Eminem – Mockingbird
Released as a single in 2005 from his Encore album, “Mockingbird” is one of Eminem’s most personal and emotional tracks. It was written for his daughter Hailie Jade, and the lyrics delve deeply into his feelings as a father, his troubled relationship with his ex-wife Kim Scott, and his struggles with fame, financial hardships, and emotional trauma. The song is a reflection on the difficulties Eminem faced in trying to balance his family life with his career and personal issues. It also highlights the love and regret he feels about the effect his tumultuous life has had on his daughter.
🎧 “Mockingbird Lyrics” by Eminem
[Intro]
Yeah
I know sometimes
Things may not always make sense to you right now
But hey
What Daddy always tell you?
Straighten up, little soldier
Stiffen up that upper lip
What you cryin’ about?
You got me
[Verse 1]
Hailie, I know you miss your mom, and I know you miss your dad
When I’m gone, but I’m tryin’ to give you the life that I never had
I can see you’re sad, even when you smile, even when you laugh
I can see it in your eyes, deep inside you wanna cry
‘Cause you’re scared, I ain’t there, Daddy’s wit’ you in your prayers
No more cryin’, wipe them tears, Daddy’s here, no more nightmares
We gon’ pull together through it, we gon’ do it
Lainie, Uncle’s crazy, ain’t he? Yeah, but he loves you, girl, and you better know it
We’re all we got in this world when it spins, when it swirls
When it whirls, when it twirls, two little beautiful girls
Lookin’ puzzled, in a daze, I know it’s confusin’ you
Daddy’s always on the move, Mama’s always on the news
I try to keep you sheltered from it, but somehow it seems
The harder that I try to do that, the more it backfires on me
All the things growin’ up as Daddy that he had to see
Daddy don’t want you to see, but you see just as much as he did
We did not plan it to be this way, your mother and me
But things have got so bad between us, I don’t see us ever bein’
Together ever again, like we used to be when we was teenagers
But then, of course, everything always happens for a reason
I guess it was never meant to be
But it’s just somethin’ we have no control over, and that’s what destiny is
But no more worries, rest your head and go to sleep
Maybe one day we’ll wake up and this’ll all just be a dream
[Chorus]
Now hush, little baby, don’t you cry
Everything’s gonna be alright
Stiffen that upper lip up, little lady, I told ya
Daddy’s here to hold ya through the night
I know Mommy’s not here right now and we don’t know why
We feel how we feel inside
It may seem a little crazy, pretty baby
But I promise Mama’s gon’ be alright
[Verse 2]
Heh, it’s funny
I remember back one year when Daddy had no money
Mommy wrapped the Christmas presents up and stuck ’em under the tree
And said some of ’em were from me ’cause Daddy couldn’t buy ’em
I’ll never forget that Christmas, I sat up the whole night crying
‘Cause Daddy felt like a bum—see, Daddy had a job
But his job was to keep the food on the table for you and Mom
And at the time, every house that we lived in
Either kept gettin’ broken into and robbed or shot up on the block
And your Mom was savin’ money for you in a jar
Tryin’ to start a piggy bank for you so you could go to college
Almost had a thousand dollars ’til someone broke in and stole it
And I know it hurt so bad it broke your Mama’s heart
And it seemed like everything was just startin’ to fall apart
Mom and Dad was arguin’ a lot
So Mama moved back on to Chalmers in the flat, one-bedroom apartment
And Dad moved back to the other side of 8 Mile on Novara
And that’s when Daddy went to California with his CD
And met Dr. Dre, and flew you and Mama out to see me
But Daddy had to work, you and Mama had to leave me
Then you started seein’ Daddy on the TV
And Mama didn’t like it
And you and Lainie were too young to understand it
Papa was a rolling stone, Mama developed a habit
And it all happened too fast for either one of us to grab it
I’m just sorry you were there and had to witness it firsthand
‘Cause all I ever wanted to do was just make you proud
Now I’m sittin’ in this empty house just reminiscin’
Lookin’ at your baby pictures, it just trips me out
To see how much you both have grown, it’s almost like you’re sisters now
Wow, guess you pretty much are, and Daddy’s still here
Lainie, I’m talkin’ to you too, Daddy’s still here
I like the sound of that, yeah, it’s got a ring to it, don’t it?
Shh, Mama’s only gone for the moment
[Chorus]
Now hush, little baby, don’t you cry
Everything’s gonna be alright
Stiffen that upper lip up, little lady, I told ya
Daddy’s here to hold ya through the night
I know Mommy’s not here right now and we don’t know why
We feel how we feel inside
It may seem a little crazy, pretty baby
But I promise Mama’s gon’ be alright
[Outro]
And if you ask me to, Daddy’s gonna buy you a mockingbird
I’ma give you the world
I’ma buy a diamond ring for you, I’ma sing for you
I’ll do anything for you to see you smile
And if that mockingbird don’t sing and that ring don’t shine
I’ma break that birdie’s neck
I’ll go back to the jeweler who sold it to ya
And make him eat every carat, don’t fuck with Dad (Haha)
📝 Lyrics (Highlighted Lines)
“Hailie, I know you miss your mom, and I know you miss your dad / When I’m gone, but I’m tryin’ to give you the life that I never had.”
“Daddy’s always on the move, Mama’s always on the news.”
“I try to keep you sheltered from it, but somehow it seems / The harder that I try to do that, the more it backfires on me.”
“Now hush, little baby, don’t you cry / Everything’s gonna be alright.”
“And if you ask me to, Daddy’s gonna buy you a mockingbird / I’ma give you the world.”
🔍 Step-by-Step Breakdown
[Intro]
“Yeah / I know sometimes / Things may not always make sense to you right now”
The introduction sets a tone of reassurance, with Eminem addressing his daughter Hailie directly, acknowledging the confusion and pain she might feel due to their tumultuous family situation.
“What Daddy always tell you? / Straighten up, little soldier / Stiffen up that upper lip”
This represents Eminem’s attempt to reassure Hailie by encouraging her to be strong and resilient in the face of adversity, mirroring the toughness often expected from him as a father figure.
[Verse 1]
“Hailie, I know you miss your mom, and I know you miss your dad”
Eminem acknowledges the emotional toll his divorce and separation from Kim have had on his daughter. This line highlights his awareness of her pain.
“But I’m tryin’ to give you the life that I never had”
He expresses his desire to provide Hailie with a better future, one he didn’t have growing up, and implies the sacrifice he makes to ensure she has the opportunities he lacked.
“I can see you’re sad, even when you smile, even when you laugh”
Eminem’s keen observation reveals his deep connection with Hailie, knowing that even when she pretends to be happy, the emotional weight of their situation is still present.
“Daddy’s wit’ you in your prayers / No more cryin’, wipe them tears, Daddy’s here”
A promise of protection and love from her father, emphasizing that he’s always there for her, even in the midst of his personal struggles.
“We’re all we got in this world when it spins, when it swirls / When it whirls, when it twirls”
Eminem reinforces the idea of family as the only constant in an unpredictable and chaotic world.
“I try to keep you sheltered from it, but somehow it seems / The harder that I try to do that, the more it backfires on me”
This reflects his frustration with being unable to shield Hailie from the fallout of his public life and his troubled marriage.
[Chorus]
“Now hush, little baby, don’t you cry / Everything’s gonna be alright”
A comforting lullaby-like refrain, offering reassurance that, despite the chaos, Hailie will be okay in the end.
[Verse 2]
“I remember back one year when Daddy had no money”
Eminem reflects on the financial hardships he faced earlier in his career and his desire to provide for his family despite his struggles.
“Mommy wrapped the Christmas presents up and stuck ’em under the tree / And said some of ’em were from me ’cause Daddy couldn’t buy ’em”
This personal story demonstrates his vulnerability and guilt, feeling like he wasn’t able to give his family the Christmas they deserved.
“I’ll never forget that Christmas, I sat up the whole night crying / ‘Cause Daddy felt like a bum”
This line illustrates Eminem’s emotional struggle with being unable to provide financially, an experience that’s deeply etched in his memory.
“Mom and Dad was arguin’ a lot / So Mama moved back on to Chalmers in the flat, one-bedroom apartment”
Describing the fractured relationship with Kim, this line paints a picture of their volatile situation, further emphasizing the personal sacrifices he made.
[Outro]
“And if you ask me to, Daddy’s gonna buy you a mockingbird / I’ma give you the world”
In the outro, Eminem promises to give Hailie anything she wants, showing his deep love and devotion to her. The mockingbird symbolizes his attempt to protect her and offer her a sense of security.
“And if that mockingbird don’t sing and that ring don’t shine / I’ma break that birdie’s neck”
A metaphorical expression of his willingness to do whatever it takes to make things right for Hailie, even if it means going to extreme lengths.
📋 Song Details Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Mockingbird |
| Artist | Eminem |
| Album | Encore (2004) |
| Release Date | 2005 |
| Genre | Hip-Hop, Rap |
| Length | 4:05 |
| Producer(s) | Eminem, Luis Resto |
| Label | Aftermath, Shady, Interscope |
| Chart Success | Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 |
🎭 Theme
- Fatherhood & Responsibility 👨👧
- Personal Struggle & Regret 😔
- Emotional Vulnerability 💔
- Love & Protection 💖
- Loss & Separation 💔
🌍 Meaning
“Mockingbird” is a heartfelt apology from Eminem to his daughter Hailie. It conveys his deep love and devotion to her, while also reflecting on the hardships and struggles he faced as a father. The song expresses his regret for the pain his turbulent relationship with Kim caused her and promises that despite everything, he will always be there for her. Eminem uses metaphors like the mockingbird and diamond ring to symbolize his attempts to shield her from harm and provide her with everything she deserves, even if that means fighting against overwhelming odds.
❓ FAQs
Q: Is “Mockingbird” about Eminem’s real-life daughter?
A: Yes, “Mockingbird” is written for Eminem’s daughter Hailie Jade, expressing his love and apologies for the difficult circumstances she had to endure.
Q: Why does Eminem use the mockingbird in the song?
A: The mockingbird represents his promise to protect Hailie and give her everything she wants, symbolizing his efforts to shield her from the difficulties of their lives.
Q: Is this song part of a larger narrative in Eminem’s discography?
A: Yes, “Mockingbird” is one of several songs where Eminem reflects on his relationship with Hailie and his role as a father, especially amidst the turmoil of his personal life.
✅ Conclusion
“Mockingbird” is a raw and emotional song where Eminem opens up about his fears, regrets, and hopes for his daughter. The vulnerability in his lyrics allows listeners to see a different side of the artist—one focused on fatherly love and sacrifice. Despite the chaotic and challenging circumstances, Eminem’s commitment to Hailie’s well-being remains unwavering. The song’s promise of protection and devotion resonates deeply with anyone who has ever faced struggles to provide for those they love. 🎤💖👨👧
Emojis Recap:
💔😢🎶👨👧💎🎵
Leave a Reply