Mockingbird – Eminem | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#11) and Rap (#9); 2005
Story Behind The Song By Harris Sterling
In 2004, Eminem released Mockingbird as part of his album Encore. Written and produced by Eminem, the song marked a departure from some of his more confrontational material, focusing instead on family.
Released as a single in 2005, Mockingbird reached the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the most personal tracks of his career.
Built around a simple piano loop and restrained beat, the recording emphasizes the clarity of the lyric.
The song is addressed to Eminem’s daughters, particularly Hailie, as he explains the difficulties surrounding his marriage and public life. Rather than dramatizing events, the lyric offers reassurance and attempts to provide context for family struggles.
Mockingbird remains one of Eminem’s most reflective recordings and is often cited as a defining example of his autobiographical songwriting.
Produced by:
Eminem
Lyrics Written by:
Eminem
Awards:
No major Grammy Awards were awarded for the single.
Harris Sterling
Independent music label executive Harris Sterling has worked in the music industry for most of his career.
As Executive Vice President for independent music label Madacy Entertainment, he led the strategic marketing and business development for the label, negotiating agreements with the major record labels to release custom music compilations under license with major brands, such as Ford Motor Company, Crayola, Care Bears and Elvis Presley Enterprises.
Harris also led Madacy’s strategy for the licensing of its entire music catalogue to Apple for their launch of the IPOD.
In 2011, Harris co-founded Starting Five Media, a company that specializes in recording and licensing custom renditions of popular songs as well as clearing the rights to the music composition for use by their clients in media projects.
Harris has negotiated publishing and master recording rights for many Top 40 songs for use in various media projects, TV Commercials and more.