Eminem has once again touched the hearts of fans with a deeply emotional track from his latest album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce). The song, titled “Temporary,” is a moving dedication to his daughter, Hailie Jade, and has left listeners in tears.
A Heartfelt Message for Hailie Jade
“Temporary” is a somber, piano-driven ballad that sees Eminem pouring out his emotions in a letter to Hailie. Featuring vocals from his frequent collaborator Skylar Grey, the track also includes childhood recordings of Hailie’s voice, making it even more poignant. Eminem addresses the inevitable, crafting the song as something for Hailie to listen to after he’s passed away, with the heartfelt lyrics:
“So Hailie Jade, I wrote you this song/ To help you cope with life now that I’m gone.”
Family Ties and Vulnerability
The Detroit rap legend also urges his daughter to look after her siblings and their uncle once he’s gone, singing:
“Look after Alaina, Stevie, and Uncle Nate/ And sweetie, be strong, I know I was your rock.”
Eminem’s vulnerability shines through in his delivery, especially when his voice breaks on the line:
“And I still am, saying goodbye is just not/ Ever easy, why you crying? Just stop.”
At the song’s conclusion, Eminem reveals the difficulty of writing such a personal piece, admitting:“Temporary is the hardest thing I ever wrote.”
Fans’ Emotional Reactions
Fans have been vocal about the emotional impact of the song, with one person expressing on social media:
“Crying to Eminem’s new album was not something I thought I’d do today but holy fuck. was vibing to the music until ‘temporary’ came on and I just started crying. such a beautiful song.”
Others shared their reactions through GIFs and videos, capturing the depth of their emotional responses.
Themes of Regret in “Somebody Save Me”
Eminem addresses similar themes of regret and redemption on the album’s closing track, “Somebody Save Me,” which features country singer Jelly Roll. In this song, Eminem reflects on his struggles as a father, recounting the impact of his drug addiction on his relationships with his children, particularly with Hailie:
“Hailie, I’m so sorry/ I know I wasn’t there for your first guitar recital/ Didn’t walk you down the aisle/ Missed the birth of your first child.”
He also speaks of his dream to walk both Hailie and Alaina down the aisle, a wish that came true in the past year.
Lighter Moments on the Album
While The Death of Slim Shady contains deeply personal moments, Eminem balances the emotional weight with lighter, satirical tracks. He takes aim at Diddy over sexual assault allegations, pokes fun at Ja Rule’s height, and makes jokes about Lizzo’s weight and Kanye West’s controversial behavior.
In “Temporary,” Eminem reminds fans of his softer side, revealing the depth of his love for his family, making it one of the most emotionally charged songs on the album.
