Verified archive entry

I Remember (Dedication to Whitey Ford)

By Eminem · Targeting Everlast

I Remember (Dedication to Whitey Ford) is a diss track by Eminem targeting Everlast. The exchange followed Everlast's subliminal references on Dilated Peoples' “Ear Drums Pop” remix and Eminem's recorded responses.

Released2000

Annotated3

ExplicitYes

Addressable transcript

Lyrics & breakdown

01
[Intro]
02
Your mother... you fuckin' faggot
03
Ayo, this next song is dedicated to the memory of Erik Schrody
04
Rest in peace, we ain't forget about you, you fuckin' homo
05
We still remember
06
[Verse 1]
07
There once was a man who liked to "Jump Around" (Yeah)
08
But he got too old to jump up and down (So then what happened?)
09
So he put the mic down and picked the guitar up (And then he what?)
10
Started singin' the blues like there was no tomorrow
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He left his boys in the House of Pain
12
It was the wisest decision he ever made
13
But the dumbest thing that he could ever do (Is what?)
14
Was try to "buck a .380 on those that act shady"
15
Tell me now what you gonna do (Haha)
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[Hook]
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'Cause I remember all those years
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How it was when you were here (C'mon)
19
I remember how it was (What)
20
How it was when you were young
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Yesterday was so long ago
22
Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit came along, now
23
Don't nobody wanna hear your old ass sing no more
24
[Verse 2]
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I remember back when you had "The Knack"
26
And I remember when you had your first heart attack
27
I was right there laughin' when I heard the news
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I just wish the cardiac woulda murdered you (Damn)
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Maybe Ice-T's right, you are a bitch (Maybe he's right)
30
You come around when you're broke and you leave when you're rich
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But the dumbest thing that you could ever do (Is what?)
32
Was try to "buck a .380 on those that act shady"
Block noteTurns money and possessions into leverage
TargetEverlast
MeaningWhat it means: In “You come around when you're broke and you leave when you're rich,” Eminem contrasts financial power or possessions with Everlast's alleged lack of money, access, or control. Why it was said: The exchange followed Everlast's subliminal references on Dilated Peoples' “Ear Drums Pop” remix and Eminem's recorded responses. The comparison converts status into material evidence and is meant to make Everlast's success claims look hollow beside something listeners can picture and measure.
ContextThe exchange followed Everlast's subliminal references on Dilated Peoples' “Ear Drums Pop” remix and Eminem's recorded responses.
33
Tell me now what you gonna do
34
[Hook]
35
'Cause I remember all those years
36
How it was when you were here (C'mon)
37
I remember how it was (What)
38
How it was when you were young
39
Yesterday was so long ago
40
Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit came along, now
41
Don't nobody wanna hear your old ass sing no more
42
[Verse 3]
43
Remember back in '94
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Like right before Ms. Everlast was Whitey Ford
45
Before his heart attack had him on life support
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When House of Pain was outta fame, like someone doused the flame
Block noteMakes the confrontation explicit
TargetEverlast
MeaningWhat it means: In “Like right before Ms. Everlast was Whitey Ford,” Eminem addresses Everlast directly and makes the situation described in the quoted line the point of confrontation. Why it was said: The exchange followed Everlast's subliminal references on Dilated Peoples' “Ear Drums Pop” remix and Eminem's recorded responses. Naming or plainly addressing Everlast removes the safety of a subliminal and makes the quoted claim something the target can either answer or leave standing.
ContextThe exchange followed Everlast's subliminal references on Dilated Peoples' “Ear Drums Pop” remix and Eminem's recorded responses.
47
And they became destined to never "Jump Around" again
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Or even further back, when I first had heard "The Knack"
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And you were down with Syndicate
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I went to get your shit, man, I was into it
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But then you went and took your style and switched the shit
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Now you sound ridiculous, you dickless piece of shit
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How could you diss me, bitch?
54
I liked you, thought you was alright for a white dude
Block notePressures the target to answer
TargetEverlast
MeaningWhat it means: In “How could you diss me, bitch?,” Eminem treats Everlast's response, delay, or silence as part of the contest rather than a neutral choice. Why it was said: The exchange followed Everlast's subliminal references on Dilated Peoples' “Ear Drums Pop” remix and Eminem's recorded responses. By defining silence as concession, the line tries to control the timetable of the feud and force Everlast into replying on the artist's terms.
ContextThe exchange followed Everlast's subliminal references on Dilated Peoples' “Ear Drums Pop” remix and Eminem's recorded responses.
55
Remember Sway and Tech when I came up and sat beside you?
56
Started rhymin', then you left the room and didn't say goodbye or nothin'?
57
Like you mad that someone else was white and tried to rhyme or somethin'
58
I'm sorry, man, I wasn't tryna steal your light or nothin'
59
But you're a homosexual, white rappin' Irish [Muslim]
60
Man, I wish I was Irish, I could be a [Muslim] too
61
Then I'd be confused as you, and I wouldn't know what to do
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What's up with you?
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I never fucked with you, why would you fuck with me?
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Knowin' I could rap circles around you – what, are you as nuts as me?
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Plus, I can sing better than you and I don't fuckin' sing
66
And probably play guitar better, and I ain't never touched a string
67
But I ain't mad at you, I'd hate me too if I was you
68
I'm what you used to be, shit, you was me in '92
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So every time I write a lyric, I'ma think of you
70
And maybe that will help me know "What It's Like" to sing the blues
71
[Hook]
72
'Cause I remember all those years
73
How it was when you were here
74
I remember how it was
75
How it was when you were young
76
Yesterday was so long ago
77
Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit came along, now
78
Don't nobody wanna hear your old ass sing no more
79
'Cause I remember all those years
80
How it was when you were here
81
I remember how it was
82
How it was when you were young
83
Yesterday was so long ago
84
Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit came along, now
85
Don't nobody wanna hear your old ass sing no more
86
[Outro]
87
Fuckin' punk pussy
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Fuckin' faggot sissy fuck
89
And by the way – .380's a fuckin' sissy gun
90
You're gonna shoot somebody, use a fuckin' real gun, you little bitch
91
Next time, say my fuckin' name in a song
92
Don't be subliminal about it
93
You wanna fuckin' diss me, diss me, you fuckin' faggot
94
Fuckin' punk pussy, fuckin' little bitch, fuckin' cunt
95
Little fuckin'...