Now, first off -- I'd like to say that I really hope the album isn't like this. But I can safely presume that it's not, because 90% of the time, his first singles are nothing like the rest of the album.
I will analyze the song verse-by-verse. But starting with the intro, followed by the chorus/hook.
Intro (chorus in the background):
Yeah...
It's been a ride...
I guess I had to... Go to that place... To get to this one...
Now some of you... Might still be in that place... But tryin' to get out...
Follow me. I'll catch you (?)there(?).
Right off the bat, I thought "Beautiful Part 2". It seems to pick up where Beautiful's outro left off. Same vibe and everything.
Chorus:
I'm not afraid to take a stand
Everybody come take my hand
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just let you know that, you're not alone
Holla if you feel that you've been down the same road
It seems like a watered-down mosh.
Everybody come take my hand
Come along follow me as I lead through the darkness
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We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Don't matter what color, all that matters we gathered together
To celebrate for the same cause don't matter the weather
If it rains let it rain, yea the wetter the better
They ain't gonna stop us they can't, we stronger now more than ever
Aside from that, you can really tell he tried a bit too hard to stay general and vague. So that other's can relate. Not saying that this is a good or bad thing, it's just what seems to be true. It does however somewhat contradict what he's said a before though - About how he doesn't make music for other people.
Verse 1:
You can try and read my lyrics off of this paper before I lay 'em
But you won't take the sting out these words before I say 'em
Perfect. Couldn't ask for better opening bars to a song like this. It indicates where the verse is going, while still packing a punch.
Cause ain't no way I'm let you stop me from causing mayhem
When I say I'ma do something I do it, I don't give a damn
Keeps it strong. Not really feeling the rhyme with "damn" though. If you're going to rhyme with such a mis-fitting word, you might as well use the accent. It makes it sound better.
What you think, I'm doing this for me, so fuck the world
Feed it beans, it's gassed up, if it thinks it's stoppin' me
I'mma be what I set out to be, without a doubt undoubtedly
And all those who look down on me I'm tearing down your balcony
No if ands or buts don't try to ask him 'why' or 'how can he'
Incredible. Love these lines. The flow, the tempo, the voice, everything.
From Infinite down to the last Relapse album he's still shit and
Whether he's on salary, paid hourly
Until he bows out or he shit's his bowels out of him
Whichever comes first, for better or worse
Good message, but not really feeling the flow. It breaks away from the previous bars too awkwardly. I do however love that he threw Infinite in there. I love it when he says stuff that only his fans follow.
He's married to the game, like a fuck you for christmas
His gift is a curse, forget the earth he's got the urge
To pull his dick from the dirt and fuck the universe
Perfect way to wrap up the verse. Again, the flow and delivery are spot on.
Verse 2:
Ok quit playin' with the scissors and shit, and cut the crap
I shouldn't have to rhyme these words in the rhythm for you to know it's a rap
Cheesy. I don't have much else to say.
You said you was king, you lied through your teeth
For that fuck your feelings, instead of getting crowned you're getting capped
I'm not going to act like I know what and/or who he's referring to here, because I don't. But regardless the flow awkwardly breaks again.
And to the fans, I'll never let you down again, I'm back
I promise to never go back on that promise, in fact
Let's be honest, that last Relapse CD was "ehhhh"
Perhaps I ran them accents into the ground
Relax, I ain't going back to that now
Fucking beautiful. I love you Eminem. Just the way he doesn't front, and he calls himself out. While giving us a shout out as well. My heart skipped a beat the first time I heard this. The delivery, flow, and rhythm were perfect here as well.
All I'm tryna say is get back, click-clack BLAOW
Cause I ain't playin' around
There's a game called circle and I don't know how
I'm way too up to back down
Only Em can make such vicious lines sound so elegant. This is art.
But I think I'm still tryna figure this crap out
Thought I had it mapped out but I guess I didn't
This fucking black cloud's still follow's me around
But it's time to exercise these demons
These motherfuckers are doing jumping jacks now
Yet again, perfectly delivered, and meaningful. A second great verse outro.
Bridge (after hook):
And I just can't keep living this way
So starting today, I'm breaking out of this cage
I'm standing up, Imma face my demons
I'm manning up, Imma hold my ground
I've had enough, now I'm so fed up
Time to put my life back together right now
No. Just no. Too soft and cheesy/corny, obviously for the random listener hearing it in the car. And the accent to go along... Just no.
Verse 3:
It was my decision to get clean, I did it for me
Solid opener.
Admittedly I probably did it subliminally for you
So I could come back a brand new me, you helped see me through
And don't even realise what you did, believe me you
Once again giving a small ode to use fans. Love it.
I been through the ringer, but they can do little to the middle finger
Tattoo anybody?
Hehe, anyway, another great line.
I think I got a tear in my eye, I feel like the king of
My world, haters can make like bees with no stingers, and drop dead
No more beef flingers, no more drama from now on, I promise
Picks the flow back up in the middle of some very intricate rhymes. Really liked this.
To focus soley on handling my responsibility's as a father
So I solemnly swear to always treat this roof like my daughters and raise it
You couldn't lift a single shingle lonely
Breath-taking. While still showing his immense love for his little girls.
Cause the way I feel, I'm strong enough to go to the club
Put a (?) and lift the whole liquor counter up
Cause I'm raising the bar, I shoot for the moon
But I'm too busy gazing at stars, I feel amazing and
The pretense leading to the 'I'm raising the bar' was a little drawn out and he could've done better. But a great way to end the song nonetheless.
So in all, I give the song an 8/10.
But please keep in mind that, as I stated originally, his first singles are very very very rarely representative of the album as a whole. They're radio-pleasers.
It was in my opinion his best first single since The Eminem Show. Really glad to see Shady back in the full swing of things. Especially with Despicable.
