“Stan” is easily one of Eminem’s most successful songs to date. The track comes from his third album, The Marshall Mathers LP, and is praised as one of his best-written songs.
From the get-go…
This track takes you on a narrative journey. The lyrics take the form of written correspondence between Eminem and someone named Stan, who claims to be the rapper’s most devoted follower.
As the tale unfolds, a downward spiral of obsession and depression ensues, and ends in tragedy. Since its release, the song has been a staple of live shows. Eminem has also performed it live with Dido and other artists such as Elton John as well.
Due to the realistic nature of the narrative and the delivery, many people have asked, “Is Stan based on a true story?” Was Slim plagued by a person whose whole life revolved around him?
The simple truth is no…
Stan wasn’t a real person who got obsessed with Eminem and drove off a bridge with his pregnant girlfriend in the trunk of his car. However, that doesn’t mean the track wasn’t addressing a very real phenomenon.
Inspiration and Analysis
It is often said that artists use lies to tell the truth about the world around them. And Eminem does this with great effect in “Stan.” While the person may be fictional, Stan’s story paints a very real and somewhat scary picture of modern society.
After releasing his second album, Eminem quickly became the most popular rapper in the world. His songs began garnering a lot of airplay, and MTV was flooded with his music videos. He quickly built up a small army of devoted fans.
Many of these devoted fans had begun expressing their adoration of the rapper through fan mail. Eminem was practically buried under letters and emails hailing him as some kind of Hip-Hop messiah. So, he decided to take inspiration from this obsession some of his fans have with him.
Thus the character of Stan was born…
Stan is a bit of a loner who lives with his pregnant girlfriend (played by Dido in the music video). He believes Eminem to be the greatest rapper ever. And he wants to make it known that he’s Shady’s most devoted fan.
Stan writes letters to Slim, making it clear that he knows everything there is to know about the rapper. He owns all of Eminem’s albums, and according to him, everything that Slim says is the law.
Despite not receiving a timely response from Eminem, Stan remains faithful. And he continues to write letters expressing his depression and alienation from the world.
According to Stan…
Eminem is the only person who understands him. So, he can’t understand why the rapper doesn’t acknowledge the importance of the “connection” they have.
Stan becomes angered when he is unable to get Slim’s autograph despite waiting for hours at a public appearance. He writes about this unhappiness in yet another letter to Slim. Despite the rapper’s indifference, Stan continues to remain an avid follower of his chosen prophet.
Stan’s obsession eventually gets the better of him, and he decides to kidnap his pregnant girlfriend after getting drunk. He records a final message to Eminem while driving on a rain-soaked highway and realizes too late that he forgot to send the recording.
In the aftermath…
The track ends with Slim finally having the time to reply to all of Stan’s fan mail. He apologizes for being so untimely and expresses an interest in his fan’s personal life. Em also warns him that he shouldn’t take the lyrics of the music too seriously and advises Stan to get help with his depression.
It ends with Eminem realizing that the person he is writing to is the crazy guy he read about in the news earlier that day.
Real or Not?
As mentioned, artists often use lies to tell the truth. The Stan in this particular story may never have existed. But Slim is making us very aware of the fact that there are potential “Stans” living out there in the world. In this regard, one can argue that Stan is a very real person.
This track serves as a sober warning to fans not to take the lyrics too seriously and not to elevate the rapper to a pedestal that robs him of his humanity. No matter how much larger than life he may seem, he is still just a person.
Are You a Fan of Eminem and Hip Hop?
If so, take a look at our detailed articles on the Best 90s Hip Hop Songs, the Best 2000s Rap Songs, the Best Birthday Hip Hop Songs, and the Best Sad Rap Songs for more great Hip Hop tunes.
Is Stan Based On A True Story? – Final Thoughts
Stan as a person, may technically have existed. But the story of this fictional Eminem super-fan might as well be the story of thousands of other obsessed and crazed fans the world over.
The track is a sobering reminder that artists are, in the end, people just like us. And, expecting anything other than art from them is expecting too much.
Until next time, happy listening.
