Walking with a Panther

Change Your Ways

LL Cool J

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

20

End

126

Internal

40

Multi

180

Slant

8

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
(LL Cool J)
Hey you, don't be stupid, comprehend
The words I'm speakin'✦ to a beat
That's crazy✦ funky✦ and keeps the people freakin'✦
Just trust through us, you're listenin' to God talk
Mic check 1, 2, huh, hey fellas tell 'em what they need to do
(Chorus)✦
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Change your ways
(LL Cool J)
Come on, come on, let's do it, let's do it
There's✦ just so many✦ of us, huh
Hey yo, there ain't nothin'✦ to it
We're just too strong, can't nothin'✦ stop the movement✦
Hah, party✦ people listen - the world has room for improvement✦
The groove is smoove and I know you've
Been thinkin' a lot about✦ this jam
So take his hand and take her hand
And let's all lend a hand to our fellow✦ man
(Chorus)✦
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Change your ways
(LL Cool J)
We can do it, we can do it, we can do it
We can do it, we can do it, we can do it
We can do it, we can do it, we can do it
We can do it, we can do it, we can do it
(Chorus)✦
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Change your ways
(LL Cool J)
We can do it, hah, that's right, but you gotta,✦ gotta✦ warn her
We gotta✦ help the junkies tastin'✦ their dream
Fiendin' on the corner✦
Cause yo we got the power✦
And man we are the world, so what you wanna✦ do
What you wanna✦ do homeboys and all you fly girls?
Put your cigarette out, throw away✦ your drink
Take a moment of silence to stop and think
Hah, we gotta✦ change our ways huh
Or we'll never✦ see brighter days
(Chorus)✦
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Change your ways
(Outro:✦ LL Cool J)
Word up, youknowhatI'msayin'?✦
All we gotta✦ do is change our ways
And everything will be aight youknowhatI'msayin'?✦
There's✦ so far to go youknowImean?✦
But we gotta✦ keep fightin', we gotta✦ struggle youknowhatImean?✦
And we stay alive,✦ only✦ the strong survive
So part of you can change your ways and you'll be aight
Peace from LL Cool J
(Chorus)✦
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Change your ways

Technical Breakdown

7.5
Multisyllabic Rhymes7.5

Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)

Internal Rhymes9.5

Rhymes within a line (data-driven)

Wordplay / Double Entendres5.0

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 Control7.0

Performance and control

Computed Score7.51

Production

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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

LL Cool J utilizes a conversational, rhythmic delivery that focuses on communal engagement over lyrical density, functioning as a high-energy platform for social messaging rather than complex wordplay.

B+
7.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
8.5
Cadence / Flow
6
Vocabulary
5
Wordplay
7
Delivery
AnaphoraConversational cadenceCall-and-response structureEnd-rhyme repetition
Rhyme Architecture: Primarily AABB/AABB-C structure favoring simple, resonant end-rhymes (freakin'/speak-in, ways/days, jam/man/hand) to maintain a dance-oriented pocket.
Verified Doubles & Entendres

"lend a hand to our fellow man"

① Physical act of helping someone manually② Metaphorical call for communal solidarity and social improvement

Commanding vocal presence that effectively drives the rhythm

Clear, accessible articulation that serves the song's anthemic purpose

Consistent pocket adherence within the 80s/early 90s hip-hop production style

Wordplay is functional rather than inventive

Relies heavily on repetitive rhythmic chanting rather than complex internal phrasing

Lacks the narrative or lyrical depth found in contemporary conscious rap

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