Rock Bottom, Pt. 1

"Rock bottom" is a broad concept that means different things to different people and since I've been living in Israel I've come close to hitting it. In fact, "rock bottom" isn't even necessarily a bad thing. In one sense the expression conveys descent into a monster, as in the Eminem song, "Rock Bottom." In another sense, it means absolute freedom, as in the book/movie, Fight Club. It also means feeling emotionally bankrupt and devoid of any hope. As an oleh hadash that has been struggling to assimilate in a country wherein the residents speak a different language than I do, I've come within arm's reach of some combination of the three types of "rock bottom." In three installments, I'll explore the definition of the term using outside sources, and then I'll write about my personal experiences.

In Eminem's song "Rock Bottom," the rapper laments about the various troubles in his life that are driving him to do things such as steal and murder, because his situation is desperate and has no easy solution. Some of his problems involve his employment, or lack thereof:

"My life is full of empty promises

And broken dreams

I'm hoping things will look up

But there ain't no job openings."

He also voices his frustration with not being able to provide for his family:

"And my daughter's down to her last diaper

That's got my ass hyper

I pray that god answers,

maybe I'll ask nicer"

There are many desperate elements of the song that seem to be the driving force of the descent to "rock bottom." In Eminem's version of "rock bottom," nothing good comes out of the situation. It seems more like a vicious cycle that perpetuates itself and forces one to become a social deviant that disregards all consequences and laws in order to survive.

"I want the money, the women, the fortune, and the fame

That Means I'll end up burning in hell scorching in flames

That means I'm stealing your checkbook and forging your name

Lifetime of bliss for eternal torture and pain"

Throughout the whole song there's an underlying implication that, while a person who's hit "rock bottom" might become a monster, it doesn't mean the person himself is bad. Rather, he was driven to this point and is aware that he is wrong but has no choice but to continue.

"There's people that love me and people that hate me

But it's the evil that made me this backstabbing, deceitful, and shady."

Finally, there is the chorus that sums up the song and tells the listener in a direct way what "rock bottom" is.

"That's Rock Bottom

When this life makes you mad enough to kill

That's Rock Bottom

When you want something bad enough to steal

That's Rock Bottom

When you feel you have had it up to here

Cause you mad enough to scream but you sad enough to tear"

According to Eminem, "rock bottom" is a sad, lonely, and restricting place, that no one in his right mind would ever want to experience. There is nothing good that comes from it and it only hurts those who are victim of this state of being, plus anyone that person might choose to rob or kill in order to provide for himself. This version is vastly different from the Fight Club version.

Part 2 coming soon...