I recently listened to “The Monster” by Eminem and Rihanna, and the lyrics resonated deeply with me. Although it is an older song, its themes of mental health, understanding, and support remain relevant.
The line “I’m friends with The Monster that’s under my bed. Along with the voices inside my head, you’re trying to save me, stop holding your breath and you think I’m crazy, and you think I’m crazy but that’s not fair!”
What does it mean?
When we listen to songs, we usually focus on the melody rather than the depth of the lyrics. Imagine having a Monster under your bed and being friends with it.
It’s a frightening thought but what does it symbolize? It represents the inner demons that someone struggling with depression and social anxiety might face. You have caged your emotions for so long and when you finally decide to open up to someone, there’s this wave of toxic positivity all around and people trying to fix your feelings without understanding them.
They are trying to save you, but they still think you’re crazy. Who does that? Why will a savior think you are insane, when you’re just in need of understanding, recommendation of the podcast ( gospel or secular), and therapy? We can’t save people by gauging their experiences with our own. Everyone’s struggle is unique.
Consider this scenario
Rita is overwhelmed by family issues. She meets her friend Francis and tells him everything about how she feels. He tries to “walk her out” of her emotions because he feels he’s experienced worse and come out stronger. But that’s not how it works. Just because someone else’s experience might seem worse doesn’t diminish the validity of Rita’s emotions.
Rihanna’s vocals add an emotional depth to the song, particularly when she sings, “But that’s not fair!” This line highlights the frustration and desperation that come with feeling misunderstood and marginalized.
Boluwatife Alao 🌹
Reflective Writer 📍
