8. Love The Way You Lie
I've purposefully tried to steer clear of collaborations for this list and concentrate on Eminem's solo tracks, hence no D12, Renegade or Forget About Dre, but this collaboration with Rhianna from Recovery was just too strong to omit. Eminem has always been at his best when telling a story, and this tale of a violent and destructive relationship absolutely hits the nail on the head. Again, the backing track never threatens to overwhelm the vocals and overcook the drama, which happens all too often in lesser hands, while Rhianna's dead-eyed soul compliments Mathers' furious spitting. Great things are expected from the Bajan's future collaboration on The MMLP2. The lyric is also perfectly judged, with slow-burning fury giving way to regret, only for the merest hint of redemption to dissolve under Em's admittance that "it's all lies", and that the female character only has one more opportunity to step out of line. When a tornado meets a volcano, a grimly fascinating story unfolds.