I'm about to lose my mind
You've been gone for so long, I'm runnin' out of time
I need a doctor, call me a doctor
I need a doctor, doctor
To bring me back to life

I told the world, one day I would pay it back
Say it on tape, and lay it, record it so that one day I could play it back
But I don't even know if I believe it when I'm sayin' that
Doubts startin' to creep in, every day, it's just so grey and black
Hope, I just need a ray of that, 'cause no one sees my vision
When I play it for 'em, they just say it's wack, they don't know what dope is
And I don't know if I was awake or asleep when I wrote this
All I know is you came to me when I was at my lowest
You picked me up, breathed new life in me, I owe my life to you
But for the life of me, I don't see why you don't see like I do
But it just dawned on me you lost a son, demons fighting you, it's dark
Let me turn on the lights and brighten me and enlighten you
I don't think you realize what you mean to me, not the slightest clue
'Cause me and you were like a crew, I was like your sidekick
You gon' either wanna fight me when I get off this fuckin' mic
Or you gon' hug me, but I'm outta options, there's nothin' else I can do 'cause

I'm about to lose my mind
You've been gone for so long, I'm runnin' out of time
I need a doctor, call me a doctor
I need a doctor, doctor
To bring me back to life

It hurts when I see you struggle, you come to me with ideas
You say they're just pieces, so I'm puzzled, 'cause the shit I hear is crazy
But you're either gettin' lazy or you don't believe in you no more
Seems like your own opinions, not one you can form
Can't make a decision, you keep questionin' yourself
Second guessin' and it's almost like your beggin' for my help
Like I'm your leader, you're supposed to fuckin' be my mentor
I can endure no more I demand you remember who you are
It was you, who believed in me when everyone was tellin'
You don't sign me, everyone at the fuckin' label, let's tell the truth
You risked your career for me, I know it as well as you
Nobody wanted to fuck with the white boy, Dre, I'm cryin' in this booth
You saved my life, now maybe it's my turn to save yours
But I can never repay you, what you did for me is way more
But I ain't givin' up faith and you ain't givin' up on me
Get up, Dre, I'm dyin', I need you, come back for fuck's sake

I'm about to lose my mind
You've been gone for so long, I'm runnin' out of time
I need a doctor, call me a doctor
I need a doctor, doctor
To bring me back to life
Bring me back to life
Bring me back to life
I need a doctor, doctor
To bring me back to life

It literally feels like a lifetime ago
But I still remember the shit like it was just yesterday, though
You walked in, yellow jump suit, whole room, cracked jokes
Once you got inside the booth, told you, mic smoke
Went through friends, some of them I put on, but they just left
They said they was ridin' to the death, but where the fuck are they now?
Now that I need them, I don't see none of them
All I see is Slim, fuck all you fair-weather friends, all I need is him
Fuckin' backstabbers, when the chips were down you just laughed at us
Now you 'bout to feel the fuckin' wrath of Aftermath, faggots
You gon' see us in our lab jackets and ask us where the fuck we been?
You can kiss my indecisive ass crack, maggots
And the crackers' ass, little cracker jack beat
Makin' wack math, backwards producers, I'm back bastards
One more CD and then I'm packin' up my bags and as I'm leavin'
I guarantee they'll scream, "Dre, don't leave us like that man" 'cause

I'm about to lose my mind
You've been gone for so long, I'm runnin' out of time
I need a doctor, call me a doctor
I need a doctor, doctor
To bring me back to life

Edit Lyrics

Lyrics submitted by KidShady

I Need A Doctor Lyrics as written by Marshall B Mathers Iii Andre Young

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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I Need A Doctor song meanings

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15 Comments

+3
My Interpretation
The original transcriber did a great job with a difficult song, so I congratulate them for that. Their version provide me with a largely accurate base, on which I've made some changes to key passages and, in my opinion, made the meaning of the song clearer and more consistent throughout. So, I've submitted my slightly different transcription of the song above. Please note that: I used the explicit version for these lyrics. Also note that there are three words in Dre's part where I was uncertain and placed alternatives (in brackets). And I'd like to say that I think this is a brilliant piece of writing. This song is destined to be a classic, studied by Literature students of the future. It's so rich and meaningful and the imagery so vivid and real. It's classic Storytelling: as Music: as Rap; at its finest, purest and most viscerally honest. EVen the story itself is a genuine classical theme that's been told in countless other beautiful art forms since humans began making art - A pupil coming to the aid of a beloved teacher. A sophisticatedly complex yet precisely pointed piece, if ever there was one. I love it.

The original transcriber did a great job with a difficult song, so I congratulate them for that. Their version provide me with a largely accurate base, on which I've made some changes to key passages and, in my opinion, made the meaning of the song clearer and more consistent throughout. So, I've submitted my slightly different transcription of the song above. Please note that: I used the explicit version for these lyrics. Also note that there are three words in Dre's part where I was uncertain and placed alternatives (in brackets). And I'd like to say that I think this is a brilliant piece of writing. This song is destined to be a classic, studied by Literature students of the future. It's so rich and meaningful and the imagery so vivid and real. It's classic Storytelling: as Music: as Rap; at its finest, purest and most viscerally honest. EVen the story itself is a genuine classical theme that's been told in countless other beautiful art forms since humans began making art - A pupil coming to the aid of a beloved teacher. A sophisticatedly complex yet precisely pointed piece, if ever there was one. I love it.

Reason:

westcoastjadeon February 26, 2011 Link
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@westcoastjade

Beautiful comment, you've opened my eyes to the depth of this song. I wouldn't have regarded it and I'm glad that now I won't disregard 'rap' music as being a less deep art form ever again.

iheartthiswebsiteon November 11, 2013
+2
General Comment
Basically the first verse is Em tellin' Dre how grateful he is for him, and how their friendship grew to something big. The "lost his son" line was about Dre's son who died from a drug overdose in 2008, not about Proof. He's been grieving over that and Em is saying he's still there for Dre. The second verse is about why it took Dre to make Detox. There were many songs that were written for the album but it sounds as though Dre couldn't make up his mind whether songs/ideas were worth using. He would seek approval from Em on what he should do, when he is the one that should know what to do on his own. Em's reminding Dre about how everyone had doubt in Em and didn't want Dre to sign him. Dre didn't listen to them, risking his career, but had complete faith in his decision in signing Em. Em wants Dre to remember who he is and to have the confidence in himself that he once had. Dre's verse starts talking about when Em came in to record his first album, people made fun of his attire and probably about him being white, but once he got on the mic he was on fire, and proved Dre was right about signing him. Then goes on saying how people said they were down with him til death, but when he needs them, they didn't give a shit and left, except Em and that's all he needs. Those that were supposed to be his friends turned their backs on him and didn't care when things weren't going good for him. I think the lab jackets line means he's been in Aftermath studios writing for the album, or other artists. In Forgot About Dre he states "Now all I get is hate mail all day, sayin Dre fell off. What cause I been in the lab with a pen and a pad tryna get this damn label off." And those that haven't been paying attention can kiss his ass and Em's ass. Then ends it stating Detox will be his last album, and that those that lost interest in him won't want him to leave again.

Basically the first verse is Em tellin' Dre how grateful he is for him, and how their friendship grew to something big. The "lost his son" line was about Dre's son who died from a drug overdose in 2008, not about Proof. He's been grieving over that and Em is saying he's still there for Dre. The second verse is about why it took Dre to make Detox. There were many songs that were written for the album but it sounds as though Dre couldn't make up his mind whether songs/ideas were worth using. He would seek approval from Em on what he should do, when he is the one that should know what to do on his own. Em's reminding Dre about how everyone had doubt in Em and didn't want Dre to sign him. Dre didn't listen to them, risking his career, but had complete faith in his decision in signing Em. Em wants Dre to remember who he is and to have the confidence in himself that he once had. Dre's verse starts talking about when Em came in to record his first album, people made fun of his attire and probably about him being white, but once he got on the mic he was on fire, and proved Dre was right about signing him. Then goes on saying how people said they were down with him til death, but when he needs them, they didn't give a shit and left, except Em and that's all he needs. Those that were supposed to be his friends turned their backs on him and didn't care when things weren't going good for him. I think the lab jackets line means he's been in Aftermath studios writing for the album, or other artists. In Forgot About Dre he states "Now all I get is hate mail all day, sayin Dre fell off. What cause I been in the lab with a pen and a pad tryna get this damn label off." And those that haven't been paying attention can kiss his ass and Em's ass. Then ends it stating Detox will be his last album, and that those that lost interest in him won't want him to leave again.

Reason:

LoserxAndxSmileon March 05, 2011 Link
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@LoserxAndxSmile
+1
General Comment
I really like this song. He is talking about how Dr. Dre left him and is singing him to come back. in the chorus it says "I need a doctor" meaning Dr. Dre. He is also thanking him for believing in a white rapper like him.

I really like this song. He is talking about how Dr. Dre left him and is singing him to come back. in the chorus it says "I need a doctor" meaning Dr. Dre. He is also thanking him for believing in a white rapper like him.

Reason:

Lchanteloison February 06, 2011 Link
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@Lchantelois
0
General Comment
here are my corrections. Think I got em all right. Say it on tape and lay it, record it so that one day I could play it back. Doubt's startin' to creep in. everyday is just so grey and black. But they don't know what dope is, and I don't know if I was awake or asleep when But it just dawned on me, you lost a son. Demons fighting you? It's dark. You gonn' either wanna fight me when I get off this fuckin' mic. Oh, you gonn' haunt me, but I'm out of options. Can't make a decision, you keep questionin' yourself. But I could never repay you, what you did for me is more. It literally feels like a lifetime ago. But I still remember it like it was just yesterday though. You walked in yellow jumpsuit, whole room cracked jokes. But once you got inside the booth, told you, mic smoke. Went through friends, some of them I put on but they just left They said they was ridin to the death, but where the fuck are they now? Now that I need them, I don't see none of them. All I see is Slim. Lil' cracker jack beats. makin' whack-ass backwards producers, I'm back bastards.

here are my corrections. Think I got em all right. Say it on tape and lay it, record it so that one day I could play it back. Doubt's startin' to creep in. everyday is just so grey and black. But they don't know what dope is, and I don't know if I was awake or asleep when But it just dawned on me, you lost a son. Demons fighting you? It's dark. You gonn' either wanna fight me when I get off this fuckin' mic. Oh, you gonn' haunt me, but I'm out of options. Can't make a decision, you keep questionin' yourself. But I could never repay you, what you did for me is more. It literally feels like a lifetime ago. But I still remember it like it was just yesterday though. You walked in yellow jumpsuit, whole room cracked jokes. But once you got inside the booth, told you, mic smoke. Went through friends, some of them I put on but they just left They said they was ridin to the death, but where the fuck are they now? Now that I need them, I don't see none of them. All I see is Slim. Lil' cracker jack beats. makin' whack-ass backwards producers, I'm back bastards.

Reason:

sirkuttinon February 04, 2011 Link
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@sirkuttin
0
Lyric Correction
[Chorus] I'm about to lose my mind, you've been gone for so long. I'm runnin' out of time. I need a doctor. Call me a doctor. I need a doctor...doctor.. To bring me back to life. [Eminem] I told the world, one day I would pay it back. Say it on tape and lay it, record it so that one day I could play it back. But I don't even know if I believe it when I'm sayin' that. Doubts startin' to creep and every day is just so grey and black. Hope, I just need a ray of that. 'Cause no one sees my vision when I play if for 'em they just say it's whack. But they don't know what dope is, and I don't know if I was awake or asleep when I wrote this. All I know is, you came to me when I was at my lowest. You picked me up, breathed new life in me. I owe my life to you. But for the life of me, I don't see why you don't see like I do. But it just dawned on me, you lost a son. Demons fightin' you - it's dark. Let me turn on the lights and brighten me, and enlighten you. I don't think you realize what you mean to me, not the slightest clue. 'Cause me and you, were like a crew. I was like your sidekick. You gon' either wanna fight when I get off this fuckin' mic Or you gon' hug me, but I'm outta options There's nothin' else I can do 'cause [Chorus] [Eminem] It hurts, when I see you struggle. You come to me with ideas. You say they're just pieces, so I'm puzzled. 'Cause the shit I hear is crazy. But you're either gettin' lazy or you don't believe in you no more. Seems like your own opinion's not one you can form. Can't make a decision, you keep questionin' yourself. Second guessin' and it's almost like your beggin' for my help. Like I'm your leader, you're supposed to fuckin' be my mentor. I can endure no more I demand you remember who you are. It was you who believed in me. When everyone was tellin' you don't sign me. Everyone at the fuckin' label, let's tell the truth. You risked your career for me, I know it as well as you. Nobody wanted to fuck with the white boy tramp cryin' in this booth. You saved my life now maybe it's my turn to save yours. But I could never repay you, what you did for me is way more. But I ain't givin' up faith, and you ain't givin' up on me. Get up Dre, I'm dyin', I need you, come back for fuck's sake 'cause [Chorus] (Bring me back to life x2 I need a doctor, doctor. To bring me back to life.) [Dr. Dre] It literally feels like a lifetime ago. But I still remember this shit like it was just yesterday though. You walked in yellow jumpsuit, the whole room cracked jokes. Once you got inside the booth, told you - mic smoke. I went to friends, some of whom I put on. But they just laughed. They said they was ridin' (writin') to the death, but where the fuck are they now? Now that I beat them, I don't see none of them all I see is Slim. Fuck all you fair-weather friends, all I need is him! Fuckin' backstabbers, when the chips were down you just laughed at us. Now you 'bout to feel the fuckin' wrath of Aftermath, faggots. You gon' see us in our lab jackets, and ask where the fuck we been? You can kiss my indecisive ass crack, maggots - and the cracker's ass. Lil' Cracker Jack be(ats) makin' whack (m)ass rappers, producers, I'm back bastards. One more CD and then I'm packin' up my bags. And as I'm leavin' I guarantee they'll scream, "Dre don't leave us like that, man" 'cause [Chorus]

[Chorus] I'm about to lose my mind, you've been gone for so long. I'm runnin' out of time. I need a doctor. Call me a doctor. I need a doctor...doctor.. To bring me back to life. [Eminem] I told the world, one day I would pay it back. Say it on tape and lay it, record it so that one day I could play it back. But I don't even know if I believe it when I'm sayin' that. Doubts startin' to creep and every day is just so grey and black. Hope, I just need a ray of that. 'Cause no one sees my vision when I play if for 'em they just say it's whack. But they don't know what dope is, and I don't know if I was awake or asleep when I wrote this. All I know is, you came to me when I was at my lowest. You picked me up, breathed new life in me. I owe my life to you. But for the life of me, I don't see why you don't see like I do. But it just dawned on me, you lost a son. Demons fightin' you - it's dark. Let me turn on the lights and brighten me, and enlighten you. I don't think you realize what you mean to me, not the slightest clue. 'Cause me and you, were like a crew. I was like your sidekick. You gon' either wanna fight when I get off this fuckin' mic Or you gon' hug me, but I'm outta options There's nothin' else I can do 'cause [Chorus] [Eminem] It hurts, when I see you struggle. You come to me with ideas. You say they're just pieces, so I'm puzzled. 'Cause the shit I hear is crazy. But you're either gettin' lazy or you don't believe in you no more. Seems like your own opinion's not one you can form. Can't make a decision, you keep questionin' yourself. Second guessin' and it's almost like your beggin' for my help. Like I'm your leader, you're supposed to fuckin' be my mentor. I can endure no more I demand you remember who you are. It was you who believed in me. When everyone was tellin' you don't sign me. Everyone at the fuckin' label, let's tell the truth. You risked your career for me, I know it as well as you. Nobody wanted to fuck with the white boy tramp cryin' in this booth. You saved my life now maybe it's my turn to save yours. But I could never repay you, what you did for me is way more. But I ain't givin' up faith, and you ain't givin' up on me. Get up Dre, I'm dyin', I need you, come back for fuck's sake 'cause [Chorus] (Bring me back to life x2 I need a doctor, doctor. To bring me back to life.) [Dr. Dre] It literally feels like a lifetime ago. But I still remember this shit like it was just yesterday though. You walked in yellow jumpsuit, the whole room cracked jokes. Once you got inside the booth, told you - mic smoke. I went to friends, some of whom I put on. But they just laughed. They said they was ridin' (writin') to the death, but where the fuck are they now? Now that I beat them, I don't see none of them all I see is Slim. Fuck all you fair-weather friends, all I need is him! Fuckin' backstabbers, when the chips were down you just laughed at us. Now you 'bout to feel the fuckin' wrath of Aftermath, faggots. You gon' see us in our lab jackets, and ask where the fuck we been? You can kiss my indecisive ass crack, maggots - and the cracker's ass. Lil' Cracker Jack be(ats) makin' whack (m)ass rappers, producers, I'm back bastards. One more CD and then I'm packin' up my bags. And as I'm leavin' I guarantee they'll scream, "Dre don't leave us like that, man" 'cause [Chorus]

Reason:

westcoastjadeon February 26, 2011 Link
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@westcoastjade

Belated correction to my submission.

Line 6 of [Dr Dre] should probably be:

"But they just left"

westcoastjadeon February 26, 2011

And Line 8 of [Dr Dre] should probably be:

"Now that I need them, I don't see none of them, all I see is Slim."

westcoastjadeon February 26, 2011
0
General Comment
i dont know if this is true or not just throwin it out there did he like Dale Earnhardt SR cause in the music video it shows feburary 18th 2001 when he flips the car which is the date of Dale's death...idk im just throwin it out there

i dont know if this is true or not just throwin it out there did he like Dale Earnhardt SR cause in the music video it shows feburary 18th 2001 when he flips the car which is the date of Dale's death...idk im just throwin it out there

Reason:

ijustmadethisaccounton April 02, 2011 Link
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@ijustmadethisaccount
0
Song Meaning
I'm going with what i've heard and what i've guessed... i think it's about Dre retiring and eminem not wanting him to and eminem saying he needs him the most now but Dre keeps saying i don't want to leave you because im in pain too but i have the feeling i have to and we are the only ones who care and are taking care of each other............ sooo.. pretty much, yeah that's what i think lol i love the song tho ;D

I'm going with what i've heard and what i've guessed... i think it's about Dre retiring and eminem not wanting him to and eminem saying he needs him the most now but Dre keeps saying i don't want to leave you because im in pain too but i have the feeling i have to and we are the only ones who care and are taking care of each other............ sooo.. pretty much, yeah that's what i think lol i love the song tho ;D

Reason:

xxMUSICxGODESSxxon April 28, 2011 Link
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@xxMUSICxGODESSxx
0
General Comment
The lyrics on this are pretty straightforward. In a way, it's a 'love' song - not romantic love, but deep friendship. Eminem is worried because he feels like Dre has lost focus and decisiveness, and perhaps has been admitting to caring about what other people think; Em is reminding his mentor that he's there for him, and will always be there for him. In the last verse, Dre confirms his friendship with Eminem and takes some shots at former friends who have left him over the years.

The lyrics on this are pretty straightforward. In a way, it's a 'love' song - not romantic love, but deep friendship. Eminem is worried because he feels like Dre has lost focus and decisiveness, and perhaps has been admitting to caring about what other people think; Em is reminding his mentor that he's there for him, and will always be there for him. In the last verse, Dre confirms his friendship with Eminem and takes some shots at former friends who have left him over the years.

Reason:

xaratheruson May 12, 2011 Link
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@xaratherus
0
General Comment
I'll say one thing about the lyrics on this page. I'd misheard "you lost the sun; demons fighting you." But if you put that with the end of the video, it really does sound like he said "you lost a son." Whadya wanna bet that was deliberate?

I'll say one thing about the lyrics on this page. I'd misheard "you lost the sun; demons fighting you." But if you put that with the end of the video, it really does sound like he said "you lost a son." Whadya wanna bet that was deliberate?

Reason:

CloudLevion June 06, 2011 Link
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@CloudLevi
0
General Comment
""I Need A Doctor" as written by Andre Young" That is incorrect. Eminem wrote the lyrics and then handed Dre the song and got him to sync it with the song itself. They said so on the documentary on the label.

""I Need A Doctor" as written by Andre Young" That is incorrect. Eminem wrote the lyrics and then handed Dre the song and got him to sync it with the song itself. They said so on the documentary on the label.

Reason:

Derangeddon March 14, 2017 Link
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@Derangedd