"Without Me" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fourth studio album The Eminem Show (2002). "Without Me" was released on May 14, 2002,[1] 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.
"Without Me" | ||||
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Single by Eminem | ||||
from the album The Eminem Show | ||||
B-side |
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Released | May 14, 2002[1] | |||
Recorded | 2001[2] | |||
Genre | Comedy hip hop | |||
Length | 4:51 (album version) 4:23 (radio edit) | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | ||||
Eminem singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Without Me" on YouTube | ||||
Audio sample | ||||
"Without Me" |
Content
editThe song was Eminem's return after the successful Marshall Mathers LP, intended as a sequel to "The Real Slim Shady" and essentially says that he is back to save the world. It also refers to Eminem's role in the music industry and his effect on culture.
The song mocks a number of Eminem's critics, including Vice President Dick Cheney (including his recurring heart problems) and his wife Lynne, the FCC, Chris Kirkpatrick (of NSYNC), Limp Bizkit and Moby,[4][5] as well as parodying Prince's decision to change his name to an unpronounceable symbol. It also lampoons comparisons of him to Elvis Presley as a white man succeeding commercially in a predominantly black art form. A line also attacks his mother Debbie Mathers for the lawsuit she filed for the lyrics of his breakthrough hit "My Name Is".
The opening lyric "Two trailer park girls go round the outside" is based on the country rap single "Buffalo Gals" by Malcolm McLaren.[6] The introduction—"Obie Trice, real name, no gimmicks"—is sampled from Obie Trice's own track "Rap Name".
Critical reception
editStephen Thomas Erlewine marked it as one of the best tracks on The Eminem Show.[7] David Browne was positive: "'I've created a monster, 'cuz no one wants to hear Marshall no more,' he (Eminem) whines, partly in jest, in the beat-crazy single 'Without Me'."[8] HipHopDX noted that the blazing single "Without Me" is one of the only light-hearted songs on the album.[9] NME magazine noted that this song is "tackling disco."[10] RapReviews wrote: "His fearlessness continues on the lead single "Without Me" when he lambasts everyone from Dick Cheney's wife to the leading electronic artists of the day."[11] Kris Ex of Rolling Stone calls it "a fun-loving, barb-laden romp on which [Eminem] flits from one topic to the next like a bumblebee with ADD."[12]
Chart performances and awards
edit"Without Me" is one of Eminem's most successful singles. The song reached the number one position in the charts in numerous countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand for 7 weeks. In the United States, the song reached a peak of number two on the Billboard Hot 100, behind "Hot in Herre" by Nelly, although it reached number one on both the Mainstream Top 40 and Rhythmic charts.
"Without Me" was nominated for Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards of 2003 (losing to Norah Jones's song "Don't Know Why"), being Eminem's first song to receive a Grammy nomination in a major category. It also received a nomination for Best Male Rap Solo Performance, but lost that award as well to Nelly's "Hot in Herre", behind which it had peaked on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2009, the song was honored by Pitchfork Media as the 251st-greatest song of the 2000s.
The song was the 69th-best-selling single of the 2000s in the United Kingdom.[13]
Year | Organization | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2002 | MTV Video Music Awards | Video of the Year | Won |
Best Male Video | Won | ||
Best Rap Video | Won | ||
Best Direction | Won | ||
Best Editing | Nominated | ||
Viewer's Choice Award | Nominated | ||
MTV Europe Music Awards | Best Video | Nominated | |
2003 | Grammy Awards | Record of the Year | Nominated |
Best Male Rap Solo Performance | Nominated | ||
Best Music Video | Won | ||
Detroit Music Awards | Outstanding National Single | Nominated | |
MTV Video Music Awards Japan | Video of the Year | Nominated | |
Best Male Video | Nominated | ||
Best Hip-Hop Video | Nominated | ||
MTV Asia Awards | Favorite Video | Nominated | |
Mnet Music Video Festival | Best International Artist | Won |
Music video
editThe song's music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, features a number of scenarios built around its context, including Eminem and Dr. Dre as parodies of comics in general, specifically Batman, Robin (Rap Boy), and Blade trying to save a child who bought a copy of The Eminem Show that has a Parental Advisory sticker. Rap Boy and Dre rush to the rescue before the child puts the CD in his CD player and when they arrive Rap Boy snatches it away from him, showing that his CD has explicit lyrics that are not suitable for him to listen to. The kid cries and is upset after Rap Boy and Dre confiscate the album away from him. The video was shot from April 12–13 at Barwick Studios.[14] The comic and the scene with Moby feature a rabbit costume, a possible reference to the one featured in two Love Inc. music videos.[citation needed] The video also features Eminem (as Slim Shady) appearing in a variety of fictional television shows, such as a parody of ER, an infomercial, The Real World, and a talk show. The video also features the adult film performers Jenna Jameson and Kianna Dior as well as character actor Michael Berryman.
This video received MTV Video Music Awards for Video of the Year, Best Male Video, Best Rap Video, and Best Direction (for Joseph Kahn), as well as gaining nominations for Best Editing and Viewer's Choice. It also won Best Short Form Music Video at the Grammy Awards of 2003.
Track listing
edit- European CD single
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Without Me" | 4:53 | ||
2. | "The Way I Am" (Danny Lohner remix) (featuring Marilyn Manson) | Mathers | Eminem | 4:59 |
3. | "Without Me" (acapella) |
| 4:53 | |
4. | "Without Me" (instrumental) |
| 4:53 | |
Total length: | 19:38 |
- UK CD single
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Without Me" | 4:53 | ||
2. | "The Way I Am" (Danny Lohner remix) (featuring Marilyn Manson) | Mathers | Eminem | 4:59 |
3. | "Without Me" (instrumental) |
| 4:53 | |
Total length: | 14:45 |
- Australian CD single
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Without Me" | 4:53 | ||
2. | "The Way I Am" (Danny Lohner remix) (featuring Marilyn Manson) | Mathers | Eminem | 4:59 |
3. | "Without Me" (acapella) |
| 4:53 | |
4. | "Without Me" (instrumental) |
| 4:53 | |
5. | "Say What You Say" (featuring Dr. Dre) | Dr. Dre | 5:09 | |
6. | "Without Me" (video) |
| 4:53 | |
Total length: | 29:40 |
- Notes
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
|
Year-end chartsedit
Decade-end chartsedit
|
Certifications and sales
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[91] | 17× Platinum | 1,190,000‡ |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[92] | 3× Platinum | 90,000* |
Belgium (BEA)[93] | Platinum | 50,000* |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[94] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[95] | 2× Platinum | 180,000‡ |
Finland | — | 4,874[96] |
France (SNEP)[97] | Gold | 250,000* |
Germany (BVMI)[98] | Platinum | 500,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[99] sales since 2009 |
3× Platinum | 300,000‡ |
Japan (RIAJ)[100] | Gold | 100,000* |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[101] | 6× Platinum | 180,000‡ |
Norway (IFPI Norway)[102] | 2× Platinum | |
Portugal (AFP)[103] | 3× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[104] | 2× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
Sweden (GLF)[105] | Platinum | 30,000^ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[106] | Platinum | 40,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[107] | 4× Platinum | 2,400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[108] | 7× Platinum | 7,000,000‡ |
Streaming | ||
Greece (IFPI Greece)[109] | 2× Platinum | 4,000,000† |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
In popular culture
edit- The song is included in the soundtrack for the 2016 film Suicide Squad.[110]
- Attorney Alex Spiro in a court filing for Elon Musk against SEC to rescind SEC decree requiring Musk's tweets about Tesla to be reviewed before posting, quoted "(SEC) won't let me be or let me be me so let me see; They tried to shut me down",[111][112] replacing FCC with SEC.
- In 2024, Eminem sampled "Without Me" for his song "Houdini". The music video also pays heavy homage to the video for "Without Me".[113]
See also
editReferences
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- ^ "Road To The Grammys: The Making Of Eminem's 'Without Me'". MTV News. Archived from the original on January 24, 2022.
- ^ "Without Me – Eminem". AllMusic. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ^ "Eminem Explains His Disses Of Moby & Chris Kirkpatrick In 'Without Me'". Top40-Charts.com. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
- ^ "Eminem Goes After Moby, Limp Bizkit On 'Without Me'". MTV News. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
- ^ "59 Hay-Ya! Moments in Rap and Country's Uncomfortable History". Spin Magazine. March 7, 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
- ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "The Eminem Show – Eminem – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
- ^ "The Eminem Show - EW.com". Entertainment Weekly's EW.com. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
- ^ "Eminem – The Eminem Show (Advanced Copy) | Read Hip Hop Reviews, Rap Reviews & Hip Hop Album Reviews | HipHop DX". Archived from the original on October 30, 2013. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
- ^ "NME Reviews - Eminem : The Eminem Show - NME.COM". NME.COM. September 12, 2005. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
- ^ "RapReviews.com Feature for May 28, 2002 – Eminem's "The Eminem Show"". Retrieved April 25, 2015.
- ^ "Eminem The Eminem Show Album Review". Rolling Stone. June 6, 2002. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
- ^ Radio 1 Chart of the Decade, as presented by Nihal on Tuesday, December 29, 2009
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Eminem - Making of Without Me". YouTube.
- ^ "Eminem – Without Me". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Issue 659" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ "Eminem – Without Me" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Eminem – Without Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Eminem – Without Me" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Eminem Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ^ "HR Top 20 Lista". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on August 3, 2002. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ "Oficiální česká hitparáda - 31/2002" (in Czech). IFPI CR. Archived from the original on August 11, 2002. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ "Eminem – Without Me". Tracklisten. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Hits of the World - Eurochart - Singles". Billboard. July 20, 2002. p. 61. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
- ^ "Eminem: Without Me" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Eminem – Without Me" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Eminem – Without Me" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
- ^ Ελληνικό Chart. Archived from the original on August 8, 2002. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Without Me". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
- ^ "Eminem – Without Me". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 24, 2002" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
- ^ "Eminem – Without Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Eminem – Without Me". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Eminem – Without Me". VG-lista. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
- ^ "Eminem – Without Me" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 2017-05-06.
- ^ "Eminem – Without Me". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Eminem – Without Me". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ "Eminem Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Eminem Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
- ^ "Eminem Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Eminem Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Eminem Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-08-27.
- ^ "Eminem Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 38. týden 2016 in the date selector. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
- ^ "Eminem Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2022}.
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- ^ "Eminem Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
- ^ "2022 8-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. February 25, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
- ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 26.05.2023–01.06.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202237 into search. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
- ^ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2002" Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Urban Singles 2002". ARIA. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ "JAHRESHITPARADE 2002" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
- ^ "JAAROVERZICHTEN 2002" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
- ^ "RAPPORTS ANNUELS 2002" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
- ^ "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2002". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. April 3, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
- ^ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002". Jam!. January 14, 2003. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
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- ^ "Year in Review – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 21, no. 2–3. January 11, 2003. p. 14. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
- ^ The first is the list of the best-selling domestic singles of 2002 in Finland, the second is that of the foreign singles:
- "Myydyimmät kotimaiset singlet vuonna 2002" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
- "Myydyimmät ulkomaiset singlet vuonna 2002" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
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- ^ "2002 New Zealand Singles Chart". Rianz. Archived from the original on May 6, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
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- ^ "2022 metų klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
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- ^ "Austrian single certifications – Eminem – Without Me" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2002". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Eminem – Without Me" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Eminem – Without Me". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
- ^ "Myydyimmät levyt 2002" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ "French single certifications – Eminem – Without Me" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Eminem; 'Without Me')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Eminem – Without Me" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
- ^ "Japanese digital single certifications – エミネム – ウィザウト・ミー" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved April 26, 2021. Select 2014年2月 on the drop-down menu
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Eminem – Without Me". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
- ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
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- ^ "Spanish single certifications – Eminem – Without Me". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2003" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Without Me')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
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- ^ Strauss, Matthew (May 31, 2024). "Eminem Throws Back to His Most Iconic Moments in Video for New Song "Houdini"". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 2, 2024.