Jump to content

Mockingbird (Eminem song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Mockingbird"
Single by Eminem
from the album Encore
ReleasedApril 25, 2005
Recorded2004
GenreConscious hip hop
Length4:11
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Eminem singles chronology
"Like Toy Soldiers"
(2005) 		"Mockingbird"
(2005) 		"Ass Like That"
(2005)
Music video
"Mockingbird" on YouTube

"Mockingbird" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fifth studio album Encore (2004). It was released as the fifth single from the album on April 25, 2005, through Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records. The song was later included on Eminem's greatest hits compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits (2005). It was written and produced by Eminem himself and Luis Resto. The song is dedicated to Eminem’s two daughters, Hailie Jade and Alaina Marie, who were 9 and 11 years old at the time.[1]

"Mockingbird" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised the song for the content matter and Eminem's delivery. It peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 51 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, as well as Number 10 on the Hot Rap Songs chart. On March 8, 2022, RIAA certified the track 5× Platinum. The song won a Teen Choice Award for "Choice Music: Rap Track". It received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance. During 2023, it got popularized on social media platform TikTok, causing the song to rechart on various charts. On March 23, 2023, "Mockingbird" surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify.[2]

The song was accompanied by a music video, which Eminem himself and John 'Quig' Quigley directed. The video was released on February 21, 2005 through Interscope Records, and later was released on December 24, 2009, on YouTube. As of 2024, the video has over 1 billion views on YouTube, making it Eminem's fifth most viewed video on the platform.

Composition and lyrics

[edit]

"Mockingbird" is a song by Eminem dedicated to his daughters, Hailie Jade and Alaina Marie (also known as Lainie), who were 9 and 10 years old at the time of the song's release. The song serves as an expression of remorse and a pledge from Eminem to his daughters, acknowledging the difficulties they faced due to his fame and their family circumstances.[1]

The song begins with Eminem encouraging his daughters to "straighten up" and "stiffen up that upper lip," as he attempts to comfort them and provide an explanation for their circumstances. He acknowledges their feelings of missing their mother, Kimberly Scott, his ex-wife, and himself during periods when he was away on tour or focused on his music career.

Eminem reflects on his efforts to provide a better life for his daughters than he had, while also recognizing that this has exposed them to negative media attention and public scrutiny. He recounts several challenging experiences they endured, including: break-ins, drug addictions, and custody disputes.[3]

Throughout "Mockingbird," Eminem repeatedly reassures his daughters, urging them not to cry and emphasizing his love and commitment to them. He expresses hope that one day they will look back and view these hardships as a distant memory.

The song runs for 4 mins and 11 secs. The song is written in the key of E minor, with a tempo of 84 beats per minute, the song follows a chord progression sequence of Em-C-D-Em.

The chorus of the song is based on a traditional lullaby called "Hush, Little Baby".

Critical response

[edit]

"Mockingbird" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Entertainment Weekly's David Browne wrote: "Again he addresses a song to his daughter (Mockingbird) and explains how he's working hard at being a good father."[4] J-23 of HipHopDX praised the song: "Things get a bit better at the end, 'Mockingbird' is another song for Hailie that is most notable for flawless delivery."[5] Steve Jones of USA Today was positive: "The affectionate Mockingbird talks directly to his 9-year-old daughter, Hailie Jade, and 8-year-old niece, Alaina, trying to explain Kim's troubles with the law and his constant travel."[6] James Corne of RapReviews was also satisfied, saying, "Predictably, Eminem lays down one for Hailie with "Mockingbird," but what is not foreseeable is that it actually works."[7] The New York Times was mixed: "the I-love-my-daughter ode 'Mockingbird'" isn't the most exciting thing according to Kelefa Sanneh.[8] Stylus Magazine was negative: "Encore dutifully deploys the obligatory Hailie ode ("Mockingbird")."[9]

The A.V. Club was a bit positive: "On 'Mockingbird,' Eminem lets his hatred of his ex-wife lie dormant just long enough to provide his daughter with a haunting account of how parents sometimes just can't make it work, no matter how much both parties want to."[10] Los Angeles Times also agreed: "In the tender 'Mockingbird,' the Detroit-based rapper outlines his devotion to his daughter, Hailie. Against a restrained, almost hypnotic musical backdrop, Eminem tries to help the child make sense of a world in which her father is always on the run because of his career, and her mother, Kim, makes headlines with legal troubles, including a drug arrest last year. Normally, much of Eminem's lure as a rapper is in the speed and authority of his rapid-fire delivery, but he raps here with the gentleness of a man with his arms around his daughter: 'I know it's confusing to you/ Daddy's always on the move/ Mama's always on the news.'"[11] The Austin Chronicle is a bit negative, saying that in the song "he still hates his ... ex-wife as much as he loves his daughter. Yawn."[12] The Boston Phoenix called it "the address-to-his-daughter" song that is "more consistently remarkable than 'Mosh'".[13]

Legacy

[edit]

Rapper Baby Keem's song "Apologize" from his 2019 mixtape Die for My Bitch samples his unique, but well-known flow, using a similar melodic tone as Eminem's "Mockingbird". Rapper Lil Nas X in his pre-chis 2021 album Montero samples "Mockingbird" for the chorus of "Don't Want It"; being similar in word pattern and lyrics.[14]

British Rapper E1 (3x3) released a remix to the song in 2022.

DJs Tiësto, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, and Gabry Ponte released "Mockingbird" in 2024 which interpolates the chorus.[15]

In 2023, after the song garnered massive interest on social networking site TikTok, "Mockingbird" reached 1 billion streams on Spotify[16] and placed on numerous music charts worldwide.[17][18][19][20][21]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
See also: List of awards and nominations received by Eminem
Year Ceremony Award Result
2005[22] Teen Choice Awards Choice Music: Rap Track Won
2006 Grammy Awards Best Rap Solo Performance Nominated

Track listing

[edit]
UK CD1,[23] digital download,[24] German 3" CD single[25]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Mockingbird"
4:11
2."Encore" (UMI fade version) (featuring Dr. Dre and 50 Cent)
5:12
Total length:9:23
UK CD2[26]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Mockingbird"
4:11
2."Mockingbird" (instrumental)
  • Mathers
  • Resto
4:11
3."Just Lose It" (DJ Green Lantern remix)
3:30
4."Mockingbird" (video)
  • Mathers
  • Resto
4:11
Total length:16:01
Digital EP[27]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Mockingbird"
4:11
2."Mockingbird" (instrumental)
  • Mathers
  • Resto
4:11
3."Encore" (UMI fade version) (featuring Dr. Dre and 50 Cent)
5:12
Total length:13:34
German CD single[28]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Mockingbird"
4:11
2."Encore" (UMI fade version) (featuring Dr. Dre and 50 Cent)
5:12
3."Mockingbird" (instrumental)
  • Mathers
  • Resto
4:11
4."Mockingbird" (video)
  • Mathers
  • Resto
4:11
Total length:17:45
Notes
- ^[a] signifies an additional producer.

Chart positions

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Mockingbird"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[79] 9× Platinum 630,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[80] Platinum 60,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[81] 3× Platinum 270,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[82] 5× Gold 750,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[83] 2× Platinum 200,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[84] 4× Platinum 120,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[85] 4× Platinum 40,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[86] Gold 30,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[87] 6× Platinum 240,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[88] 3× Platinum 1,800,000‡
United States (RIAA)[89] 5× Platinum 5,000,000‡
Streaming
Greece (IFPI Greece)[90] 2× Platinum 4,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Unravelling the Genius of Eminem's Mockingbird: Lyrics, Symbolism, and Cultural Influence - Neon Music - Digital Music Discovery & Showcase Platform". neonmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  2. ^ "Eminem's 'Mockingbird' Joins One Billion Spotify Streams Club". HipHopDX. 2023-03-15. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  3. ^ Eminem – Mockingbird, retrieved 2024-07-31
  4. ^ Browne, David (2004-11-19). "Encore". Entertainment Weekly. No. 793. p. 80. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
  5. ^ J-23 (2004-11-15). "Eminem - Encore". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2017-06-03.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Jones, Steve (November 11, 2004). "Eminem's edgy 'Encore' deserves an ovation". USA Today. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  7. ^ Corne, James (2004-11-09). "Eminem :: Encore :: Shady/Aftermath/Interscope". RapReviews. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
  8. ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (2004-11-15). "All the Time in the World, Slim Shady? That's Scary". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  9. ^ Love, Josh (2004-11-12). "Eminem - Encore - Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on 2014-02-09. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
  10. ^ Rabin, Nathan (2004-11-22). "Encore". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
  11. ^ Hilburn, Robert (2004-11-08). "With 'Encore', Eminem melts". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
  12. ^ Gray, Christopher (2004-11-26). "Eminem: Encore". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
  13. ^ Soults, Franklin (November 26, 2004). "Eminem: Encore". The Boston Phoenix. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  14. ^ "Lil Nas X uses same sample on a new song "Don't Want It" as Eminem on "Mockingbird"". Southpawers. September 17, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  15. ^ Ngo, Ken (2024-05-03). "Tiësto, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, and Gabry Ponte Provide Cover of 'Mockingbird'". EDMTunes. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  16. ^ Ahmed, Insanul (16 March 2023). "TikTok helps Eminem's "Mockingbird" get 1 billion Spotify streams". XXL. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  17. ^ "Track Top-40 Uge 46, 2022". Hitlisten. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  18. ^ "Top Singles (Week 2, 2023)" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  19. ^ a b "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 06.01.2023–12.01.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  20. ^ "IMI International Top 20 singles for week ending 2nd January 2023 – Week 52 of 52". Indian Music Industry. Archived from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 47". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  22. ^ "Teen Choice Awards Winners 2005". www.thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  23. ^ "Mockingbird: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon UK. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  24. ^ "iTunes - Music - Mockingbird - Single by Eminem". iTunes. January 2005. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  25. ^ "Mockingbird (pock It) by Eminem: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon UK. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  26. ^ "Mockingbird [CD 2]: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon UK. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  27. ^ "iTunes - Music - Mockingbird (UK Only Version) by Eminem". iTunes. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  28. ^ "Mockingbird: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon UK. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  29. ^ "Issue 801" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  30. ^ "Eminem – Mockingbird" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  31. ^ "Eminem – Mockingbird" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  32. ^ "Eminem – Mockingbird" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  33. ^ "RR Canada CHR/Pop Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1596. March 4, 2005. p. 32. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  34. ^ "musicserver.cz - Hitparády IFPI". Archived from the original on November 6, 2005. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  35. ^ "Eminem – Mockingbird". Tracklisten.
  36. ^ "Eminem – Mockingbird" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  37. ^ "Eminem – Mockingbird". Top Digital Download. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  38. ^ "Eminem – Mockingbird" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  39. ^ "Eminem – Mockingbird". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  40. ^ "Eminem – Mockingbird". VG-lista. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  41. ^ "Eminem – Mockingbird". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  42. ^ "Eminem: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  43. ^ "Eminem Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  44. ^ a b c https://www.billboard.com/artist/eminem/chart-history/
  45. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 2, 2017" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  46. ^ "Eminem – Mockingbird" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  47. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 45. týden 2022 in the date selector. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  48. ^ "Track Top-40 Uge 46, 2022". Hitlisten. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  49. ^ "Eminem: Mockingbird" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  50. ^ "Top Singles (Week 2, 2023)" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  51. ^ "Eminem – Mockingbird" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  52. ^ "Eminem Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  53. ^ "Official IFPI Charts — Digital Singles Chart (International) — Εβδομάδα: 48/2022" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  54. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  55. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  56. ^ "IMI International Top 20 singles for week ending 2nd January 2023 – Week 52 of 52". Indian Music Industry. Archived from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  57. ^ "Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 15. nedēļa" (in English and Latvian). LAIPA. April 16, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  58. ^ "2022 47-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  59. ^ "Eminem – Mockingbird". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  60. ^ "Russia Airplay Chart for 2023-05-12." TopHit. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  61. ^ "ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202301 into search. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  62. ^ "Eminem – Mockingbird". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  63. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  64. ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Monthly Chart April 2023". TopHit. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  65. ^ "2005 Annual ARIA Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  66. ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2005". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  67. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 2005". BillboardTop100of.com. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  68. ^ "Stream Top 100 - darabszám alapján - 2022" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  69. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart for 2023". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  70. ^ "Ö3 Austria Top40 Jahrescharts 2023: Singles". Ö3 Austria Top 40. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  71. ^ "Track Top-100 2023". Hitlisten. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  72. ^ "Jahrescharts 2023" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  73. ^ "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  74. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2023". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  75. ^ "Top 100 | OLiS – single w streamie | 2023" (PDF) (in Polish). OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  76. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 2023". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  77. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2023". hitparade.ch. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  78. ^ "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  79. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  80. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Eminem – Mockingbird" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  81. ^ "Danish single certifications – Eminem – Mockingbird". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  82. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Eminem; 'Mockingbird')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  83. ^ "Italian single certifications – Eminem – Mockingbird" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  84. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Eminem – Mockingbird". Radioscope. Retrieved December 18, 2024. Type Mockingbird in the "Search:" field.
  85. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Eminem – Mockingbird" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  86. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Eminem – Mockingbird". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  87. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Mockingbird')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  88. ^ "British single certifications – Eminem – Mockingbird". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  89. ^ "American single certifications – Eminem – Mockingbird". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  90. ^ "Official IFPI Charts - Digital Singles Chart (International) - Εβδομάδα: 02/2023" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mockingbird_(Eminem_song)&oldid=1264089121"