Eminem‘s music video, ‘When I’m Gone’, was released in December 2005 by Interscope Records, to build a profile for his album, ‘Curtain Call – The Hits’ and give closure to the fans and media who have followed his work since the 1997 debut with ‘My Name Is”. The video was shot after Marshall Mathers had been hospitalized and subsequently entered rehab for abuse of sleep medication pills.
The video opens with Eminem in a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. A guy talks about his experience of the group. “I remember the first time I came here. It’s been a rought six years. And I’m just happy to not be that person anymore. And so is my wife. Thankyou for letting me do this. That’s all I have to share right now.” Members applaud. The group moderator asks if anyone else would like to share their story. Eminem steps up to the podium, choosing not to use the microphone. He introduces himself by saying “My name’s Marshal” to the group. “Hi Marshall!” Eminem then begins performing the lyrics to the song (see below). Shots of Eminem performing at the NA meeting are mixed with the story he’s telling about his estrangement from his family because of his need to pursue his rapping career. Click on the image below to play the video.
From the rOOm press release in early December:
The music video illustrates one of the dreams that Eminem says led to his revelation that he needed to leave behind his life as a rapper. In the dream, Eminem’s daughter Hailie stacks boxes up so that he can’t leave the house. Eminem tries to explain to her that he has to go perform and she gives him a locket with a picture of her inside. Eminem is then startled to find that he’s alone in a room looking into a mirror holding the locket. As he swears that from then on he’ll show his family that he loves them, he opens the door to leave his bedroom and finds himself dressed in a suit with a microphone in hand, back to performing in front of a crowd. Eminem then spots Hailie in the crowd and she accuses him of lying to her since he said he wouldn’t leave. Hailie throws on stage a “#1 Dad” coin that she got for him then says to stay on the stage since he obviously loves his fans more than his family. Eminem then walks backstage and looks into a mirror with his wife Kim and Hailie in it, only for the camera to rotate around and show the brunette Eminem staring back at the blonde Eminem in the suit. Eminem then wakes up from the dream and we see him go up to Kim and kiss her as Hailie finally seems to have what she wanted. The video closes with Eminem back at the NA meeting, thanking the group for allowing him to share his story with them, speaking to the rest of the NA group as much as he is to all of his fans viewing the video. Eminem then leaves the microphone behind and rejoins the rest of the crowd as they applaud.
Production Details
The music video was shot in Detroit by director Anthony Mandler via Box Fresh Pictures, Los Angeles, with executive producer Lou Miguel, producer Tracy Zuko and director of photography Eric Larson.
Postproduction and audio post was done at rOOm, Los Angeles, by editor Jeff Selis, assistant editors Gizmo Rivera & George Olivo, effects artist Bill Pollock, sound designer and mixer Brandon Toh, music producer Robin Nixon, producer Jason Barager and sound engineer/mixer Brandon Toh.
Visual Effects were done at Worlds Away, New York. Online editing was done at Company 3, Santa Monica, California.
The single, “When I’m Gone”, includes the video.
Lyrics to When I’m Gone
Yeah…It’s my life…My own words I guess…
Verse 1
Have you ever loved someone so much, you’d give an arm for?
Not the expression, no, literally give an arm for?
When they know they’re your heart
And you know you were their armour
And you will destroy anyone who would try to harm her
But what happens when karma, turns right around and bites you?
And everything you stand for, turns on you to spite you?W
hat happens when you become the main source of her pain?
“Daddy look what I made”,
Dad’s gotta go catch a plane
“Daddy where’s Mommy? I can’t find Mommy where is she?
“I don’t know go play Hailie, baby, your Daddy’s busy
Daddy’s writing a song, this song ain’t gonna write itself
I’ll give you one underdog then you gotta swing by yourself
Then turn right around on that song and tell her you love her
And put hands on her mother, who’s a spitting image of her
That’s Slim Shady, yeah baby, Slim Shady’s crazy
Shady made me, but tonight Shady’s rocka-by-baby…
Chorus
And when I’m gone, just carry on, don’t mourn
Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice
Just know that I’m looking down on you smiling
And I didn’t feel a thing, So baby don’t feel my pain
Just smile backAnd when I’m gone, just carry on, don’t mourn
Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice
Just know that I’m looking down on you smiling
And I didn’t feel a thing, So baby don’t feel my pain
Just smile back…
Verse 2
I keep having this dream, I’m pushin’ Hailie on the swing
She keeps screaming, she don’t want me to sing
“You’re making Mommy cry, why? Why is Mommy crying?
“Baby, Daddy ain’t leaving no more,
“Daddy you’re lying”
You always say that, you always say this is the last time
“But you ain’t leaving no more, Daddy you’re mine”
She’s piling boxes in front of the door trying to block it
“Daddy please, Daddy don’t leave, Daddy – no stop it!”
Goes in her pocket, pulls out a tiny necklace locket
It’s got a picture,
“this’ll keep you safe Daddy, take it withcha'”
I look up, it’s just me standing in the mirror
These f**kin’ walls must be talking, cuz man I can hear ’em
They’re saying “You’ve got one more chance to do right” – and it’s tonight
Now go out there and show that you love ’em before it’s too late
And just as I go to walk out of my bedroom door
It’s turns to a stage, they’re gone, and this spotlight is on
And I’m singing…
Chorus
Sixty thousand people,
all jumping out their seat
The curtain closes, they’re throwing roses at my feet
I take a bow and thank you all for coming out
They’re screaming so loud,
I take one last look at the crowd
I glance down, I don’t believe what I’m seeing
“Daddy it’s me, help Mommy, her wrists are bleeding,”
But baby we’re in Sweden, how did you get to Sweden?”
I followed you Daddy, you told me that you weren’t leavin’
“You lied to me Dad, and now you make Mommy sad”
And I bought you this coin, it says ‘Number One Dad’
“That’s all I wanted, I just want to give you this coin”
I get the point – fine, me and Mommy are going”
But baby wait, “it’s too late Dad, you made the choice”
Now go out there and show ’em that you love ’em more than us
“That’s what they want, they want you Marshall, they keep.. screamin’ your name
It’s no wonder you can’t go to sleep, just take another pill
Yeah, I bet you you will. You rap about it, yeah, word, k-keep it real
I hear applause, all this time I couldn’t see
How could it be, that the curtain is closing on me
I turn around, find a gun on the ground, cock it
Put it to my brain and scream “die Shady” and pop it
The sky darkens, my life flashes,
the plane that I was supposed to be on crashes and burns to ashes
That’s when I wake up, alarm clock’s ringin’, there’s birds singin’
It’s Spring and Hailie’s outside swinging,
I walk right up to Kim and kiss her
Tell her I miss her, Hailie just smiles and winks at her little sister
Almost as if to say..
Chorus/Outro
Curtains closing and sounds of footsteps
SIKKEST song eva s’iite if eminem is leavin he needs to spend time with his daughter and family peace y’all
Best song eva! Apart from Eminems otha songs of course. The man is a literary genius
YOUR COOL EMINEM IS WHEN IM GONE
i love u eminem
llllllllllllllllllllllll
houww van dit liedd!! (l)
what you expect from a genius
dude u rox my sox off…ur daughter is the cutest…=0…!!!!!!!
i like your clip..
but he is so sad.. 🙁
and.. eminem.. I like you! 😉
hailie dnt play herself in when im gone thats an actress
I LoVe Ur ClIp…& LoVe U tOo,EmInEm
U & Ur DaUgHtEr aRe SoMeOnE WhO wErE ChAnGe mY HeArT.I jUsT WaNt To SeE U & Ur DaUgHtEr’s sMiLe…LoVe U,Shady
eminem has been a legend for years which is why i am proud to say that he is my role model..he has inspired me and many im sure that we can all learn something from him cause i certainly have learnt from him and i am proud to be a eminem fan!! through his songs he has shown me that you only live once so do not miss that chance to blow..and becaus of him failure is no longer a word in my vocabulary.. i would die love to meet him thats one of my dreams. he will always be my role model.2007
really love u eminem , really appreciate ur story ! , really loved ur video When I’m Gone !,,
Regardz
OMG HAILIE JADE LOOKS SO MUCH LIKE EMINEM AND KIM!!! SO BEAUTIFUL!!! I WISH MY DAD WAS HOME AS HAILIE WISHED HER DAD EMINEM HOME TOO. I UNDERSTAND HOW SHE FEELS ABT HER DAD GOING AWAY ALOT. GOD BLESS
EMINEM LO MEJOR DEL RAP ERS EL HOMBRE QE ME GUSTARIA COMVERTIRME
Hello, To all my fans out there, i am happy that u enjoyed the Flim Clip Im Sorry Bit i Will Soon retire From Rapping Buisness .. And be a Song Writer.. So Im sorry to All my Fans out there 🙁 Miss u All
Mabee u Will be Happy if i tell u some songs that may help 🙂
1. My Dads Gone Crazy
2. My Band
3.If i get Locked up tonight
5. Superman
i know u think i am Not Mashal But i am .Pce. Luv Eminem
Eminem I love u so much. Ur my favorite rapper and singer. I loved u since I wuz 8 or 9 years old. I love the music video 4 When I’m Gone. Ur daughter is so beautiful. She looks like u. I hope 2 see u someday or see a concert of u.
Love,
Chelsea
I love u Eminem so so so so so so so so so so much. He is the best person ever. I’m so happy now that i’m writing something that he might read. I was sad but everytime I think of him, look at pics of him, or listen 2 his music I get happy.
Love,
Eminem love
AKA:Chelsea
I love this video, even though it is sad, but when you really think about it things aren’t really what they are in the real world like that, in this song eminem came back suddenly trying to act like the good guy and trying to come clean after all the shit he had done to Kim, people can say what they want about her and call her a bitch and a slut but keep in mind that yall don’t live with her, you don’t know her, this woman has been through so much. So has eminem but, they’re both human, we all are and we all make mistakes, we learn from them. In a way I guess I have to say that I respect the fact that he at least had mustered up the courage to say what he had to say, I’m glad he took a little break, to be with his family and help out other artists. I admire eminem very much, and as for Kim I really do wish her well. PEACE. 🙂
I wish Hailie well also, hopefully she won’t turn all distorted. I hope em can finally settle down and end all of being a bachelor and shit, and maybe Kim and Eminem will stop their bullshit and quit f**king with Hailie’s, Alaina’s, and whitney’s heads.
Hey em’, if it was really you then send me an email to goalieboy1111@hotmail.com
eminem en sevdiğim şarkıcıdır ve when i’m gone da çok güzel bi şarkı olmuş bence
Eminem, if you actually read this then i’d like you to know you’ve inspired me alot i don’t expect you to have the time or be able to answer me but just in case here’s my e-mail: hiphopkid1994@hotmail.com i’m into rap, hip hop and RnB and i’m writing songs in plan for an album although it may never be made as i need, well, music! I love your songs although i have to admit i’m not into “Like Toy Soldiers” i like the rap but not the chorus. Yo still a great rapper. Are you really leaving or is the Re-Up your return? How’s Hallie and your relationship with Kim. Heard you two got back together? I could go on and on coz there’s so much i wanna say but i’ll wait till if you ever e-mail me or we meet. Probably won’t happen as there are millions of fans but i have hope.
Bye.
PS: I’d say i’m your biggest fan, but really i have no propper clue as to what counts as a fan. I don’t have every piece of mechendise coz i cant afford, but does that matter?
PPS: Every time i hear your tunes i have to rap along. Okay i’ll shut up now! Bye!
i love you eminem ,so much
em,hi here is my e-mail:rere_6000@hotmail.com. if you have an e-mail please send it to me . i love you .
wHoOo! EMINEM!! i rEaLLy liKe u bOy!!
wAt a mAn are u??! hAay.. i’m sO intO yOu..
I lyK mOst of ur sOngs!! i reALLy Luv yOu!!
mOr pOwr 2u and ur fAmily!! GOD bLesS..
Hello Em’. Sorry, my English is broken, I would like you know that you have a lot of fans in China. Thank you. May God bless your family.
Eminem Is Da Fittest Man Around Ohhh Yhh!
NUMBER 1 FAN Ere!
Defo! His Music Is Ill!
Hes Fit!
Hes Talented! And Has Dun Wel And Deserved All The Good Fingz He’s Got!
I Wish He Wouldnt Ever Quit! But If So Then i Appreicate Al Da Music He’s Dun For His Fans!
Love Yu u Sexy Hunni! xxx
it is good to know that someone gives a shit
eminem is mz idol…..he is da coolest rapper in the history of um..well rap. he is my idol i love him.. i am his biggest fan next to STAN. dis guy is a genius he deservs a gunniess book of records 4 da collest rapper!!!! love ya shady. if u like dis song ya will lov dez.. tak mz advise.. i m good atleast people say so!!
1. lose yourself
2. till i collapse
3. singing for the moment
4. welcome to deroit city, who i am
5. i am back
hey eminem i like you man
Eminem is my favourite living rapper,that is after Tupac & Biggie. Keep the spirit soldier? Peace & say hi to Hailey for me will u?
hay man i likat you man but matshr
You made me cry.
DENUEVO X AKI ABRA UNA PEKEÑA POSIVILIDAD DE
K ALGUNA VES
VENGA EMINEM
PARA CHILE K LO KIERE MUXO
DE CORAZAON TE LO DIGO EMINEM ….
OJALAS EL LEEA LO K E ESCRITO PARA EL
YA K SOY UNA FANS DE EL APESAR DE K SUS LETRAS SEAN TODAS EN INGLES Y MUXAS VECES NO ENTIENDO LO K EL KIERE ESPRESAR …
ME FASINA SU MUSICA… UN PEQUEÑO SALUDO A TODOS LOS DE CHILE EN ESPECIAL A YARITZA MUÑOZ MENDEZ ..
AAA Y UNA COSA LA SANGRE LATINA LA LLEVA… JAJAJJAJAJA
AJAJA
SED ESPIDE YO NICOLE…
PD: VEN A CHILE EMINEM
jajjajajaj felicitaciones eminem x tu
nuevo comienso de vida
jajjajajaj
lo volviste a aser jajajja a
lo mejor del mundo ´ara ti
de todo chile ,,,…
okay every body on here thinks yur eminems #1 fan but hey i betcha didnt know that his full name is marshal bruce mathers 111 did yah or that he was born in st joesph massuri and then he was raised in detroit michigan anyway yah yur my freaking idol man no one understands your lyrics like i do when iget upset i listen tot hema nd i get teased at school i come hoema nd listen to the way i am by you iloved that song stan that was an amazing duet with dido yur yor daughter she is gunna be telented jsut like you she is really pretty well obvisly if she is yur daughter but yah you rock and i hope taht you get to read this man YUR AWSOME AND YOU INSPIRE ME SOOOO MUCH
PCE OUT MARSHAL LUV YUR # 1 FAN BECCA OF GRAND BEND!!!
yu’re d best eminem and i know that deep yu’re heart theres d gd eminem and i’m sure what i’m saying,i really want 2 help yu but i can’t cuz i’m in malta 🙁 i will pray 4 yu’re daughter and yu’re wife yu’re my idol and i really luv yuuu my msn is
—–>rachelcam@msn.com
love ya eminem!
and by the way… marry christmas:D
hi eminem soy d mexico y ojala vengas aunque sean una vez te aseguro q iria a tu concierto
aaaaaaaaa
y quiero decirte q tienes unas canciones muyt buenas sobre todo m gusta mucho la de superman
saludos deesde mexico
te deseo lo mejor ahora que te inicias una nueva vida y no te desanimes siempre habra gente que te quiera mucho jajaja
bye
hi hailie i am 11 years old and i just wanted to say that your dad has mad some songs that are very toching about you and in the song when i am gone iam not sure but u think your sad because your dad is gone all the time and you never get to see him but my life is exsactly the same see my dad works till 9:30 am till 11:30pm and my parents are alwasy fighting so i never really get to see them but i just wanted to say has ther ever been a day that you wished that your dad wasent eminem.And do you ever know if people like you four who you are or just because your a star well thats it so reply if you can.
Alexandria Nicole Bray
Hi Eminem & Hailie .
You are the coolest rapper in the world. You can rapp about your dather, That’s cool.
My favortie song’s are; Mockingbird and Hailie’s song. But I love all your song’s.
Anette
Eminem, thanks for all the efforts you took in creating the songs. I`d just say that i love your raps and just don`t have any words to describe it. In short, YOU ROCK, MAN….YOU RULE THE RAP WORLD….YOU ARE MY RAP GOD…………
Omg I Love Eminem So f***in Much. His Music Has Inspired Most Of My Life..*Mwah*..xxxxXXXXXxxxxx
eminem is a godess he is the king of music and is better then any other singer out there he is even better then ozzy!
Eminem is the best he’s songs (when i?m gone ,till i collapse , lose yourself…) are the best songs
bah j kife tropppppppp eminem c le top de top kiss
NO! DONT RETIRE YOUR MY FUKING IDOL. I HOPED TO LIVE UP TO YOU. I HAVENT BEEN TO ANY OF YOUR CONCERTS IM YOUR BIGGEST FAN. I EVEN KNOW YOUR WHOLE NAME ITS MARSHALL BRUCE MATHERS THE 3RD I MAY BE ONLY 10 YEARS OLD BUT I KNOW EVERY ONE OF YOUR SONGS MY TOP 3 IS
1:LOSE YOUR SELF
2SING FOR THE MOMENT
3HAILIES SONG
YOU SEE, MY PARENTS ARE GOING THROUGH DEVORSE ITS LIKE YOU AND KIM MY DAD AND MOM ARE ALWASE FIGHTING AND I NEVER GET TO SEE THEM. HAILIES SONG IS LIKE MY LIFE BECAUSE WHEN YOU SAY THAT SOME TIMES IT FELLS LIKE THE WORLDS ON MY SHOULDERS THATS HOW I FELL EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE. AND I HAVE FIGHTING ISSUES IN SCHOOL BECAUSE,EVERY BODY IN SCHOOL IS ALWASE PICKING ON ME AND EVERY BADY MAKES FUN OF THE WAY I TAKE MY LUNCH IN A BROWN BAG THERE ALWASE SAYING THAT IM POOR. AND WHEN I GET HOME I PUT IN ONE OF YOUR ALBUMS IN MY STERIO AND JUST SIT THERE AND CRY BECAUSE I HATE FIGTING I HATE HURTING PEOPLE BUT I HAVE NO CONTROL WHEN IM ANGRY. MY FINGHERS ARE STARTING TO HERT OF TYPING BUT I DONT CARE IT KINDOF FELLS GOOD TO LET OUT MY EMOTINS TO SOMEONE WHO FELLS THE SAME WAY TRY TO REPLY..BRYON JONES AND IM A BOY
hey!! 🙂 i love eminem!! <333 he is da best!! <3333
eminem you are the best i love you. and your baby hailie she is a good panama ama a marshall god bless you and your family
hailie 🙂 hello marshall 🙂 hello love you are
this is a great song i absolutly LOVE it and it makes me happy every time i hear it! i love you Eminem!!
I LOVE U EMINEM!!!! you are the best rapper in the world and you always rock my f##kin world! i love ya babe!!!
Luv alwayz– Lindsey
woooooooooooooooooooooow i adour u EMINEM..
i love u
i love u
i love u
Eminem ur the koolest rapper that I like. I hope that u never quit doing what u love to do.
He’s 1 tough guy… He’s cool repper
be self man
good
THIIISSSSSSSSSS song is AWWESSOMMEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! i lov it M8 ps Aussie’ss are sickk as…. xoxoxo
Hi Eminem i don t love you i just like your songs are you a frind of 50 cent ? And wahat is your real name? Well bey the.
PS: take more time with Hailie and your family if you like that s my
e-mail kamilla.erlenbusch@yahoo.de
his real name is marshal bruce mathers
el puto amo sige asi emieneM k puto crak
dude dont comment on the actors in the video (besides eminem) thats not evn his real duaghter guys… thats just an actor named kassidy circa, i would no , she went to my school,
hey giroux your mom went to my school gigle gigle
EMINEM WOOOOOOOOOO >:]
I think its the best song everrrrrr and it totaly rocksssssss i love halie and eminem i hope they become really close in life lov yas aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllll
sincreely:
No UuU DidNt
You suck $0 COOL AND nO UuU DidNt i lov eminem and he is all MINE MINE lol
i like your daugter she look
so prety:L:D:)
Hey slim man youhave excellent songs and my new fave is we made you oh and btw YAY YOUR BACK YOU ROK!!! well anyway praise u bro g2g cyaaaa
ps: keep the songs coming!
hi marshall, i love all your songs they are so deep and moving, i love all your songs but my favourites are Lose Yourself, Cleaning Out My Closet, When Im Gone, Mockingbird, Till I Collapse, Sing For The Moment, Hailie’s Song
anyways i love you man
your the best rapper in the world your my role model
EMINEM FOR EVER
I love u eminem I listen to your songs everyday your the best rapper.
wELL ITHINK THAT UYOU ARE A GOOD SINGER I LOVE YOU!YOU ARE COOL I LOVE YOU 3<
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!
I love you eminem you r fricken HOT!!!!!!!!!
i love all your albums especially the new one “Relapse”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eminem, i love you so much! “When Im Gone” is just like mine and my dad’s life. I even look like Hailie in the video. I’m only 10. My dad says this song reminds him of me.. I LOVE YOU EMINEM!!! 🙂 ♥
te amo EMINEM…
eu e todo o brasil
hey slim u r bst bst bst ever>>> love u man… u rock n keep rocking.. nd hailie is jst gud lukin lik u……..
eminem… love u dude
i listn ur songs evryday.. i love each n evry songs of urs…….. keep rocking man
oh……………emi!!!!!! BABY U R A ROCKSTAR……. n EVRY BDY WNTS U…… my lyf z rckng n crdt gos 2 u>>> LVVV U MAN…
yooooo eminem i love yu nd all of yur song….. yu totally rock nd hailie is juss so cute lik totally da bomb diggity lol well keep rockin peace
thanks guys. I personally feel this was one of my best songs. yo just remember to keep it real and remember that family should always come first
everytime i hear this song it makes me cry because when i was little he left me and i never got to see him until this year and the one time i spoke to him he was in jail and he said he will always be with me and remember ill always be there with you. its a good song btw.
I listen this song and the other Mockingbird and i listen you from romania and you are the best and god bless you and your family man and take care of your family and kid’s becous thei are the mowst beutiful thing in this life..our kid’s thei are all 4 uss, bye 4 now. Tedy
Awesome song. It’s really beautiful.
By the way, who is the guy speaking at the beginning of the video? I think I recognize him from some show…
hey eminem u r my idol i hope that u keep rapping till da day u day u r da best rapper in da damn world and is your original hair color brown the only rapper that is even close to u is maybe cent.
i likk all your songs i wish i could b a singer but it seems scary u know everybodys eyes lookin at u.. Likk in 8mile u jus froze up prbly wat id do but i dont wanna b likk urybody else jus wanna craw all over u cuz it muss b anoying sometimes but i doo like ur songs alot and u have one of the best personality in summ of ur songs kinda reminds me of mine………