10
Luv U Better
LL Cool J
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
29
End
201
Internal
72
Multi
161
Slant
6
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Verse 2: LL Cool J]
When I think about✦ the things we did
And I think about✦ you having✦ my kids
And I think about✦ us sharing a crib
Losin'✦ all that – God forbid✦
You deserve flowers and candy,✦ the simple things
In addition to the SL’s, baguettes, and rings
Instead, I walk around like I’m a king
And having✦ you ain’t nothing but a thing
I even✦ stopped tellin'✦ you the lovin'✦ was good
Too busy✦ frontin' in the hood
Baby✦ girl, hold me tight, don’t ever✦ let go
I’ma✦ do it real gentle, baby,✦ nice and slow
One more chance, baby,✦ and don’t say no
'Cause I got another side to show
Some say love is painful it helps you grow
Well, it’s time for the pain to go, ya’know✦
[Chorus: Marc Dorsey]
Baby,✦ smile today✦
'Cause I been imaginin’✦ more ways
I’m gon' love you better✦
When your friends’ll see you too
Just when you think there's✦ nothin'✦ else I can do
I’m gon' love you better✦
[Bridge: LL Cool J & Pharrell Williams]
Do you think I meant to hurt you? No
Do you think I meant to hurt you? No
So let’s laugh together,✦ cry together✦
God willin',✦ we gon' die together✦
Do you think I meant to hurt you? No
Do you think I meant to hurt you? No
So let’s laugh together,✦ cry together✦
God willin',✦ we gon’ die together✦
[Verse 3: LL Cool J]
It’s a brand new me, a brand new you
A brand new day, sky so blue
Hold my hand while I walk with you
Sit on my lap, lemme talk to you
No more games,✦ callin'✦ you foul names✦
Actin'✦ like females is all the same
I’m gon' love you better,✦ my mentality changed
From this day forward, I’ll never✦ be the same
I’ma✦ rub your lower✦ back, share my dreams
I love you, lemme show you what I mean
Give you the deepest love a girl ever✦ seen
Watch you sleep, so peaceful and serene✦
A toast to the queen, you’re back in my life
But this time, I’ma✦ do it right
Trust me, from the bottom of my heart
Nothing's gonna✦ tear us apart,✦ promise
[Chorus: Marc Dorsey]
Baby,✦ smile today✦
'Cause I been imaginin’✦ more ways
I’m gon' love you better✦
When your friends’ll see you too
Just when you think there's✦ nothin'✦ else I can do
I’m gon' love you better✦
Baby,✦ smile today✦
'Cause I been imaginin’✦ more ways
I’m gon' love you better✦
When your friends’ll see you too
Just when you think there's✦ nothin'✦ else I can do
I’m gon' love you better✦
[Bridge: LL Cool J & Pharrell Williams]
Do you think I meant to hurt you? No
Do you think I meant to hurt you? No
So let’s laugh together,✦ cry together✦
God willin',✦ we gon' die together✦
Do you think I meant to hurt you? No
Do you think I meant to hurt you? No
So let’s laugh together,✦ cry together✦
God willin',✦ we gon' die together✦
[Outro: Pharrell Williams]
This is for my number✦ one
This is for my number✦ one
True baby,✦ for I adore✦
Technical Breakdown
7.3
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres5.0
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm8.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity5.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control7.0
Performance and control
Computed Score7.34
Production
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Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
LL Cool J utilizes a narrative-heavy, confessional style that prioritizes vulnerability and direct emotional communication over complex lyrical gymnastics, typical of his pivot to R&B-crossover appeal in the early 2000s.
B+
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
8
Cadence / Flow
5
Vocabulary
5
Wordplay
7
Delivery
AABB rhyme scheme maintenanceConfessional conversationalismRhythmic syncopation of emotional lists
Rhyme Architecture: The verse relies on a consistent monorhyme structure for the first four bars using the -id sound, followed by a transition into the -ings/-ing suffix rhyme chain, maintaining a highly stable and predictable rhythmic pulse.
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"having you ain’t nothing but a thing"
① Possessing a romantic partner is a casual, effortless occurrence in his lifestyle.② A colloquial idiom meaning something is easy, insignificant, or a matter-of-fact reality.
"sharing a crib"
① Living together in the same household.② A literal reference to the domesticity of starting a family and raising children.
Strong command of emotional cadence
High level of technical rhyming density
Effective use of conversational pacing to establish intimacy
Low lexical variety
Lack of complex wordplay or multi-layered subtext
Formulaic structure