🎵Eminem – Framed: Meaning, Chart Success, Reviews & Fascinating Trivia
📅 Published Date: 4/3/2018
👁️ View Counts: 30,195,265+ [30.2M+]
👍 Like Counts: 674,965+
💬 Comment Counts: 55,676+
⏱️ Duration: 05:32
🎧 Spotify:
🎶 Track Name: Framed
🎤 Artist: Eminem
💿 Album: Revival
📆 Release Date: 2017-12-15
🔥 Popularity: 46
🕒 Duration:04:12
💭 Meaning
“Framed” by Eminem is a dark, twisted, and highly controversial track from his 2017 album Revival. It’s a horrorcore song that delves into themes of violence, paranoia, and the potential for being falsely accused of heinous crimes. The song is presented as a narrative where Eminem is seemingly waking up after a night of extreme debauchery and finding himself surrounded by evidence that suggests he committed horrific acts, specifically the murder of Ivanka Trump.
Here’s a breakdown of the song’s meaning, line by line, and the overall themes it explores:
1. The Setup: Waking Up in a Nightmare
“I woke up in a motel room with a wet dream”: This immediately sets a tone of disorientation and unease. He’s waking up in an unfamiliar place, already feeling guilty and confused.
“And a bloody tampon next to me”: This is the first shocking image, suggesting a violent encounter. It’s designed to be disturbing and unsettling.
“I got blood on my hands and no memory”: This is the core of the song’s premise. He has no recollection of the night before, but the evidence points to something terrible.
“But I’m assumin’ I must’ve went on a killing spree”: He’s jumping to the worst possible conclusion based on the evidence. This highlights his paranoia and self-destructive tendencies.
2. The Evidence Mounts: The Ivanka Trump Connection
“I’m just sayin’ things that I think will shock people”: This is a meta-commentary, acknowledging the song’s intention to provoke and offend. It’s a defense mechanism, suggesting he’s aware of the controversy he’s creating.
“This is nothin’, just wait ’til I get to the chorus”: More meta-commentary, promising even more shocking content to come.
“I’m just playin’, ladies, you know I love you”: A weak attempt at damage control, trying to soften the impact of his violent lyrics.
“I never punch you unless you deserve it”: A disturbing justification for violence, hinting at a misogynistic undercurrent.
“Runyon Ave, is where I grew up on, 26 and OV”: A reference to his childhood home, grounding the fantasy in a real place.
“But it’s not what it was, though, things change, everything rots”: A nostalgic reflection on the past, contrasting with the present horror.
“I got a question, what rhymes with orange?”: A seemingly random question, but it’s a distraction technique, breaking the tension before the next wave of violence.
“No, nothin’ does, not even door hinge”: The answer to his own question, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
“Ingestibles, edibles, vegetables, and porridge”: A nonsensical list, further emphasizing the disorientation and drug-induced state.
“I’m gonna go get a blood orange”: A seemingly innocent act, but it reinforces the theme of blood and violence.
“And then I’m gonna go gorge on it”: A more aggressive and disturbing image, suggesting a primal hunger.
“I got a warrant for my arrest, where the coroner?”: The legal consequences are starting to catch up to him.
“I’m gonna turn myself in, I just need to get this off my chest”: He’s contemplating surrendering, but first, he needs to confess (through the song).
“I think I might’ve killed Ivanka Trump”: The bombshell. This is the most controversial line in the song, directly implicating him in the murder of a high-profile figure.
“Car keys are in the ignition, blood is in the snow”: More evidence pointing to his guilt.
“I think I might’ve killed Ivanka Trump”: Repeated for emphasis.
3. The Chorus: Denial and Justification
“Why you all look so shocked? I’d be doin’ everybody a favor”: This is where the song becomes truly problematic. He’s suggesting that killing Ivanka Trump would be a service to others, reflecting a deep-seated political and social anger.
“I’m just kiddin’, America, relax”: Another attempt at damage control, but it’s too late. The damage is done.
- “But if I did it, I wouldn’t be able to explain it”: He’s hedging his bets, acknowledging the possibility
🍿 Reception
“Framed” by Eminem, from his 2017 album Revival, is a track that polarized listeners, contributing to the overall mixed reception of the album. Here’s a detailed breakdown of its reception and reviews:
Overall Reception:
Controversial: “Framed” was one of the most talked-about tracks on Revival, but not always for positive reasons. It sparked debate about Eminem’s lyrical content, particularly its violent and graphic nature.
Divisive Among Fans: Some fans appreciated the return to Eminem’s Slim Shady persona and the horrorcore elements, while others found it to be gratuitous, misogynistic, and lacking the cleverness of his earlier work.
Critical Scrutiny: Music critics were largely unimpressed, citing the song as an example of Revival‘s overall shortcomings: poor production, forced rhymes, and a lack of genuine emotional depth.
Positive Aspects (Arguments from Supporters):
Slim Shady Nostalgia: For some, “Framed” was a welcome return to the unhinged, darkly comedic Slim Shady character that made Eminem famous. They enjoyed the over-the-top violence and the shock value.
Lyrical Complexity (for some): Supporters argued that the song, while violent, showcased Eminem’s technical rapping ability, including complex rhyme schemes and wordplay. They saw it as a demonstration of his lyrical prowess, even if the subject matter was distasteful.
Horrorcore Appeal: Fans of horrorcore rap appreciated the song’s commitment to the genre, with its vivid descriptions of murder and mayhem. They saw it as a modern take on the classic horrorcore themes.
Production (for some): While the production was generally criticized, some listeners found the dark, eerie beat fitting for the song’s subject matter.
Negative Aspects (Arguments from Critics and Detractors):
Gratuitous Violence and Misogyny: The most common criticism was the song’s graphic and violent content, particularly its depiction of violence against women. Many found it to be offensive, unnecessary, and lacking in any meaningful social commentary.
Lack of Subtlety and Nuance: Critics argued that the song lacked the cleverness and wit that characterized Eminem’s earlier work. The violence was seen as being too blunt and unsubtle, without any deeper meaning or purpose.
Forced Rhymes and Weak Punchlines: Many felt that Eminem was trying too hard to be shocking and edgy, resulting in forced rhymes and weak punchlines. The lyrics were seen as being more focused on shock value than on genuine artistry.
Poor Production: The production was widely criticized for being generic and uninspired. Many felt that the beat lacked the energy and creativity needed to elevate the song.
*Contributes to Revival‘s Overall Weakness: “Framed” was often cited as an example of the album’s overall problems: a lack of focus, inconsistent quality, and a disconnect between Eminem’s past and present.
Repetitive Themes: Some critics pointed out that Eminem had explored similar themes of violence and mental instability in his earlier work, and that “Framed” offered nothing new or insightful.
Specific Critic Quotes (Examples):
(Note: Finding direct quotes from specific reviews of “Framed” alone is difficult, as it’s usually discussed within the context of the Revival album. However, the following are representative of the general sentiment):
“The shock value feels forced and dated.”
“Eminem’s attempts at horrorcore fall flat, lacking the wit and creativity of his earlier work.”
“The lyrics are gratuitously violent and misogynistic, without any redeeming qualities.”
“The production is generic and uninspired, failing to elevate the song.”
“Framed is a prime example of Revival’s overall shortcomings: poor production, forced rhymes, and a lack of genuine emotional depth.”
In summary:
“Framed” is a highly divisive track that exemplifies the mixed reception of Revival. While some fans appreciated its return to the Slim Shady persona and its horrorcore elements, most critics and listeners found it to be gratuitously violent, poorly written, and lacking in the cleverness and wit that characterized Eminem’s earlier work. It remains a controversial and often-criticized song in Eminem’s discography.
📈 Chart Performance
Unfortunately, “Eminem – Framed” did not chart as a single. It was an album track on Eminem’s 2017 album, Revival. Therefore, there are no official chart positions to report.
Here’s a breakdown of why it didn’t chart and what kind of performance information we can infer:
Not Released as a Single: The primary reason “Framed” didn’t chart is that it wasn’t released as a single. Chart positions are typically based on sales, streaming, and radio airplay of individual songs promoted by the record label. Revival had official singles like “Walk on Water,” “River,” and “Nowhere Fast.”
Album Chart Performance: While “Framed” didn’t chart individually, its performance contributed to the overall success of the Revival album. Revival reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States, as well as topping charts in several other countries. The popularity of the album as a whole certainly boosted the streams and listens of all the tracks, including “Framed.”
Streaming Data (Inferred): We can infer that “Framed” likely had a significant number of streams on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, given Eminem’s popularity and the album’s success. However, these streaming numbers wouldn’t translate into a chart position without an official single release.
Fan Popularity and Critical Reception: “Framed” is a notable track on Revival due to its controversial lyrics and its connection to Eminem’s Slim Shady persona. It garnered attention from fans and critics alike, contributing to discussions about the album’s themes and Eminem’s artistic choices.
In summary: While “Eminem – Framed” is a well-known track from the Revival album, it did not chart as a single. Its performance is reflected in the overall success of the album and its popularity among fans, but there are no specific chart positions to report.
💡 Trivia
Alright, here’s some interesting trivia about Eminem’s song “Framed” from his 2017 album Revival:
Inspiration from Horror Films: The song is heavily inspired by horror films, particularly slasher flicks. Eminem uses vivid and gruesome imagery to paint a picture of a deranged killer, drawing parallels to characters like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees.
Controversy and Criticism: “Framed” was one of the most controversial tracks on Revival. Some critics and listeners found the violent and graphic lyrics to be gratuitous and offensive, even by Eminem’s standards. It sparked debates about the boundaries of artistic expression and the impact of violent content in music.
The “Framed” Concept: The title itself is a double entendre. It refers both to Eminem being literally framed for a crime he didn’t commit (or at least claims he didn’t) and to the “frame” of a picture, suggesting he’s creating a disturbing and theatrical scene.
Production by DJ Khalil: The song was produced by DJ Khalil, who has also worked with artists like Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, and Jay Rock. The beat is dark and menacing, perfectly complementing the song’s unsettling themes.
References to Other Eminem Songs: Eminem often references his past work in his songs, and “Framed” is no exception. There are subtle nods to previous tracks and personas, rewarding longtime fans who pick up on these Easter eggs.
The “Revival” Context: “Framed” stands out on Revival due to its extreme content. The album as a whole is more politically charged and introspective than some of Eminem’s earlier work, making the graphic violence of “Framed” feel particularly jarring to some listeners.
The Music Video (Sort Of): While there isn’t an official music video for “Framed,” Eminem released a lyric video that features disturbing imagery and animations, further enhancing the song’s horror movie vibe.
Fan Theories: As with many of Eminem’s songs, “Framed” has spawned numerous fan theories. Some speculate about the true meaning behind the lyrics, the identity of the victims, and whether Eminem’s character is truly innocent or just delusional.
These are just a few interesting tidbits about “Framed.” It’s a song that continues to be debated and analyzed by fans and critics alike, solidifying its place as one of the most talked-about tracks from Revival.
📝 Description:
The official video for Eminem’s “Framed” off the album Revival. Available now: http://shady.sr/Revival For more visit:
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http://shadyrecords.com
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Music video by Eminem performing Framed. © 2018 Aftermath Records
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🏷️ Tags:Eminem, Framed, Aftermath, New, JV-Old, School, Rap
📂 Category:Music