Sing for the Moment

"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, as the fourth single from The Eminem Show and the final single in the United States. The song samples "Dream On" by American hard rock band Aerosmith.

"Sing for the Moment"
Single by Eminem
from the album The Eminem Show
Released	February 25, 2003
Genre	Hip hop rap rock
Length	5:40 (album version) 4:48 (clean radio edit)
Label	Aftermath Shady Interscope
Songwriter(s)	Eminem Jeff Bass Luis Resto Steve King Steven Tyler
Producer(s)	Eminem Jeff Bass (co.)
Eminem singles chronology
"Superman" (2003) "Sing for the Moment" (2003) "Business" (2003)
Music video
"Sing for the Moment" on YouTube
Audio sample
Eminem - "Sing for the Moment" file help

"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" 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 Curtain Call: The Hits (2005).

"Sing for the Moment" deals with the themes of rap music's effect on society and the misunderstanding Eminem claims critics and parents have towards his message. Eminem uses the song to refute critics who have accused him of promoting violence to young people, saying that committing a crime is ultimately up to the offender in a post-9/11 world. He also explains that his music has an advantage for young people, claiming that his music is a relief from boredom and depression. Eminem's altercation with a bouncer named John Guerrera is also referenced in this song.

That's why we seize the moment, try to freeze it and own it - Squeeze it and hold it, 'cause we consider these minutes golden"[1][2]

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.

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."[3]

DX magazine concluded that in this song Eminem is dealing with his life and called it "guitar-fueled track."[4] 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."[5]

Music video

The music video, released in 2003, is a collage created with various clips, including shots from the Anger Management Tour. It also contains cameos by various fellow rappers, including Dr. Dre, the members of D12, 50 Cent, Ludacris and Ras Kass. Eminem stands in neutral positions and stares at the camera several times in the video. The video is very similar to the 50 Cent music video "If I Can't". On The Eminem Show, "Sing for the Moment" segues into "Superman". On Curtain Call: The Hits, the segue also fades out as "Superman", since Superman is not included in the compilation. In a clean version of the video, the word "handguns" is omitted from the second verse ("any dispute won't hesitate to produce handguns").

Track listing

German CD single

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Sing for the Moment"	Marshall Mathers Jeffrey Bass Luis Resto Steve King Steven Tyler	Eminem Jeff Bass^[a]	5:40
2.	"Rabbit Run"	Mathers Resto	Eminem Luis Resto^[b]	3:10
Total length:				8:50

German Maxi CD single

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Sing for the Moment"	Marshall Mathers Jeffrey Bass Luis Resto Steve King Steven Tyler	Eminem Jeff Bass^[a]	5:40
2.	"Rabbit Run"	Mathers Resto	Eminem Luis Resto^[b]	3:10
3.	"Sing for the Moment" (instrumental)	Mathers Bass Resto King Tyler	Eminem Bass^[a]	6:25
4.	"Sing for the Moment" (video)	Mathers Bass Resto King Tyler	Eminem Bass^[a]	5:26
Total length:				20:41

German Limited Edition Maxi CD single (Encased in a limited edition digipak with three limited edition postcards)

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Sing for the Moment"	Marshall Mathers Jeffrey Bass Luis Resto Steve King Steven Tyler	Eminem Jeff Bass^[a]	5:40
2.	"Rabbit Run"	Mathers Resto	Eminem Luis Resto^[b]	3:10
3.	"Sing for the Moment" (instrumental)	Mathers Bass Resto King Tyler	Eminem Bass^[a]	6:25
4.	"Sing for the Moment" (video)	Mathers Bass Resto King Tyler	Eminem Bass^[a]	5:26
Total length:				20:41

UK CD single

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Sing for the Moment"	Marshall Mathers Jeffrey Bass Luis Resto Steve King Steven Tyler	Eminem Jeff Bass^[a]	5:40
2.	"Sing for the Moment" (instrumental)	Mathers Bass Resto King Tyler	Eminem Bass^[a]	6:25
3.	"Rabbit Run" (soundtrack version)	Mathers Resto	Eminem Luis Resto^[b]	3:10
4.	"Sing for the Moment" (video)	Mathers Bass Resto King Tyler	Eminem Bass^[a]	5:26
Total length:				20:41

UK Cassette

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Sing for the Moment"	Marshall Mathers Jeffrey Bass Luis Resto Steve King Steven Tyler	Eminem Jeff Bass^[a]	5:40
2.	"Sing for the Moment" (instrumental)	Mathers Bass Resto King Tyler	Eminem Bass^[a]	6:25
3.	"Rabbit Run" (soundtrack version)	Mathers Resto	Eminem Luis Resto^[b]	3:10
Total length:				15:15

Notes

• ^{^[a]} signifies a co-producer.
• ^{^[b]} signifies an additional producer.

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (2003) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[6] 5 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[7] 7 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[8] 6 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[9] 15 Brazil (APPD)[10] 99 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[11] 2 Denmark (Tracklisten)[12] 4 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[13] 2 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[14] 5 France (SNEP)[15] 5 Germany (Official German Charts)[16] 5 Ireland (IRMA)[17] 3 Italy (FIMI)[18] 5 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[19] 10 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[20] 8 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[21] 5 Norway (VG-lista)[22] 10 Poland (LP3)[23] 35 Portugal (AFP)[24] 1 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[25] 11 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[26] 17 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[27] 11 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[28] 8 UK Singles (OCC)[29] 6 US Billboard Hot 100[30] 14 US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[31] 18 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[32] 5

Year-end charts Chart (2003) Position Australia (ARIA)[33] 56 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[34] 41 Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[35] 55 Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)[36] 89 Germany (Official German Charts)[37] 45 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[38] 86 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[39] 61 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[40] 59 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[41] 106 US Billboard Hot 100[42] 89 Certifications Region Certification Certified units/sales Australia (ARIA)[43] Platinum 70,000^^ United Kingdom (BPI)[44] Gold 400,000 United States (RIAA)[45] Platinum 1,000,000 ^^shipments figures based on certification alone sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

References

1. "Eminem - Sing For The Moment Lyrics - MetroLyrics". Metrolyrics.com. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
2. "Eminem's Biography". Fox News. September 17, 2009.
3. "Music Review: The Eminem Show, by Eminem". Entertainment Weekly. June 7, 2002.
4. HipHopDX (18 May 2002). "Eminem - The Eminem Show (Advanced Copy)". HipHopDX.
5. "RapReviews.com Feature for May 28, 2002 - Eminem's "The Eminem Show"". rapreviews.com.
6. "Australian-charts.com – Eminem – Sing for the Moment". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
7. "Austriancharts.at – Eminem – Sing for the Moment" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
8. "Ultratop.be – Eminem – Sing for the Moment" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
9. "Ultratop.be – Eminem – Sing for the Moment" (in French). Ultratop 50.
10. "Brazilian Charts".
11. "Eminem Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
12. "Danishcharts.com – Eminem – Sing for the Moment". Tracklisten.
13. "Europe Official Top 100". Top40-Charts.com. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
14. "Eminem: Sing for the Moment" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
15. "Lescharts.com – Eminem – Sing for the Moment" (in French). Les classement single.
16. "Offiziellecharts.de – Eminem – Sing for the Moment". GfK Entertainment Charts.
17. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sing for the Moment". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
18. "Italiancharts.com – Eminem – Sing for the Moment". Top Digital Download.
19. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 17, 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40
20. "Dutchcharts.nl – Eminem – Sing for the Moment" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
21. "Charts.nz – Eminem – Sing for the Moment". Top 40 Singles.
22. "Norwegiancharts.com – Eminem – Sing for the Moment". VG-lista.
23. "Notowanie nr 1105" (in Polish). 4 April 2003. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
24. "Hits of the World - Portugal". Billboard. November 29, 2003. p. 51. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
25. "Arhiva romanian top 100 -Editia 25, saptamina 30.06-6.07, 2002" (in Romanian). Rt100.ro. Archived from the original on October 12, 2004. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
26. "Spanishcharts.com – Eminem – Sing for the Moment" Canciones Top 50.
27. "Swedishcharts.com – Eminem – Sing for the Moment". Singles Top 100.
28. "Swisscharts.com – Eminem – Sing for the Moment". Swiss Singles Chart.
29. "Eminem: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
30. "Eminem Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
31. "Eminem Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.
32. "Eminem Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
33. "2003 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA Charts. Australian Recording Industry Association Ltd. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
34. "Jahreshitparade Singles 2003". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
35. "Jaaroverzichten 2003". Ultratop (in Dutch). Ultratop & Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
36. "Rapporta Annuels 2003". Ultratop (in French). Ultratop & Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
37. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts 2003". Offizielle Deutsche Charts (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
38. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2002". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
39. "Årslista Singlar – År 2003" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
40. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2002". Hitparade (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
41. "ChartsPlus YE2003" (PDF). Ukchartsplus. ChartsPlus. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
42. "Top 100 Songs of 2002 - Billboard Year End Charts". Bobborst. Bobborst. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
43. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2003 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
44. "British single certifications – Eminem – Sing for the Moment". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 8, 2019. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Sing for the Moment in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
45. "American single certifications – Eminem – Sing For The Moment". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 28, 2018. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 

External links

• "Sing for the Moment" Official music video on YouTube
• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics