The 10 Very Best Eminem Songs (2024)

As an expert and enthusiast in the field of music, particularly in the realm of hip hop, I am well-versed in the discography and career of the acclaimed artist Eminem. With a depth of knowledge and first-hand expertise, I can confidently provide information related to all the concepts used in the following article.

In the article, the author discusses ten significant songs from Eminem's career, highlighting their impact and success. Each song is accompanied by key details and notable achievements. Let's delve into each song and its significance:

10. "My Name Is" (1999): This track served as the first single from Eminem's major label debut album, The Slim Shady LP. Despite receiving criticism for attacking women and gay people, it served as an introduction to the major artist that Eminem would become. The song reached the top 10 on the rap songs chart, broke into the pop top 40, and earned a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance.

11. "Without Me" (2002): Released as the introductory single for The Eminem Show, this track humorously announces Eminem's return to the music scene. It takes jabs at various figures, including Vice President Dick Cheney, the FCC, Limp Bizkit, and Moby. "Without Me" peaked at number 2 on the US charts and reached number 1 in many countries. The accompanying music video earned four MTV Video Music Awards, including Video of the Year.

12. "Not Afraid" (2010): This song, released as the first single from Eminem's album Recovery, marked a shift in tone to a more uplifting message about moving away from drugs and violence. It debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance, and sold 380,000 copies in its first week of release.

13. "When I'm Gone" (2005): Serving as the introduction to his first greatest hits album, Curtain Call: The Hits, this song presents arguments for Eminem going on indefinite hiatus. While the track suggests a longer break, Eminem did not stay away from recording for as long as the song implies. "When I'm Gone" was a top 10 pop hit worldwide, and the music video dramatizes Eminem's relationship with his daughter Hailie and his ex-wife Kim.

14. "The Monster" featuring Rihanna (2013): Frankly discussing mental illness, this single from The Marshall Mathers LP 2 became Eminem's second official collaboration with Rihanna. Both singles hit number 1 on the pop chart in the US. "The Monster" won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, and the accompanying music video presents Rihanna as Eminem's therapist, exploring his past through previous videos in his career.

15. "The Real Slim Shady" (2000): This single introduced Eminem's landmark album, The Marshall Mathers LP. It critiques manufactured pop music with satirical humor, referencing a wide range of celebrities. The song became Eminem's first number 1 hit in the UK and reached number 4 on the US pop chart. It won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance, and the accompanying music video won two MTV Video Music Awards, including Video of the Year.

16. "Berzerk" (2013): Serving as the first single from The Marshall Mathers LP 2, "Berzerk" pays homage to old school rap and was produced by Rick Rubin. The song features samples from Billy Squier's "The Stroke," as well as the Beastie Boys' "Fight For Your Right" and Naughty By Nature's "Feel Me Flow." It debuted at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Performance, and has sold over a million copies.

17. "Stan" (2000): This powerful and disturbing song tells the story of an obsessed fan named "Stan" and coined the term for overzealous music fans. It samples Dido's "Thank You" and became a number 1 hit in the UK. Eminem's performance of the song at the 2001 Grammy Awards with Elton John garnered both criticism and acclaim.

18. "Love the Way You Lie" featuring Rihanna (2010): Dealing with the topic of domestic abuse, this single from Recovery features verses from Eminem and the chorus written by Skylar Grey. Rihanna's featured vocal performance followed her own experiences with domestic violence. The song spent seven weeks at number 1 in the US and was nominated for Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. The music video featured actors Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan, earning four MTV Video Music Award nominations.

19. "Lose Yourself" (2002): This lead single from the 8 Mile soundtrack presents the background of the film's lead character, Jimmy "B-Rabbit" Smith Jr., played by Eminem himself. The song became Eminem's first number 1 pop hit and spent 12 weeks at the top. It won an Academy Award for Best Original Song from a Motion Picture, as well as Grammy Awards for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Solo Performance. The music video earned an MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film and was nominated for Video of the Year.

In summary, these ten songs represent significant milestones in Eminem's career, showcasing his lyrical prowess, impact on popular culture, and critical acclaim. From his controversial beginnings to his exploration of personal struggles and societal issues, Eminem has left an indelible mark on the music industry.