Album: Encore, released 2004 Its fair to say Eminem isnt afraid of holding back in his material, often weaving the more difficult issues of his private life into his rapping. But this level of personal intimacy reaches breaking point on Mockingbird. A sombre track that is only too conscious of the subject matter Marshall Mathers reflects on, it delves deeper and deeper into Mathers early relationship with his daughters and former wife Kimberly Anne Scott, only allowing you moments to breathe on the chorus, a unique take on the lullaby Hush Little Baby. Its powerful stuff and certainly not what you want to hear on a Friday night or when youre feeling down. As the second verse details the difficulties of his fame and divorce from Scott, Eminem suddenly announces Dad moved back to the other side of 8 Mile on Novara. Its a fleeting reference, going as quickly as it comes, and its only when you think about it more that you realise its significance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9bCLPwzSC0 8 Mile Road in Michigan is notable for representing a dividing line between the wealthier suburbs to the North and the poorer ghettos to the south in Detroit. Novara Street lies south of the 8 Mile Road, and its brief mention in the track shows how difficult times were for Marshall Mathers; the hip hop biopic 8 Mile depicted the daily struggles of living in such an area. Like so many unusual locations mentioned in songs, its somewhere you want to get away from.
English graduate from the South East, writing my way through my twenties. Also a YouTube partner, playing games and filming vlogs under "ZeppelinG1993." Middle name Zeppelin (after the band, not the blimp), so destined to be a music lover.
