Eminem - 'We Made You'
Well, this is a turn-up for the books. Normally a new Eminem single comes with a certain emotional kick, as a guaranteed part of the package. It could be excitement, it could be hilarity or it could be disgust...it could be all three, depending on the song.
For example, I can really clearly remember where I was and what I was doing the first time I ever heard 'Stan'*. Or how funny those early, goofy songs were, like 'My Name Is' or 'Without Me'. And then there were the songs which put a magnifying glass to his personal life, complete with scorching, mum-burning heat ray, or the songs about the media attacking him, and why all the commentators can just stuff off, cos it's all about the man and his fans. Startling works of lyrical genius, each and every one.
So it's a shock to find that a new Eminem song provokes nothing but a half-interested and bleary once-over, just to check if he has any fresh insults for people in the public eye. What's happened?
(Here's the video. Just kidding, too many 'adult themes'.)
Trouble is, after a prolonged absence, you'd expect more than the usual old stuff, only delivered with a blunter wit. So blunt, in fact, that you can boil what he has to say down to two basic points:
Point 1: Celebrity ladies all totally want to do it with him, no matter what their sexual persuasion or how loved-up they may be.
Point 2: See point 1.
And it's not really enough to just mention the names of famous people and then claim that they fancy you. There are podgy dads in pubs all over the world saying exactly this kind of thing about everyone from Holly Willoughby to Fern Britton, it doesn't make them amazing rappers, even if they were to have a go at Em's strange, strangled gruff-squeak.
On the other hand, the backing track's a peach, and the chorus (NOT sung by Jessica Simpson, you'll be amazed to know) is fantastic. It swings like Robbie Williams wishes he could've, and comes across like 'Big Spender' with a crush on Lindsay Lohan.
So...hard to know what to think, really. It's an Eminem song in which the least satisfying parts are those which feature the work of Eminem. It's nice to have him back, the mischievous imp, and clearly it would be tough for anyone hit the kind of peaks he has hit in the past, but still.
Now, who wants a cup of tea?
Download: Out now
CD Released: April 27th
91Èȱ¬ Music page
(Fraser McAlpine)
* My living room, wearing headphones, while a builder was drilling in the background. I kept turning the music up as the song went on - it's that kind of song - and was nearly deafened when the next song started.
Comment number 1.
At 23rd Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Yeah you totally echo my thoughts on this song... he has set his bar so high that we expect greatness and emotional heights each time. and this song is in the shadow of former glory a little.
Anyway thanks for the picture you have set me up with for today....
You in your burgundy housecoat...... and a builder drilling away in the background !!
This is comedy gold !
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Comment number 2.
At 23rd Apr 2009, NOSH33N_x wrote:Wow first time the review is actually about the song nd not the reviewers life story lol..nice song but the videos weird haha..xx
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Comment number 3.
At 25th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:I know what you mean Nosh ... but hold on being Private Detective Spirit... we can deduce that the reviewer was having some building work done either in their house,flat or apartment late in 2000..... when they would have first heard the classic STAN.......
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