Guts Over Fear

## **Guts Over Fear**Single by Eminem

"*I'm not afraid anymore*"
—Belinda Carlisle
"**Guts Over Fear**" is a single by American rapper Eminem featuring Australian singer-songwriter Sia, from Eminem's compilation album *Shady XV*, released on 25 August 2014. This song is included in the credits of the film *The Equalizer*.

## Background

Previews of the song premiered in trailers for the film *The Equalizer*, starring Denzel Washington, and it was played over the end credits of said film. The song was officially released to iTunes on 25 August 2014, the same day Eminem announced his plans to release an album later that year.

## Content

The song's subject matter concerns Eminem and his struggles as an artist, and touches on moments of his career. Australian singer Sia provides the chorus, making this the second time the artists have collaborated, the first being "Beautiful Pain" from the deluxe version of *The Marshall Mathers LP 2*.

## Music video

Eminem posted a picture on Instagram to serve as a sneak peek for the upcoming music video. The video, which premiered on 24 November via VEVO, was filmed in Detroit, Michigan, directed by Syndrome and starring Alexander Wraith and Canadian model Winnie Harlow.

## Chart performance

The song debuted at number 22 on the *Billboard* Hot 100, selling 134,328 copies in its first week of release.

## Charts

### Weekly charts

 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)
 Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)
 Belgium Urban (Ultratop Flanders)
 Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)
 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)
 Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)
 Denmark (Tracklisten)
 France (SNEP)
 Hungary (Single Top 40)
 Germany (Official German Charts)
 Italy (FIMI)
 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)
 Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)
 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)
 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)
 US *Billboard* Hot 100
 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (*Billboard*)

## Lyrics

[Bridge: Eminem]

Feels like a close, it's coming to

Fuck am I gonna do?

It's too late to start over

This is the only thing I, thing I know

[Verse 1: Eminem]

Sometimes I feel like all I ever do is

Find different ways to word the same old song

Ever since I came along

From the day the song called “Hi! My Name Is” dropped

Started thinking my name was Fault

‘Cause any time things went wrong

I was the one who they would blame it on

The media made me the equivalent

Of a modern-day Genghis Khan

Tried to argue it was only entertainment, dog

Gangster? Nah, courageous balls

Had to change my style, they said I'm way too soft

And I sound like AZ and Nas, out came the claws

And the fangs been out since then

But up until the instant that I went against it

It was ingrained in me

That I wouldn't amount to a shit stain, I thought

No wonder I had to unlearn everything my brain was taught

"Do I really belong in this game?", I pondered

I just wanna play my part

Should I make waves or not?

So back and forth in my brain the tug of war wages on

And I don't wanna seem ungrateful

Or disrespect the art form I was raised upon

But sometimes you gotta take a loss

And have people rub it in your face

Before you get made pissed off

And keep plugging, it's your only outlet

And your only outfit, so you know they gonna talk about it

Better find a way to counter it quick and make it… ah

Feel like I've already said this a kabillion 80 times

How many times can I say the same thing

Different ways that rhyme?

What I really wanna say is, if there's anyone else that can relate to my story, bet you feel the same way I felt

When I was in the same place you are, when I was afraid to—

[Pre-Chorus: Sia, Eminem]

I was a, afraid to make a single sound

Afraid I would never find a way out, out, out

Afraid I'd never be found (My dreams)

I didn't wanna go another round (Yeah)

An angry man's power will shut you up (Agh!)

Trip wires fill this house with tip-toed love

Run out of excuses for everyone

So here I am and I will not run (Yeah)

[Chorus: Sia]

Guts over fear (The time is near)

Guts over fear (Might shed a tear)

For all the times I let you push me round

I let you keep me down (Now I got)

Guts over fear, guts over fear

[Bridge: Eminem]

Feels like a close, it's coming to

Fuck am I gonna do?

It's too late to start over

This is the only thing I, thing I know

[Verse 2: Eminem]

I know what it was like, I was there once

Single parents, hate your appearance

As you struggle to find your place in this world

And the pain spawns all the anger on

But it wasn't 'til I put the pain in song

Learned who to aim it on that I made a spark

Started to spit harder shit

Learned how to harness it while the reins were off

And there was a lot of bizarre shit, but the crazy part

Was soon as I stopped saying I gave a fuck

Haters started to appreciate my art

And it just breaks my heart to look at all the pain I caused

But what am I gonna do when the rage is gone

And the lights go out in that trailer park? Oh

And the window is closing and there's nowhere else that I can go with flows and I'm frozen

‘Cause there's no more emotion for me to pull from

Just a bunch of playful songs that I make for fun

So, to the break of dawn, here I go recycling the same old song

But I'd rather make “Not Afraid 2”

Than make another motherfucking “We Made You,” ah

Now, I don't wanna seem indulgent

When I discuss my lows and my highs

My demise and my uprise, pray to God

I just open enough eyes later on

And gave you the supplies and the tools

To hopefully use that'll make you strong

Enough to lift yourself up, when you feel like I felt

‘Cause I can't explain to y'all how dang exhausted my legs felt

Just having to balance my dang self

When on eggshells, I was made to walk

But thank you, Ma, ‘cause that gave me the

Strength to cause Shady-mania, so when they empty that stadium

Least I made it out of that house

And found a place in this world when the day was done

So this is for every kid who all's they ever did

Was dreamt of one day just getting accepted

I represent him or her, anyone similar

You are the reason that I made this song

And everything you're scared to say

Don't be afraid to say no more

From this day forward, just let them a-holes talk

Take it with a grain of salt—and eat their fucking faces off!

The legend of the angry blond

Lives on through you when I’m gone, and to think I was a—

[Pre-Chorus: Sia, Eminem]

I was a, afraid to make a single sound

Afraid I would never find a way out, out, out

Afraid I'd never be found (My dreams)

I didn't wanna go another round (Yeah)

An angry man's power will shut you up (Agh!)

Trip wires fill this house with tip-toed love

Run out of excuses for everyone

So here I am and I will not run (Yeah)

[Chorus: Sia]

Guts over fear (The time is near)

Guts over fear (Might shed a tear)

For all the times I let you push me round

I let you keep me down (Now I got)

Guts over fear, guts over fear

## References

1. ↑ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-eminem-and-sias-triumphant-new-duet-guts-over-fear-20140825
2. ↑ http://www.mtv.com/news/1987432/eminem-guts-over-fear-teaser/
3. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20141020180917/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.30530/title.hip-hop-singles-sales-this-week-eminem-iggy-azalea-nicki-minaj