Step into the world of Eminem with “Lose Yourself,” the iconic anthem that skyrocketed to the top of the charts and captured the voice of a generation. If you’re searching for Lose Yourself lyrics, this page has you covered with song details, meaning, trivia and more. Eminem’s intense storytelling and raw energy in this track from the 8 Mile soundtrack turned it into one of the most celebrated rap songs ever. Let’s dive deep into its story, impact and legacy.
Full Song Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Song Title | Lose Yourself |
| Artist(s) | Eminem |
| Album/EP | 8 Mile: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture |
| Written by | Eminem (Marshall Mathers), Jeff Bass, Luis Resto |
| Produced by | Eminem, Jeff Bass, Luis Resto |
| Release Date | 28 October 2002 |
| Label | Shady Records, Interscope Records |
| Genre | Hip hop; Rap rock; Hardcore hip hop |
| Duration | 5:20 (album version) |
Lose Yourself Lyrics
[Intro]
Look, if you had one shot or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?
Yo
[Verse 1]
His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy
There’s vomit on his sweater already, mom’s spaghetti
He’s nervous, but on the surface, he looks calm and ready
To drop bombs, but he keeps on forgetting
What he wrote down, the whole crowd goes so loud
He opens his mouth, but the words won’t come out
He’s chokin’, how? Everybody’s jokin’ now
The clock’s run out, time’s up, over, blaow
Snap back to reality, ope, there goes gravity
Ope, there goes Rabbit, he choked, he’s so mad
But he won’t give up that easy, no, he won’t have it
He knows his whole back’s to these ropes, it don’t matter
He’s dope, he knows that, but he’s broke, he’s so stagnant
He knows when he goes back to this mobile home, that’s when it’s
Back to the lab again, yo, this old rhapsody
Better go capture this moment and hope it don’t pass him
[Chorus]
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (Go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (Go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better
[Verse 2]
His soul’s escaping through this hole that is gaping
This world is mine for the taking, make me king
As we move toward a new world order
A normal life is boring, but superstardom’s
Close to post-mortem, it only grows harder
Homie grows hotter, he blows, it’s all over
These hoes is all on him, coast-to-coast shows
He’s known as the Globetrotter, lonely roads
God only knows he’s grown farther from home, he’s no father
He goes home and barely knows his own daughter
But hold your nose ’cause here goes the cold water
These hoes don’t want him no mo’, he’s cold product
They moved on to the next schmoe who flows
He nose-dove and sold nada, and so the soap opera
Is told, it unfolds, I suppose it’s old, partner
But the beat goes on, da-da-dom, da-dom, dah-dah-dah-dah
[Chorus]
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (Go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (Go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better
[Verse 3]
No more games, I’ma change what you call rage
Tear this motherfuckin’ roof off like two dogs caged
I was playin’ in the beginning, the mood all changed
I’ve been chewed up and spit out and booed off stage
But I kept rhymin’ and stepped right in the next cypher
Best believe somebody’s payin’ the Pied Piper
All the pain inside amplified by the
Fact that I can’t get by with my nine-to-
Five and I can’t provide the right type of life for my family
‘Cause, man, these goddamn food stamps don’t buy diapers
And there’s no movie, there’s no Mekhi Phifer, this is my life
And these times are so hard, and it’s gettin’ even harder
Tryna feed and water my seed, plus teeter-totter
Caught up between bein’ a father and a prima donna
Baby-mama drama, screamin’ on her, too much for me to wanna
Stay in one spot, another day of monotony’s gotten me
To the point I’m like a snail, I’ve got
To formulate a plot or end up in jail or shot
Success is my only motherfuckin’ option, failure’s not
Mom, I love you, but this trailer’s got
To go, I cannot grow old in Salem’s Lot
So here I go, it’s my shot, feet, fail me not
This may be the only opportunity that I got
[Chorus]
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (Go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better lose yourself in the music
The moment, you own it, you better never let it go (Go)
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo
You better
[Outro]
You can do anything you set your mind to, man
Meaning / Interpretation
“Lose Yourself” tells the story of a hungry MC who feels the weight of an entire dream on his shoulders. Inspired by Eminem’s film character B‑Rabbit, the song uses urgent percussion and tense melodies to convey the fear of failure and the adrenaline rush of a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity. It paints a vivid picture of a battle rapper grappling with nerves, doubt and hope
Beyond its cinematic narrative, the song resonates as a motivational anthem. Its core message is about seizing your moment and refusing to let fear paralyze you. Whether you’re on a stage, in a classroom or chasing a personal goal, the lyrics encourage listeners to push past obstacles, focus on the present and capture the opportunity before it slips away
About the Song
“Lose Yourself” is a song by American rapper Eminem from the soundtrack to the 2002 film 8 Mile. It was composed and produced by Eminem along with longtime collaborators Jeff Bass and Luis Resto, and its lyrics were written by Eminem. The track was released as the lead single from the soundtrack on 28 October 2002, blending hip‑hop with rap‑rock to create a driving, cinematic sound
The song became Eminem’s first Billboard Hot 100 number‑one single, holding the top spot for twelve consecutive weeks and topping charts in nineteen countries. It went on to be certified 13× Platinum by the RIAA and has been downloaded more than ten million times in the United States. “Lose Yourself” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song—the first rap song ever to receive that honor—and earned Grammys for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Solo Performance.
The track’s creation is as legendary as its chart run. Jeff Bass recalled that they began work on it in September 2001 and spent about a year refining it. Eminem wrote many of the lyrics during breaks while filming 8 Mile, often scribbling on scrap paper or writing in a portable studio on set. This intense process is reflected in the song’s raw energy and authentic storytelling.
Watch Lyrics Video
FAQs
Who wrote Lose Yourself lyrics?
The lyrics to “Lose Yourself” were written by Eminem (Marshall Mathers). Jeff Bass and Luis Resto co‑composed and contributed to the music
What is Lose Yourself about?
The song tells the story of a rapper at a pivotal moment, capturing the nerves, determination and urgency of seizing a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity. It mirrors the struggles of Eminem’s character B‑Rabbit in 8 Mile, encouraging listeners to overcome self‑doubt and grasp their moment
When was Lose Yourself released?
The song was produced by Eminem with additional production and musical contributions from Jeff Bass and Luis Resto
Which album/EP features Lose Yourself?
It appears on the soundtrack album 8 Mile: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture, which accompanied the 2002 film 8 Mile
Did Lose Yourself win any awards?
Yes. The track became the first hip‑hop song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song and also won Grammys for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Solo Performance
Trivia & Fun Facts
- Written on set: Eminem penned many of the lyrics during breaks while filming 8 Mile. Jeff Bass said the song took about a year to develop and was refined on location.
- Chart dominance: It was Eminem’s first Billboard Hot 100 number‑one single, staying at the top for twelve consecutive weeks and becoming an international hit.
- Historic awards: “Lose Yourself” was the first rap song to win an Oscar, and it also collected multiple Grammy Awards.
