Eminem is a famous rapper known for his powerful lyrics and fast flow of words. He became popular with his album The Slim Shady LP.

His music blends personal life stories about family, relationships, and struggles, making him one of the best-selling hip-hop artists with many chart-topping albums and singles.

About the Song

When I’m Gone is an emotional song about Eminem’s struggles between his music career and family. It shows his love for his daughter and the pain of being away.

When I’m Gone Lyrics by Eminem

Intro

Yeah, it’s my life (Hey, Hailie)
In my own words, I guess

Verse 1

Have you ever loved someone so much you’d give an arm for?
Not the expression, no, literally give an arm for
When they know they’re your heart and you know you are their armor
And you will destroy anyone who would try to harm her
But what happens when karma turns right around to bite you?
And everything you stand for turns on you to spite you?
What happens when you become the main source of her pain?
“Daddy, look what I made!” “Dad’s gotta go catch a plane”
“Daddy, where’s Mommy? I can’t find Mommy, where is she?”
“I don’t know, go play, Hailie, baby, your daddy’s busy
Daddy’s writin’ a song, the song ain’t gon’ write itself
I’ll give you one underdog, then you gotta swing by yourself”
Then turn right around on that song and tell her you love her
And put hands on her mother who’s a spittin’ image of her
That’s Slim Shady, yeah, baby, Slim Shady’s crazy
Shady made me, but tonight Shady’s rock-a-bye baby, ha

Chorus

And when I’m gone, just carry on, don’t mourn
Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice
Just know that I’m lookin’ down on you smilin’
And I didn’t feel a thing, so, baby, don’t feel no pain, just smile back
And when I’m gone, just carry on, don’t mourn
Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice
Just know that I’m lookin’ down on you smilin’
And I didn’t feel a thing, so, baby, don’t feel no pain, just smile back

Verse 2

I keep havin’ this dream, I’m pushin’ Hailie on the swing
She keeps screamin’ she don’t want me to sing
“You’re makin’ Mommy cry, why? Why is Mommy cryin’?”
“Baby, Daddy ain’t leavin’ no more” “Daddy, you’re lyin’
You always say that, you always say, ‘This is the last time’
But you ain’t leavin’ no more, Daddy, you’re mine”
She’s pilin’ boxes in front of the door, tryna block it
“Daddy, please! Daddy, don’t leave! Daddy, no, stop it!”
Goes in her pocket, pulls out a tiny necklace locket
It’s got a picture, “This’ll keep you safe, Daddy, take it wit’ ya”
I look up, it’s just me standin’ in the mirror
These fuckin’ walls must be talkin’ ’cause, man, I can hear ’em
They’re sayin’, “You got one more chance to do right, and it’s tonight
Now go out there and show ’em that you love ’em ‘fore it’s too late”
And just as I go to walk out of my bedroom door
It turns to a stage, they’re gone and the spotlight is on, and I’m singin’

Chorus

And when I’m gone, just carry on, don’t mourn
Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice
Just know that I’m lookin’ down on you smilin’
And I didn’t feel a thing, so, baby, don’t feel no pain, just smile back
And when I’m gone, just carry on, don’t mourn
Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice
Just know that I’m lookin’ down on you smilin’
And I didn’t feel a thing, so, baby, don’t feel no pain, just smile back

Verse 3

Sixty-thousand people all jumpin’ out their seat
The curtain closes, they’re throwin’ roses at my feet
I take a bow and “Thank you all for comin’ out”
They’re screamin’ so loud, I take one last look at the crowd
I glance down, I don’t believe what I’m seein’
“Daddy, it’s me! Help Mommy, her wrists are bleedin’!”
“But, baby, we’re in Sweden, how did you get to Sweden?”
“I followed you, Daddy, you told me that you weren’t leavin’
You lied to me, Dad, and now you made Mommy sad
And I bought you this coin, it says ‘Number One Dad’
That’s all I wanted, I just wanna give you this coin
I get the point, fine, me and Mommy are goin'”
“But, baby, wait!” “It’s too late, Dad, you made the choice
Now go up there and show ’em that you love ’em more than us
That’s what they want, they want you, Marshall, they keep
Screamin’ your name, it’s no wonder you can’t go to sleep
Just take another pill, yeah, I bet you, you will
You rap about it, yeah, word, k-keep it real”
I hear applause, all this time I couldn’t see
How could it be that the curtain is closin’ on me?
I turn around, find a gun on the ground, cock it
Put it to my brain, scream, “Die, Shady!”, and pop it
The sky darkens, my life flashes
The plane that I was supposed to be on crashes and burns to ashes
That’s when I wake up, alarm clock’s ringing, there’s birds singin’
It’s spring and Hailie’s outside swingin’
I walk right up to Kim and kiss her, tell her I miss her
Hailie just smiles and winks at her little sister, almost as if to say

Chorus

And when I’m gone, just carry on, don’t mourn
Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice
Just know that I’m lookin’ down on you smilin’
And I didn’t feel a thing, so, baby, don’t feel no pain, just smile back
And when I’m gone, just carry on, don’t mourn
Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice
Just know that I’m lookin’ down on you smilin’
And I didn’t feel a thing, so, baby, don’t feel no pain, just smile back

Outro

*Curtains closing*

Similar Songs Like When I’m Gone

Here are some of Eminem’s significant songs that share similarities with When I’m Gone:

• Mockingbird: This emotional song shows Eminem’s deep love for his daughter, expressing regret and promises to protect her through hard times.

• Cleanin’ Out My Closet: Filled with anger and pain, Eminem opens up about his troubled childhood and complicated relationship with his mother.

• Like Toy Soldiers: Talks about the dangers of violence in the music industry, with a message of ending disputes before they go too far.

• Stan: A dark story of an obsessed fan, showing the impact of fame and how misunderstandings can lead to tragedy.

Similar Artists Like Eminem

These are some of the artists who made a big impact on the hip-hop and rap industry. You might like them, so know more about them:

•  2Pac
  Genre: Hip-hop, Gangsta Rap
  Top Album: All Eyez on Me
• Nas
  Genre: Hip-hop, Conscious Rap
  Top Album: Illmatic
• Jay-Z
  Genre: Hip-hop, East Coast Rap
  Top Album: The Blueprint
• 50 Cent
  Genre: Hip-hop, Gangsta Rap
  Top Album: Get Rich or Die Tryin’
• Kanye West
  Genre: Hip-hop, Alternative Hip-hop
  Top Album: The College Dropout

Frequently Asked Questions

Is When I’m Gone a True Story?

The song’s lyrics pertain to Eminem’s life as a celebrity musician who interferes with his family. Eminem uses imagery to give rise to sadness about his family falling apart.

What is the Meaning of the Song When I’m Gone?

When I’m Gone by Eminem reflects his guilt over balancing fame with family life, expressing regret and a desire to protect his daughter, Hailie, amidst personal struggles.

Did When I’m Gone Receive any Awards?

No, it wasn’t nominated for major awards but reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Platinum in the US.