The Marshall Mathers LP

The Way I Am

Eminem

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

13

End

162

Internal

60

Multi

250

Slant

3

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus]
And I am whatever✦ you say I am
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am?
In the paper,✦ the news, everyday✦ I am
(Ha) Radio✦ won't even✦ play my jam
'Cause I am whatever✦ you say I am
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am?
In the paper,✦ the news, everyday✦ I am
(Ha) I don't know, that's just the way I am
[Verse 2]
Sometimes I just feel like my father,✦ I hate to be bothered
With all of this nonsense, it's constant
And, "Oh, it's his lyrical content
The song "Guilty✦ Conscience"✦ has gotten✦ such rotten✦ responses"
And all of this controversy circles me
And it seems like the media✦ immediately points a finger✦ at me
So I point one back at 'em, but not the index or pinkie
Or the ring or the thumb, it's the one you put up
When you don't give a fuck, when you won't just put up
With the bullshit they pull, 'cause they full of shit too
When a dude's✦ gettin'✦ bullied and shoots up his school
And they blame it on Marilyn and the heroin✦
Where were the parents at?
And look where it's at
Middle America, now it's a tragedy
Now it's so sad to see
An upper-class city✦ havin'✦ this happenin'
Then attack✦ Eminem 'cause I rap this way, but I'm glad
'Cause they feed me the fuel that I need for the fire to burn
And it's burnin',✦ and I have returned
[Chorus]
And I am whatever✦ you say I am
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am?
In the paper,✦ the news, everyday✦ I am
Radio✦ won't even✦ play my jam
'Cause I am whatever✦ you say I am
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am?
In the paper,✦ the news, everyday✦ I am
(Ha) I don't know, that's just the way I am
[Verse 3]
I'm so sick and tired✦ of bein' admired that I wish that I would just die or get fired✦
And dropped from my label,✦ let's stop with the fables✦
I'm not gonna✦ be able to top a "My Name Is"
And pigeon-holed into✦ some poppy✦ sensation✦
To cop me rotation✦ at rock 'n' roll stations✦
And I just do not got the patience✦
To deal with these cocky✦ Caucasians who think
I'm some wigga✦ who just tries to be black
'Cause I talk with an accent and grab on my balls
So they always keep askin'✦ the same fuckin'✦ questions✦
What school did I go to, what hood I grew up in
The why, the who, what, when, the where, and the how
'Til I'm grabbin' my hair and I'm tearin'✦ it out (Argh)
'Cause they drivin'✦ me crazy,✦ I can't take it
I'm racin',✦ I'm pacin',✦ I stand, and I sit
And I'm thankful for every✦ fan that I get
But I can't take a shit in the bathroom without someone standin' by it
No, I won't sign your autograph
You can call me an asshole, I'm glad
[Chorus]
'Cause I am whatever✦ you say I am
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am?
In the paper,✦ the news, everyday✦ I am
Radio✦ won't even✦ play my jam
'Cause I am whatever✦ you say I am
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am?
In the paper,✦ the news, everyday✦ I am
(Ha) I don't know, that's just the way I am
[Produced by Eminem]

Technical Breakdown

7.3
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres7.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm5.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control9.0

Performance and control

Computed Score7.34

Production

— Eminem

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

The verse utilizes aggressive prosodic shifts and a confrontational lyrical structure to mirror the artist's frustration with media scrutiny, shifting from defensive technicality to accusatory social commentary.

B+
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
5.5
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
7.5
Wordplay
9
Delivery
multisyllabic internal rhyme clustersrhythmic cadence manipulationaggressive enjambmentdirect confrontational addresssarcastic tonal shifts
Rhyme Architecture: High-density internal rhyme patterns utilizing slant and multi-syllabic clusters (father/bothered/content/nonsense/constant), transitioning into a rigid, percussion-heavy delivery that punctuates the middle finger imagery.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"it's the one you put up / When you don't give a fuck"

① The physical act of raising the middle finger as a gesture of defiance.② A rhetorical device where the artist points the finger of blame back at the media, asserting his refusal to submit to their narrative.

"And they blame it on Marilyn and the heroin"

① A literal reference to Marilyn Manson and drug usage often cited in the media during that era as societal scapegoats.② A phonetic pairing that highlights the absurdity of the media's causal links by grouping pop-cultural figures with destructive substances.

Exceptional rhythmic integration of complex multi-syllabic rhyme schemes

High intensity vocal performance that elevates the lyrical content

Effective use of structural builds to lead into aggressive punchlines

Commanding tone that maintains the narrative perspective

Heavy reliance on defensive posture which limits broader thematic range

Occasional predictable structural outcomes within the battle-rap trope

Some rhymes rely on forced articulation to fit the rhythmic pocket

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