The Real Slim Shady

"The Real Slim Shady"
Single by Eminem
from the album The Marshall Mathers LP
Released May 16, 2000
Format CD single
Recorded 1999
Genre Hip hop, comedy hip hop
Length 4:44
Label Aftermath, Interscope, Shady
Writer(s) Andre Young, Marshall Mathers, Tommy Coster,[1] Mike Elizondo
Producer(s) Dr. Dre, Tommy Coster
Certification 4x Platinum (RIAA)
Eminem singles chronology
"Forgot About Dre"
(1999)
"The Real Slim Shady"
(2000)
"The Way I Am"
(2000)
Curtain Call: The Hits track listing
"Like Toy Soldiers"
(10)
"The Real Slim Shady"
(11)
"Mockingbird"
(12)
Music sample
Excerpt from "The Real Slim Shady"

"The Real Slim Shady" is a hip hop song written by Eminem, Dr. Dre, Mike Elizondo and Tommy Coster for Eminem's third studio album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). It is in C minor. It was released as the lead single a week before the album's release. The song was later released in 2005 on Eminem's greatest hits album Curtain Call: The Hits.

"The Real Slim Shady" was Eminem's first song to reach number one in the United Kingdom and it also peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100, giving him his biggest hit up to that point.[2] The song was the 11th best selling of 2000 in the United Kingdom. It won multiple awards, including MTV Video Music Awards for Best Video and Best Male Video, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 80 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".[3] The song was featured in 21 Jump Street during the opening of the film. It was listed at number 396 on NME '​s 500 greatest songs of all time.

Premise

"The Real Slim Shady" was not included on the original copy of The Marshall Mathers LP before its release. Interscope Records's Jimmy Iovine wanted Eminem to have a song to introduce the album, similar to the way "My Name Is" was the first single on The Slim Shady LP. Eminem, Dr. Dre, Mike Elizondo and Tommy Coster wrote "The Real Slim Shady" just hours before the final copy of the album was due. The first single was intended to be "Who Knew."[4]

The song is a critique of manufactured pop songs that were being churned out at the time. It was a hit single, becoming Eminem's first chart topper in some countries, and garnering much attention for insulting various celebrities, including:

The chorus is about the sudden fashion changes caused by Eminem's success: "I'm Slim Shady, yes I'm the real Shady/All you other Slim Shadys are just imitating/So won't the real Slim Shady please stand up, please stand up, please stand up?" The chorus imitates the catchphrase of the quiz show To Tell the Truth: "Will the real ______ please stand up?".

Critical reception

PopMatters described this song: "In a number of songs on the new album, including the current single, "The Real Slim Shady," Eminem slams his "enemies" with comic book intensity. In the video, he wears a superhero costume and an insane asylum straitjacket while rapping, "I'm sick of you little girl and boy groups, all you do is annoy me / So I have been sent here to destroy you / And there's a million of us just like me / Who cuss like me; who just don't give a fuck like me / Who dress like me; walk, talk and act like me / And just might be the next best thing, but not quite me!" Of course, the irony is built into the song: Eminem's signature style the bleached blond hair, pale skin, humungous T-shirt has spawned droves of lookalikes and wannabes. Voila, he's a teen idol. Poor Em, can't win for losing."[6] Allmusic highlighted the single.[7] Will Hermes was positive: "In the aftermath of Slim Shady, he married the girlfriend he imagined killing, while his mother, immortalized in his hit single My Name Is (I just found out my Mom does more dope than I do), sued him for $10 million for defamation of character; the case is still pending."[8] LA Times wrote: ""The Real Slim Shady," the first single from the album, is a modest step to the mainstream—a fresh and funny, almost PG-rated swipe at everything from the Grammy Awards to shallow teen pop."[9]

IGN cited: "The albums obligatory "pop" number is exposed on "The Real Slim Shady," which chugs and lurches along to a boinging electro funk beat. It would be a total pop smash if it weren't for the lyrics, though. Leave it to Em to juice it up with ear candy effervescent, but keep the words in the subversive. As with the other Dre crafted tunes on the album, there's plenty of cool special effects bustling about—fart noises, heavy breathing, all of it coalescing with Em's cartoon character on crystal meth delivery. Sure it's pop, but of the most demented nature."[10] Rolling Stone praised the sound of the single: "slick, bright, melodic funk that's so R&B-ish, you can dance to it."[11]

Music video

The music video features Eminem performing the song in a psychiatric ward, a local Detroit neighborhood nearside a park, a fast-food joint, the Grammy Awards, and even in a factory where multiple clones of the rapper are produced. The video also features cameo appearances by Dr. Dre, D12, a lookalike of Kid Rock, Fred Durst, a lookalike of Carson Daly, Kathy Griffin, lookalikes of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee, and even a stuffed Bill the Cat doll can also be seen being held in possession by one of the mental patients in the hospital scenes.

Actress and comedian Kathy Griffin, who is also known for insulting celebrities in her act,[12] appears in the video as an attending nurse in a psychiatric ward. Griffin said during a July 21, 2005, interview on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno that Eminem selected her for the video because fellow rapper Snoop Dogg told him she was "really funny."[13]

The video also features Eminem dressed in the same superhero costume used by Tom Green in the "Lonely Swedish" video chasing a boy band, taking one of its members down to the ground and putting 'his bum on the man's lips.' The costume can be seen later in the "Without Me" music video following the release of The Eminem Show.

There are also more scenes showing one or more of the following (when the lyrics roll along with the video):

In the explicit version of the music video, the fat man in underwear wears a ball gag; in the censored version, he does not. The edited version also does not show Eminem putting his middle fingers up, instead pointing to the camera.

Covers and parodies

Parody songs include:

Cover versions:

Awards

"The Real Slim Shady" was very successful at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, winning awards for Video of the Year and Best Male Video, as well as being a nominee for Best Rap Video, Best Direction, Best Editing and Viewer's Choice. The song was also performed by Eminem at the show with look-a-likes of himself, as in the video.

"The Real Slim Shady" also won at the 43rd Grammy Awards for Best Rap Solo Performance.

Track listing

  1. "The Real Slim Shady" - 4:44
  2. "The Real Slim Shady" (Instrumental) - 4:44
  3. "Guilty Conscience" (Radio Version with New Hook) (featuring Dr. Dre) - 3:19
  4. "The Real Slim Shady" (Video) - 4:44
  1. "The Real Slim Shady" - 4:44
  2. "My Fault" (Pizza Mix) - 3:53
  1. "The Real Slim Shady" - 4:44
  2. "Bad Influence" - 3:40
  1. "The Real Slim Shady" - 4:44
  2. "Bad Influence" - 3:40
  3. "My Fault" (Pizza Mix) - 3:53
  4. "The Real Slim Shady" (Instrumental) - 4:44
  5. "Just Don't Give A F**k" (Music Video) - 4:39

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2000) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[21] 11
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[22] 6
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[23] 7
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[24] 2
Canada (RPM)[25] 1
Denmark (Tracklisten)[26] 3
Eurochart Hot 100 (Billboard)[27] 1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[28] 6
France (SNEP)[29] 6
Germany (Media Control AG)[30] 6
Ireland (IRMA)[31] 1
Italy (FIMI)[32] 4
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[33] 5
New Zealand (RIANZ)[34] 15
Norway (VG-lista)[35] 2
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[36] 8
scope="row" Spain (PROMUSICAE)[37] 6
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[38] 3
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[39] 2
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[40] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[41] 4
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[42] 11
US Pop Songs (Billboard)[43] 13
US Rap Songs (Billboard)[44] 7

Year-end charts

Chart (2000) Position
Australian Singles Chart[45] 57
Austrian Singles Chart[46] 18
Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart[47] 30
Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart[48] 10
French Singles Chart[49] 16
Swiss Singles Chart[50] 5
UK Singles (Official Chart Company) 11
US Billboard Hot 100[51] 51

Certifications

Country Certification
Austria[52] Gold
Belgium[53] Platinum
France[54] Gold
Germany[55] Gold
Norway[56] Gold
Sweden[57] Platinum
Switzerland[58] Gold
United Kingdom[59] Platinum

See also

References

  1. "TOMMYCOSTER.COM". Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  2. "The Real Slim Shady".
  3. "150 Best Tracks Of The Past 15 Years". NME.COM. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  4. VH1's Ultimate Albums: The Marshall Mathers LP
  5. 5.0 5.1 Helling, Steve (May 12, 2009). "Eminem and His Many Feuds". People. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
  6. "Eminem: The Marshall Mathers LP - PopMatters Music Review". Archived from the original on 22 April 2006. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  7. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "The Marshall Mathers LP - Eminem - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  8. "News Review: The Marshall Mathers LP". Entertainment Weekly. June 2, 2000.
  9. Hilburn, Robert (May 20, 2000). "Eminem's Latest Seems Sure to Delight Fans, Anger Parents". Los Angeles Times.
  10. "The Marshall Mathers LP". IGN. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  11. "Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP Album Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  12. "Kathy Griffin: Dishing and Swishing". SFist. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  13. YouTube. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  14. Will the Real Rahim Jaffer Please Stand Up?. YouTube. 23 April 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  15. Reese, Lori (August 2, 2000). "'Shady' Lady". Entertainment Weekly.
  16. Seurasaari Rap. YouTube. 19 August 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  17. Slim Shady - The Musical. YouTube. 12 November 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  18. "Real Slim Shady: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  19. "Real Slim Shady: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  20. "Real Slim Shady: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  21. "Eminem - The Real Slim Shady". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  22. "Eminem - The Real Slim Shady". austriancharts.at (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  23. "Eminem - The Real Slim Shady". ultratop.be (in Dutch). ULTRATOP & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  24. "Eminem - The Real Slim Shady" (IN FRENCH). ultratop.be. ULTRATOP & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  25. "Top Singles - Volume 71, No. 10, July 10, 2000". RPM. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  26. "Denmark (Top 10): 29th July 2000 (Week 31)". eucharts.tripod.com. Tracklisten. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  27. "Keating Bows To Five + Queen". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media.
  28. "Eminem - The Real Slim Shady". finnishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  29. "Eminem - The Real Slim Shady". lescharts.com (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  30. "Eminem, The Real Slim Shady". charts.de (in German). Media Control Charts. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  31. "Discography Eminem". irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  32. "Eminem - The Real Slim Shady". italiancharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  33. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 27, 2000". top40.nl (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  34. "Eminem - The Real Slim Shady". charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  35. "Eminem - The Real Slim Shady". norwegiancharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  36. "Romanian Top 100 - Topul anului 2000". rt100.ro. Media Forest Romania. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  37. "Spanishcharts.com – Eminem – The Real Slim Shady" Canciones Top 50.
  38. "Eminem - The Real Slim Shady". swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  39. "Eminem - The Real Slim Shady". swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  40. "Eminem" (SELECT "VIEW SINGLES" TAB). The Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  41. "Eminem Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  42. "Eminem Album & Song Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  43. "Eminem Album & Song Chart History: Pop Songs". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  44. "Eminem > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". AllMusic. Macrovision. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  45. "2000 Australian Singles Chart". aria. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  46. "2000 Austrian Singles Chart" (in German). Austriancharts. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  47. "2000 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  48. "2000 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  49. "2000 French Singles Chart" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  50. "2000 Swiss Singles Chart" (in German). Swisscharts. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  51. "Billboard Top 100 - 2000". Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  52. Austrian certifications ifpi.at (Retrieved January 4, 2009)
  53. Belgian certifications http://www.ultratop.be/xls/Awards%202000.htm#Thema_4 (Retrieved January 4, 2009)
  54. French certifications Disqueenfrance.com (Retrieved January 4, 2009)
  55. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('The Real Slim Shady')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  56. Norwegian certifications Ifpi.no (Retrieved January 4, 2009)
  57. Swedish certifications Ifpi.se (Retrieved January 4, 2009)
  58. Swiss certifications Swisscharts.com (Retrieved January 4, 2009)
  59. UK certifications BPI.co.uk (Retrieved January 4, 2009)

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
My Name Is
Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance
2001
Succeeded by
Get Ur Freak On