The Formal Analysis

I suppose since I asked for help, I'd post the analysis...see the video on the last post for the source material.

Eminem-“Lose Yourself” from the 8 Mile Soundtrack

Formal Analysis


Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” is written in the style of hip-hop containing drum/percussion tracks and synthesized instrumental additions.
This piece is written in the key of D harmonic minor. Throughout the piece, the harmonic structure never varies outside of a few chords, those being i-iv-i-V in the Verse or A sections, and i-iv-V-i in the B or chorus sections. The tonic is strengthened throughout the A and B sections with the use of pedal D being articulated as repeating eighth notes while the harmonic changes move on top of it. The V chord contains the leading tone in both the chorus and the verse but in the chorus, it is placed in a higher octave. The overall form of the piece is an Introduction (a1) followed by A-A-B-B-A-A-B-B-A-A-A-B-B and ending with an outro (a2).
The melody of the piece, though lacking pitch does have a contour and shape to it. The first syllables of his lyrics in the chorus are accented but fall on the off beats relying on heavy syncopation. The verse does a similar accent pattern but not as frequently.
The lyrical aspect of the piece tells the story of a rapper nervous before performing and choking on his words but not giving in. Eminem emphasizes in the chorus the need to “lose yourself” in the music. If you only have one opportunity to succeed you have to grab it and run with it. The lyrics in the verse form are built in pairs of four line stanzas. The chorus is also a four line grouping, but it is not paired with another grouping. In the verse, the last few lyrics before the next verse form lead-in to that next B section like an appoggiatura, also helping to create the melodic contour discussed earlier.
In its entirety, the length of the piece is five minutes and thirty-two seconds. In the end, the track is faded out while the B form is looped following the outro.