Revival
Walk on Water
Eminem
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
24
End
117
Internal
67
Multi
171
Slant
11
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Beyoncé & Eminem]
I walk on water✦
But I ain't no Jesus✦
I walk on water✦ (It's true, I'm a Rubik's—,✦ it's true—)
But only✦ when it freezes✦ (It's true—)
[Post-Chorus: Beyoncé]
'Cause I'm only✦ human,✦ just like you
Makin'✦ my mistakes,✦ oh, if you only✦ knew
I don't think you should believe✦ in me the way that you do
'Cause I'm terrified✦ to let you down, oh
[Verse 3: Eminem]
It's true, I'm a Rubik's,✦ a beautiful mess
At times✦ juvenile, yes, I goof and I jest
A flawed✦ human,✦ I guess
But I'm doin' my best to not ruin your ex-
-pectations and meet 'em, but first, the "Speedom" verse
Now Big Sean, he's goin' too fast, is he gonna✦ shout or curse out his mom?
There was a time I had the world by the balls, eatin'✦ out my palm
Every✦ album song I was spazzin' the fuck out on
And now I'm gettin'✦ clowned✦ and frowned✦ on
But the only✦ one who's looking down on me that matters now's DeShaun
Am I lucky✦ to be around✦ this long?
Begs the question, though, especially after✦ the methadone✦
As yesterday fades✦ and the Dresden home
Is burnt to the ground and all that's left of my house is lawn
The crowds are gone
And it's time to wash out the blonde
Sales✦ decline, the curtain's drawn
They're closin'✦ the set, I'm still pokin'✦ my head from out behind✦
And everyone✦ who has doubt, remind✦
Now take your best rhyme, outdo✦ it, now do it a thousand times✦
Now let 'em tell ya the world no longer✦ cares✦ or gives✦ a fuck about✦ your rhymes✦
And as I grow outta✦ sight, outta✦ mind, I might go outta✦ mine
'Cause how do I ever✦ let this mic go without a fight
When I made a fuckin'✦ tightrope outta✦ twine?
But when I do fall from these heights, though, I'll be fine
I won't pout or cry or spiral✦ down or whine
But I'll decide✦ if it's my final✦ bow this time around,✦ 'cause
[Chorus: Beyoncé]
I walk on water✦
But I ain't no Jesus✦
I walk on water✦
But only✦ when it freezes✦
[Post-Chorus: Beyoncé]
'Cause I'm only✦ human,✦ just like you
I've been makin'✦ my mistakes,✦ oh, if you only✦ knew
I don't think you should believe✦ in me the way that you do
'Cause I'm terrified✦ to let you down, oh
If I walked✦ on water,✦ I would drown
[Outro: Eminem]
'Cause I'm just a man but as long as I got a mic, I'm godlike
So me and you are not alike✦
Bitch, I wrote "Stan"
Technical Breakdown
8.5
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres7.5
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm9.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity7.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control8.0
Performance and control
Computed Score8.50
Production
— Rick Rubin, Skylar GreyBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
The verse functions as a transparent confession of artistic anxiety, using technical rhyme density to mask vulnerability while deconstructing the myth of the invincible rapper.
A
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
8
Delivery
enjambment across rhyme schemesinternal rhyme chainingself-referential lyricismconversational cadence shifts
Rhyme Architecture: Highly dense multi-syllabic clusters (Rubik's/beautiful/juvenile) transitioning into a more rhythmic, narrative-driven flow as the thematic tension regarding his legacy builds.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"I'm a Rubik's"
① A reference to the Rubik's Cube, implying he is complex, fragmented, and difficult to solve.② A playful phonetic setup leading into 'beautiful mess' to maintain the rhythmic flow of the scheme.
"world by the balls"
① Idiom for having total control or dominance over the rap industry.② A crude imagery choice juxtaposed with the 'eating out my palm' submissiveness contrast, highlighting his perceived loss of grip.
Exceptional technical mastery of internal rhyme placement
Vulnerable, high-stakes thematic narrative
Sophisticated use of enjambment to force the listener through his thought process
Occasional reliance on forced phrasing to complete complex rhyme patterns
Some metaphors are didactic rather than suggestive