Cinderella Man (Eminem song)

Last updated
"Cinderella Man"
Song by Eminem
from the album Recovery
ReleasedJune 18, 2010
Genre Hip-hop
Length4:39
Label
Songwriter Marshall Mathers
Producer Script Shepherd
Lyric video
"Cinderella Man" on YouTube

"Cinderella Man" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his seventh studio album Recovery (2010). Produced by Script Shepherd, it features uncredited vocals by Kobe and incorporates a sample of Queen's "We Will Rock You".

Contents

Background and release

In a 2010 Billboard cover story, Eminem stated that the line "Technically, I'm not even supposed to be here right now" in the song referred to the period between Encore and Relapse , during which he experienced the death of his friend Proof and addiction. [1]

In August 2022, an official lyric video was released to promote his second greatest hits compilation Curtain Call 2 , on which the track appears. [2]

Theme and lyrics

The song's opening line reflects Eminem's survival through a challenging period that involved struggles with addiction and the loss of his friend Proof. [1] The title of the song refers to 1930s world heavyweight boxing champion James J. Braddock. HipHopDX reported that the track is named after Braddock. [3] XXL staff quoted the line "Fuck my last CD that shit's in my trash", which refers to Eminem's rejection of Relapse. [4] NME noted Eminem's candid and self-reflective lyrics on the song, highlighting them in the context of Recovery serving as a comeback after Relapse. [5]

An academic analysis in "Woke Cinderella" (Twenty-First-Century Adaptations) describes "Cinderella Man" as portraying Eminem as a figure of endurance and survival, using a mix of religious imagery and personal loss. It states that the chorus makes this theme explicit through references to God and the word "Amen", while later lyrics refer to his late friend Proof as a continuing guiding presence. The book states that the song uses the Cinderella motif as a modern myth of masculine perseverance rather than as a moral fable. It presents Eminem as a figure who endures against overwhelming odds instead of being redeemed through virtue. [6]

Composition

XXL staff said the song uses a "We Will Rock You"-style drum pattern, with Jesse Gissen comparing it to Eminem's earlier stadium-focused material and Rob Markman describing its "we will, we will rock you" feel. [4] The track was produced by Script Shepherd, marking a departure from the Dr. Dre–led production that is typical of Eminem's albums. [7] Rolling Stone noted that Shepherd provided what the review described as the album's "most festive" beat on "Cinderella Man". He stated that the song's production still follows the album's general template of minor keys and traces of post-grunge rock. [8]

Critical reception

In staff track-by-track review by XXL, several editors responded positively to the song, with Jesse Gissen calling it an "XXL-rated song", Matt Barone describing it as "awesome", and Rob Markman highlighting its stadium-ready quality. [4] NME noted Eminem's candid and self-reflective lyrics on the song, highlighting them in the context of Recovery serving as a comeback after Relapse. [5] The Guardian highlighted the track's beat as a standout on the album, noting that it differs from Eminem's usual production style. [7]

Live performances

In August 2024, Eminem performed the song at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles during a ring-walk appearance for boxer Terence Crawford, with the song placed between "'Till I Collapse" and "Lose Yourself" in the set. [3]

Media usage

In January 2024, the Detroit Lions used "Cinderella Man" in an official pregame hype video for their NFL playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams, with season highlights set to the song and an on-camera introduction by Eminem. [9]

Charts

Chart (2010)Peak
position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 ( Billboard ) [10] 11

Certifications

RegionCertificationSource
United States (RIAA)2× Platinum [11]
Australia (ARIA)2× Platinum [12]
United Kingdom (BPI)Gold [13]
New Zealand (RMNZ)Platinum [14]

Personnel

References

  1. 1 2 Herrera, Monica (June 25, 2010). "Eminem: The Billboard Cover Story". Billboard . Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  2. ↑ Cho, Regina (August 10, 2022). "Eminem releases new "Cinderella Man" lyric video". Revolt . Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  3. 1 2 Moore, Sam (August 5, 2024). "Eminem Takes Ring Walkouts To New Level With Terence Crawford Performance". HipHopDX . Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 "XXL Dissects Eminem's 'Recovery,' Track by Track". XXL . June 11, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Wolfson, Sam (June 28, 2010). "Eminem – 'Recovery' Review". NME . Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  6. ↑ Christine Case, Sarah E. Maier (October 14, 2020). Woke Cinderella: Twenty-First-Century Adaptations. Lexington Books . Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  7. 1 2 Empire, Kitty (June 20, 2010). "Eminem: Recovery". The Guardian . Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  8. ↑ Rosen, Jody (June 22, 2010). "Recovery Review". Rolling Stone . Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  9. ↑ Ramsey, Jared (January 14, 2024). "This Detroit Lions pregame hype video will get you pumped before kickoff". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Eminem Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Cinderella Man — RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  12. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles (PDF)" (PDF). ARIA. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  13. ↑ "British single certifications – Eminem". BPI. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  14. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Eminem". RMNZ. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
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