Top Ten Songs by Eminem

Marshall Mathers III, better known as Eminem, has been arguably the most controversial rapper to hit the music entertainment scene in a long time. From knocking on everyone from his Mother to The President of the United States, he knows no boundaries. People have gone from being down right appalled by his lyrics to being his biggest fan. Eminem even with his hardened persona is seemingly a very dedicated father and has actually tried to work it out with his ex wife but filed for another divorce earlier this year. He is no stranger to the courtroom with custody battles and lawsuits.

Spending most of his childhood in Detroit Michigan, he encountered a life not many of us have seen, except on the television. Through his pain and struggles, he has let us in to a better understanding of how life is for a lot of children, including himself. His point with his music has been said as tying to reach “legions of disaffected youth,” wanting to be a role model for the kids who have none. Eminem has had to come to the defense of his music several times having to prove that some of it is just what it is. Going as far as performing with Elton John to prove he was not homophobic.

His outrageous parodies have made us laugh as well as reaching close to home with mind opening lyrics about the wars going on and the government. With rumors of retirement and Eminem taking a backseat to performing, taking on the role as producer, People wonder if this is it from him. Here are my choices for the Top Ten Songs by Eminem:

10. My name is, from the Slim Shady album released in 1997. Even thought this was not his first release, it is what got him noticed more by the mainstream in my opinion. An introduction to an alter ego Slim Shady, which helped him win Best New Artist in 1999.

9. Stan on the Marshall Mather’s album is one of the most controversial songs made by Eminem. The song is about an obsessed fan that is trying to get close to him and mocks what Eminem is rapping about in his songs. Criticized because of the violence toward women, this song stayed under fire. Unfortunately, a young woman, Jogdip Najran, was murdered by a fan, Christopher Duncan, who idolized Eminem. He even went as far as having the same tattoos and rapping his songs on stage. He beat this young Law Student with a ball bat and stuck her in a suitcase in 2004. Eminem also preformed this song with Elton John to prove the rumors false about being homophobic. Stan is ranked at number 290 in Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Songs of all Time.

8. The Way I am, on the Marshall Mather’s album, in my opinion was his way of telling the world he is about his music. The media being too quick to blame everything on the music, and the stress of having fame and trying to have a private life.

7. The Real Slim Shady on the Marshall Mather’s album is one of my favorite songs by Eminem. The real Slim Shady won a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance in 2001. The song makes fun of everything from Pamela Anderson being abused by then husband Tommy Lee, to criticizing Will Smith for not using bad language in his music. When this song was popular, you could all his fans with the dyed blond hair, walking around trying to be like him.

6. Cleaning out my closet on The Eminem Show album, is exactly what is says. Eminem is expressing himself, and explaining what he has had to deal with. He uses this song to explain why he has done the things he has done.

5. Without me on The Eminem Show album, is what you could say a re-entry song. He is back to his old ways of making fun of other artists. In the sense of the Eminem, we remember is back.

4. Sing for the Moment is from The Eminem Show album. The chorus is after the song Dream On by Aerosmith. This song talks about singing for the fans, “That’s why we sing for these kids, who don’t have a thing.” The media still using music as a reason why kids are violent.

3. Hailie’s Song from The Eminem Show album is about his pride and joy, his daughter. One thing that everyone can say is he wants to be a good father. He loves his daughter dearly and expresses it in many of his songs. The failed love between his ex wife Kim has made it difficult for him to be the father he wants.

2. Just Lose It on The Eminem Show album puts Eminem in trouble again. Making fun of Michael Jackson, seemingly a favorite proves the man knows no boundaries when it comes to his lyrics. This song was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance in 2005. His fans love him for this.

1. Lose Yourself is on the Soundtrack for the movie 8 Mile. This song follows the character Eminem plays in the movie 8 Mile. It loosely follows how in real life, he got his shot at stardom. Lose yourself won Best Song Written for a Motion Picture in 2004. This song is said to be the most successful song of his career. It has the honor of being the highest ranked song, 166, of the only three added in t he 21st century to the Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Songs of all Time.

Eminem is far from being a thing in the past with him venturing into acting in the movie 8 Mile, now with his own label he has plenty to keep him working. Shady Records has produced D-12, 50 Cent, Obie Trice, Stat Quo, Bobby Creekwater, and the newest member Cashis. Eminem has been nominated for more than 20 awards, and sold over 65 million albums worldwide. He has proved how successful you can be.