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Hello

Eminem

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

21

End

147

Internal

62

Multi

232

Slant

4

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2]
My equilibrium's off—must be the lithium
I don't need to buy any✦ drugs, man—people give me 'em
It just becomes everyday, extra-curriculum
No reason✦ in particular—it was strictly fun
A fifth of rum and two bottles of 151
Fifty-one people asleep✦ in my damn living✦ room
Excuse✦ me, hun, but what is your name? Vivian?✦
I woke up next to you naked,✦ and, uh, did we, um?
Of course, we did, but didn't I strap Jimmy,✦ hun?
I'm looking for the torn wrapper, but there don't seem to be one
No offense, baby✦ girl, I don't mean any✦ harm
But disease is something✦ I'm trying to keep my penis✦ free from
I find the package, and I'm cool—I immediately run
Like Speedy✦ Gonzales to see if I see anyone✦
Who might have a couple of 3's—I'm fiending for some
My head is pounding to the beat of the drum
[Chorus]
Girl, I don't mean any✦ harm, all I wanted✦ to do is just say, "Hello"✦
And do you happen✦ to have anything✦ on you to make my mood mellow?✦
Some are oval✦ and some are pink, some are blue and some are just yellow✦
Girl, I don't mean any✦ harm, all I wanted✦ to do is just say, "Hello"✦
[Verse 3]
Oh, those were the days, they certainly were
It's hurting me to know that I'll be closing that curtain for good
Word-word,✦ chk-word-word,✦ chk-word, chk-chk-word
I second that and I third, rushed✦ to emergency surgery
To try to flush me because✦ of the drugs that he purchased
He's no longer✦ getting✦ them free—hundred bucks for these Percodans
Plus, it's getting✦ to be where he'll lustfully search the den
Pain is hitting his knee and his muscles be hurtin'✦ him
Tirelessly on the phone trying to rustle up
Muscle relaxers for his back and a couple of Paxils
Now he's doubling backwards, and he's stumbling back
Slipped and fell, hit his back, boom, heard something✦ go crack
Now he's up in the bathroom like he's busting✦ a nap
Almost ended✦ it that soon because✦ of the fact
I'm just busting✦ my own chops while I'm busting✦ a rap
Resuscitated and rejuved, so fuck it, I'm back
[Chorus]
Girl, I don't mean any✦ harm, all I wanted✦ to do is just say, "Hello"✦
And do you happen✦ to have anything✦ on you to make my mood mellow?✦
Some are oval✦ and some are pink, some are blue and some are just yellow✦
Girl, I don't mean any✦ harm, all I wanted✦ to do is just say, "Hello"✦
[Refrain]
And so I'm saying, "Hello"✦ (Hello),✦ allow✦ me to introduce myself✦ (Myself)✦
My name is Shady,✦ it's so nice to meet you (It's so nice to meet you)
It's been a long time (Long time), I'm sorry✦ I've been away✦ so long (So long)
My name is Shady,✦ I never✦ meant to leave you (I never✦ meant to leave you)
[Outro]
Yeah, it's like starting over✦
Clean slate
Ha

Technical Breakdown

7.8
Multisyllabic Rhymes9.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres7.0

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm7.0

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 Score7.76

Production

— Dr. Dre, Mark Batson

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

Eminem utilizes a high-density, multi-syllabic rhyme scheme centered on the -ium/-um vowel sound, demonstrating his characteristic technical obsession while grounding the narrative in a chaotic, drug-fueled blackout.

B+
9.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
7
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
7
Wordplay
8
Delivery
Assonance-heavy multi-syllabic rhymingInternal rhyme chainsStaccato rhythmic shiftsNarrative-driven sequencing
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies on an extended AAAA... scheme based on the -ium/-um phonemes, connecting disparate words like 'equilibrium', 'lithium', 'curriculum', 'Vivian', 'Jimmy', and 'anyone'.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"extra-curriculum"

① In addition to a standard course of study.② A play on 'extra' drug use acting as an additional part of his life/routine.

"strap Jimmy"

① Slang for using a condom.② A literal reference to the brand name 'Jimmy' often used in hip-hop vernacular.

"Speedy Gonzales"

① A cartoon character known for his extreme speed.② A metaphor for his frantic, drug-induced rush to find pills or escape the situation.

Exceptional technical mastery of vowel sound repetition

High-energy, frantic delivery that matches the lyrical content of a drug-fueled episode

Strong narrative flow that sustains interest through a chronological account

Some rhymes feel forced to satisfy the sonic constraint

Subject matter is derivative of his earlier work (drug dependence/blackout tropes)

Lack of deep metaphorical layers outside of the narrative conceit

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