Mama Said Knock You Out

Cheesy Rat Blues

LL Cool J

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

End

241

Internal

Multi

262

Slant

Chain

Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight

[Chorus]

Can you feel it?

Can you feel it? (I'm starvin',^✦ you know what I'm sayin'?)

Can you feel it? Nothin'^✦ can save ya

[Verse 2]

I mean crabbin'^✦

Played out by backstabbin',^✦ I feel like tyin'

A anchor to my ankle and jumpin'^✦ right dead in the ocean^✦

'Cause I'm ashy^✦ and I can't afford^✦ lotion^✦

So-called friends in the jewelry^✦ store

Told me, "Todd, come back when you get off tour"

Souped^✦ as hell, I really^✦ regret^✦ it

Now the only^✦ thing I got in my pocket^✦ is bad credit

How can a man like me

Be walkin'^✦ around in a world of misery?^✦

And if women^✦ like a man with a body,^✦ it's not mine

'Cause they be walkin'^✦ past me like I'm a stop sign

My homeboys laugh when they pass the forty^✦

Sayin', "Todd, it seems you used^✦ to have a sporty^✦

The Benz was slammin', the Jeep was pumpin'"^✦

Ain't that somethin'?

I just laugh and say, "So what? I was rich"

But when I walk away,^✦ it's like ain't this a

Kick in the rear that I'm standin' here

And can't afford^✦ a tissue for my tear

Should I drink wine and brandy^✦

Or get a job puttin'^✦ stripes on candy?^✦

Or put a hole in donuts?

'Cause when you're broke, your middle name is "So What?"

I had to learn in an incredibly fast way

When you ain't got no money^✦ they treat you like a ashtray

I pawned^✦ all my jewelry^✦ and clothes

Right after^✦ that, I got dissed^✦ by all my hoes

That I thought was mine, but really^✦ never^✦ was

Soon the whole neighborhood got the buzz

That my tank was on E and that means empty^✦

That Twinkie looks good, so mister,^✦ don't tempt me

Everybody thought I was trippin'^✦

I rode the back of the bus, but my grip kept on slippin'^✦

I'm the man that they're laughin'^✦ at

They say, "Cheesy^✦ rat, you ain't all that"

[Chorus]

Can you feel it?

Can you feel it? Nothin'^✦ can save ya

[Verse 3]

I wanna^✦ hang with my man like, "Let's do this"

But this man like "Who this?"

That's right, the brother got two faces^✦

They got me puttin'^✦ the tips on shoelaces

P on the Puma,^✦ a mop and a bucket^✦

My motto^✦ is, "I don't care"

I don't give a damn, so what, why try?

I might as well rob some Blake Carrington sucker^✦ for his money^✦

It's so funny^✦

Cars ride by with the boomin'^✦ system

Sayin, "Leave him alone,^✦ my man already dissed^✦ him"

Now I'm on the cheese line, poverty-stricken

As the red tape thickens

I go to the park, they wanna^✦ baseball bat me

I go to the mall, they throw my old tapes^✦ at me

I'm so horny^✦

And every^✦ girl I know be like, "He's so corny"^✦

I want money^✦ in a hurry^✦

I'm gettin'^✦ tired^✦ of leftover curry^✦

I wanna^✦ fall off, but I don't know where the edge is

I'm so hungry,^✦ I eat my neighbor's hedges^✦

Now I realize I gotta^✦ go for mine

It's windshield time

I take quarters, pennies, dimes^✦ and nickels

And a kiddy's tricycle

I'm a desperado

"I'ma^✦ steal your rims" is my motto^✦

I watch wrestlin' until I'm dizzy^✦

So if you're cashin'^✦ your WIC check, know how to get busy^✦

Go to the drive-through, run with a milkshake

Go to the supermarket, pocket^✦ a raw steak

I need beer

I'ma^✦ catch the Miller^✦ truck out there

You know how they throw the newspapers in the morning?

The owner^✦ don't want 'em

I'm the man that they're laughin'^✦ at

They say, "Cheesy^✦ rat, you ain't all that."

[Chorus]

Can you feel it?

Can you feel it? (I'm starvin')^✦

Can you feel it? (So, yo, one more time, one more time)

Can you feel it? (Party^✦ people in the house tonight, check it out) Nothin'^✦ can save ya

[Outro]

Just throw your hands in the air

And wave 'em like you just don't care

Keep 'em there, run the jewels,^✦ run the jewels^✦ (Run the jewels)^✦

Run the jewels^✦

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

— Marley Marl, LL Cool J

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Critic Analysis

RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™

LL Cool J utilizes a conversational, self-deprecating narrative flow that relies on grounded, relatable imagery rather than complex metaphorical abstraction, effectively capturing the transition from rap stardom to social invisibility.

B+

8.5

Multisyllabic

9.5

Internal Rhymes

8.5

Cadence / Flow

Vocabulary

6.5

Wordplay

7.5

Delivery

Internal rhyme chainsConversational cadenceSelf-deprecating character buildingNarrative arc through dialogue

Rhyme Architecture: Predominantly AABB and AAAA couplets with frequent internal multi-syllabic rhyming embedded within the conversational flow, typical of the mid-90s storytelling style.

Verified Doubles & Entendres

"they be walkin' past me like I'm a stop sign"

① Physical avoidance by women who do not find him attractive because of his current financial status.② A functional, inanimate object (a sign) that commands a full halt, emphasizing his total lack of social progress and visibility.

"The Benz was slammin', the Jeep was pumpin'"

① The vehicles were visually or audibly impressive in the past.② Uses idiomatic slang where 'slammin' and 'pumpin' refer to the high quality and booming audio system of his former lifestyle status symbols.

High emotional resonance

Strong narrative consistency

Exceptional rhythmic integration of internal rhymes

Authentic delivery conveying vulnerability

Relies on literal descriptions rather than poetic abstraction

Simplicity of wordplay compared to contemporary lyricists of the era

Predictable punchline setups

Cheesy Rat Blues

Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis

Technical Breakdown

Production

User Scores