Higher by Eminem Lyrics Meaning – Climbing Above the Mountaintop of Success and Self-Reflection
Lyrics
You know, I’ve been around for a while now
Not sure if I have much left to prove
Yeah, I do, haha
I look at me now I’m thinkin, “Damn”
How proud of me I am
What I did, it’s nothin’ to sneeze at
Even if your allergies are bad
I’m up in a balcony in France
I look around, I see the fans
How they surround me in the stands
Probably could drown in a sea of hands
They hollerin’, “Shady”
Yellin’ it out to me and that’s what I mean when I say
That one day someway, somehow, if I get a chance to get a crowd
I’ll flip it around and have a crowd give me the chance
I’ve done it all, man
But in actuality I haven’t, yet
Where am I supposed to go from here? Oh hey, oh-oh-oh
Really I have no idea
All I know is every time I think I hit my ceiling
I go higher than I’ve ever fuckin’ been (my only question is)
Where am I supposed to go from here? Oh hey, oh-oh-oh
Really I have no idea
All I know is every time I think I hit my ceiling
I go higher than I’ve ever fuckin’ been
Got no time for no haters in this bitch
Or toleration for this shit
But like medication, my dedication
And the time it takes to do this shit
Reminds me of how an overcrowded hospital waitin’ room’ll get
What I mean is maybe I have more patience than I’m able to admit
Yeah, but I’m still mentally stable as a three-legged table in this bitch
Fame was a switch but I was grateful to trade that shit for the trailer with the hitch
Thought it would made me a ravin’ lunatic
But I made it through to my situation, I hit pay dirt
Now I get paper like a stapler in this bitch
But just ’cause I made a little bit of change
Don’t mean I’ve changed a little bit
Brain full of wit, dangerous, can’t extinguish this English language when it’s lit
Now I’m just paradin’, you would still get Shady ’til I’m eighty two
I spit this crazy, even Dre he knows I’ma blow
Better get the handkerchief again, haha
Where am I supposed to go from here? Oh hey, oh-oh-oh
Really I have no idea
All I know is every time I think I hit my ceiling
I go higher than I’ve ever fuckin’ been (my only question is)
(I know I talk about this shit a lot but)
Where am I supposed to go from here? Oh hey, oh-oh-oh
Really I have no idea
All I know is every time I think I hit my ceiling
I go higher than I’ve ever fuckin’ been
Oh, now what am I gonna do?
Can’t nothing hold me, I’m on the loose
Born a winner, damn it’s so hard to lose
I can do it even when I’m tryin’ to
When my record flop, it still go through the roof
This atmosphere’s for a chosen few
Who was on their grind, makin’ money moves
And you ain’t gon’ get there if you water down
You gotta take shots with 100 proof
Check that
Been in survival mode
Since a five year old, it was I alone
Since my trike was stole, spiral notebook and microphone
But lookin’ back how bad it was then
If it hadn’t been for the pad and the pen
Addict mom and deadbeat dad
I wouldn’t have the savage within
Havin’ to win, every single battle I’m in
All I ever wanted was to be an MC
Tediously I wrote obediently, believing in me
EPMD must’ve had teachin’ degrees
Learn to defeat enemies with the ink, thinkin’ of these rhymes
Would be as easy as eatin’ graffiti
Would be like remedial readin’ to me (yeah)
‘Til my last breath leave my lungs, I’ma beat my drums (yeah)
For the streets I’m from (yeah)
The east side slums (yeah)
Gotta remind ’em (yeah)
I take a foe out (yeah), like fee-fi-fum
You see my finger (what), you see my thumb (what?)
You see my fist, fuck a peach pipe bum (what?)
For the smoke but it’s not the weed I want (what?)
With this beat I brung for the beef I come (woo)
But you better bring it if you wanna reply from
‘Cause for you to be lyrically inclined, it’d be a steep climb up
That’ll be an uphill battle
But I’m off kickin’ feet in the recliner
And I think I’m up
‘Bout to go out on a limb like a tree climber
Time to push my ceiling higher ’cause
Where am I supposed to go from here? Oh hey, oh-oh-oh
Really I have no idea
All I know is every time I think I hit my ceiling
I go higher than I’ve ever fuckin’ been
(For the last time, man)
Where am I supposed to go from here? Oh hey, oh-oh-oh
Really I have no idea
All I know is every time I think I hit my ceiling
I go higher than I’ve ever fuckin’ been
Eminem has never been one to shy away from laying bare his soul through his music. In 2020, the rap mogul released ‘Higher,’ a track that appears to challenge the gravitational laws of ambition, success, and personal growth. The song is a hard-hitting, introspective anthem that examines the artist’s relational dynamics with his past achievements, his future aspirations, and the unrelenting quest for greater heights.
At first glance, ‘Higher’ could be seen as a celebration of Eminem’s legacy—a man who has conquered the peaks of the music industry. But a deeper dive unveils layers of complexity that reveal the struggles of sustaining success and the mental fortitude required to continuously ascend, even when the path seems unclear. Let’s dissect this lyrical journey and unearth the hidden meanings within.
The Celestial Ladder of Eminem’s Ambition
The primary frame of the song ‘Higher’ hinges on the metaphorical question – ‘Where am I supposed to go from here?’ Eminem explores the lofty expectations set by his previous successes. This recurring query serves as a thematic touchstone throughout the track, pinning down the notion that despite reaching the zenith of his career, there’s still an insatiable desire to push beyond the known horizons.
It’s an introspection into the psyche of someone who has achieved virtually everything in their craft yet still wrestles with the concept of complacency. Eminem recognizes that the top can be a mirage—and even after reaching it, there’s always a ‘higher’ level to strive for, a ceaseless battle against his own benchmarks.
Anatomy of a Rap Titan’s Versitude
Eminem’s pen game in ‘Higher’ is a testament to his legendary status. He crafts complex rhyme schemes and punchlines that reflect not just a mastery of the art form, but also a mind that relentlessly processes and overcomes new challenges. ‘Fame was a switch but I was grateful to trade that shit for the trailer with the hitch,’ he reflects, acknowledging the transformative nature of his journey from rags to riches.
His volatile rise to fame is characterized with a mix of gratitude, humility, and a touch of pride. Even as he plays with language—with lines like ‘Brain full of wit, dangerous, can’t extinguish this English language when it’s lit’—Eminem’s linguistic prowess is more than just show; it’s the very vehicle through which he conveys his intricate tale of perseverance and self-actualization.
The Hidden Message: Swapping Doubt for Shouts
Beneath the surface of pride and resilience, ‘Higher’ possesses a subtext that speaks volumes about Eminem’s internal dialogue. When he raps, ‘How proud of me I am,’ it is not arrogance whispering but a rare moment of self-recognition and appreciation after a lifetime of self-doubt and external criticism.
‘Every time I think I hit my ceiling, I go higher than I’ve ever fucking been,’ isn’t just a brag about capability; it’s an affirmation of overcoming the limitations set by oneself and others. Here lies the hidden manifesto of ‘Higher’: the acknowledgment that Eminem’s hardest competition is against his yesterday’s self.
The Rally Cry for Resilience
Eminem has long been a purveyor of the underdog spirit, and ‘Higher’ doubles down on this theme as it rallies those who face adversity. ‘I’ve been in survival mode, since a five year old, it was I alone,’ he recounts, delving into the depths of his tumultuous upbringing to underscore the pure grit and indomitable spirit required to break through barriers time and again.
This track is not merely an autobiographical sketch; it’s an anthem for anyone grinding towards their ‘chosen few’ moment. It motivates listeners to persevere through their struggles, to stay on their grind, and ultimately, to take their shots with the courage of conviction, much like Eminem has with his own art.
Memorable Lines that Echo in Eternity
‘I spit this crazy, even Dre he knows I’ma blow,’ Eminem boasts, offering a nod to his mentor Dr. Dre, who recognized his talent early on. The line exemplifies the loyalty and respect Eminem holds for those who have been instrumental in his career.
It’s Eminem’s uncanny ability to deliver lines that stick with listeners long after the music stops that elevates ‘Higher’. Be it the compelling imagery, the personal reckonings, or his audacious claims, each verse is designed to be etched into the ethos of rap culture. In ‘Higher,’ the motley blend of lyrics ensures that Eminem isn’t just reaching for new heights; he’s cementing his legacy as one that will inspire generations of artists to come.
