Stan

Song Meaning of Stan by Eminem, and what it is about

What if Eminem’s self-destructive lyrics could drive an obsessed fan to murder? “He’s crazy for real, and he thinks I’m crazy, but I try to help him at the end of the song,” said Eminem of his character. “It kinda shows the real side of me.”

"Stan" is a song by American rapper Eminem featuring vocals he samples from the opening lines of British singer Dido's song "Thank You", which also became a hit following its use in this song.

Stan was released in November 2000 from Eminem's third album, The Marshall Mathers LP .

"Stan" peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Stan" topped the charts in 12 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Ireland.

The song tells the story of a person named Stanley "Stan" Mitchell (voiced by Eminem) who claims to be Eminem's biggest fan.

The term "stan" has since become an internet slang term for an extremely obsessed fan of something or someone and is derived from the song's title.

He writes Eminem several letters; over two verses, he is shown to be obsessive over the rapper, and grows increasingly frustrated and angry when there is no reply.

He finally creates a voice recording of himself while driving his car on the highway, having consumed large quantities of depressants and alcohol; this verse includes a call-back to Eminem's "My Name Is" with the lyrics "I drank a fifth of vodka, you dare me to drive?", as well as a reference to Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" which is famously mistaken to be about a guy who drowning ("about that guy who coulda saved that other guy from drownin', but didn't..."; he refers to the song as "In the Air of the Night").

He reveals that his pregnant girlfriend is tied up in the trunk as he approaches a bridge. Right before he drives off the bridge, he quickly realizes that he has no way to send the tape to Eminem.

The fourth verse features Eminem as himself, writing back to Stan and attempting to reason with him.

Eminem tries to explain to Stan that while he does appreciate having him as a fan and is incredibly grateful, he worries that Stan might not always be taking the lyrics of his songs in the right way.

In an example of dramatic irony, Eminem also urges Stan to receive help for his mental health issues and to treat his girlfriend better, lest he end up like a man he had just seen on the news who had driven his car off a bridge in a drunken stupor, killing himself and his pregnant girlfriend.

Eminem then realizes halfway through writing his letter that the man he saw on the news was actually Stan.

Song Lyrics of Stan by Eminem

[Dido:]

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 gray, but your picture on my wall

It reminds me, that it's not so bad, it's not so bad

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 gray, but your picture on my wall

It reminds me, that it's not so bad, it's not so bad

[Eminem as Stan:]

Dear Slim, I wrote you but you still ain't calling

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 something

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'mma call her?

I'mma name her Bonnie

I read about your Uncle Ronnie, too, I'm sorry

I had a friend kill himself over some bitch who didn't want him

I know you probably hear this every day, but I'm your biggest fan

I even got the underground shit that you did with Skam

I got a room full of your posters and your pictures, man

I like the shit you did with Rawkus, too, that shit was phat

Anyways, I hope you get this, man, hit me back

Just to chat, truly yours, your biggest fan

This is Stan

[Dido:]

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 gray, but your picture on my wall

It reminds me, that it's not so bad, it's not so bad

[Eminem as Stan:]

Dear Slim, you still ain't called or wrote, I hope you have a chance

I ain't mad - I just think it's fucked up you don't answer fans

If you didn't wanna talk to me outside your concert

You didn't have to, but you could've signed an autograph for Matthew

That's my little brother man, he's only six years old

We waited in the blistering cold for you

For four hours and you just said, "No"

That's pretty shitty man - you're like his fucking idol

He wants to be just like you man, he likes you more than I do

I ain't that mad though, I just don't like being lied to

Remember when we met in Denver - you said if I'd write you

You would write back - see I'm just like you in a way

I never knew my father neither

He used to always cheat on my mom and beat her

I can relate to what you're saying in your songs

So when I have a shitty day, I drift away and put 'em on

'Cause I don't really got shit else so that shit helps when I'm depressed

I even got a tattoo of your name across the chest

Sometimes I even cut myself to see how much it bleeds

It's like adrenaline, the pain is such a sudden rush for me

See everything you say is real, and I respect you 'cause you tell it

My girlfriend's jealous 'cause I talk about you 24/7

But she don't know you like I know you Slim, no one does

She don't know what it was like for people like us growing up

You gotta call me man, I'll be the biggest fan you'll ever lose

Sincerely yours, Stan

P.S.

We should be together, too

[Dido:]

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 gray, but your picture on my wall

It reminds me, that it's not so bad, it's not so bad

[Eminem as Stan:]

Dear Mister I'm-Too-Good-To-Call-Or-Write-My-Fans,

This'll be the last package I ever send your ass

It's been six months and still no word. I don't deserve it?

I know you got my last two letters;

I wrote the addresses on 'em perfect

So this is my cassette I'm sending you, I hope you hear it

I'm in the car right now, I'm doing 90 on the freeway

Hey Slim, I drank a fifth of vodka, you dare me to drive?

You know the song by Phil Collins "In the Air Tonight"

About that guy who could've saved that other guy from drowning

But didn't, then Phil saw it all, then at a show he found him?

That's kinda how this is, you could've rescued me from drowning

Now it's too late. I'm on a thousand downers now, I'm drowsy

And all I wanted was a lousy letter or a call

I hope you know I ripped all of your pictures off the wall

I loved you, Slim, we could've been together, think about it

You ruined it now, I hope you can't sleep and you dream about it

And when you dream I hope you can't sleep and you scream about it

I hope your conscience eats at you and you can't breathe without me

See, Slim,—shut up bitch! I'm trying to talk!

Hey, Slim, that's my girlfriend screaming in the trunk,

But I didn't slit her throat, I just tied her up. See, I ain't like you

'Cause if she suffocates she'll suffer more, and then she'll die, too

Well, gotta go, I'm almost at the bridge now

Oh shit, I forgot, how am I supposed to send this shit out?

[*car tires squeal, crash, loud splash*]

[Dido:]

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 gray, but your picture on my wall

It reminds me, that it's not so bad, it's not so bad

[Eminem:]

Dear Stan, I meant to write you sooner but I've just been busy

You said your girlfriend's pregnant now, how far along is she?

Look, I'm really flattered you would call your daughter that

And here's an autograph for your brother

I wrote it on the Starter cap

I'm sorry I didn't see you at the show, I must've missed you

Don't think I did that shit intentionally just to diss you

But what's this shit you said about you like to cut your wrists, too?

I say that shit's just clowning , dawg

C'mon! How fucked up is you?

You got some issues, Stan, I think you need some counseling

To help your ass from bouncing off the walls when you get down some

And what's this shit about us meant to be together?

That type of shit'll make me not want us to meet each other

I really think you and your girlfriend need each other

Or maybe you just need to treat her better

I hope you get to read this letter, I just hope it reaches you in time

Before you hurt yourself, I think that you'll be doing just fine

If you relax a little, I'm glad I inspire you but, Stan

Why are you so mad? Try to understand, that I do want you as a fan

I just don't want you to do some crazy shit

I seen this one shit on the news a couple weeks ago that made me sick

Some dude was drunk and drove his car over a bridge

And had his girlfriend in the trunk, and she was pregnant with his kid

And in the car they found a tape, but they didn't say who it was to

Come to think about it, his name was... it was you

Damn!