Sing for the Moment explained

Sing for the Moment
Cover:Eminem_-_Sing_for_the_Moment_CD_cover.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Eminem
Album:The Eminem Show
B-Side:Rabbit Run
Released:[1]
Recorded:2002
Length:5:40 (album version)
4:48 (clean radio edit)
6:23 (instrumental version)
Chronology:Eminem
Prev Title:Superman
Prev Year:2003
Next Title:Business
Next Year:2003

"Sing for the Moment" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his fourth album The Eminem Show (2002). It was released on February 25, 2003,[1] as the fourth single from The Eminem Show and the final single in the United States. The song samples "Dream On" by American rock band Aerosmith.

"Sing for the Moment" received positive reviews from music critics, with many critics praising Eminem's rapping ability, the lyrics, and the "Dream On" sample. "Sing for the Moment" proved to be successful, peaking inside the Top 10 in twenty countries. In the United States, "Sing for the Moment" reached number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also a number-one hit in Portugal. The song, along with the original "Dream On", was used in a trailer for the 2016 animated film Sing.

Background

"Sing for the Moment" was the first song Eminem wrote for the album.[2] It contains samples of the song "Dream On" by the rock band Aerosmith. Joe Perry plays the guitar solo at the end of the song, and a sample of Steven Tyler singing is used as the chorus for this song. Eminem chants "sing" when Tyler starts to sing the chorus, and Eminem also chants "sing with me" and "come on". Eminem says the words in his live performances as well. The beginning of the song samples the intro of "Dream On" too. "Sing for the Moment" was later released on Eminem's greatest hits compilation album (2005).

"Sing for the Moment" mentions John Guerra, a bouncer whom Eminem had an altercation with on June 4, 2000, after the rapper claimed he saw him kissing his ex-wife Kim. Eminem deliberately mispronounces his last name as "Guerrera:"[3] [4]

You're full of shit too, Guerrera, that was a fist that hit you! (Bitch!)

The song reached #14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart, #6 on the UK Singles Chart, and #5 on the Australian ARIAnet Singles Chart.

Eminem performed the song with Tyler during Eminem's 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony performance, with Tyler singing the entire first verse of "Dream On" before Eminem began the first verse of Sing for the Moment.[5]

Critical reception

David Browne wrote: "In 'Sing for the Moment,' which includes a tirade against the media and politically motivated prosecutors, the intensity of his delivery overcomes the hoariest of ideas – incorporating a portion of an overly familiar classic-rock oldie, Aerosmith's 'Dream On.' The song becomes a clarion call of suburban kids everywhere, not just an easy route to a hit."[6]

DX magazine concluded that in this song Eminem is dealing with his life and called it "guitar-fueled track."[7] RapReviews was positive: "'Sing For the Moment' may throw his fans a curveball though: a song which appears to sample Aerosmith's 'Dream On' yet simultaneously features the REAL Joe Perry playing guitar. Obviously not a stretch for the hard rock icons though, who are still remembered for recording 'Walk This Way' with Run-D.M.C. back in the 1980s, so it's an enjoyable diversion from non-stop hardcore hip-hop."[8]

Track listing

German CD single
German Maxi CD single
German Limited Edition Maxi CD single
UK CD single
UK Cassette
Notes

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2003)Peak
position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[9] 2
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[10] 2
Portugal (AFP)[11] 1
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[12] 11

Year-end charts

Chart (2003)Position
Australia (ARIA)[13] 56
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[14] 41
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[15] 55
Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)[16] 89
Brazil (Crowley)[17] 99
Germany (Official German Charts)[18] 45
Italy (FIMI)[19] 30
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[20] 86
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[21] 71
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[22] 61
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[23] 59
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[24] 106
US Billboard Hot 100[25] 89

Certifications

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Eminem's Isolated Vocals for "Sing for the Moment" . 10 April 2020 .
  2. Eminem: The Rolling Stone Interview. Bozza. Anthony. 2002-07-04. Rolling Stone. en-US. 2020-05-25.
  3. Web site: Fu . Eddie . Knowledge Drop: What Happened Between Eminem & John Guerra Before 'The Eminem Show'? . Genius.com . 10 November 2022.
  4. Web site: Sing for the Moment Lyrics . Genius . 2 September 2022.
  5. Web site: Watch Eminem Bring Out Ed Sheeran, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler for Career-Spanning Rock Hall Performance . RollingStones.com. 6 November 2022 .
  6. Music Review: The Eminem Show, by Eminem . Entertainment Weekly . June 7, 2002.
  7. Web site: Eminem - The Eminem Show (Advanced Copy). HipHopDX. 18 May 2002. HipHopDX.
  8. Web site: RapReviews.com Feature for May 28, 2002 - Eminem's "The Eminem Show". rapreviews.com.
  9. Web site: Eminem Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs) . 2023-12-27 . Billboard.
  10. Web site: Europe Official Top 100. Top40-Charts.com. 12 December 2017.
  11. Hits of the World - Portugal. Billboard. January 25, 2019. 51. November 29, 2003.
  12. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20041012212821/http://www.rt100.ro/ed.php?tn=x10076 . January 11, 2019. October 12, 2004. Rt100.ro. Arhiva romanian top 100 -Editia 25, saptamina 30.06-6.07, 2002. ro.
  13. Web site: 2003 ARIA Singles Chart. ARIA Charts. Australian Recording Industry Association Ltd.. 18 March 2016.
  14. Web site: Jahreshitparade Singles 2003. austriancharts.at. 11 February 2020.
  15. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2003. Ultratop. Ultratop & Hung Medien. 18 March 2016. nl.
  16. Web site: Rapporta Annuels 2003. Ultratop. Ultratop & Hung Medien. 18 March 2016. fr.
  17. Web site: Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2003. April 3, 2018. Crowley Broadcast Analysis. January 30, 2022.
  18. Web site: Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts 2003. Offizielle Deutsche Charts. GfK Entertainment. 18 March 2016. de.
  19. Web site: Mix e Singoli 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20060510010334/http://www.fimi.it/documenti/artisti2003.pdf . 2006-05-10 . ACNielsen C.R.A.. 11 September 2022.
  20. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2002. dutchcharts.nl. 11 February 2020.
  21. Web site: Topul Anului 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20050122205325/http://www.rt100.ro/topul-anului-2003.html . 2005-01-22 . Romanian Top 100 Singles Chart. 14 September 2022.
  22. Web site: Årslista Singlar – År 2003. Sverigetopplistan. sv. 11 February 2020.
  23. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2002. Hitparade. Hung Medien. 18 March 2016. de.
  24. Web site: ChartsPlus YE2003. Ukchartsplus. ChartsPlus. 18 March 2016.
  25. Web site: Top 100 Songs of 2003 - Billboard Year End Charts. Bobborst. 18 March 2016.