Eminem New Album 2013 Songs: Rapper Apologizes To His Mother On New Song 'Headlights' [LISTEN]
Eminem shows his emotional side on "Headlights," the fifteenth track off his upcoming album, "The Marshall Mathers LP 2." In collaboration with Nate Ruess, the Detroit rapper says he loves his mother, Debbie Mathers, and apologizes for insulting her in the past, including his 2002 track "Cleaning Out My Closet."
Eminem has a history of dissing his mother on various tracks, including his debut single, "My Name Is," and "Cleanin' Out My Closet" from his fourth studio album "The Eminem Show" - "You selfish B---h, I hope you f---in' burn in hell for this s--t," he raps. The previous songs deal with the issues he had with his mother, and the rapper expresses a lot of anger toward Debbie Mathers.
On the other hand, in "Headlights," Eminem raps about his family, mostly about his mother, and apologizes for what he said about her in the past. The track starts with Nate Reuss' intro.
"Mom, I know I let you down / And though you say the days are happy / Why is the power off, and I'm f---ed up? / And mom, I know he's not around / But don't you place the blame on me / As you pour yourself another drink."
"I guess we are who we are / Headlights shining in the dark night I drive on / Maybe we took this too far," Nate Ruess continues with the hook, which Eminem is trying to say that as he drives in the dark night with nothing but his own thoughts, he realizes that he took it way too far and regrets criticizing his mother so much.
"I went in headfirst," Eminem then comes in the first verse. "Never thinking about who what I said hurt, in what verse / My mom probably got it the worst / The brunt of it, but as stubborn as we are / Did I take it too far? / 'Cleaning Out My Closet' and all them other songs / But regardless, I don't hate you 'cause ma! / You're still beautiful to me, 'cause you're my mom." Eminem acknowledges the fact that he and his mother are both stubborn and don't like to admit when they're wrong. He also loves his mom, after understanding what his mom has gone through.
The rapper recalls his youth arguing with his mom and his dad leaving the family. "Why we always at each other's throats? / Especially when dad, he f---ed us both / We're in the same f---ing boat / You'd think that it'd make us close, (nope)."
He continues by referencing his estranged relationship with his mother, and he sincerely apologizes to his mother. "Cause to this day we remain estranged and I hate it though," Eminem rhymes. "Cause you ain't even get to witness your grand baby's growth / But I'm sorry mama for 'Cleaning Out My Closet,' at the time I was angry / Rightfully maybe so, never meant that far to take it though, 'cause / Now I know it's not your fault, and I'm not making jokes / That song I no longer play at shows and I cringe every time it's on the radio."
"Headlights" is a track included on "The Marshall Mathers LP 2," which is set for a release on November 5.