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“Without Me,” written by Eminem, Jeff Bass, Shawn Baumgardner, Urban Kris, DJ Head, Trevor Horn, Anne Dudley & Malcolm McLaren, is a song released on the 14th of May, 2002. It was released as the lead single from his 2002 studio album, The Eminem Show. The meaning of “Without Me” lyrics by Eminem is his importance to the rap game and boldly claims that it wouldn’t be the same without him. With its catchy hooks and clever wordplay, “Without Me” became an instant sensation worldwide as “Guess Who’s Back” by Eminem because of his lyrics. In the charts, the song peaked on the top 5 list in 20 countries. The song reached the number one spot in thirteen of them, including the countries such as Australia, Ireland, Germany, and Switzerland. This song was also included on the soundtrack album for the 2016 film “Suicide Squad” as its impact still exists.
You can listen to Eminem’s “Without Me” (Guess Who’s Back) below.
Eminem, Without Me: (Guess Who’s Back) Lyrics & Their Meaning
In the song’s opening lines, Eminem’s close friend and fellow rapper, Obie Trice, introduces the track with the memorable words, “Obie Trice, real name no gimmicks.” The rapper, also known as Slim Shady, reflects on his absence from the music scene, acknowledging that everything felt boring and empty without his presence. However, with his triumphant return, he promises to give people something to talk about. In his signature style, Eminem takes shots at various figures, including The FCC, Limp Bizkit, Moby, and Chris Kirkpatrick.
The music video for “Without Me” (Guess Who’s Back) amplifies the song’s impact, showcasing Eminem and Dr. Dre as Batman and Robin-type heroes sent to save the world. Directed by Joseph Kahn, the video earned him a Grammy Award for Best Music Video. This was only the beginning of a successful collaboration between Kahn and Eminem. The duo went on to create visually stunning videos for Eminem’s hits such as “We Made You,” “Love the Way You Lie,” and “Space Bound.”
Interestingly, the song’s lyrics incorporate references to popular culture and notable personalities. The line, “Two trailer park girls go round the outside,” is derived from a traditional Appalachian square dance song called “Buffalo Gals.” Malcolm McLaren, best known for managing The S… Pistols and Bow Wow Wow, released a rap version of “Buffalo Gals” in 1983, which drew considerable attention to the song.
Another noteworthy reference in “Without Me” (Guess Who’s Back) is Eminem’s criticism of Moby, exclaiming, “Nobody listens to Techno.” Surprisingly, this line became a popular sample in the Techno community and was even transformed into a song produced by Deep Dish and Danny Howells under the alias Size DDD (Deep Dish Danny).
Eminem’s lyrics also touch on his interactions with public figures. The mention of Ms. Cheney, wife of Vice President Dick Cheney, stems from her previous derogatory remarks about Eminem’s music. Displeased by her criticism, Eminem retaliates by expressing his offense in the song.
Furthermore, Eminem draws a parallel between himself and Elvis Presley, highlighting their shared experiences in music genres dominated by black musicians. He addresses the hypocrisy of those who criticize him while being fans of Elvis, as both artists pushed boundaries in their respective eras.
Despite Eminem’s scathing lyrics about him, Moby surprisingly revealed that he enjoys the song and acknowledges the free publicity it provided him. In a Reddit AMA, Moby expressed his admiration for Eminem’s talent as a rapper, acknowledging his longevity and success.
In conclusion, Eminem’s “Without Me” (Guess Who’s Back) stands as a powerful anthem that delves into the artist’s significance within the rap game. Eminem’s memorable hooks, thought-provoking lyrics, and witty wordplay coagulate his status as the greatest rapper of all time. Through this track, he cements his place in music history, reminding the world that it would indeed be empty without him.
What Are the Lyrics of “Without Me” (Guess Who’s Back) by Eminem?
These are the lyrics of Eminem’s “Without Me” (Guess Who’s Back) via Genius:
[Intro: Obie Trice]
Obie Trice, real name, no gimmicks record scratch[Refrain 1: Eminem]
Two trailer park girls go round the outside
Round the outside, round the outside
Two trailer park girls go round the outside
Round the outside, round the outside
(Woo!) (Ooh-ooh-ooh)[Refrain 2: Eminem]
Guess who’s back? Back again
Shady’s back, tell a friend
Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back?
Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back?
Guess who’s back? Guess who’s back?
Guess who’s back[Verse 1: Eminem]
I’ve created a monster, ’cause nobody wants to
See Marshall no more; they want Shady, I’m chopped liver
Well, if you want Shady, this what I’ll give ya
A little bit of weed mixed with some hard liquor
Some vodka that’ll jump-start my heart quicker
Than a shock when I get shocked at the hospital
By the doctor when I’m not co-operating
When I’m rocking the table while he’s operating (Hey!)
You waited this long, now stop debating
‘Cause I’m back, I’m on the rag and ovulating
I know that you got a job, Ms. Cheney
But your husband’s heart problem’s complicating
So the FCC won’t let me be
Or let me be me, so let me see
They tried to shut me down on MTV
But it feels so empty without me, so
Come on and dip, b… on your lips
F… that, c… on your lips and some on your t…, and get ready
‘Cause this s…’s about to get heavy
I just settled all my lawsuits, f… you, Debbie![Chorus: Eminem]
Now this looks like a job for me
So everybody, just follow me
‘Cause we need a little controversy
‘Cause it feels so empty without me
I said this looks like a job for me
So everybody, just follow me
‘Cause we need a little controversy
‘Cause it feels so empty without me[Verse 2: Eminem]
Little hellions, kids feeling rebellious
Embarrassed, their parents still listen to Elvis
They start feeling like prisoners, helpless
‘Til someone comes along on a mission and yells, “B…!”
A visionary, vision is scary
Could start a revolution, polluting the airwaves, a rebel
So just let me revel and bask
In the fact that I got everyone kissing my a…
And it’s a disaster, such a catastrophe
For you to see so damn much of my a…—you asked for me?
Well, I’m back, da-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Fix your bent antenna, tune it in, and then I’m gonna
Enter in, and up under your skin like a splinter
The center of attention, back for the winter, I’m interesting
The best thing since wrestling, infesting in your kid’s ears and nesting
Testing, “Attention, please”
Feel the tension soon as someone mentions me
Here’s my ten cents; my two cents is free
A nuisance, who sent? You sent for me?[Chorus: Eminem]
Now this looks like a job for me
So everybody, just follow me
‘Cause we need a little controversy
‘Cause it feels so empty without me
I said this looks like a job for me
So everybody, just follow me
‘Cause we need a little controversy
‘Cause it feels so empty without me[Verse 3: Eminem]
A tisk-it a task-it, I’ll go tit-for-tat wit’
Anybody who’s talking “This s…, that s…”
Chris Kirkpatrick, you can get your a… kicked
Worse than them little Limp Bizkit b…s
And Moby? You can get stomped by Obie
You thirty-six-year-old bald-headed f…, blow me
You don’t know me; you’re too old, let go
It’s over, nobody listens to techno
Now let’s go, just give me the signal
I’ll be there with a whole list full of new insults
I’ve been dope, suspenseful with a pencil
Ever since Prince turned himself into a symbol
But sometimes the s… just seems
Everybody only wants to discuss me
So this must mean I’m disgusting
But it’s just me, I’m just obscene (Yeah)
Though I’m not the first king of controversy
I am the worst thing since Elvis Presley
To do Black music so selfishly
And use it to get myself wealthy (Hey!)
There’s a concept that works
Twenty million other white rappers emerge
But no matter how many fish in the sea
It’d be so empty without me[Chorus: Eminem]
Now this looks like a job for me
So everybody, just follow me
‘Cause we need a little controversy
‘Cause it feels so empty without me
I said this looks like a job for me
So everybody, just follow me
‘Cause we need a little controversy
‘Cause it feels so empty without me[Outro: Eminem]
Eminem’s “Without Me” (Guess Who’s Back) Lyrics
Hum, dei-dei, la-la, la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Hum, dei-dei, la-la, la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Kids!
Comment on the meaning behind the song “Without Me” (Guess Who’s Back) lyrics by Eminem below or on the Twitter handle “@laviasco”. We have also analyzed “Lose Yourself” and “Godzilla” by Eminem.
