Eminem's "Stan" stands as a pinnacle in the rap world and hip hop history, not just for its musical brilliance but for the gripping narrative it weaves.
Eminem released Stan in 2000 as part of the "The Marshall Mathers LP," as Stan, one of the standout songs, delves into the psyche of an obsessed fan and explores themes of fame, mental health, and the consequences of stardom.
Stan - Eminem Lyrics
[Produced by DJ Mark the 45 King]
Intro: Dido
My tea's gone cold, I'm wondering why I got out of bed at all
The morning rain clouds up my window, and I can't see at all
And even if I could, it'd all be grey, but your picture on my wall
It reminds me that it's not so bad, it's not so bad
Chorus: Dido
My tea's gone cold, I'm wondering why I got out of bed at all
The morning rain clouds up my window, and I can't see at all
And even if I could, it'd all be grey, but your picture on my wall
It reminds me that it's not so bad, it's not so bad
Verse 1: Eminem
Dear Slim, I wrote you, but you still ain't callin'
I left my cell, my pager and my home phone at the bottom
I sent two letters back in autumn, you must not've got 'em
There probably was a problem at the post office or somethin'
Sometimes I scribble addresses too sloppy when I jot 'em
But anyways, fuck it, what's been up, man? How's your daughter?
My girlfriend's pregnant too, I'm 'bout to be a father
If I have a daughter, guess what I'ma call her? I'ma name her Bonnie
I read about your Uncle Ronnie too, I'm sorry
I had a friend kill himself over some bitch who didn't want him
I know you probably hear this every day, but I'm your biggest fan
I even got the underground shit that you did with Skam
I got a room full of your posters and your pictures, man
I like the shit you did with Rawkus too, that shit was phat
Anyways, I hope you get this, man, hit me back
Just to chat, truly yours, your biggest fan, this is Stan
Chorus: Dido
My tea's gone cold, I'm wondering why I got out of bed at all
The morning rain clouds up my window, and I can't see at all
And even if I could, it'd all be grey, but your picture on my wall
It reminds me that it's not so bad, it's not so bad
Verse 2: Eminem
Dear Slim, you still ain't called or wrote, I hope you have a chance
I ain't mad, I just think it's fucked up you don't answer fans
If you didn't want to talk to me outside your concert, you didn't have to
But you coulda signed an autograph for Matthew
That's my little brother, man, he's only six years old
We waited in the blisterin' cold for you, for four hours, and you just said, "no"
That's pretty shitty, man, you're like his fuckin' idol
He wants to be just like you, man, he likes you more than I do
I ain't that mad, though I just don't like bein' lied to
Remember when we met in Denver? You said if I'd write you, you would write back
See, I'm just like you in a way: I never knew my father neither
He used to always cheat on my mom and beat her
I can relate to what you're sayin' in your songs
So when I have a shitty day, I drift away and put 'em on
'Cause I don't really got shit else, so that shit helps when I'm depressed
I even got a tattoo with your name across the chest
Sometimes I even cut myself to see how much it bleeds
It's like adrenaline, the pain is such a sudden rush for me
See, everything you say is real, and I respect you 'cause you tell it
My girlfriend's jealous 'cause I talk about you 24/7
But she don't know you like I know you, Slim, no one does
She don't know what it was like for people like us growin' up
You gotta call me, man, I'll be the biggest fan you'll ever lose
Sincerely yours, Stan—P.S. We should be together too
Chorus: Dido
My tea's gone cold, I'm wondering why I got out of bed at all
The morning rain clouds up my window, and I can't see at all
And even if I could, it'd all be grey, but your picture on my wall
It reminds me that it's not so bad, it's not so bad
Verse 3: Eminem
Dear Mr. I'm-Too-Good-to-Call-or-Write-My-Fans
This'll be the last package I ever send your ass
It's been six months, and still no word—I don't deserve it?
I know you got my last two letters, I wrote the addresses on 'em perfect
So this is my cassette I'm sendin' you, I hope you hear it
I'm in the car right now, I'm doin' ninety on the freeway
Hey, Slim, I drank a fifth of vodka, you dare me to drive?
You know the song by Phil Collins, "In the Air of the Night"
About that guy who coulda saved that other guy from drownin'
But didn't, then Phil saw it all, then at a show he found him?
That's kinda how this is: you coulda rescued me from drownin'
Now it's too late, I'm on a thousand downers now—I'm drowsy
And all I wanted was a lousy letter or a call
I hope you know I ripped all of your pictures off the wall
I loved you, Slim, we coulda been together—think about it!
You ruined it now, I hope you can't sleep and you dream about it
And when you dream, I hope you can't sleep and you scream about it
I hope your conscience eats at you and you can't breathe without me
See, Slim—shut up, bitch! I'm tryin' to talk
Hey, Slim, that's my girlfriend screamin' in the trunk
But I didn't slit her throat, I just tied her up—see? I ain't like you
'Cause if she suffocates she'll suffer more and then she'll die too
Well, gotta go, I'm almost at the bridge now
Oh, shit, I forgot—how am I supposed to send this shit out?!
Chorus: Dido
My tea's gone cold, I'm wondering why I got out of bed at all
The morning rain clouds up my window, and I can't see at all
And even if I could, it'd all be grey, but your picture on my wall
It reminds me that it's not so bad, it's not so bad
Verse 4: Eminem
Dear Stan, I meant to write you sooner, but I just been busy
You said your girlfriend's pregnant now, how far along is she?
Look, I'm really flattered you would call your daughter that
And here's an autograph for your brother; I wrote it on a Starter cap
I'm sorry I didn't see you at the show, I must've missed you
Don't think I did that shit intentionally just to diss you
But what's this shit you said about you like to cut your wrists too?
I say that shit just clownin', dawg, come on, how fucked up is you?
You got some issues, Stan, I think you need some counselin'
To help your ass from bouncin' off the walls when you get down some
And what's this shit about us meant to be together?
That type of shit'll make me not want us to meet each other
I really think you and your girlfriend need each other
Or maybe you just need to treat her better
I hope you get to read this letter, I just hope it reaches you in time
Before you hurt yourself, I think that you'll be doin' just fine
If you relax a little, I'm glad I inspire you, but Stan
Why are you so mad? Try to understand that I do want you as a fan
I just don't want you to do some crazy shit
I seen this one shit on the news a couple weeks ago that made me sick
Some dude was drunk and drove his car over a bridge
And had his girlfriend in the trunk, and she was pregnant with his kid
And in the car they found a tape, but they didn't say who it was to
Come to think about it, his name was—it was you
Damn...
The Meaning of Eminem's Stan
At its core, "Stan" tells the story of an wackadoodle fan dubbed "Stan" who writes letters to Eminem expressing his devotion. As the song unfolds, it becomes evident that Stan's obsession turns dangerous, leading to a tragic climax.
Eminem uses this narrative to reflect on the impact of his celebrity status, the fine line between admiration and obsession, and the toll fame takes on mental health.
Is "Stan" a True Story?
While "Stan" is not a direct autobiographical account, it draws inspiration from Eminem's true encounters with obsessive fans. The character Stan serves as a composite of various fan interactions, allowing Eminem to explore the darker aspects of fame in the music industry through a fictional lens.
The Success of Stan by Eminem
"Stan" received widespread acclaim, earning Eminem critical acclaim and commercial success. The music video, directed by Dr. Dre and Philip Atwell, features an early use of the "found footage" technique, adding to its impact.
The term "stan" has since entered pop culture, signifying an obsessive fan or overzealous admirer. "Stan" likely came from the term Stalker fan, but this has never been confirmed by Slim Shady himself.
The Stan - Eminem Sample
The haunting piano melody that forms the backbone of "Stan" is sampled from Dido's song "Thank You."
Dido's vocals in the chorus provide a poignant backdrop to Eminem's verses, creating a melodic contrast that enhances the emotional depth of the track.
In Conclusion
"Stan" is not just a song; it's a narrative masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of traditional rap music. The original song features British singer Dido, offering some violent lyrics at times, like when Stan murders his pregnant girlfriend.
Regardless of the final verse, Eminem's ability to craft a compelling story, has solidified "Stan" as a timeless classic.
As we dissect its meaning, debunk the myth of it being a true story, and appreciate its cultural impact, "Stan" remains an enduring testament to Eminem's storytelling prowess and the complexities of fame.