Eminem 'Darkness' lyrics meaning revealed

18 December 2020, 13:20

What 2017 mass shooting is Eminem referring to in 'Darkness'?

Eminem has released the highly anticipated deluxe edition to his 'Music To Be Murdered By' album.

Eminem 'Music To Be Murdered By Side B': release date, tracklist, features & more

'Music To Be Murdered By Side B' offers 16 new tracks, with features from Dr. Dre, Skylar Grey, DJ Premier, Ty Dolla $ign, Dr. Dre, Sly Pyper, MAJ and White Gold.

However, many fans were taken aback by Eminem's 8th track, 'Darkness'. Find out why below.

1. What do the lyrics of Eminem's song 'Darkness' mean?

   In Eminem's new song “Darkness” he assumes the pain and challenges of a person suffering from depression.

   The rapper talks about how his world is surrounded by darkness, disabling him from feeling joy and darkness that stops him from seeing the world proper.

   In the song, Eminem absorbs himself into the character of Stephen Paddock, who is responsible for the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.

   

   [Chorus]
   I don't wanna be alone, I don't wanna be
   I don't wanna be alone in the darkness
   I don't wanna be alone in the darkness
   I don't wanna be alone in the darkness anymore
   (Hello, darkness, my old friend)

   In the Chorus, Eminem laments in the darkness that surrounds his life. The worst part is that he sees that he is in the dark and he wants to get out and yet he has no help coming in. This mental state can surely corrupt someone’s sanity.

   Verse 1

   Here I am, alone again
   Can't get out of this hole I'm in
   It's like the walls are closin' in
   You can't help me, no one can
   I can feel these curtains closin'
   I go to open 'em
   But something pulls 'em closed again
   (Hello, darkness, my old friend)
   Feels like I'm loathing in Las Vegas
   Haven't got the vaguest why I'm so lost

   In the first verse, Eminem delves into the person suffering from depressions mind. The thoughts turn into action as the person into a murderer.

   At this point, Em believes Paddock considered the plan to murder to be a “small wager” which can get his name in the newspaper tomorrow – seeking for people to acknowledge his existence.

   Verse 2

   The music is so loud
   But it's almost as though I don't hear no sound
   I should get ready for the show now
   Wait, is this the whole crowd? I thought this shit was sold out
   (Hello, darkness, my old friend)
   But it's only the opening act, it's early, don't overreact
   Then something told me relax
   And just hope for the show to be packed

   In the second verse, Eminem shares the similarities he may have with Stephen Paddock. He draws on the feelings they have when gearing up for their grandest event.

   For Eminem, he gets these thoughts at concerts before he performs. For Paddock, it is his first and final shooting.

   Verse 3

   It's 10:05 PM and the curtain starts to go up
   And I'm already sweatin', but I'm locked and loaded
   For rapid fire spittin' for all the concert-goers
   Scopes for sniper vision, surprise from out of nowhere
   As I slide the clip in from inside the hotel
   Leanin' out the window, going Keyser Söze
   Finger on the trigger, but I'm a licensed owner
   With no prior convictions, so law says sky's the limit
   So my supply's infinite, strapped like I'm a soldier

   In the final verse of the song. Em explores similar feelings of him performing at a concert to Paddock committing mass murder.

   The pair both feel nervousness before the curtains pull up. They both are the central act in something which impacts a massive crowd. Their delivery is their final performance and the audience will never be the same again, in both situations.

2. What are the lyrics to Eminem's 'Darkness'?

   [Chorus]
   I don't wanna be alone, I don't wanna be
   I don't wanna be alone in the darkness
   I don't wanna be alone in the darkness
   I don't wanna be alone in the darkness anymore
   (Hello, darkness, my old friend)
   

   [Verse 1]
   Here I am, alone again
   Can't get out of this hole I'm in
   It's like the walls are closin' in
   You can't help me, no one can
   I can feel these curtains closin'
   I go to open 'em
   But something pulls 'em closed again
   (Hello, darkness, my old friend)
   Feels like I'm loathing in Las Vegas
   Haven't got the vaguest why I'm so lost
   But I'd make you this small wager
   If I bet you I'll be in tomorrow's paper
   Who would the odds favor?
   (Hello, darkness, my old friend)
   I'm so much like my father, you would think that I knew him
   I keep pacin' this room, Valium, then chase it with booze
   One little taste, it'll do
   Maybe I'll take it and snooze, then tear up the stage in a few
   (Hello, darkness, my old friend)
   F*ck the Colt 45, I'ma need somethin' stronger
   If I pop any caps, it better be off of vodka
   Round after round after round, I'm gettin' loaded (Haha)
   That's a lot of shots, huh? (Double entendre)
   (Hello, darkness, my old friend)

   [Chorus]
   And I don't wanna be alone in the darkness (Yeah)
   I don't wanna be alone in the darkness
   I don't wanna be alone in the darkness anymore
   (Hello, darkness, my old friend)
   

   [Verse 2]
   Now I'm starin' at the room service menu off a benzo
   I can hear the music continue to crescendo
   I can see the whole f*ckin' venue from my window
   That's when you know you're schizo (Hello, darkness, my old friend)
   'Cause I keep peekin' out the curtain from the hotel
   The music is so loud
   But it's almost as though I don't hear no sound
   I should get ready for the show now
   Wait, is this the whole crowd? I thought this shit was sold out
   (Hello, darkness, my old friend)
   But it's only the opening act, it's early, don't overreact
   Then something told me relax
   And just hope for the show to be packed
   Don't wanna hit the stage before they fill each row to the max
   'Cause that'd be totally wack
   You can't murder a show nobody's at (Hello darkness, my old friend)
   But what if nobody shows? Panic mode
   'Bout to snap and go motherf*ckin' wacko at any second
   'Bout to cancel the show just as fans below rush the entrance
   Plan is a go to wreck sh*t, cameras in all directions (Hello, darkness, my old friend)
   The press is 'bout to go ape sh*t, bananas on all the networks
   Commando with extra clips, I got ammo for all the hecklers
   I'm armed to the teeth, another Valium, fall off the bed
   Hit the ground and crawl to the dresser
   Alcohol on my breath as I reach for the scope
   I'm blackin' out, I'm all out of meds
   With them benzodiazepines gone
   Now it's just magazines sprawled out on the floor
   F*ck the media, I'm goin' all out, this is war
   (Hello, darkness, my old friend)

   [Chorus]
   And I don't wanna be alone in the darkness (Yeah)
   I don't wanna be alone in the darkness
   I don't wanna be alone in the darkness anymore (Hello, darkness, my old friend)
   

   [Verse 3]
   People start to show up, time to start the show up
   It's 10:05 PM and the curtain starts to go up
   And I'm already sweatin', but I'm locked and loaded
   For rapid fire spittin' for all the concert-goers
   Scopes for sniper vision, surprise from out of nowhere
   As I slide the clip in from inside the hotel
   Leanin' out the window, going Keyser Söze
   Finger on the trigger, but I'm a licensed owner
   With no prior convictions, so law says sky's the limit
   So my supply's infinite, strapped like I'm a soldier
   Got 'em hopping over walls and climbing fences
   Some of them John Travolta, staying alive by inches
   (Hello, darkness, my old friend)
   Cops are knockin', oh f*ck, thought I blocked the entrance
   Guess show time is over
   No suicide note, just a note for target distance
   But if you'd like to know the reason why I did this
   You'll never find a motive, truth is I have no idea
   I am just as stumped, no signs of mental illness
   Just tryin' to show ya the reason why we're so f*cked
   'Cause by the time it's over, won't make the slightest difference
   (Hello, darkness, my old friend)

   [Chorus]
   And I don't wanna be alone in the darkness
   I don't wanna be alone in the darkness
   I don't wanna be alone in the darkness anymore
   (Hello, darkness, my old friend)
   

   [Outro]
   Yeah, we do have some breaking news from the Associated Press right now
   Just gonna bring that up because we are hearing—
   We have told you that the shooter is dead
   And we have just learned that police are saying that the Las Vegas shooter killed himself
   That is the bartender there at Mandalay Bay and I believe we're going to hear more from her
   Yeah, we just wanted to share that with you
   You can see behind me here, this is what he looks like
   Now we did just tell you that police just earlier...
   Metro was telling us that he killed himself inside the hotel room
   

   Good morning, as we come to you on the air
   We bring you breaking news, a school shooting (Crushing news)
   Another school shooting (Eleven people dead)
   Reports of a number of fatalities, and this time it is in Santa Fe, Texas
   That is just outside Galveston (That no one saw coming)
   A mass shooting a Southern Californian school (A suspect has been...)
   We are following breaking news this morning
   Another deadly school shooting
   This one in Santa Fe, Texas, that's just outside Houston
   Twenty-six killed and twenty others wounded (Houston affiliate is reporting)
   At least nine people have been killed (Somber words, making it the deadliest shooting in Texas history)
   Five people dead
   The attacker opening fire outside the church during a morning worship session
   He unloaded the chaotic and terror, making his way inside (Five people killed in a workplace shooting, dozens of officers)
   This, a deadly shooting at a food festival in Northern California
   Three people so far dead
   Breaking news (Fifteen wounded)
   A deadly shooting at a newspaper office in Annapolis (A gunman opened fire)
   Newly-released surveillance video shows the moments leading up to a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio
   Authorities say the shooter...

3. Who is Stephen Paddock?

   Stephen Paddock, who is responsible for the 2017 mass Las Vegas shooting.

   Paddock’s father was reportedly a bank robber, who was absent throughout most of his childhood.

   In the song, he considers himself to be much like his father, mirroring his traits, which ultimately leads to him committing a massive crime.

   Paddock seems to be looking for some type of belonging after feelings of abandonment and loneliness.

4. Where can I watch the 'Darkness' video?

   

   Eminem - Darkness (Official Video)

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