Headlights

Album: The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013)
Charted: 66 45
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is a heartfelt message to Eminem's mother, Debbie Mathers, who he has skewered lyrically on previous offerings. The pair remain estranged, although Em reaches out to her here offering the sincerest of apologies.
  • Eminem specifically references the hurt caused by his The Eminem Show hit song "Cleanin Out My Closet," where he heavily criticized his mother for neglecting and mistreating him. Marshall explains it as an angry moment, adding that he no longer plays it at shows and he cringes every time it's on the radio.
  • During a Q&A session at SiriusXM's Town Hall mediated by Sway Calloway, Eminem was asked why he decided to apologize to his mother on this song after years of verbally abusing her. Slim Shady replied: "What I said on that record is what I have to say about it and I put it out there and that's pretty much all I'm gonna probably say about that,. Everything I needed to say and get off my chest I said it. So there's no need for me to even elaborate on it." Marshall shut down further discussion, saying "Headlights" is a "really personal" song for him that he doesn't want to say any more.
  • The song features Nate Ruess, the lead singer of pop-rockers Fun, crooning the hook. He recalled the collaboration during a 2015 Reddit AMA: "I didn't work with Eminem in the flesh. But the back & forth was amazing. He keeps (rightfully) everything really under wraps. So I didn't hear his verses until the song was released. To this day, it's one of my top three songs I've ever written. And all because of the verses he did."
  • The heartfelt video was was filmed in Detroit on April 5, 2014, and directed by film director Spike Lee. It was the first time that Lee had worked on a music clip since Michael Jackson's "This Is It" back in 2009.

    The clip takes a look at the turbulent times between Eminem and his mom before a moving reunion. It includes personal footage and photos of Marshall Mathers' childhood growing up in the Detroit neighborhood of 8 Mile. "It's a great, great story. It's heartfelt, some pain in it, but that's life," said Lee about the visual. "So that's why we're here, back in the 'hood, 8 Mile Detroit, shooting where all this took place."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.

Jules Shear - "All Through The Night"

Jules Shear - "All Through The Night"They're Playing My Song

Shears does very little promotion, which has kept him secluded from the spotlight. What changed when Cyndi Lauper had a hit with his song? Not much, really.

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.