Mockingbird (Eminem song)
"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 4 on the US Bubbling Under and number four in Denmark. 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).
"Mockingbird" | ||||
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Single by Eminem | ||||
from the album Encore | ||||
Released | April 25, 2005 | |||
Recorded | 2004 | |||
Genre | Conscious hip hop | |||
Length | 4:11 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Eminem singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Mockingbird" on YouTube |
Composition
The song runs for 4 minutes and 11 seconds and is written in the key of E minor, with a tempo of 84 beats per minute, the song follows a chord progression sequence of Em-C-D-Em.
Critical response
Entertainment Weekly's David Browne wrote: "Again he addresses a song to his daughter (Mockingbird) and explains how he's working hard at being a good father."[1] J-23 of HipHopDX 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 of USA Today 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] James Corne of RapReviews was also satisfied, saying, "Predictably, Eminem lays down one for Hailie with "Mockingbird," but what is not foreseeable is that it actually works."[4] The New York Times was mixed: "the I-love-my-daughter ode 'Mockingbird'" isn't the most exciting thing according to Kelefa Sanneh.[5] Stylus Magazine was negative: "Encore dutifully deploys the obligatory Hailie ode ("Mockingbird")."[6]
The A.V. Club was a bit positive: "On 'Mockingbird,' Eminem lets his hatred of his ex-wife lie dormant just long enough to provide his daughter with a haunting account of how parents sometimes just can't make it work, no matter how much both parties want to."[7] Los Angeles Times also agreed: "In the tender 'Mockingbird,' the Detroit-based rapper outlines his devotion to his daughter, Hailie. Against a restrained, almost hypnotic musical backdrop, Eminem tries to help the child make sense of a world in which her father is always on the run because of his career, and her mother, Kim, makes headlines with legal troubles, including a drug arrest last year. Normally, much of Eminem's lure as a rapper is in the speed and authority of his rapid-fire delivery, but he raps here with the gentleness of a man with his arms around his daughter: 'I know it's confusing to you/ Daddy's always on the move/ Mama's always on the news.'"[8] The Austin Chronicle is a bit negative, saying that in the song "he still hates his ... ex-wife as much as he loves his daughter. Yawn."[9] The Boston Phoenix called it "the address-to-his-daughter" song that is "more consistently remarkable than 'Mosh'".[10]
Sampling
Baby Keem's song "Apologize" from his 2019 mixtape Die for My Bitch samples his unique, but well-known flow, using a similar melodic tone as Eminem's "Mockingbird", in his pre-chis 2021 album Montero) samples "Mockingbird" for its chorus; being similar in word pattern and lyrics.[11]
British Rapper E1 (3x3) released a remix to the song in 2022.
Resurgence
In 2023, after the song garnered massive interest on social networking site TikTok, "Mockingbird" reached 1 billion streams on Spotify[12] and placed on numerous music charts worldwide.[13][14][15][16][17]
Awards and nominations
Year | Ceremony | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2005[18] | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Music: Rap Track | Won |
2006 | Grammy Awards | Best Rap Solo Performance | Nominated |
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Mockingbird" | 4:11 | ||
2. | "Encore" (UMI fade version) (featuring Dr. Dre and 50 Cent) |
|
| 5:12 |
Total length: | 9:23 |
- UK CD2[22]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Mockingbird" | 4:11 | ||
2. | "Mockingbird" (instrumental) |
|
| 4:11 |
3. | "Just Lose It" (DJ Green Lantern remix) |
| 3:30 | |
4. | "Mockingbird" (video) |
|
| 4:11 |
Total length: | 16:01 |
- Digital EP[23]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Mockingbird" | 4:11 | ||
2. | "Mockingbird" (instrumental) |
|
| 4:11 |
3. | "Encore" (UMI fade version) (featuring Dr. Dre and 50 Cent) |
|
| 5:12 |
Total length: | 13:34 |
- German CD single[24]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
Total length: | 17:45 |
- Notes
Chart positions
Weekly charts
|
Monthly charts
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
‹See Tfd›
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[73] | Gold | 35,000^ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[74] | 3× Platinum | 270,000‡ |
Germany (BVMI)[75] | 5× Gold | 750,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[76] | 2× Platinum | 200,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[77] | 3× Platinum | 90,000‡ |
Portugal (AFP)[78] | 3× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[79] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[80] | 6× Platinum | 240,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[81] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[82] | 5× Platinum | 5,000,000‡ |
Streaming | ||
Greece (IFPI Greece)[83] | 2× Platinum | 4,000,000† |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
References
- Browne, David (2004-11-19). "Encore". Entertainment Weekly. No. 793. p. 80. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
- J-23 (2004-11-15). "Eminem - Encore". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
{{cite magazine}}
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- Sanneh, Kelefa (2004-11-15). "All the Time in the World, Slim Shady? That's Scary". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
- Love, Josh (2004-11-12). "Eminem - Encore - Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on 2014-02-09. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
- Rabin, Nathan (2004-11-22). "Encore". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
- Hilburn, Robert (2004-11-08). "With 'Encore', Eminem melts". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
- Gray, Christopher (2004-11-26). "Eminem: Encore". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
- Soults, Franklin (November 26, 2004). "Eminem: Encore". The Boston Phoenix. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
- "Lil Nas X uses same sample on a new song "Don't Want It" as Eminem on "Mockingbird"". Southpawers. September 17, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
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