🎵Eminem – Untouchable: Meaning, Chart Success, Reviews & Fascinating Trivia
📅 Published Date: 12/8/2017
👁️ View Counts: 23,108,606+ [23.1M+]
👍 Like Counts: 470,637+
💬 Comment Counts: 77,939+
⏱️ Duration: 06:12
🎧 Spotify:
🎶 Track Name: Untouchable
🎤 Artist: Eminem
💿 Album: Revival
📆 Release Date: 2017-12-15
🔥 Popularity: 44
🕒 Duration:06:10
💭 Meaning
“Untouchable” by Eminem is a complex and controversial song that tackles the issue of racial inequality and police brutality in America. It’s a scathing critique of systemic racism, delivered with Eminem’s signature aggressive delivery and provocative lyrics. To understand the song’s meaning, we need to break down its key themes and elements:
1. The Two-Part Structure and Perspective Shift:
The song is divided into two distinct parts, each with a different musical style and perspective.
Part 1 (Rock-infused): This section is delivered from the perspective of a white police officer, embodying the mindset of those who perpetuate racial bias and abuse of power. Eminem adopts a deliberately exaggerated and offensive caricature, using racial slurs and justifying police brutality. This is meant to be shocking and uncomfortable, forcing listeners to confront the ugly reality of racist attitudes.
Part 2 (Hip-Hop): This section switches to Eminem’s own perspective, as a white rapper acknowledging his privilege and using his platform to speak out against injustice. He expresses solidarity with the Black community, criticizes the systemic racism within the justice system, and calls for change.
2. Key Themes and Messages:
Systemic Racism: The song’s central theme is the deeply ingrained racism within American society, particularly within law enforcement and the justice system. Eminem argues that this racism is not just individual prejudice but a structural problem that disproportionately affects Black people.
Police Brutality: “Untouchable” directly addresses the issue of police brutality against Black people. The first part, from the officer’s perspective, portrays a callous disregard for Black lives and a justification for excessive force. The second part condemns this brutality and calls for accountability.
White Privilege: Eminem acknowledges his own white privilege and how it shields him from the experiences of Black people. He recognizes that his voice carries more weight because of his race and uses that privilege to amplify the voices of those who are marginalized.
Historical Context: The song references historical events like slavery and the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting the long history of racial oppression in America and arguing that these issues are not simply relics of the past but continue to shape the present.
The “Us vs. Them” Mentality: Eminem criticizes the divisive rhetoric that fuels racial tensions and encourages empathy and understanding between different groups. He challenges the “us vs. them” mentality that perpetuates prejudice and violence.
Hypocrisy and Double Standards: The song points out the hypocrisy of a system that claims to be fair and just but consistently treats Black people differently. Eminem highlights the double standards that exist in law enforcement, the media, and society as a whole.
Call to Action: While the song is critical and provocative, it also contains a call to action. Eminem urges listeners to confront their own biases, challenge injustice, and work towards a more equitable society.
3. Lyrical Analysis and Examples:
Part 1 (Officer’s Perspective):
“Starin’ at my badge like, ‘I’m above the law'” – This line highlights the sense of impunity that some officers feel, believing they are not subject to the same rules as everyone else.
“Little punk, wanna scream and shout, ‘Defund the cops!’ / Until you need ’em, then it’s, ‘Help, call the cops!'” – This is a sarcastic jab at those who criticize the police, suggesting they would be the first to call for help in an emergency.
The use of racial slurs and derogatory language is intentional, meant to shock and expose the racist attitudes that exist within some segments of law enforcement.
Part 2 (Eminem’s Perspective):
“I’m a guest in this house, but I’m still sweepin’ / So I’m speakin’ my peace, keep it” – Eminem acknowledges his position as a white rapper speaking on Black issues but asserts his right to use his platform to advocate for justice.
“Black kids gettin’ shot, cops claimin’ self-defense” – This line directly addresses the issue of police brutality and the often-questionable justifications used by officers.
“Same story, just a different chapter / Since the Civil War, it’s just a different rapper” – This connects the current struggles to the historical context of racial oppression, suggesting that the fight for equality is an ongoing battle.
“We need to fight for what’s right, we need to stand up” – This is a clear call to action, urging listeners to get involved and fight for change.
4. Controversies and Criticisms:
The song has been criticized for its use of racial slurs, even though they are delivered from
🍿 Reception
“Untouchable” by Eminem, released on his 2017 album Revival, is a highly controversial and divisive track. It attempts to address issues of racial inequality, police brutality, and white privilege in America. However, its execution was widely criticized, leading to a largely negative reception. Here’s a breakdown of the reception and reviews:
Overall Reception:
Largely Negative: The song is generally considered one of the weakest tracks on Revival and is often cited as one of Eminem’s worst songs overall.
Controversy: The song sparked significant debate and controversy due to its lyrical content, delivery, and perceived tone-deafness.
Divisive: While some appreciated Eminem’s attempt to tackle social issues, the majority found the song poorly executed and ultimately harmful.
Key Criticisms:
Awkward and Uncomfortable Lyrics: Many critics found the lyrics to be clunky, preachy, and lacking in nuance. The attempts at satire often fell flat, and the overall message was perceived as muddled and confusing.
Tone-Deafness: Eminem, a white rapper, addressing issues of racial inequality was seen by many as inherently problematic. Critics argued that he lacked the lived experience and understanding to speak on these issues effectively. The song was accused of minimizing the experiences of Black people and perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
Rock-Inspired Production: The song features a rock-influenced beat that was widely criticized for being generic, dated, and ill-suited to the subject matter. The production was seen as further detracting from the song’s message.
Length and Structure: The song is over six minutes long and is divided into two distinct sections. The first section, with the rock beat, was particularly criticized. The second section, with a more traditional hip-hop beat, was sometimes seen as slightly better but still flawed.
“Black Voice” Imitation: Eminem’s use of a distorted, almost cartoonish “Black voice” in the first section of the song was widely condemned as racist and insensitive. This was seen as a particularly egregious example of tone-deafness and cultural appropriation.
Simplistic and Generalizing: The song was criticized for oversimplifying complex issues and making broad generalizations about race and police brutality. This lack of nuance undermined the song’s intended message.
Specific Review Quotes (Examples):
Pitchfork: “Eminem’s ‘Untouchable’ is a tone-deaf mess that fails to address the complexities of race in America.”
Rolling Stone: “The song is a misguided attempt at social commentary that ultimately falls flat.”
Consequence of Sound: “Untouchable is a prime example of Eminem’s inability to tackle serious issues with the necessary sensitivity and nuance.”
HotNewHipHop: “Eminem’s ‘Untouchable’ is a well-intentioned but ultimately flawed attempt to address racial inequality.”
Positive Aspects (Rare):
Some appreciated the attempt: A small minority of listeners and critics acknowledged Eminem’s attempt to address important social issues, even if they felt the execution was lacking.
Second half slightly better: Some found the second half of the song, with its more traditional hip-hop beat, to be slightly more palatable than the first.
Intention (debatable): Some argued that Eminem’s intentions were good, even if the song was poorly executed. However, this argument was often met with skepticism.
In summary, “Untouchable” was a critical failure due to its awkward lyrics, tone-deaf delivery, problematic production, and oversimplified message. It is widely regarded as one of Eminem’s worst songs and a prime example of how not to address sensitive social issues in music. The controversy surrounding the song further cemented its negative reputation. While a few individuals may have appreciated the attempt, the overwhelming consensus is that “Untouchable” is a misstep that ultimately does more harm than good.
📈 Chart Performance
Okay, here’s a detailed breakdown of the chart performance of Eminem’s “Untouchable,” released as part of his album Revival in 2017:
General Overview:
“Untouchable” was not released as a single. This significantly impacted its chart potential, as it didn’t receive the promotional push that a single typically gets.
Its chart performance was primarily driven by album sales and streaming activity during the initial release of Revival.
The song’s length (over 6 minutes) and its controversial subject matter (race relations and police brutality) likely limited its appeal to mainstream radio, further hindering its chart success.
Specific Chart Performance (by Country):
United States (Billboard Hot 100):
Peak Position: #78
Chart Run: 1 week
Details: The song debuted and peaked at #78 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated January 6, 2018. It quickly fell off the chart the following week. This indicates a strong initial interest driven by the album release, but limited staying power.
Canada (Canadian Hot 100):
Peak Position: #54
Chart Run: 1 week
Details: Similar to the US, “Untouchable” debuted and peaked at #54 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart dated January 6, 2018. It also quickly exited the chart.
Australia (ARIA Charts):
Peak Position: #67
Chart Run: 1 week
Details: The song debuted and peaked at #67 on the ARIA Charts dated December 25, 2017.
United Kingdom (Official Charts Company):
Peak Position: #96
Chart Run: 1 week
Details: The song debuted and peaked at #96 on the UK Singles Chart dated December 22, 2017.
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan):
Peak Position: #79
Chart Run: 1 week
Details: The song debuted and peaked at #79 on the Sverigetopplistan chart dated December 22, 2017.
Ireland (IRMA):
Peak Position: #79
Chart Run: 1 week
Details: The song debuted and peaked at #79 on the IRMA chart dated December 22, 2017.
Summary Table:
| Country | Peak Position | Chart Run |
|---|---|---|
| United States | #78 | 1 week |
| Canada | #54 | 1 week |
| Australia | #67 | 1 week |
| United Kingdom | #96 | 1 week |
| Sweden | #79 | 1 week |
| Ireland | #79 | 1 week |
Factors Influencing Chart Performance:
Non-Single Status: As mentioned, the lack of a formal single release was a major factor. Singles typically receive radio play, music video promotion, and targeted marketing, all of which drive chart performance.
Album Release Boost: The song’s chart entries were almost entirely due to the release of the Revival album. Fans streamed and purchased the album, leading to temporary chart placements for several tracks, including “Untouchable.”
Length and Structure: The song’s length (over 6 minutes) is longer than typical radio-friendly tracks. Its two-part structure, with a rock-influenced first half and a more traditional hip-hop second half, may have also made it less accessible to casual listeners.
Controversial Subject Matter: The song’s exploration of racial inequality and police brutality was divisive. While some praised Eminem for addressing these issues, others criticized his approach. This controversy may have deterred some listeners and radio stations.
Critical Reception: Revival as a whole received mixed to negative reviews, which likely impacted the performance of all tracks on the album, including “Untouchable.”
Conclusion:
“Untouchable” achieved modest chart success, primarily driven by the initial release of the Revival album. Its lack of a single release, length, controversial themes, and the album’s overall reception limited its potential for greater chart performance. It remains a notable track within
💡 Trivia
Okay, here’s some interesting trivia about Eminem’s “Untouchable” from his album Revival:
Length and Structure: “Untouchable” is one of Eminem’s longest songs, clocking in at over six minutes. It’s divided into two distinct halves, each with a different beat and lyrical focus. This structure was intentional, allowing him to explore different perspectives and styles within a single track.
Social Commentary: The song is a direct and unflinching commentary on racial inequality, police brutality, and systemic racism in America. It’s one of Eminem’s most politically charged songs, tackling sensitive and controversial topics head-on.
Rock Influence: The first half of the song features a prominent rock sample and a more aggressive, almost punk-rock delivery from Eminem. This was a deliberate choice to reflect the anger and frustration he felt about the issues he was addressing.
Sampling Controversy: The song samples Cheech & Chong’s “Earache My Eye”. While the sample itself isn’t controversial, some critics found the juxtaposition of the comedic sample with the serious subject matter of the song to be jarring and tonally inconsistent.
Critical Reception: “Untouchable” received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised Eminem’s willingness to address important social issues and his lyrical dexterity, while others criticized the song’s length, the perceived awkwardness of the sample, and the overall execution of its message.
Production Credits: The song was produced by Mr. Porter, a longtime collaborator of Eminem’s and a member of his former group, D12. Mr. Porter’s production style is known for its versatility, and he helped Eminem achieve the distinct sound of each half of the song.
Perspective Switching: Eminem raps from the perspectives of both a white police officer and a black man, offering contrasting viewpoints on the issues of race and law enforcement. This perspective-switching is a key element of the song’s message, highlighting the different experiences and perceptions of race in America.
Album Context: “Untouchable” is a pivotal track on Revival, an album that was itself met with mixed reactions. The song’s controversial themes and experimental sound contributed to the album’s divisive nature.
Live Performances: Due to its length and complexity, “Untouchable” has not been performed live by Eminem very often. When he has performed it, he typically only performs excerpts or portions of the song.
Impact and Discussion: Regardless of critical reception, “Untouchable” sparked a significant amount of discussion about race, police brutality, and Eminem’s role as a white rapper addressing these issues. It remains a notable and controversial entry in his discography.
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