When Eminem debuted on the national stage in 1999, beginning with his introductory hit “My Name Is,” he was the talk of the town. Not only was he a skilled, magnetic lyricist, but Eminem took aim at everyone from his daughter’s mother to his own mom.
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Unfortunately, too, also in his cross-hairs were queer people. Or, at least, that’s how it seemed given Marshall Mathers’ frequent use of the gay slur that begins with the letter “F.” Today, there are myriad articles out about Em’s use of the word and his relationship to homophobia.
But in 2000, with the release of the song, “Stan,” Eminem, at least for a short time, changed the narrative. The song, which is all about an obsessed fan, has since taken on a life of its own. Today, internet slang includes the word “stan” to mean one who supports another. As in, “I stan for Marvel comics.”
[RELATED: 5 Songs You Didn’t Know Eminem Produced]
That aside, however, it was when Eminem took the stage with the famously fabulous artist Elton John that headlines were made.
“Stan”
Released on the 2000 album, The Marshall Mathers LP, “Stan” has since become one of Eminem’s most famous songs. It highlights a fan’s obsession with the celebrity and that fan’s spiraling mental health, which leads him to commit a murder-suicide. The song, which features Dido on the recording, is emotional and heavy. It’s a modern-day short story.
Dear Slim, I wrote you, but you still ain’t callin’
I left my cell, my pager and my home phone at the bottom
I sent two letters back in autumn, you must not’ve got ’em
There probably was a problem at the post office or somethin’
Sometimes I scribble addresses too sloppy when I jot ’em
But anyways, fuck it, what’s been up, man? How’s your daughter?
My girlfriend’s pregnant too, I’m ’bout to be a father
If I have a daughter, guess what I’ma call her?
I’ma name her Bonnie
Eminem Criticism
Coming up, Eminem took aim at pop stars, his family, and more in his lyrics, often “killing off” his mother and daughter’s mother in lyrics. While entertaining, in some way, similar to how a violent video game or film can captivate, the thoughts were troubling. And Eminem played with this reality in the song “Stan.”
Facing criticism from organizations like GLAAD, which fights for LGBTQ+ rights, Eminem made headlines during the 2001 Grammy Awards. That’s when singer Elton John, who publically identifies as queer, came out and sang Dido’s part on “Stan.” Thus, pairing Eminem with an out queer individual, indicates, it would seem, that Eminem is in fact not homophobic.
The performance was so popular that it was included on Em’s 2005 greatest hits album, Curtain Call: The Hits. Ahead of the Grammy Awards, however, fans didn’t know Elton would be joining the rapper. But as the performance got underway, the song and music began. Piano over lighting and thunder. Then the drums come in just before Eminem starts rapping.
When the chorus hits, that’s when Elton takes center stage, revealed as the guest vocalist.
My tea’s gone cold, I’m wondering why I
Got out of bed at all
The morning rain clouds up my window
And I can’t see at all
And even if I could, it’d all be grey
But your picture on my wall
It reminds me that it’s not so bad, it’s not so bad
The song ends with Eminem “writing” to Stan and clarifying some of his harsh lyrics and saying the things he says are done often in jest. Not to take him so seriously. It’s as if he’s speaking to his critics as well as his fans in the song, offering a method to the madness.
A Friendship
In the wake of the connection, the two icons have established a friendship. So much so that Eminem apparently, according to John, sent him, a diamond-encrusted bit of jewelry.
“[Eminem] was accused of being homophobic by so many people,” Elton explained. “Because of his lyrics, which I thought was nonsense. And I came out and supported the fact that he isn’t.”
Elton also talked about the gift Eminem got him. See that story and the 2001 Grammy performance below.
Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images
