i just saw Eminem’s new video for his song “Stan” for the first time. The song and video are about an obsessed Slim Shady fan who ends up killing himself and his girlfriend. Now, i know there are a lot of parts of that song that should’ve been edited out for MTV (and they were), but i was really suprised when they cut out the line in which Stan writes the line in his fan letter “P.S. We should be together, too.” For the life of me, i just can’t figure out what’s so bad about that line. No expletives, no inuendo, no reference to violence or drugs. Yet they still cut that whole line as well as Eminem’s response to it later in the song (which is practically two whole lines). Anybody have any idea why this was cut?
my own observation: when it comes to editing hip-hop videos, they have no clue. they’ll cut out some references and miss a lot of others–almost like they don’t understand the slang involved. i love when they cut drug (always weed) references but miss violent lines about killing people. what’s the point?
my favorite example: Queen Latifah had a song a while back called “U.N.I.T.Y.” about women standing up for themselves. a life from the chorus was “who you calling a bitch” and they would bleep the “bitch,” destroying the message of the song.
i guess the “Stan” line could be too scary a reference to stalking, but that seems pretty weak.
Yeah, that crossed my mind. That and the fact that it might be hinting around some homosexual feelings. But, as you said, that’s pretty weak.
Anyone else?
I don’t think the line is a stalking reference, I think Stan was saying he was in love with Eminem. Especially with the later lines: “I love you Slim/We could have been together, think about it/You ruined me now/I hope you can’t sleep and you dream about it…” Now, I’ve never heard any guy talk about their favorite musicians like that. The only person I’ve heard say they “love” so-and-so was female, under age 15, and on her way to an N’SYNC concert.
Darn it, I need to be faster on these posts, Diesel! I read your post as I was previewing this.
i think i figured it out. Stan is obviously suicidal and when he says “we should be together,” i think he means in death. he has tried really hard to be Eminem’s friend in life and feels rejected, a murder/suicide would unite them forever. plausible?