The Way I Am (Eminem song)

Last updated
"The Way I Am"
Eminem - The Way I Am CD cover.jpg
Single by Eminem
from the album The Marshall Mathers LP
ReleasedOctober 3, 2000 [1]
Recorded2000
Genre Hardcore hip hop
Length4:50
Label
Songwriter(s) Marshall Mathers
Producer(s) Eminem
Eminem singles chronology
"The Real Slim Shady"
(2000)		"The Way I Am"
(2000)		"Stan"
(2000)
Music video
"The Way I Am" on YouTube

"The Way I Am" is a song written, produced, and performed by American rapper Eminem from his third album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). It was released as the second single from the album on October 3, 2000, later being featured on his 2005 compilation album, Curtain Call: The Hits . In the tradition of most of Eminem's follow-up singles, "The Way I Am" is one of the rare songs for which he has sole songwriting credit. It features a much darker and emotionally driven sound than the album's lead single "The Real Slim Shady". "The Way I Am" peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside the United States, "The Way I Am" peaked within the top ten of the charts in Belgium (Wallonia), Finland, Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Contents

Background

The song was written by Eminem to express the negative side of the fame that he had gained. The song makes points such as him not being able to go out in public and live a normal life due to him being harassed by fans. He also vents about the pressure put on him to top his earlier work on The Slim Shady LP . The line, "If I wasn't then why would I say I am" was taken from the song "As the Rhyme Goes On" by Eric B. & Rakim from their album Paid in Full . The song has also been remixed by Danny Lohner featuring Marilyn Manson, who has performed the song with Eminem live on stage. "The Way I Am" was certified Gold in Sweden, selling over 20,000 copies. The lyrics "When a dude's getting bullied and shoots up his school / And they blame it on Marilyn (On Marilyn) / And the heroin / Where were the parents at? (Parents at?) / And look where it's at! / Middle America, now it's a tragedy / Now it's so sad to see, an upper-class city / Having this happening," refer to the Columbine High School massacre with Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. [2]

In 2008, Eminem released a second autobiography titled The Way I Am.

Critical reception

The song received critical acclaim. Aspects lauded were the vocal delivery, rhyme pattern, production and political material covered. Cynthia Fuchs of PopMatters was positive: "In 'The Way I Am', Eminem expounds, 'Since birth I've been cursed with this curse to just curse / And just blurt this berserk and bizarre shit that works / And it sells and it helps in itself to relieve / All this tension, dispensin' these sentences.' So there it is: he's performing therapy." [3] AllMusic highlighted the song. [4] Sputnikmusic described this song as "Amityville's portrayal of the Detroit he grew up in; 'The Way I Am' as a whole". Same critic listed it in Recommended Downloads and praising the single: "Built over doomy, gothic arpeggios, rumbling bass, and church bells, Eminem lays down one of the most perfectly formed lyrics of his career, weaving in and out of a tight rhyme scheme that echoes the loping piano motif. Interesting aside: this is one of the first Eminem songs that gives him 100% of the writing credits." [5] IGN praised the song: "Eminem is an angry ass white boy and the vitriol continues on 'The Way I Am', in which he soundly states 'I am whatever you say I am / If I wasn't why would I say I am?' And when he complains that he's 'so sick and tired of being admired...', one almost believes that he'll hang up the mic and disappear (but Em obviously loves the attention so that's not an option at this point in the game). The throbbing, tubular bell and piano laced beat only add to the intensity of the track (incidentally it was crafted by Em himself and it's one of the more stellar examples of his often hit or miss production techniques)." [6] Sal Cinquemani called this song: "He (Eminem) revels in the fact that there's teen violence in upper-class cities on the epic 'The Way I Am'. [7] The song was named the 35th Best Song of the decade by the magazine Complex . [8] The same magazine, in April 2011, ranked the song at #3 on their 100 Best Eminem Songs list.

Music video

The music video at the beginning plays an instrumental of Eminem's song "Kim". After the "Kim" instrumental is played, the song carries on as normal and when the song starts, it shows Eminem about to jump out of the window of a tall building. He jumps and falls through the sky in a sequence inspired by the Coen brothers film The Hudsucker Proxy , in which the hero also falls slowly from a skyscraper window. [9] Marilyn Manson appears behind Eminem when the song refers to him — and a few more times thereafter. Other shots show fans coming up to Eminem, asking for his autograph. Eminem and Manson were accused of being one of the causes of the Columbine High School massacre because of their violent lyrics. The rapper refuted these accusations by saying in "The Way I Am" that it is up to parents to raise their children. Manson was invited by Eminem to participate in the music video. Manson also performed the song live with Eminem. The scene when Eminem throws a chair at his The Slim Shady LP platinum plaque was inspired by the pressure he felt by his label to write a hit as the first single for The Marshall Mathers LP . In the video, Proof is in the scene when Eminem holds a radio interview and flips the DJ off. The little boy who asks for Eminem's photo in the public bathroom is his half-brother, Nathan. It was released by Paul Hunter as well as Eminem in his neighborhood in front of his old house, the same house that is depicted on the cover of The Marshall Mathers LP. At the end of the video, when Eminem hits the ground, he bounces off of it safely, as if it is a giant mattress.

The video was named the 19th Best Music Video of the 2000s by Complex magazine. In the music video version of the song, wind sound effects can be heard when Eminem sings the intro, the first & last chorus. This can't be heard in the album version. [10]

Credits

Track listing

UK CD single [11]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."The Way I Am"
4:50
2."Bad Influence"
3:40
3."My Fault" (pizza mix)
  • Mathers
  • J. Bass
  • M. Bass
  • Bass Brothers
  • Eminem
3:54
4."The Way I Am" (video)  4:52
Total length:17:16
UK Cassette
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."The Way I Am"
4:50
2."Bad Influence"
3:40
Total length:8:30
Australian CD single [12]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."The Way I Am" (unedited version)
4:50
2."The Way I Am" (clean)
  • Mathers
  • Eminem
4:49
3."Kids" (uncensored version)
5:07
4."'97 Bonnie & Clyde"
  • Mathers
  • J. Bass
  • M. Bass
  • Bass Brothers
  • Eminem [a]
5:17
5."Steve Berman" (skit)Mathers 0:56
6."The Real Slim Shady" (video)  4:44
Total length:25:43
Notes

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [37] Gold45,000‡
Sweden (GLF) [38] Gold15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [39] Platinum600,000‡
United States (RIAA) [40] 2× Platinum2,000,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>The Marshall Mathers LP</i> 2000 studio album by Eminem

The Marshall Mathers LP is the third studio album by the American rapper Eminem, released on May 23, 2000, by Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. The album was produced mostly by Dr. Dre and Eminem, along with the 45 King, the Bass Brothers, and Mel-Man. Recorded over a two-month period in several studios around Detroit, the album features more introspective lyricism, including Eminem's thoughts on his rise from rags to riches, the criticism of his music, and his estrangement from his family and wife. A transgressive work, it incorporates horrorcore and hardcore hip hop, while also featuring satirical songs. The album includes samples or appearances by Dido, RBX, Sticky Fingaz, Bizarre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Nate Dogg, and D12.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Real Slim Shady</span> 2000 single by Eminem

"The Real Slim Shady" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his third album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). It was released as the lead single a month before the album's release.

<i>The Slim Shady LP</i> 1999 studio album by Eminem

The Slim Shady LP is the second studio album by the American rapper Eminem, and his first on a major record label. It was released on February 23, 1999, by Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. Recorded in Ferndale, Michigan following Eminem's recruitment by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, the album features production from Dr. Dre, the Bass Brothers, and Eminem himself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stan (song)</span> 2000 single by Eminem

"Stan" is a song by American rapper Eminem, with vocals sampled from the opening lines of British singer Dido's song "Thank You". It was released in 2000, as the third single from Eminem's third album, The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). "Stan" peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Stan" topped the charts in 12 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Name Is</span> 1999 single by Eminem

"My Name Is" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his second album The Slim Shady LP (1999). It is also the opening song and lead single of the album. The song samples British singer Labi Siffre's 1975 track "I Got The..." as a bass and guitar riff played by British pop rock duo Chas & Dave. The song was ranked at #26 on "VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s". "My Name Is" was also ranked #6 on Q Magazine's "1001 Best Songs Ever". "My Name Is" peaked at number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Eminem's first top 40 hit there. Outside the United States, "My Name Is" peaked within the top ten of the charts in Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, Ireland, and United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marilyn Manson discography</span>

American rock band Marilyn Manson has released eleven studio albums, one live album, one compilation album, two extended plays, 33 singles, nine promotional singles, six video albums, and 44 music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eminem</span> American rapper (born 1972)

Marshall Bruce Mathers III, known professionally as Eminem, is an American rapper. He is credited with popularizing hip hop in Middle America and is often regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. His global success and acclaimed works are widely regarded as having broken racial barriers for the acceptance of white rappers in popular music. While much of his transgressive work during the late 1990s and early 2000s made him a controversial figure, he came to be a representation of popular angst of the American underclass and has been cited as an influence by and upon many artists working in various genres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)</span> 1983 single by Eurythmics

"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" is a song by the British new wave music duo Eurythmics. It was released as the fourth and final single from their second album of the same name in January 1983. It was their breakthrough hit, establishing the duo worldwide. It reached number two on the UK Singles Chart in March 1983, and number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 six months later; it was their first single released in the US.

<i>All Access Europe</i> 2002 video by Eminem

All Access Europe is a video album released by American rapper Eminem in 2002. The album contains segments of Eminem's live performances during a European tour intended to promote The Marshall Mathers LP. The album includes live guest appearances by "Stan" featuring Dido, "The Way I Am" featuring Marilyn Manson, and "Bitch Please II" featuring Xzibit, special features "Purple Pills" with D12 and "Forgot About Dre" with Dr. Dre.

<i>The Marshall Mathers LP 2</i> 2013 studio album by Eminem

The Marshall Mathers LP 2 is the eighth studio album by the American rapper Eminem. It was released on November 5, 2013, by Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. The album is Eminem's last to have the involvement of independent label WEB Entertainment. It serves as a sequel to his third album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). The album was recorded from 2012 to 2013 with several different producers, with Dr. Dre and Rick Rubin serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Skylar Grey, Rihanna, Nate Ruess, and rapper Kendrick Lamar, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Survival (Eminem song)</span> 2013 single by Eminem

"Survival" is a song by American rapper Eminem. It premiered on August 14, 2013, to promote the multiplayer trailer for the video game Call of Duty: Ghosts, and was initially released as a pre-order bonus when pre-ordering the game. The song was officially released as the second single from The Marshall Mathers LP 2 on October 8, 2013. It features uncredited vocals in the chorus from Liz Rodrigues of the New Royales. Upon its single release, the song debuted at number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and upon the album's release, it climbed to a new peak of number 16.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berzerk (song)</span> 2013 single by Eminem

"Berzerk" is a song by American rapper Eminem. The song, released on August 27, 2013, is the first single from Eminem's eighth studio album The Marshall Mathers LP 2. The song was produced by Rick Rubin and samples Billy Squier's "The Stroke", as well as the Beastie Boys' "Fight for Your Right", taken from their 1986 debut album Licensed to Ill, which Rubin had also produced, and Naughty by Nature's "Feel Me Flow". The song was heavily downloaded in its first week of release, resulting in the song debuting at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Monster (song)</span> 2013 single by Eminem featuring Rihanna

"The Monster" is a song from American rapper Eminem's album The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013) featuring a guest appearance from Barbadian singer Rihanna. The song was written by Bebe Rexha, Eminem, Rihanna, Aalias, Jon Bellion, Maki Athanasiou, and Frequency, with the latter also handling production. Released on October 29, 2013, as the fourth single from the album, "The Monster" marks the fourth collaboration between Eminem and Rihanna, following "Love the Way You Lie" (2010), its sequel "Love the Way You Lie " (2010), and "Numb" (2012), and is a hip-hop and pop song, with lyrics that describe Eminem pondering the negative effects of his fame while Rihanna comes to grips with her inner demons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rap God</span> 2013 single by Eminem

"Rap God" is a song by American rapper Eminem. The song premiered via YouTube on October 14, 2013, and was released in the United States on October 15, 2013, as the third single from Eminem's eighth studio album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013). It contains references to previous conflicts in Eminem's career, as well as to other rappers' conduct.

"Legacy" is a song by American rapper Eminem. It is the sixth track on his eighth studio album The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013). The song discusses Eminem's dysfunctional childhood. The song was produced by American record producer Emile Haynie and written by Eminem, Polina Goudieva, David Brook, and Emile Haynie. The song features additional vocals from Russian singer-songwriter Polina. "Legacy" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics upon the album's release. The song has since peaked at number 44 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. "Legacy" became one of the official theme songs of WrestleMania XXX.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Headlights (Eminem song)</span> 2014 Eminem song

"Headlights" is a song by American rapper Eminem, featuring American singer Nate Ruess of the band Fun. It was written by Eminem, Emile Haynie, Jeff Bhasker, Luis Riesto, and Ruess, while being produced by the former three. In the song, Eminem apologizes to his mother, Debbie Mathers, for criticizing her in his earlier songs and for showing scorn and resentment towards her in the past. It was released on February 5, 2014, as the album's fifth and the final single. It peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Bad Guy" is a song by American rapper Eminem, taken from his eighth album The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013). The song connects the second LP to the first Marshall Mathers LP, which was released in 2000. "Bad Guy" is also a sequel to Eminem's hit single "Stan", which appears on the aforementioned album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Without Me (Eminem song)</span> 2002 single by Eminem

"Without Me" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fourth studio album The Eminem Show (2002). "Without Me" was released on May 13, 2002, as the lead single from the album, and re-released on his greatest hits compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits (2005). "Without Me" is one of Eminem's most successful singles, reaching number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and number one in fifteen countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">From the D 2 the LBC</span> 2022 single by Eminem and Snoop Dogg

"From the D 2 the LBC" is a song by American rappers Eminem and Snoop Dogg. It was released on June 24, 2022, as the second single from Eminem's second greatest hits album, Curtain Call 2 (2022). The song was produced by Eminem and was written by Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Luis Resto. It marks the first collaboration between the two rappers in over 20 years, having last appeared together on the track "Bitch Please II" from The Marshall Mathers LP (2000).

References

  1. ↑ "The Way I Am - Eminem | Release Info". AllMusic .
  2. ↑ "(Guld & Platina) ÅR 2000" [(Gold & Platinum) Year 2000](PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. pp. 8, 10. Archived from the original ("The Way I Am" at #2131) on March 4, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Eminem: The Marshall Mathers LP - PopMatters Music Review". Archived from the original on 22 April 2006. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  4. ↑ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "The Marshall Mathers LP - Eminem - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  5. ↑ "Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP (album review 15) - Sputnikmusic" . Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  6. ↑ "The Marshall Mathers LP". IGN. 12 November 2004. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  7. ↑ Sal Cinquemani (16 January 2001). "Eminem: The Marshall Mathers LP - Album Review - Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  8. ↑ "Complex - Style, Music, Sneakers, Entertainment, Girls, Technology". Best.complex.com. Archived from the original on 2009-12-05. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
  9. ↑ "The Hudsucker Proxy Trailer". YouTube. 2008-02-23. Retrieved 2011-08-25.[ dead YouTube link ]
  10. ↑ "Complex | Style, Music, Sneakers, Entertainment, Girls, Technology". Best.complex.com. Archived from the original on 2009-11-20. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
  11. ↑ "Way I Am: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  12. ↑ "Way i Am: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  13. ↑ "Eminem – The Way I Am". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Eminem – The Way I Am" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Eminem – The Way I Am" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Eminem – The Way I Am" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Top 50 Singles". Jam! . Archived from the original on December 6, 2000. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  18. ↑ "HR Top 20 Lista". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on November 19, 2000. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Eminem – The Way I Am". Tracklisten. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Eminem: The Way I Am" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Eminem – The Way I Am" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  22. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – The Way I Am". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 44, 2000" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Eminem – The Way I Am" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Eminem – The Way I Am". Singles Top 100. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Eminem – The Way I Am". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Eminem Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Eminem Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  32. ↑ "Eminem Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  33. ↑ "Rapports Annuels 2000". Ultratop. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  34. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2000". Top 40. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2000". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  36. ↑ "Årslista Singlar – År 2000" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  37. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Eminem – The Way I Am". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2000" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  39. ↑ "British single certifications – Eminem – The Way I Am". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  40. ↑ "American single certifications – Eminem – The Way I Am". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved March 8, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.