a number dad coin towards Eminem and tells him that she is done with his lies and he can continue performing for the people for that’s all he wants (Dawkins).
The lyrics “When I’m gone, carry on, 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 doesn’t feel no pain smile back.” (Eminem, 57-69) Eminem speaks to his daughter and fans and tells them that what he wants is for them to know they shouldn’t fill badly when he goes. Eminem wants Hailie and his supporters to be filled with joy when they hear his music even when he is dead, and they should keep in mind that he would be staring at them from heaven (Simbolon). The song ends with Eminem waking up from his dream, and he goes to Kim and kisses her while Hailie seems to have what she wanted. The music video closes with Eminem at the NA meeting, giving thanks to the group for allowing him to share his story. Eminem finally realizes that family is more significant than his carrier and has passed his message to his fans.
Works Cited
Dawkins, Marcia Alesan. Eminem: The Real Slim Shady: The Real Slim Shady. ABC-CLIO, 2013.
Macleod, Duncan “Eminem at Recovery Meeting in When I’m Gone.” The Inspiration Room, 7 Jan. 2015, theinspirationroom.com/daily/2006/Eminem-when-im-gone/.
Simbolon, Patar. “Family Life Portrayal Viewed from Eminem’s Selected Lyrics.” Family Life Portrayal Viewed from Eminem’s Selected Lyrics. 2009
When I’m gone by Eminem – Song facts.” Song Meanings at Song facts, www.songfacts.com/facts/eminem/when-im-gone.
