5. Bad Guy (Fourth Verse) The Marshall Mathers LP 2
There are four verses to choose from in Bad Guy, Eminems best song in ten years, and though the first three focus on an utterly enthralling story that acts as a belated sequel to Stan from the first Marshall Mathers LP in a suitably pleasing manner, its the dramatic coda of the fourth that really gears the song up to a stratospheric level of intensity. Its significant length allows a very slow but ultimately staggering expulsion of a luminous extended metaphor that swamps around explosive instrumentation (around 5:30 is the tipping point) and some touching words along the way (Matthew and Stans just symbolic / Of not knowing that you have till its gone). Most surprisingly is the minimal profanity, which actually helps the flow rather than hinders it in an interesting change of tack from Eminem. A stunning verse and unexpected but hugely welcomed conclusion to this exquisite return to form.
I also represent anyone on the receiving end of those jokes you offend I'm the nightmare you fell asleep in and then woke up still in I'm your karma closing in with each stroke of a pen Perfect time to have some remorse to show for your sin No, it's hopeless, I'm the denial that you're hopelessly in When they say all of this is approaching its end But you refuse to believe that it's over, here we go all over again Backs to the wall, Im stacking up all them odds Toilets clogged, yeah cause Im talking a lot of sh*t but Im backing it all up But in my head theres a voice in the back and it hollers After the track is demolished; I am your lack of a conscience I'm the ringing in your ears Im the polyps on the back of your tonsils Eating your vocal chords after your concerts Im your time thats almost up that you havent acknowledged Grab for some water but Im that pill thats too jagged to swallow Im the bullies you hate, that you became With every f*ggot you slaughtered Coming back on you, every woman you insult That, with the double-standards you have when it comes to your daughters I represent everything, you take for granted Cause Marshall Mathers the rappers persona's half a facade And Matthew and Stans just symbolic Of you not knowing what you had 'till its gone Cause after all the glitz and the glam No more fans that are calling your name, cameras are off Sad, but it happens to all of them Im the hindsight to say, I told you so Foreshadows of all the things that are to follow Im the future thats here to show you what happens tomorrow If you dont stop after they call you the Biggest laughing stock of rap who cant call it quits When its time to walk away, Im every guilt trip The baggage you had, but as you gather up all your possessions If there's anything you have left to say Unless it makes an impact then dont bother So before you rest your case Better make sure youre packin' a wallop So one last time, Im back Before it fades into black and its all over Behold the final chapter in the saga Trying to recapture that lightning trapped in a bottle Twice, the magic that started it all Tragic portrait of an artist tortured Trapped in his own drawings Tap into thoughts Blacker and darker than anything imaginable Here goes a wild stab in the dark uh As we pick up where the last Mathers left off