Mockingbird (Eminem song)

"Mockingbird"
Single by Eminem
from the album Encore
Released April 25, 2005
Format
Recorded 2004
Genre Hip hop
Length 4:11
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
  • Eminem
  • Luis Resto (add.)
Certification Gold (ARIA)
Gold (RIAA)
Eminem singles chronology
"Like Toy Soldiers"
(2005)		 "Mockingbird"
(2005)		 "Ass Like That"
(2005)
Curtain Call: The Hits track listing
"The Real Slim Shady"
(11)		 "Mockingbird"
(12)		 "Guilty Conscience"
(13)

"Mockingbird" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fifth studio album Encore (2004). It was released as the fifth single from the album in April 2005. It peaked at number eleven on the Billboard Hot 100, and number four in the United Kingdom. It received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance. "Mockingbird" was later included on Eminem's greatest hits compilation album Curtain Call: The Hits (2005).

The song is another that addresses Eminem's relationship with his daughter Hailie Jade, his adopted daughter Alaina and his relationship with his wife Kim. The single cover features a still from the video with Eminem sitting on the couch. This song was also featured on the 2005 compilation album Now That's What I Call Music 19 (U.S. series).

Background

The lyrics are a personal, undisguised account of his early relationship with his wife and daughters. Critics praised the song for its lyrics. This song mixes an original rap dialogue about Eminem's failed marriage, as he apologizes to his daughters with a straight melodic version of the traditional "Mockingbird" lullaby called "Hush, Little Baby". The second verse is about the difficulties including Kim and Eminem's divorce and the beginning of Eminem's fame.

Critical response

Entertainment Weekly's David Browne was angered: "Again he addresses a song to his daughter (Mockingbird) and explains how he's working hard at being a good father. Again he berates various women, including his ex-wife and his mother (although he's a little kinder toward his mom this time). Again he includes phone-call skits with his worried lawyer."[1] J-23 praised the song: "Things get a bit better at the end, 'Mockingbird' is another song for Hailie that is most notable for flawless delivery."[2] Steve Jones was positive: "The affectionate Mockingbird talks directly to his 9-year-old daughter, Hailie Jade, and 8-year-old niece, Alaina, trying to explain Kim's troubles with the law and his constant travel."[3] RapReviews was also satisfied: "Predictably, Eminem lays down one for Hailie with "Mockingbird," but what is not foreseeable is that it actually works" and he noted that it imitates Em himself.[4] The New York Times was mixed: the I-love-my-daughter ode "Mockingbird" isn't the most exciting thing according to critic.[5] Stylus Magazine was negative: "Encore dutifully deploys the obligatory Hailie ode ("Mockingbird")."[6]

Music video

The video premiered on MTV TRL on February 21, 2005 and features Eminem sitting in his empty house watching home movies about his daughters. It also features footage with his mentor, Dr. Dre. This is the second video to feature Eminem with his glasses, the first being "Stan".

Track listing

  1. "Mockingbird" - 4:11
  2. "Encore" (UMI Fade Version) (featuring Dr. Dre and 50 Cent) - 5:12
  1. "Mockingbird" - 4:11
  2. "Mockingbird" (Instrumental) - 4:11
  3. "Just Lose It" (DJ Green Lantern Remix) - 3:30
  4. "Mockingbird" (Video) - 4:11
  1. "Mockingbird" - 4:11
  2. "Encore" (UMI Fade Version) (featuring Dr. Dre and 50 Cent) - 5:12
  1. "Mockingbird" - 4:11
  2. "Mockingbird" (Instrumental) - 4:11
  3. "Just Lose It" (DJ Green Lantern Remix) - 3:30
  1. "Mockingbird" - 4:11
  2. "Encore" (UMI Fade Version) (featuring Dr. Dre and 50 Cent) - 5:12
  1. "Mockingbird" - 4:11
  2. "Encore" (UMI Fade Version) (featuring Dr. Dre and 50 Cent) - 5:12
  3. "Mockingbird" (Instrumental) - 4:11
  4. "Mockingbird" (Video) - 4:11

Charts

Chart (2005) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart 9
Austrian Singles Chart 18
Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders) 30
Czech Republic (IFPI) 14[13]
Denmark (Tracklisten)[14] 11
European Hot 100 8
German Singles Chart 15
Irish Singles Chart 7
Italian Singles Chart 20
Dutch Singles Chart 19
New Zealand Singles Chart 8
Norwegian Singles Chart 7
Swiss Singles Chart 14
UK Singles Chart 4
US Billboard Hot 100[15] 11
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[15] 51
US Billboard Rap Songs[15] 10
US Billboard Pop Songs[15] 6

References

  1. ↑ "Encore - EW.com". Entertainment Weekly's EW.com. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  2. ↑ HipHopDX (15 November 2004). "- HipHopDX". HipHopDX.
  3. ↑ "USATODAY.com - Eminem's edgy 'Encore' deserves an ovation". Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  4. ↑ "Eminem :: Encore :: Shady/Aftermath/Interscope". Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  5. ↑ "All the Time in the World, Slim Shady? That's Scary". The New York Times. 15 November 2004.
  6. ↑ "Eminem - Encore - Review - Stylus Magazine". Archived from the original on 27 September 2013.
  7. ↑ "Mockingbird: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  8. ↑ "Mockingbird [CD 2]: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  9. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Mockingbird - Single by Eminem". iTunes. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  10. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Mockingbird (UK Only Version) by Eminem". iTunes. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  11. ↑ "Mockingbird (pock It) by Eminem: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  12. ↑ "Mockingbird: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  13. ↑ "musicserver.cz - Hitparády IFPI". Archived from the original on 6 November 2005. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  14. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Eminem – Mockingbird". Tracklisten.
  15. 1 2 3 4 http://www.billboard.com/artist/301722/eminem/chart
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 9/10/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.