Radio

Dear Yvette

LL Cool J

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

135

Internal

Multi

140

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

[Chorus]

Dear Yvette^✦

[Verse 3]

I don't really^✦ know if the story^✦ is so

I can either^✦ ask Curly^✦ or Larry^✦ or Moe

Or Earl, Shabazz, Lou, Mookie, or Joe

Like Santa^✦ Claus said, you're a ho-ho-ho^✦

In every^✦ disco,^✦ you say hello^✦

Like you're a little angel, but we all know

Since you was eleven,^✦ you been actin'^✦ this way

You always^✦ got in bed when you wanted^✦ to play

You're a freak, you think you're Lady^✦ Godiva^✦

Some freaks are live, but Yvette,^✦ you're liver^✦

[Chorus]

Dear Yvette^✦

[Verse 4]

You're a backseat queen, an elevator pro

A high-powered body^✦ makes^✦ your Levi's grow

See, the stories I've heard, they could amaze^✦

I heard she did it on a motorcycle back in the day

So calm down, freak, get a GED

That's a general education^✦ on decency

One day, you'll see and agree with me

Unless you're gonna^✦ be a freak until you're ninety-three

For you, there's^✦ no fee, everything is free

This is from me to you, not you to me

Every^✦ night is your night, your leather pants are tight

You try to shake your butt with all your might

I don't really^✦ wanna^✦ diss nobody^✦

You might think I had a little too much Bacardi

But that's not the problem, the problem's Yvette^✦

How bad can a girl's reputation^✦ get?

See, she's the kinda^✦ girl all the homeboys^✦ met

If you're desperate, ask Yvette,^✦ 'cause she'll say "Bet"

[Chorus]

Dear Yvette^✦

[Verse 5]

B-boys are hard on the Boulevard

The reverend at the church said you was barred^✦

Homeboys^✦ on the block love you a lot

You're a real famous^✦ freak whether you like it or not

So before^✦ you start walkin'^✦ and your beak starts squawkin'

Let me explain to you who is talkin'^✦

I'm LL Cool J from around the way

You boogie down to my records almost every^✦ day

Go a hundred miles^✦ an hour when you're standin' still

You're faster^✦ than my Caddy^✦ when it's goin' downhill

Won't forget^✦ that day in the YMCA^✦

The guy at the desk said it was okay^✦

For you to come inside^✦ 'cause he knew you'd stay

Greg G. and Garfield yelled^✦ "Hooray"^✦

[Chorus]

Dear Yvette^✦

Technical Breakdown

7.9

Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres6.5

Clever language, metaphors, punchlines

Cadence / Rhythm8.5

Flow variation and timing (data-driven)

Vocabulary Complexity6.0

Range and depth of words used (data-driven)

Delivery / Breath Control7.5

Performance and control

Computed Score7.89

Production

— Rick Rubin

Be the first to rate the production

Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

LL Cool J utilizes a conversational, rhythmic narrative style that functions as a moral critique, leveraging mid-80s pop culture references to establish character archetypes while maintaining a locked-in pocket.

B+

8.5

Multisyllabic

9.5

Internal Rhymes

8.5

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

6.5

Wordplay

7.5

Delivery

CatalogingPop culture allusionHomophonic wordplayInternal rhyme chains

Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AAAAAA monorhyme structure in the verses with a focus on 'o' vowel sounds, punctuated by rhythmic internal rhyming and consistent end-line anchors.

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"you're a ho-ho-ho"

① A direct insult accusing Yvette of promiscuity.② A play on the Santa Claus catchphrase 'Ho, ho, ho' invoked earlier in the line to frame the insult within a Christmas metaphor.

"Some freaks are live, but Yvette, you're liver"

① A slang comparison stating Yvette is 'more live' or more active in her promiscuity than others.② A biological/anatomical play on the word 'liver' to suggest she is somehow more grotesque or physically manifested as a 'freak'.

Exceptional rhythmic consistency within the era's constraints

Effective use of pop culture archetypes to build character

Strong command of cadence that makes the narrative feel conversational yet percussive

Dated social commentary that lacks the depth of later storytelling rap

Limited vocabulary range as noted by the TTR metric

Dear Yvette

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

Technical Breakdown

Production

User Scores