Exploring the Real Meaning of Eminem’s “Temporary”: Our Interpretation

Eminem’s latest track, “Temporary,” is an emotional farewell to his daughter, Hailie Jade Scott. The song features heartfelt lyrics where Eminem raps, “And, sweetie, be strong. I know I was your rock. And I still am. Saying goodbye is just not. Ever easy. But why you crying? Just stop Hailie, baby, dry your eye, this is not. Forever.” The touching message underscores the rapper’s close bond with his daughter.

Hailie Jade, who first gained public attention at the tender age of six when Eminem mentioned her in his 2002 hit “Cleanin’ Out My Closet,” has grown up significantly since then. In the song, Eminem proudly rapped, “Hailie’s gettin’ so big now; you should see her; she’s beautiful.” He continues, “But, you’ll never see her. She won’t even be at your funeral.” Eminem and his ex-wife Kim Mathers were determined to keep Hailie away from the limelight during her formative years. However, as an adult, Hailie has now stepped into her own spotlight, boasting a husband and an impressive Instagram following of over 3.4 million.

The musical connection between Eminem and Hailie has deep roots. She was first featured in a song back in 1999, in the controversial track “97′ Bonnie & Clyde.” The lyrics of the song detail a dark narrative where Eminem talks about killing Hailie’s mother, Kim, and involving his daughter in getting rid of the body. Eminem later revealed to Rolling Stone, “I lied to Kim and told her I was taking Hailie to Chuck E. Cheese that day, but I took her to the studio. When she found out I used our daughter to write a song about killing her, she f****** blew. We had just got back together for a couple of weeks. Then I played her the song, and she bugged the f*** out.” Despite the controversies of the past, it appears that Hailie’s involvement in her father’s music has taken a much more positive turn in recent years.

Eminem’s relationship with his daughter has always been a subject of media fascination, not just because of the raw, emotional songs he has written about their life but also because of the protective nature he exhibited while she was growing up. This deep bond is evident in the manner in which he reflects about Hailie in his music. Whether through tales of their struggles or expressions of his undying support, Eminem has never shied away from discussing their relationship.