"Sing for the Moment" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fourth album The Eminem Show (2002). It was released on February 25, 2003,[1] as the fourth single from The Eminem Show and the final single in the United States. The song samples "Dream On" by American rock band Aerosmith.

"Sing for the Moment"
Single by Eminem
from the album The Eminem Show
B-side"Rabbit Run"
ReleasedFebruary 25, 2003 (2003-02-25)[1]
Recorded2001
Genre
Length5:40 (album version)
4:48 (clean radio edit)
6:23 (instrumental version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Eminem singles chronology
"Superman"
(2003)
"Sing for the Moment"
(2003)
"Business"
(2003)
Music video
"Sing for the Moment" on YouTube
Audio sample
Eminem - "Sing for the Moment"

"Sing for the Moment" received positive reviews from music critics, with many critics praising Eminem's rapping ability, the lyrics, and the "Dream On" sample. "Sing for the Moment" proved to be successful, peaking inside the Top 10 in twenty countries. In the United States, "Sing for the Moment" reached number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also a number-one hit in Portugal. The song, along with the original "Dream On", was used in a trailer for the 2016 animated film Sing.

Background

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"Sing for the Moment" was the first song Eminem wrote for the album.[2] It contains samples of the song "Dream On" by the rock band Aerosmith. Joe Perry plays the guitar solo at the end of the song, and a sample of Steven Tyler singing is used as the chorus for this song. Eminem chants "sing" when Tyler starts to sing the chorus, and Eminem also chants "sing with me" and "come on". Eminem says the words in his live performances as well. The beginning of the song samples the intro of "Dream On" too. "Sing for the Moment" was later released on Eminem's greatest hits compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits (2005).

"Sing for the Moment" mentions John Guerra, a bouncer whom Eminem had an altercation with on June 4, 2000, after the rapper claimed he saw him kissing his ex-wife Kim. Eminem deliberately mispronounces his last name as "Guerrera:"[3][4]

You're full of shit too, Guerrera, that was a fist that hit you! (Bitch!)

The song reached #14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart, #6 on the UK Singles Chart, and #5 on the Australian ARIAnet Singles Chart.

Eminem performed the song with Tyler during Eminem's 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony performance, with Tyler singing the entire first verse of "Dream On" before Eminem began the first verse of Sing for the Moment.[5]

Critical reception

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David Browne wrote: "In 'Sing for the Moment,' which includes a tirade against the media and politically motivated prosecutors, the intensity of his delivery overcomes the hoariest of ideas – incorporating a portion of an overly familiar classic-rock oldie, Aerosmith's 'Dream On.' The song becomes a clarion call of suburban kids everywhere, not just an easy route to a hit."[6]

DX magazine concluded that in this song Eminem is dealing with his life and called it "guitar-fueled track."[7] RapReviews was positive: "'Sing For the Moment' may throw his fans a curveball though: a song which appears to sample Aerosmith's 'Dream On' yet simultaneously features the REAL Joe Perry playing guitar. Obviously not a stretch for the hard rock icons though, who are still remembered for recording 'Walk This Way' with Run-D.M.C. back in the 1980s, so it's an enjoyable diversion from non-stop hardcore hip-hop."[8]

Track listing

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German CD single
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Sing for the Moment"5:40
2."Rabbit Run"
  • Mathers
  • Resto
3:10
Total length:8:50
German Maxi CD single
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Sing for the Moment"5:40
2."Rabbit Run"
  • Mathers
  • Resto
3:10
3."Sing for the Moment" (instrumental)
  • Mathers
  • Bass
  • Resto
  • King
  • Tyler
6:25
4."Sing for the Moment" (video)
  • Mathers
  • Bass
  • Resto
  • King
  • Tyler
5:26
Total length:20:41
German Limited Edition Maxi CD single (Encased in a limited edition digipak with three limited edition postcards)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Sing for the Moment"5:40
2."Rabbit Run"
  • Mathers
  • Resto
3:10
3."Sing for the Moment" (instrumental)
  • Mathers
  • Bass
  • Resto
  • King
  • Tyler
6:25
4."Sing for the Moment" (video)
  • Mathers
  • Bass
  • Resto
  • King
  • Tyler
5:26
Total length:20:41
UK CD single
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Sing for the Moment"5:40
2."Sing for the Moment" (instrumental)
  • Mathers
  • Bass
  • Resto
  • King
  • Tyler
6:25
3."Rabbit Run" (soundtrack version)
  • Mathers
  • Resto
3:10
4."Sing for the Moment" (video)
  • Mathers
  • Bass
  • Resto
  • King
  • Tyler
5:26
Total length:20:41
UK Cassette
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Sing for the Moment"5:40
2."Sing for the Moment" (instrumental)
  • Mathers
  • Bass
  • Resto
  • King
  • Tyler
6:25
3."Rabbit Run" (soundtrack version)
  • Mathers
  • Resto
3:10
Total length:15:15
Notes
  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer.
  • ^[b] signifies an additional producer.

Charts and certifications

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Eminem's Isolated Vocals for "Sing for the Moment"". 10 April 2020.
  2. ^ Bozza, Anthony (2002-07-04). "Eminem: The Rolling Stone Interview". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  3. ^ Fu, Eddie. "Knowledge Drop: What Happened Between Eminem & John Guerra Before 'The Eminem Show'?". Genius.com. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Sing for the Moment Lyrics". Genius. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Watch Eminem Bring Out Ed Sheeran, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler for Career-Spanning Rock Hall Performance". RollingStones.com. 6 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Music Review: The Eminem Show, by Eminem". Entertainment Weekly. June 7, 2002.
  7. ^ HipHopDX (18 May 2002). "Eminem - The Eminem Show (Advanced Copy)". HipHopDX.
  8. ^ "RapReviews.com Feature for May 28, 2002 - Eminem's "The Eminem Show"". rapreviews.com.
  9. ^ "Eminem – Sing for the Moment". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  10. ^ "Issue 697" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  11. ^ "Eminem – Sing for the Moment" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  12. ^ "Eminem – Sing for the Moment" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  13. ^ "Eminem – Sing for the Moment" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  14. ^ "Eminem Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  15. ^ "Eminem – Sing for the Moment". Tracklisten.
  16. ^ "Europe Official Top 100". Top40-Charts.com. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  17. ^ "Eminem: Sing for the Moment" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  18. ^ "Eminem – Sing for the Moment" (in French). Les classement single.
  19. ^ "Eminem – Sing for the Moment" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  20. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sing for the Moment". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  21. ^ "Eminem – Sing for the Moment". Top Digital Download.
  22. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 17, 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  23. ^ "Eminem – Sing for the Moment" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  24. ^ "Eminem – Sing for the Moment". Top 40 Singles.
  25. ^ "Eminem – Sing for the Moment". VG-lista.
  26. ^ "Hits of the World - Portugal". Billboard. November 29, 2003. p. 51. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  27. ^ "Arhiva romanian top 100 -Editia 25, saptamina 30.06-6.07, 2002" (in Romanian). Rt100.ro. Archived from the original on October 12, 2004. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  28. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  29. ^ "Eminem – Sing for the Moment" Canciones Top 50.
  30. ^ "Eminem – Sing for the Moment". Singles Top 100.
  31. ^ "Eminem – Sing for the Moment". Swiss Singles Chart.
  32. ^ "Eminem: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  33. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  34. ^ "Eminem Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  35. ^ "Eminem Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.
  36. ^ "Eminem Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  37. ^ "2003 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA Charts. Australian Recording Industry Association Ltd. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  38. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2003". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  39. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2003". Ultratop (in Dutch). Ultratop & Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  40. ^ "Rapporta Annuels 2003". Ultratop (in French). Ultratop & Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  41. ^ "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2003". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. April 3, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  42. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts 2003". Offizielle Deutsche Charts (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  43. ^ "Mix e Singoli 2003" (PDF). ACNielsen C.R.A. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-05-10. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  44. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2002". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  45. ^ "Topul Anului 2003". Romanian Top 100 Singles Chart. Archived from the original on 2005-01-22. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  46. ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 2003" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  47. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2002". Hitparade (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  48. ^ "ChartsPlus YE2003" (PDF). Ukchartsplus. ChartsPlus. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  49. ^ "Top 100 Songs of 2003 - Billboard Year End Charts". Bobborst. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  50. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  51. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Eminem – Sing For The Moment" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  52. ^ "Danish single certifications – Eminem – Sing for the Moment". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  53. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Eminem; 'Sing for the Moment')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  54. ^ "British single certifications – Eminem – Sing for the Moment". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  55. ^ "American single certifications – Eminem – Sing For The Moment". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
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