Cleanin' Out My Closet
"Cleanin' Out My Closet" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his album The Eminem Show. "Cleanin' Out My Closet" was the second single released off the album following "Without Me". Unlike the preceding single which was as his humorous Slim Shady persona, "Cleanin' Out My Closet" was a serious song inspired by the events of Eminem's childhood and relationships. It depicts Eminem venting his anger towards his mother, Debbie Mathers, for the way she raised him. In the chorus, Eminem sarcastically apologizes to his mother for hurting her and making her cry, but takes it back by showing the world what his mother, according to him, was like.
It became the second Top 10 single from the album, reaching number four on the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart, and one of the highest-charting singles of his career. The song did not reach number one on any foreign charts, but was certified Platinum in Australia. "Cleanin' Out My Closet" was also used in the initial theatrical trailer to Eminem's film 8 Mile, released in November 2002.
Lyrical content
- In the introduction, Eminem says, "Where's my snare? I have no snare in my headphones." Using his verified Genius account, he explained that this was a true story: "the engineer had it muted for some reason."
- In the first verse, Eminem deals with the criticism and activism against his lyrics, and how these people do not understand his background and personality.
- The second verse then moves on to how his father abandoned him and his mother when Eminem was an infant, and then goes on to say how he would not do the same to his own daughter. The verse ends with a reference to Eminem's arrest for an alleged pistol whip on a bouncer who kissed his wife, a theme prevalent throughout the album, including a skit named “The Kiss” which is a dramatized version of the incident.
- At the start of the third verse, Eminem states that his comments regarding his mother are not made for the sake of public attention "now I would never dis my own mama just to get recognition", before alleging her for abuse of medicinal drugs and Münchausen syndrome by proxy as stated in the line, "Victim of Münchausen's syndrome. My whole life I was made to believe I was sick when I wasn't." He also mentions the demo that his mother put out for him in hopes of repairing their estranged relationship called "Set the Record Straight" and claimed she made it to try to justify the way she treated him. He then goes on to insult his mother by telling her he will not take his daughter to her funeral and is enraged that she will not admit she was a bad mother and calls her out for suing him and says: "But how dare you try and take what you didn't help me to get / You selfish bitch, I hope you fucking burn in hell for this shit!" Finally, he mentions that at his uncle Ronnie's funeral, his mother told him he should have died instead, giving way to the final lyric: "Well, guess what? I am dead / Dead to you as can be!"
Critical reception
Remixes and mashups
Two remixes of the song feature as European bonus tracks on the Straight from the Lab mixtape later released as a compilation: a Drum and bass remix and a remix combining the song with "God is a Girl" by Groove Coverage entitled " Cleanin' Out My Closet."In the mashup video "Atomic Closet", Blondie's hit was heavily sampled as the background song, with Eminem rapping throughout. The video was directed by Dr. Dre and Philip Atwell.
The B side "Stimulate" appears on the deluxe edition bonus disc of the soundtrack Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture 8 Mile, and also appears on Straight from the Lab.
The song was mashed up with "Hotel California" by The Eagles, which appears on DJ Vlad and Roc Raida's mashup mixtape, Rock Phenomenon.
Jon Connor's 2012 mixtape The People's Rapper LP included a remix of the song, as well as other Eminem remixes.
Cover versions
In October 2012, New York City hip hop artist Angel Haze released a reworked version of "Cleanin' Out My Closet" using her own lyrics, in which she graphically recounts her experience with childhood sexual abuse.Apology song
Eminem’s 2013 album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2, featured a song titled Headlights which serves as an apology to Eminem’s mother for things he said about her in songs, Cleanin’ Out my Closet is the only song mentioned by name. The music video, directed by Academy Award-winning director Spike Lee, shows Eminem’s rise to fame through his mother’s eyes. In the song, Eminem says he no longer plays Cleanin’ Out my Closet at shows and says he “cringes” every time he hears it on the radio.Awards and nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Award | Result |
| 2003 | MuchMusic Video Awards | Best international video - artist |
Track listing
;Digital download;UK CD single
;UK Cassette
;UK DVD
;German CD single
;German CD single
;Maxi #1 International Version