“Castle” is a song dedicated to Em’s daughter Hailie. It tells the story of his thoughts on how he was going to raise his daughter from before she was born and during her childhood years. The third verse includes Em’s thoughts on how Hailie will be affected by growing up in the spotlight, and how he uncritically exposed her and their troubled family life to the world from a young age.

For instance Hailie will have to deal with songs such as “Kim” and “97 Bonnie and Clyde” where not only is she mentioned in a narrative where Em kills her mother, but also unwittingly lent her vocals (as an infant) to help tell the story.

In a December 15th radio interview with Shade 45, Eminem provides more context on “Castle”:

When Hailie was about to be born, I would always write letters that I thought I would give her–just for her to have them or whatever. So I thought let me start from the beginning. “Castle” takes place in 2007, which leads to overdose and Christmas and her birthday and me missing that. Me not being there with my kids for Christmas was tough…

Em reenacts this drug overdose in the conclusion of “Castle,” which provides a fitting transition to the next song that more fully explores this moment in his life, “Arose.” Coupled together, these two songs provide a reflective look at Em’s life, ten years following this 2007 overdose.