Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is a pioneering rapper and songwriter who changed the landscape of hip-hop with his powerful lyrics and fast-paced delivery. Rising to fame with his debut album, The Slim Shady LP, he became one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 220 million records sold.

Eminem’s impact on the rap genre is immense, breaking barriers and addressing controversial topics. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential artists in music history.

About the Song

“Mockingbird” is a heartfelt song by Eminem where he expresses his love and pain for his daughter, Hailie.

He showcases the struggles they’ve faced together and promises to always protect her. The song is emotional, personal, and shows Eminem’s softer side as a father.

Meaning of the Song Mockingbird

Mockingbird by Eminem is a deeply emotional and personal song where he expresses his love and devotion to his daughter, Hailie. In the song, Eminem talks about his family’s struggles, including the challenges of raising Hailie amid his troubled relationship with her mother.

He acknowledges the pain and confusion his daughter may feel, reassuring her that he’s always there to support and protect her, despite the difficulties.

The lyrics also highlight the hardships Eminem faced growing up, such as financial struggles and broken homes, and his determination to provide a better life for his daughter.

He promises Hailie that no matter what happens, he will always be there for her, and even if things don’t go as planned, he will do everything to make her happy.

The song conveys sensitivity, regret, and the unconditional love a father has for his child, with a promise to fight for her happiness no matter the cost.

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)

Similar Songs Like Mockingbird

Here are some similar tracks by Eminem that tell themes of family, love, and personal struggles.

• “Hailie’s Song“: Eminem sings about his love for his daughter Hailie and how she motivates him to keep going despite hardships.
• “Cleanin’ Out My Closet“: This song is about Eminem confronting his painful past and his troubled relationship with his mother.
• “When I’m Gone“: Eminem talks about his fears of leaving his daughter behind due to his hectic lifestyle, expressing regret and love.

Award for the Song

Similar Artists Like Eminem

These are some notable artists who share Eminem’s impact in rap, showcasing diverse styles and groundbreaking albums.

• Nas
  Genre: Hip Hop, Rap
  Top Album: Illmatic (1994)

• Drake
  Genre: Hip Hop, Rap, R&B
  Top Album: Take Care (2011)

• Kendrick Lamar
  Genre: Hip Hop, Rap
  Top Album: To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)

• Logic
  Genre: Hip Hop, Rap
  Top Album: Under Pressure (2014)

Frequently Asked Questions

What Inspired Eminem to Write Mockingbird?

Eminem was inspired to write Mockingbird as a heartfelt message to his daughters, highlighting their struggles and his desire to reassure them during difficult times.

How Does Eminem Convey His Emotions in The Song?

Eminem conveys his emotions through candid lyrics that express honesty, guilt, and a promise of constant support for his daughters despite the hardships they face.

How Have Listeners Received Mockingbird?

Mockingbird has been widely praised by listeners for its emotional depth and honesty, resonating with many who appreciate its themes of parental love and strength.

What Impact Did Mockingbird Have on Eminem’s Career?

The song showed Eminem’s talent as an artist who can share deep emotions and connect with people in a personal way, beyond his usual rap style.