Radio

I Want You

LL Cool J

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

32

End

143

Internal

41

Multi

155

Slant

11

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus]
I want you
I want you
[Verse 3]
Too weak, I can't speak, I'm messing up in school
Just to hear your name, girl, it makes✦ me drool
As you sing falsetto on the college✦ choir
My temperature level grows much higher✦
Spend the night over✦ my house with my sister✦ and friends
I wish you wouldn't treat me like I'm your cousin✦
Your high school yearbook under✦ my pillow✦
You walk by my window,✦ I see your silhouette✦
Candlelight is what I desire✦
But all I get to do is fix your flat tire
When you ring my bell, perfume✦ I smell
The aroma✦ pierces through my heart's shell
I tell you that my sister✦ isn't here today✦
You go away,✦ but I wish you'd stay
Yes, girl, I'm twisted around your finger✦
When you leave, your perfume✦ lingers
[Chorus]
I want you
I want you
[Verse 4]
The clock tick-tocks as I lay in my bed
It's visions of you circling through my head
I sip lemon iced✦ tea, read a magazine
Wish we were involved in a steamy✦ love scene
Saturday night, it's time to party,✦ y'all
But an unseen✦ force has my back on the wall
All eyes hit the door, red dress shines✦ loud
The moment has come, my fantasy's here now
You sip gin and tonic with the double-hole straw
Finally, I get the nerve to buy you one more
The bartender smirks, I whisper, "He's a jerk"
I'm wearin'✦ leather pants and a thirty-dollar shirt
Offer✦ you some Doublemints, sit back, crack a smile
Try to act like I'm relaxed and not a child
You see, I'm sixteen and you're in college✦
Lovely✦ sweet thing, please give me the knowledge
[Chorus]
I want you
I want you
[Verse 5]
See, it's easy✦ to detect a line that's preset✦
What you don't know is you're the woman✦ I've wanted✦ to get
For years and now I'm here, sweet dear
Cool in the snow under✦ a polar✦ bear
I light your cigarette✦ with the Raphael lighter✦
Your dress seems like it's gettin'✦ tighter✦ and tighter✦
The ice cubes✦ melt, the heat is felt
The card's on the table and my deal is dealt
[Chorus]
I want you
I want you
[Verse 6]
I had to search through my soul, cowardice kept a hold on me
As the key was analyzin' my role
As a man to instigate romance
Not break down and cry when you ask for a dance
Some fellas talk to her when she walks by
She can only✦ say no, it's not do-or-die
Like Bed-Stuy, it's nature's way
A sweet love story✦ from LL Cool J
[Chorus]
I want you
I want you

Technical Breakdown

7.6
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres4.5

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 Control6.5

Performance and control

Computed Score7.61

Production

— Rick Rubin

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

LL Cool J utilizes a conversational, narrative-driven flow typical of early-to-mid 80s romantic rap, prioritizing rhythmic accessibility and relatable teenage yearning over complex lyrical gymnastics.

B+
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
9
Cadence / Flow
7
Vocabulary
4.5
Wordplay
6.5
Delivery
AABB and AAAA couplet structuresInternal assonanceNarrative storytellingDirect emotional address
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies primarily on standard AABB or rhyming couplets which facilitate a steady, easy-to-follow cadence consistent with the era's emphasis on accessibility.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"twisted around your finger"

① A literal interpretation of being manipulated or directed by the object of affection.② A common idiom for being deeply infatuated and losing one's sense of autonomy.

"The aroma pierces through my heart's shell"

① The physical scent entering the room.② The metaphorical emotional impact of her presence breaking down his defenses.

Strong emotional resonance and relatable storytelling

Effective use of imagery to establish a clear scene

Natural conversational flow that complements the theme

Reliance on predictable rhyme patterns

Limited use of complex metaphorical language

Staccato phrasing occasionally limits the fluidity of the storytelling

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