Revival
Castle
Eminem
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
27
End
133
Internal
68
Multi
217
Slant
12
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Liz Rodrigues & Eminem]
I built this castle, now we are trapped✦ on the throne (Mm, uh, shit)
I'm sorry✦ we're alone✦
I wrote my chapter,✦ you'll turn the page when I'm gone
I hope you'll sing along✦
This is your song
I just want you to know that I ain't scared✦ (Ahem)✦
Whatever✦ it takes✦ to raise you, I'm prepared✦ (Alright,✦ let's see)
To do whatever,✦ to do whatever✦ (December✦ 1st, 1996)
Dear Hailie
(This is your song)
[Verse 2: Eminem]
You got your momma's personality, same eyes as I got
Her beautiful smile, but your ears are the same size as mine are
Sorry✦ for that, little minor mishap
But you'll grow into✦ 'em, baby,✦ I'm on the grind now
I'm doin' little shows, open✦ mics, all-nighters at studios
While I'm tryna✦ keep the lights on
Why does it seem like I'm so close to this dream, yet so far?
I just keep steerin', I'ma✦ turn into✦ someone
I haven't the slightest clue what I'ma✦ do if it falls through
You took your first steps today,✦ you'll probably walk soon
My Infinite CD flopped, too many✦ soft tunes✦
They're talkin'✦ bad about✦ Dad, it's tickin'✦ me off too
Makes✦ me feel like I don't belong✦ or something, ooh
I think I might have just stumbled onto✦ somethin' new
Got a prediction for the future,✦ I'm hopin'✦ that you
Open✦ this envelope when you're older✦ and it holds true
[Chorus: Liz Rodrigues & Eminem]
I built this castle, now we are trapped✦ on the throne
I'm sorry✦ we're alone✦
I wrote my chapter,✦ you'll turn the page when I'm gone
I hope you'll sing along✦
This is your song
I just want you to know that I ain't scared✦ (Ahem,✦ alright)✦
Whatever✦ it takes✦ to raise you, I'm prepared✦ (Let's see, December✦ 24th)
To do whatever,✦ to do whatever✦ (2007)
Dear Hailie
(This is your song)
[Verse 3: Eminem]
Now if you found these letters, I guess I better✦ try to explain
A lot's happened in between 'em since I rised✦ to this fame
I've said your name but always tried to hide your face
This game is crazy,✦ I wanted✦ to claim my love for you, but dang
I never✦ knew it'd be like this, if I did I wouldn't have done it
You ain't asked✦ for none of this shit, now you're being punished?✦
Things that should've been private with me and your mother✦ is public
I can't stomach, they can take this fame back, I don't want it!
I'll put out this last album, then I'm done with it
One-hundred percent finished,✦ fed up with it, I'm hangin'✦ it up, fuck it!
Excuse✦ the cursin',✦ baby,✦ but just know
That I'm a good person,✦ though they portray me as cold
And if things should worsen,✦ don't take this letter✦ I wrote
As a goodbye note, but your dad's at the end of his rope
I'm slidin'✦ down a slippery slope
Anyways sweetie, I better✦ go
I'm getting sleepy,✦ love, Dad–shit, I don't know
[The sound of a bottle of pills being opened is heard. Eminem ingests them and collapses over the floor]
Technical Breakdown
9.4
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres8.0
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm10.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity8.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control9.5
Performance and control
Computed Score9.36
Production
— DJ KhalilBe the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
The verse functions as a non-linear narrative bridge, using diaristic intimacy and meta-textual irony to frame the personal cost of artistic ambition.
A+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
8
Vocabulary
8
Wordplay
9.5
Delivery
diaristic realismmultisyllabic anchor rhymingmeta-commentary on discographyforeshadowinginternal phrasal linkage
Rhyme Architecture: Uses AAAA/BBBB cluster rhyming with heavy reliance on internal assonance and multi-syllabic linkage (e.g., personality/same eyes as I got/same size as mine are).
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"little minor mishap"
① A small or insignificant mistake or issue.② A double entendre on the word 'minor,' referencing Hailie as a child (a minor) and the auditory feature (ears) being the source of the 'mishap'.
"My Infinite CD flopped, too many soft tunes"
① A critical assessment of his debut album 'Infinite' failing commercially.② A meta-textual admission where he analyzes his own past artistic failure, setting the stage for his subsequent 'Slim Shady' persona pivot.
Vulnerable, high-stakes narrative voice
Seamless integration of technical rhyme density with conversational cadence
Effective use of the 'dear diary' conceit to ground the listener
Strong emotional resonance through specific biographical detail
Reliance on straightforward confession can border on melodrama
Some internal multi-syllabics are rhythmically dense to the point of potentially overshadowing the emotional core for casual listeners