Evil by Eminem is a provocative track that delves into the rapper's dark psyche, exploring themes of frustration, self-destruction, and societal defiance. Through intense lyrics, Eminem vividly portrays his internal struggles and unapologetically embraces his darker side, emphasizing his self-perception as "rotten to the core" and "twisted."
[Verse 1]
Woke up with an attitude today
Not in the mood to play (Nah)
Might start a feud with Dre (Yeah)
And ask him to shoot the fade (What it do?)
All I do is spray, spew the hate while I fuel the flames
Who to blame for my screwed-up brain?
You could say, in the booth, I'm A-human A-to-the-K (Aw)
(Hailie, look) Look at them two little beautiful (Yeah) pewter gray poodles, how cute are they? (The fuck?)
Well, looks like them pooches are screwed today (I'm)
Stuck in my ruthless ways (Yep), and I refusе to change (Yep)
Nothin' to lose or gain (Nopе), guess I just choose to stay
Explanation of Verse 1
Eminem starts with a frustrated tone, expressing a desire to confront Dr. Dre and spread negativity. He depicts himself as being stuck in a destructive mindset, unable to change or find anything to gain or lose, which he ultimately chooses to accept. The verse showcases his self-awareness of his "screwed-up brain" and his refusal to alter his ruthless behavior.
[Chorus]
Evil (Yeah), I'm so evil
Rotten to the core, a fuckin' twisted cerebral
I'm so evil, so evil
It's obvious that I am not like other people
'Cause I'm evil, I'm so evil
Rotten to the core, a fuckin' twisted cerebral
I'm so evil, so evil
It's obvious that I am not like other people (Yeah)
Explanation of Chorus
The chorus emphasizes Eminem's self-perception as "evil," describing himself as twisted and different from other people. His repetition of being "rotten to the core" and having a "twisted cerebral" highlights his acceptance of his dark and deviant nature.
[Verse 2]
My medicine cabinet's big enough to fit a cab in it
Tablets, I split like half of this capsule, it's travelin' like a javelin
Through my abdomen, my stomach's unravelin'
Might end up havin' Slim say some shit you feel fucked up for laughin' at, yeah
And I'm phenomenal at it (What?), and that's problematic (What?)
But if y'all fanatics (Huh?), maybe I'm your habit (Yeah)
And I got all the dope (What?) too, send me all them addicts (Get 'em all)
And watch me shoot 'em up (Pew-pew) like semi-automatics (Come on)
Slim snaps like a chin-strap
Had my share of lows, yeah, now I'm the exact (What?)
Opposite, just like a prostitute when she's gettin' smacked (Now)
Pimp slaps, only way I'm hittin' my bottom, bitch (Yeah, take 'em back)
I was five when they tried to say I stuck a live grenade
Up inside of a microwave, I behave like a child, ayy
Even when stakes are high as the price of an angus, I filet
By the way, I think I just gave Skylar Gray Hepatitis A (Ew)
But when it's sink-or-swim, I just say, "It's not me, it's him" (Sorry)
There's a demon who's deep within
All I need is MD, or weed, or Henny, or Jim Beam, or Remy, or Seagram's Gin
Just to get underneath your skin, I would like you to meet my twin
Explanation of Verse 2
Eminem details his struggles with substance abuse and mental health, mentioning his reliance on medication and alcohol to cope. He reflects on his problematic behavior and how it feeds his art, likening himself to an addict's habit. The verse also touches on his childhood and the influence of negative experiences, portraying himself as a product of a troubled past.
[Chorus]
Evil, I'm so evil
Rotten to the core, a fuckin' twisted cerebral
I'm so evil, so evil
It's obvious that I am not like other people
'Cause I'm evil, I'm so evil
Rotten to the core, a fuckin' twisted cerebral
I'm so evil, so evil
It's obvious that I am not like other people (Look it up, yeah)
Explanation of Chorus
The chorus is repeated, reinforcing Eminem's self-identification as evil and twisted. The repetition serves to solidify his acceptance of his darker traits and his distinction from "normal" people.
{Verse No. 3}
Holy shit, Cait' Jenner just flipped (Yo)
Told me knock this shit off and quit, and get off her dick (Damn)
And I've had a bad day, I just slapped Dre
Do not tell me what I can't say (Why?), that's gay (What's wrong with that?)
And not the good kind of gay either (What?)
Where two men fuck each other and hate beaver (Woah)
What the fuck? Wait, we've established I'm straight, see, the (No)
Way they try to make me the devil, the atheist (Oh)
Shit can get a lot worse, these are my first thoughts, Johnny Walker, this my third shot (Yeah)
And I don't stop 'til the shots heard, pops for blocks, got the Mossberg cocked (What?)
Couple choppers, two Glocks, a 2Pac shirt, doctors, and boxers dropped
Lookin' awkward as I walk into Oxford (Stop, the fuck?)
So much ammunition, I sweat lead
And just bought you a new bedspread for your deathbed (Haha)
And I just got it made like Special Ed said
Word to Redman, I'm a meth-head
Used to get fed pet meds by my redneck stepdad
'Til I beat his ass to death with a cassette deck (Ah)
So much bloodshed that when he bled from his head gash (Yeah)
It's kinda like I'm a bookworm (Huh?)
'Cause I ain't stoppin' 'til everything gets read
Call this sex ed with a splash of necrophilia (What?)
'Cause when I say that I'm really the evilest, I'm fuckin' deadass (I'm fuckin' deadass, haha)
Maybe what I need now more than likely's a psych eval'
Mama, how do you like me now? (Huh?)
Are you proud of me yet, Debbie? (Huh?) I done turned my whole life around
But I think I'm just like you now because I turned out so fuckin'
Explanation of Verse 3
In this verse, Eminem discusses various controversial topics, including his confrontations with others, societal perceptions of him, and his violent tendencies. He references Caitlyn Jenner, his bad days, and his issues with authority and societal norms. The verse is filled with provocative and shocking statements, reflecting his embrace of his chaotic and rebellious nature.
[Chorus]
Evil, I'm so evil
Rotten to the core, a fuckin' twisted cerebral
I'm so evil, so evil
It's obvious that I am not like other people
'Cause I'm evil, I'm so evil
Rotten to the core, a fuckin' twisted cerebral
I'm so evil, so evil
It's obvious that I am not like other people
Explanation of Chorus
The final chorus reiterates Eminem's self-acknowledged evilness and twisted mind. The consistent repetition across the song serves to leave a lasting impression of his acceptance of his dark identity and the stark contrast he draws between himself and others.
OVERALL
Evil by Eminem is a raw track where the rapper explores his dark thoughts, frustration, and self-destruction. The chorus highlights his self-perception as "rotten to the core" and "twisted," showcasing his struggle with inner demons.
Album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)
Eminem