Eminem Mockingbird Review Song Meaning and Lyrics Midi file

Eminem - Mockingbird Official Music Video

“Mockingbird” single appears in Eminem’s 2004 album ‘Encore’ and is possibly one of the best rap verses by the Rap God and possibly one of the least lyrically aggressive songs in his portfolio. The song was nominated for the Best Rap Solo Performance at The Grammy Awards in 2005. “Mockingbird” is said to speak about Eminem’s two daughters Hailie and Alaina Mathers, and the song speaks of a tough time in their family life.

It is no secret that Eminem had a rough upbringing as a child and unfortunately enough the same habit continued to his family as well. Eminem’s then wife-Kim was ‘distant’ from the family and the song speaks of how Eminem is trying hard to console his daughters and be a good dad.

When RollingStone asked from Eminem himself of his inspiration behind the song, he said;

“…A song called “Mockingbird,” to Hailie and Alaina. When Mom was on the run they didn’t understand it, and I’m not the greatest talker in the world, especially when I’m trying to explain to two little girls what’s goin’ on with someone who’s always been a part of their life and just disappeared. So that was my song to explain to them what was goin’ on, probably the most emotional song I ever wrote…”

In the song, Eminem interpolates the popular nursery rhyme “Hush, Little Baby” and brings in another popular story “To Kill A Mockingbird” novel by Harper Lee, to socialize his message. This is also an indication of the versatility of Eminem as a lyricist.

Eminem - Mockingbird LIVE PERFORMANCE (NYC) 2005

“Mockingbird” has a deeper meaning behind those flawless bars delivered by Eminem. The song is an in-depth ‘apology’ to Hailie and Alaina for how things turned out for them. Eminem says how bad the situation looks or gets, he will always love them with everything he has and would give up everything for them. Let us take a little deeper look at the lyrics to this M&M masterpiece.

Lyrics

Yeah, I know sometimesThings may not always make sense to you right nowBut hey, what'd daddy always tell you?Straighten up, little soldierStiffen up that upper lipWhat you cryin' about?You got me

Eminem - Mockingbird Lyrics

Hailie, I know you miss your mom, and I know you miss your dadWhen I'm gone, but I'm tryna give you the life that I never hadI can see you're sad even when you smile, even when you laughI can see it in your eyes, deep inside, you wanna cry'Cause you're scared, I ain't there? Daddy's with you in your prayersNo more crying, wipe them tears, daddy's here, no more nightmaresWe gon' pull together through it, we gon' do itLainie, uncle's crazy, ain't he? Yeah, but he loves you, girl, and you better know itWe're all we got in this world, when it spins, when it swirlsWhen it whirls, when it twirls, two little beautiful girls

Lookin' puzzled, in a daze, I know it's confusing youDaddy's always on the move, mama's always on the newsI try to keep you sheltered from it, but somehow, it seemsThe harder that I try to do that, the more it backfires on meAll the things growin' up as daddy that he had to seeDaddy don't want you to see, but you see just as much as he did

We did not plan it to be this way, your mother and meBut things have got so bad between usI don't see us ever being together ever againLike we used to be when we was teenagersBut then, of course, everything always happens for a reasonI guess it was never meant to beBut it's just something we have no control over, and that's what destiny isBut no more worries, rest your head and go to sleepMaybe one day, we'll wake up, and this will all just be a dream

Now hush, little baby, don't you cryEverything's gonna be alrightStiffen that upper lip up, little lady, I told yaDaddy's here to hold ya through the nightI know mommy's not here right now, and we don't know whyWe feel how we feel insideIt may seem a little crazy, pretty babyBut I promise mama's gon' be alright

Huh, it's funnyI remember back one year when daddy had no moneyMommy wrapped the Christmas presents up and stuck 'em under the treeAnd said some of 'em were from me, 'cause daddy couldn't buy 'emI'll never forget that Christmas, I sat up the whole night crying'Cause daddy felt like a bum, see, daddy had a jobBut his job was to keep the food on the table for you and mom

And at the time, every house that we lived inEither kept gettin' broken into and robbedOr shot up on the blockAnd your mom was savin' money for you in a jarTryna start a piggy bank for you so you could go to collegeAlmost had a thousand dollars 'til someone broke in and stole itAnd I know it hurt so bad, it broke your mama's heartAnd it seemed like everything was just startin' to fall apart

Mom and dad was arguin' a lotSo mama moved back on to Chalmers in a flat one-bedroom apartmentAnd dad moved back to the other side of 8 Mile on NovaraAnd that's when daddy went to California with his CDAnd met Dr. Dre, and flew you and mama out to see meBut daddy had to work, you and mama had to leave meThen you started seeing daddy on the TV, and mama didn't like itAnd you and Lainie were too young to understand itPapa was a rolling stone, mama developed a habitAnd it all happened too fast for either one of us to grab it

I'm just sorry you were there and had to witness it first-hand'Cause all I ever wanted to do was just make you proudNow I'm sittin' in this empty houseJust reminiscin', lookin' at your baby pictures, it just trips me outTo see how much you both have grown, it's almost like you're sisters nowWow, guess you pretty much are, and daddy's still hereLainie, I'm talkin' to you too, daddy's still hereI like the sound of that, yeah, it's got a ring to it, don't it?Shh, mama's only gone for the moment

And if you ask me to, daddy's gonna buy you a mockingbirdI'ma give you the worldI'ma buy a diamond ring for you, I'ma sing for youI'll do anything for you to see you smileAnd if that mockingbird don't sing, and that ring don't shineI'ma break that birdie's neckI'll go back to the jeweler who sold it to yaAnd make him eat every carat, don't fuck with dad

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