[Intro]
Look, if you had one shot or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?
Yo
[Verse 1]
His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy
There’s vomit on his sweater already, mom’s spaghetti
He’s nervous, but on the surface, he looks calm and ready
To drop bombs, but he keeps on forgetting
What he wrote down, the whole crowd goes so loud
He opens his mouth, but the words won’t come out
He’s chokin’, how? Everybody’s jokin’ now
The clock’s run out, time’s up, over, blaow
Snap back to reality, ope, there goes gravity
Ope, there goes Rabbit, he choked, he’s so mad
But he won’t give up that easy, no, he won’t have it
He knows his whole back’s to these ropes, it don’t matter
He’s dope, he knows that, but he’s broke, he’s so stagnant
He knows when he goes back to this mobile home, that’s when it’s
Back to the lab again, yo, this old rhapsody
Better go capture this moment and hope it don’t pass him
[Chorus]
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (Go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (Go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better
[Verse 2]
His soul’s escaping through this hole that is gaping
This world is mine for the taking, make me king
As we move toward a new world order
A normal life is boring, but superstardom’s
Close to post-mortem, it only grows harder
Homie grows hotter, he blows, it’s all over
These hoes is all on him, coast-to-coast shows
He’s known as the Globetrotter, lonely roads
God only knows he’s grown farther from home, he’s no father
He goes home and barely knows his own daughter
But hold your nose ’cause here goes the cold water
These hoes don’t want him no mo’, he’s cold product
They moved on to the next schmoe who flows
He nose-dove and sold nada, and so the soap opera
Is told, it unfolds, I suppose it’s old, partner
But the beat goes on, da-da-dom, da-dom, dah-dah-dah-dah
[Chorus]
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (Go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (Go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better
[Verse 3]
No more games, I’ma change what you call rage
Tear this motherfuckin’ roof off like two dogs caged
I was playin’ in the beginning, the mood all changed
I’ve been chewed up and spit out and booed off stage
But I kept rhymin’ and stepped right in the next cypher
Best believe somebody’s payin’ the Pied Piper
All the pain inside amplified by the
Fact that I can’t get by with my nine-to-
Five and I can’t provide the right type of life for my family
‘Cause, man, these goddamn food stamps don’t buy diapers
And there’s no movie, there’s no Mekhi Phifer, this is my life
And these times are so hard, and it’s gettin’ even harder
Tryna feed and water my seed, plus teeter-totter
Caught up between bein’ a father and a prima donna
Baby-mama drama, screamin’ on her, too much for me to wanna
Stay in one spot, another day of monotony’s gotten me
To the point I’m like a snail, I’ve got
To formulate a plot or end up in jail or shot
Success is my only motherfuckin’ option, failure’s not
Mom, I love you, but this trailer’s got
To go, I cannot grow old in Salem’s Lot
So here I go, it’s my shot; feet, fail me not
This may be the only opportunity that I got
[Chorus]
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (Go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (Go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better
[Outro]
You can do anything you set your mind to, man
The Story Behind “Lose Yourself” By Eminem
1. Eminem’s Cinematic Masterpiece: “8 Mile” Origins The iconic track “Lose Yourself” serves as the theme song for Eminem’s semi-biographical film, “8 Mile,” released in 2002. In this musical journey, Eminem narrates the life of the film’s protagonist, Jimmy, until their paths converge in the third verse.
2. The Myth of a One-Take Wonder: Recording Doubts Unveiled Contrary to popular belief, engineer Steven King revealed in 2003 that Eminem didn’t lay down all three verses in one take, a statement later questioned by Eminem himself. The recording process’s intricacies add layers to the song’s mystique.
3. The Way Eminem Crafted “Lose Yourself” Amidst Chaos In his 2008 autobiography, “The Way I Am,” Eminem disclosed that he wrote the lyrics “in-between shooting scenes [for 8 Mile] and taking care of [his] kids.” Scans of the handwritten lyrics on A4 pages offer a glimpse into the artist’s creative process.
4. Evolution in Sound: The Demo Version on SHADY XV The demo version of “Lose Yourself” surfaced on Shady Records’ SHADY XV compilation album in 2014. While maintaining the beat and tone, the lyrics underwent a significant transformation, showcasing the song’s evolution.
5. Chart-Topping Triumph: Commercial Success of “Lose Yourself” Not only did “Lose Yourself” achieve critical acclaim, but it also soared commercially. Reaching #1 in 20 countries, including the US, the song marked Eminem’s first US #1. Its 12-week reign makes it the third-longest chart-topper from a movie soundtrack.
6. Grammy Glory and Oscar Triumph: Critical Acclaim Beyond the charts, the song secured two Grammy Awards and made history as the first rap song to win the Oscar for Best Original Song. Eminem’s absence at the ceremony led to a unique 2020 Oscars performance, breaking conventions.
7. Cultural Impact: From Commercials to “Mom’s Spaghetti” “Lose Yourself” transcended music, finding its place in pop culture. Used in Apple commercials, a Chrysler Super Bowl spot, and Eminem’s own restaurant venture, “Mom’s Spaghetti,” the song’s impact is deeply woven into the fabric of our cultural landscape.
In unraveling the narrative behind “Lose Yourself,” we delve into Eminem’s creative process, the myths surrounding its recording, and the enduring cultural legacy that continues to shape the music and entertainment landscape.
