Venom – Eminem

Eminem’s song “Venom,” released in 2018, serves as the lead single for the soundtrack of the film Venom, a Marvel anti-hero movie that centers around the duality of man and monster. The track is a perfect match for the movie, as it embodies the themes of transformation, struggle, and the symbiotic relationship between power and darkness. Through his signature rapid-fire flow and intense lyricism, Eminem crafts a song that is both a thrilling anthem and a powerful exploration of inner demons, fitting well with the movie’s narrative and deeper themes.

The Movie Connection
“Venom” was released alongside the film, which follows the character Eddie Brock, a journalist who becomes the host for an alien symbiote known as Venom. This symbiote gives him superhuman abilities but also drives him toward violent and chaotic behavior. The film, starring Tom Hardy, is a story of a man grappling with the monstrous power inside him, making Eminem’s involvement an ideal choice, as his music frequently touches on themes of internal conflict, anger, and personal demons.

The song reflects the movie’s premise: a transformation into something more powerful, but at the cost of losing control. Eminem captures this essence in his lyrics, using the metaphor of Venom’s parasitic influence to discuss his own struggles with fame, addiction, and his alter ego, Slim Shady. Just as Eddie Brock must come to terms with the alien force within him, Eminem has long dealt with his own darker impulses, using music as an outlet for both personal catharsis and creative genius.

Lyricism: The Darkness Within
The lyrics of “Venom” are classic Eminem—intense, clever, and laced with intricate wordplay. Right from the opening, Eminem sets the tone, referencing his “black heart” and being “a supervillain,” which is directly connected to the character of Venom. The lyrics reflect his ongoing internal battle, which mirrors the movie’s storyline of duality between Eddie Brock and Venom. Eminem raps:

“Knock knock, let the devil in / Manevolent as I’ve ever been”

These lines encapsulate the essence of both Eminem’s musical persona and the character of Venom. Eminem’s Slim Shady persona has long been characterized by aggression, rebellion, and a willingness to delve into taboo subjects, much like Venom’s monstrous and uncontrollable nature. By comparing himself to the “devil,” Eminem acknowledges the darker side of his personality, which often rears its head in his music. The use of the word “manevolent” (malevolent) further highlights this dark side, as he paints himself as a force of chaos, just like Venom.

The chorus of the song is hauntingly repetitive and mirrors the infectious nature of the symbiote. Eminem chants:

“Venom, I got that adrenaline momentum / Venom, not knowin’ when I’m ever gonna slow up.”

Here, Eminem plays with the idea of Venom being both an external force and a part of himself. Just like the symbiote, success and fame have given Eminem tremendous power, but they’ve also taken a toll on his mental and emotional well-being. The “adrenaline momentum” refers to both the constant rush of his career and the overwhelming presence of Venom within Eddie Brock.

Throughout the song, Eminem’s flow shifts from calm to frantic, mirroring the chaotic influence of the symbiote on Eddie Brock’s personality. This versatility reflects Eminem’s mastery of storytelling through rap, as he uses his voice to reflect the intensity of the inner conflict between good and evil, control and chaos. His rapid-fire delivery in the verses emphasizes the relentless nature of both the symbiote and his internal struggles, showing that neither can be easily subdued.

Themes of Power and Control
At its core, “Venom” is a song about power—both its allure and its dangers. The symbiote in Venom grants Eddie Brock incredible strength, but it also takes control of his actions, driving him toward violence. Similarly, Eminem’s fame and success have given him immense influence, but they’ve also brought immense pressure, scrutiny, and personal turmoil.

The line:

“I said knock knock, let the devil in / Shotgun-pellets in the felt pen”

is a particularly striking metaphor for how Eminem uses his words as weapons. The “devil” represents the destructive side of his personality, while the “shotgun-pellets” refer to his rapid-fire rhymes that hit hard and fast. This imagery emphasizes the power of his words and how they’ve shaped his career, but it also hints at the danger of allowing that power to consume him.

Eminem continues to explore these themes throughout the song, touching on how fame can feel like a parasitic force, much like Venom. The symbiote gives Eddie Brock the power to become something greater, but at the cost of his free will. Similarly, Eminem’s rise to fame has allowed him to become one of the greatest rappers of all time, but it’s also brought struggles with addiction, personal demons, and the pressure to constantly maintain his success.

The Music and Production
The production of “Venom” is as intense as its lyrics. Produced by Eminem alongside Luis Resto, the song features a dark, driving beat that matches the movie’s themes of horror and transformation. The heavy bass and sharp, punchy drums create a sense of urgency and aggression, mirroring the chaos that both Eddie Brock and Eminem experience in their respective worlds.

The song’s eerie undertones and dramatic production give it a cinematic feel, perfectly complementing its association with a superhero film. The tension builds as the song progresses, just as it does in the film, creating a sense of impending doom and unstoppable power. The production’s relentless pace also mirrors Eminem’s flow, as both the beat and the lyrics charge forward without slowing down.

Critical Reception and Impact
“Venom” was generally well-received by fans and critics alike, with many praising Eminem’s ability to blend his own personal themes with the storyline of the movie. While some critics viewed the song as a standard addition to a movie soundtrack, others appreciated the deeper connection between Eminem’s personal struggles and the narrative of Venom. The song also performed well commercially, charting on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning millions of streams across platforms.

The song’s music video, which features scenes from Venom, further highlights the parallels between Eminem and the character of Eddie Brock. In the video, everyday people are infected by the symbiote and take on some of Eminem’s characteristics, symbolizing how both Venom and Eminem’s music can influence and control those who come into contact with it.

Conclusion
“Venom” by Eminem is more than just a soundtrack single; it’s a deep exploration of power, control, and the battle between good and evil. Eminem masterfully weaves his own personal struggles into the narrative of the film, creating a song that resonates with both fans of the movie and fans of his music. With its dark production, intense lyricism, and themes of transformation, “Venom” stands as a testament to Eminem’s ability to use music as a medium for storytelling and self-reflection.

I got a song filled with sh- for the strong-willed
When the world gives you a raw deal
Sets you off ’til you scream, “Piss off! Screw you!”
When it talks to you like you don’t belong
Or tells you you’re in the wrong field
When something’s in your mitochondrial
‘Cause it latched on to you, like-
Knock knock, let the devil in
Manevolent as I’ve ever been, head is spinnin’
This medicine’s screamin’, “l-l-l-let us in!”
L-l-l-like a salad bowl, Edgar Allan Poe
Bedridden, shoulda been dead a long time ago
Liquid tylenol, gelatins, think my skeleton’s meltin’
Wicked, I get all high when I think I’ve smelled the scent
Of elephant manure, hell, I meant Kahlúa
Screw it, to hell with it, I went through hell with accelerants
And blew up my-my-myself again
Volkswagen, tailspin, bucket matches my pale skin
Mayo and went from hellmann’s and being rail thin
Filet-o-Fish, Scribble Jam, Rap Olympics ’97 Freaknik
How can I be down? Me and Bizarre in Florida
Proof’s room slept on the floor of da motel then
Dr. Dre said, “Hell yeah!”
And I got his stamp like a postcard, word to Mel-Man
And I know they’re gonna hate
But I don’t care, I barely can wait
To hit ’em with the snare and the bass
Square in the face, this f- world better prepare to get laced
Because they’re gonna taste my
Venom, (I got that) adrenaline momentum
And I’m not knowin’ when I’m
Ever gonna slow up and I’m
Ready to snap any moment I’m
Thinkin’ it’s time to go get ’em
They ain’t gonna know what hit ’em
(W-w-when they get bit with the)
Venom, (I got that) adrenaline momentum
And I’m not knowin’ when I’m
Ever gonna slow up and I’m
Ready to snap any moment I’m
Thinkin’ it’s time to go get ’em
They ain’t gonna know what hit ’em
(W-w-when they get bit with the)
I said knock knock, let the devil in
Shotgun p-p-pellets in the felt pen
Cocked, f- around and catch a hot one
It-it’s evident, I’m not done
V-venomous, the thoughts spun
Like a web and you just caught in ’em
Held against your will like a hubcap or mud flap
Beat strangler attack
So this ain’t gonna feel like a love tap
Eat painkiller pills, f- up the track
Like, what’s her name’s at the wheel? Danica Patrick
Threw the car into reverse at the Indy, a nut crashin’
Into ya, the back of it just mangled steel
My Mustang and the jeep Wrangler grill
With the front smashed, much as my rear fender, assassin
Slim be a combination of an actual kamikaze and Gandhi (Gandhi)
Translation, I will probably kill us both
When I end up backin’ into ya
You ain’t gonna be able to tell what the fuck’s happenin’ to ya
When you’re bit with the
Venom, adrenaline momentum
And I’m not knowin’ when I’m
Ever gonna slow up and I’m
Ready to snap any moment I’m
Thinkin’ it’s time to go get ’em
They ain’t gonna know what hit ’em
(W-w-when they get bit with the)
Venom, (I got that) adrenaline momentum
And I’m not knowin’ when I’m
Ever gonna slow up and I’m
Ready to snap any moment I’m
Thinkin’ it’s time to go get ’em
They ain’t gonna know what hit ’em
(W-w-when they get bit with the)
I said knock knock, let the devil in
Alien, E-E-Elliott phone home
Ain’t no telling when this chokehold
On this game will end, I’m loco
Became a symbiote, so
My fangs are in your throat, h-
You’re snake-bitten with my, venom
With the ballpoint pen, I’m
Gun cocked, bump stock, double-aught, buckshot
Tire thumper, a garrote, tie a couple knots
Fired up and caught fire, juggernaut
Punk rock, b-, it’s goin’ down like Yung Joc
‘Cause the Doc put me on like sunblock
Why the f-not, you only get one shot
Ate sh- ’til I can’t taste it
Chased it with straight liquor
Then paint thinner, then drank ’til I faint
And awake with a headache
And I take anything in rectangular shape
Then I wait to face the demons I’m bonded to
‘Cause they’re chasin’ me, but I’m part of you
So escapin’ me is impossible
I latch onto you like a parasite
And I probably ruined your parents’ life
And your childhood too
‘Cause if I’m the music that y’all grew up on
I’m responsible for you – fools
I’m the super villain Dad and Mom was losin’ their marbles to
You marvel that? Eddie Brock is you
And I’m the suit, so call me
Venom, (I got that) adrenaline momentum
And I’m not knowing when I’m
Ever gonna slow up and I’m
Ready to snap any moment I’m
Thinkin’ it’s time to go get ’em
They ain’t gonna know what hit ’em
(W-w-when they get bit with the)
Venom, (I got that) adrenaline momentum
And I’m not knowing when I’m
Ever gonna slow up and I’m
Ready to snap any moment I’m
Thinkin’ it’s time to go get ’em
They ain’t gonna know what hit ’em
(W-w-when they get bit with the)