"Before I Close My Eyes"
Song by XXXTentacion
from the album ?
ReleasedMarch 16, 2018
GenreBallad
Length1:40
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Cunningham

"Before I Close My Eyes" (stylized in all lowercase) is a song by American rapper and singer XXXTentacion from his second studio album, ? (2018). Considered by critics to be some of his best work,[1][2] the song features XXXTentacion singing about his regrets of his past wrongdoings and hopes for repentance.[1] It was written by XXXTentacion and John Cunningham, and produced by Cunningham.[3]

Release and reception

The song was originally released as the outro to XXXTentacion's sophomore studio album, ? (2018). The song interpolates the children's bedtime lullaby, "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep". The song features an acoustic and orchestral instrumental, while X sings about his hope for repentance, and that he hopes it is not too late for his redemption.[1][4] The chorus repeats, "Before I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, I hope it's not too late for me".[3]

Critics from XXL and Legit.ng have described "Before I Close My Eyes" as one of X's best work. XXL wrote of the song's composition that "you can hear the hope and regret in the tone of [X's] voice,"[2] and was described by Mercy Mbuthia of Legit.ng as a "praye[r] for pardon" from X for his past wrongdoings.[1]

After XXXTentacion was murdered, the song gained further attention due to controversy about X's past, particularly in regards to his alleged violence against his ex-girlfriend, as the song is detailing his repentance for his past actions.[1][5] To some, the song highlights X's perceived improvements in character by the end of his life.[6] Singer Miley Cyrus gave tribute to X by posting a screenshot of "Before I Close My Eyes" following X's death on her Instagram and Twitter.[5][6]

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[7] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Mbuthia, Mercy (2022-05-18). "XXXTentacion's best songs of all time: Listen to the top 20 tracks". Legit.ng. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
  2. 1 2 "The 30 Best XXXTentacion Songs, Ranked". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
  3. 1 2 "XXXTentacion – before I close my eyes". Retrieved 2022-12-15.
  4. ↑ Caramanica, Jon (2018-03-21). "Two SoundCloud Rap Outlaws Push Boundaries From the Fringes". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
  5. 1 2 Sargent, Jordan (2018-06-19). "Kanye West, J. Cole, Miley Cyrus, Others React to XXXTentacion's Death". SPIN. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
  6. 1 2 "Rapper XXXTentacion is shot dead aged 20 - Miley Cyrus, Kanye West lead tributes". Hello!. 2018-06-19. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
  7. ↑ "American single certifications – XXXTentacion – Before I Close My Eyes". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
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