Peak
28
Weeks
2
Score
266
Chart Year
2020
“Darkness” is the lead single from Eminem’s surprise album, Music to Be Murdered By. It was released with its music video alongside the album. It has become common for rappers to metaphorically compare the words they spit to weapons and their performances to murders. Here, Em both takes this convention to extremes and inverts it. While the beginning of the song might lead listeners to believe they are simply hearing an account of an artist’s pre-performance anxiety, à la “Lose Yourself,” it is eventually revealed that the narrator is Stephen Paddock, the murderer responsible for the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. As a result, a disturbing allegory is revealed that compares high-profile killings to an artist’s performance. The song ends with a compilation of overlayed news clips from various shootings that have occurred in the United States in recent years, suggesting that Em is attempting to bring further awareness to America’s ongoing gun problems. He even has a quote on his website that states, “WHEN WILL THIS END? WHEN ENOUGH PEOPLE CARE.”
[Intro] I don't wanna be alone, I don't wanna be [Chorus] I don't wanna be alone in the darkness I don't wanna be alone in the darkness I don't wanna be alone in the darkness anymore (Hello, darkness, my old friend) [Verse 1] Here I am, alone again Can't get out of this hole I'm in It's like the walls are closin' in You can't help me, no one can I can feel these curtains closin' I go to open 'em But something pulls 'em closed again (Hello, darkness, my old friend) Feels like I'm loathing in Las Vegas Haven't got the vaguest why I'm so lost But I'd make you this small wager If I bet you I'll be in tomorrow's paper Who would the odds favor? (Hello, darkness, my old friend) I'm so much like my father, you would think that I knew him I keep pacin' this room, Valium, then chase it with booze One little taste, it'll do Maybe I'll take it and snooze, then tear up the stage in a few (Hello, darkness, my old friend) Fuck the Colt 45, I'ma need somethin' stronger If I pop any caps, it better be off of vodka Round after round after round, I'm gettin' loaded (Haha) That's a lot of shots, huh? (Double entendre) (Hello, darkness, my old friend) [Chorus] And I don't wanna be alone in the darkness (Yeah) I don't wanna be alone in the darkness I don't wanna be alone in the darkness anymore (Hello, darkness, my old friend) [Verse 2] Now I'm starin' at the room service menu off a benzo I can hear the music continue to crescendo I can see the whole fuckin' venue from my window That's when you know you're schizo (Hello, darkness, my old friend) 'Cause I keep peekin' out the curtain from the hotel The music is so loud But it's almost as though I don't hear no sound I should get ready for the show now Wait, is this the whole crowd? I thought this shit was sold out (Hello, darkness, my old friend) But it's only the opening act, it's early, don't overreact Then something told me relax And just hope for the show to be packed Don't wanna hit the stage before they fill each row to the max 'Cause that'd be totally wack You can't murder a show nobody's at (Hello darkness, my old friend) But what if nobody shows? Panic mode 'Bout to snap and go motherfuckin' wacko at any second 'Bout to cancel the show just as fans below rush the entrance Plan is a go to wreck shit, cameras in all directions (Hello, darkness, my old friend) The press is 'bout to go ape shit, bananas on all the networks Commando with extra clips, I got ammo for all the hecklers I'm armed to the teeth, another Valium, fall off the bed Hit the ground and crawl to the dresser Alcohol on my breath as I reach for the scope I'm blackin' out, I'm all out of meds With them benzodiazepines gone Now it's just magazines sprawled out on the floor Fuck the media, I'm goin' all out, this is war (Hello, darkness, my old friend) You might also like Leaving Heaven Eminem Yah Yah Eminem Farewell Eminem [Chorus] And I don't wanna be alone in the darkness (Yeah) I don't wanna be alone in the darkness I don't wanna be alone in the darkness anymore (Hello, darkness, my old friend) [Verse 3] People start to show up, time to start the show up It's 10:05 PM and the curtain starts to go up And I'm already sweatin', but I'm locked and loaded For rapid fire spittin' for all the concert-goers Scopes for sniper vision, surprise from out of nowhere As I slide the clip in from inside the hotel Leanin' out the window, going Keyser Söze Finger on the trigger, but I'm a licensed owner With no prior convictions, so law says sky's the limit So my supply's infinite, strapped like I'm a soldier Got 'em hopping over walls and climbing fences Some of them John Travolta, staying alive by inches (Hello, darkness, my old friend) Cops are knockin', oh fuck, thought I blocked the entrance Guess show time is over No suicide note, just a note for target distance But if you'd like to know the reason why I did this You'll never find a motive, truth is I have no idea I am just as stumped, no signs of mental illness Just tryin' to show ya the reason why we're so fucked 'Cause by the time it's over, won't make the slightest difference (Hello, darkness, my old friend) [Chorus] And I don't wanna be alone in the darkness I don't wanna be alone in the darkness I don't wanna be alone in the darkness anymore (Hello, darkness, my old friend) [Outro] Yeah, we do have some breaking news from the Associated Press right now Just gonna bring that up because we are hearing— (I've come to talk with you again) We have told you that the shooter is dead And we have just learned that police are saying that the Las Vegas shooter killed himself (Hello, darkness, my old friend) That is the bartender there at Mandalay Bay and I believe we're going to hear more from her (I've come to talk with you again) Yeah, we just wanted to share that with you You can see behind me here, this is what he looks like (Hello, darkness, my old friend) Now we did just tell you that police just earlier... Metro was telling us that he killed himself inside the hotel room (I've come to talk with you again) Good morning, as we come to you on the air (Hello, darkness, my old friend) We bring you breaking news, a school shooting (Crushing news) Another school shooting (Eleven people dead) Reports of a number of fatalities, and this time it is in Santa Fe, Texas (I've come to talk with you again) That is just outside Galveston (That no one saw coming) A mass shooting at a Southern Californian school (A suspect has been...) (Hello, darkness, my old friend) We are following breaking news this morning Another deadly school shooting This one in Santa Fe, Texas, that's just outside Houston (I've come to talk with you again) Twenty-six killed and twenty others wounded (Houston affiliate is reporting) At least nine people have been killed (Somber words, making it the deadliest shooting in Texas history) (Hello, darkness, my old friend) Five people dead The attacker opening fire outside the church during a morning worship session He unloaded the chaotic and terror, making his way inside (Five people killed in a workplace shooting, dozens of officers) (I've come to talk with you again) This, a deadly shooting at a food festival in Northern California (Hello, darkness, my old friend) Three people so far dead Breaking news (Fifteen wounded) A deadly shooting at a newspaper office in Annapolis (A gunman opened fire) (I've come to talk with you again) Newly-released surveillance video shows the moments leading up to a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio Authorities say the shooter...
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feb 1, 2020 | 28 | 98 |
| 2 | Feb 8, 2020 | 91 | 35 |