| "Cleanin' Out My Closet" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Eminem | ||||
| from the album The Eminem Show | ||||
| Released | July 29, 2002[1] | |||
| Recorded | 2001 | |||
| Length | 4:57 (album version) 5:42 (instrumental version) | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | Eminem | |||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| Eminem singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Cleanin' Out My Closet" on YouTube | ||||
"Cleanin' Out My Closet" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his album The Eminem Show (2002). "Cleanin' Out My Closet" was the second single released off the album following "Without Me" on July 29, 2002.[1] Unlike the preceding single which was as his humorous Slim Shady persona, "Cleanin' Out My Closet" was a serious song inspired by the events of Eminem's childhood and relationships. It depicts Eminem venting his anger towards his mother, Debbie Mathers, for the way she raised him. In the chorus, Eminem sarcastically apologizes to his mother for hurting her and making her cry, but takes it back by showing the world what his mother, according to him, was like.
It became the second top-ten single from the album, reaching number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and one of the highest-charting singles of his career. It was certified Platinum in Australia. "Cleanin' Out My Closet" was also used in the initial theatrical trailer to Eminem's R-rated film 8 Mile, released on November 8, 2002, but was not included on the film's soundtrack.