Rhymes Like Dimes by MF DOOM Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking the Metaphors of a Hip-Hop Labyrinth
Lyrics
In his right hand was your man’s worst nightmare
Loud enough to burst his right eardrum close-range
The game is not only dangerous, but it’s most strange
I sell rhymes like dimes
The one who mostly keep cash but brag about the broker times
Joking rhymes, like the “Is you just happy to see me?” Trick
Classical slapstick rappers need Chapstick
A lot of ’em sound like they in a talent show
So I give ’em something to remember like the Alamo
Tally-ho! A high Joker like Spades game
Came back from five years to laying and stayed the same
Saying, electromagnetic field, it blocks all logic, Spock
And G-Shocks her biological clock
When I hit it, slid into the shitter, thought I killed her goose
Her Power U was pure Brita water, filtered juice
Keep a pen like a fiend keep a pipe with him
Gentleman who lent a pen to a friend who write with him
Never seen the shit again but he’s still my dunny
The only thing that come between us is krill and money
I sell rhymes like dimes
The one who mostly keep cash but brag about the broker times
Better rhymes make for better songs, it matters not
If you got a lot of what it takes just to get along
Surrender now or suffer serious setbacks
Got get-back, connects wet-back, get stacks
Even if you gots to get jet-black, head to toe
To get the dough, battle for bottles of Mo’ or ‘dro
This fly flow take practice like Tae Bo with Billy Blanks
“Oh, you’re too kind!” “Really? Thanks!”
To the gone and lost forever like “Oh My Darling Clementine”
He hold his heart when he telling rhyme
When it’s his time, I hope his soul go to Heaven
He nasty like the old time Old No. 7
You still taste it when you chase it with the Coca-Cola
Make ’em wish they could erase it out the Motorola
I told her, “No credit for a bag”
If you want what they got, then go get it, it’s all gak
Only in America could you find a way to earn a healthy buck
And still keep your attitude on self-destruct
I sell rhymes like dimes
The one who mostly keep cash but tell about the broke times
Joking rhymes, like the “Is you just happy to see me?” Trick
Classical slapstick rappers need Chapstick
A lot of ’em sound like they in a talent show
So I give ’em something to remember like the Alamo
Tally-ho! High Joker like Spades game
Came back from five years laying, stayed the same
I’m saying, electromagnetic field will block all logic, Spock
And G-Shocks her biological clock
When I hit it, slid into the shitter, thought I killed her goose
Her Power U was pure Brita water, filtered juice
Keep a pen like a fiend keep a pipe with him
Gentleman who lent a pen to a friend who write with him
Never seen the shit again but he’s still my dunny
The only thing that come between us is krill and money
We sell rhymes like dimes
The one who mostly keep cash but tell about the broke times
In your arms tonight
She’ll reflect
That she owes you the sweetest of debts
If she wants to pay
Check it out, y’all! Ya don’t stop! Keep on, to the sure shot!
Huh-ha! What the deal, God? Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh oh!
Yo! Yeah yeah, you’re listening to the buttery slickness
The Land-O-Lakes from my man MF Doom
Yeah! Yeah!
Rock-shockin’ the house, with another nugget
Uh-uh-uh-ah, eh, oh, ah, oh, hoo-wee! Yeah! Yeah!
Regulation status, right here, Fondle ‘Em Recordings
Nineteen-ninety-nine, yeah
Now what are you ‘posed to say on the end of records?
I don’t know, yeah!
Woo! Yeah!
Mashed potatoes
Applesauce
Buttery biscuits
And I get lost
A-yes, yes, yes, yes y’all
You don’t stop
Keep on to the break-a-dawn
Say what? Uh! Yeah!
You thought it all was over
You thought the song was over
Ah! We tricked you, we tricked you
Woo
You listening to www dot hairline dot com
MF DOOM, Kool Bob Love
MF DOOM, the masked enigma of hip-hop, delivers his intricate wordplay and unorthodox storytelling with ‘Rhymes Like Dimes’. The song serves as a testament to his skillful writing, satirical approach, and deep reflection on the industry and life itself.
Through layers of metaphor and darkly humorous quips, DOOM’s language is a treasure trove for those seeking to unravel the elusive artist’s messages. Yet despite the complexity, there are universal themes that resonate deeply with attentive listeners. Let’s dig into the verses to uncover the inherent wisdom in DOOM’s sly delivery.
The Alchemist’s Philosophy: Rhymes as Currency
DOOM’s repetitive chorus, ‘I sell rhymes like dimes,’ isn’t merely a boast concerning his lyrical prowess. It’s an analogy that captures the essence of his craft; just as a dime is a small yet valuable piece of currency, his rhymes are compact but rich in worth. This points to a larger critique about the commodification of art and the creative process, illustrating how true skill often lies in the ability to create something precious out of what might seem inconsequential.
Moreover, DOOM positions himself as a purveyor of quality in an oversaturated market. By drawing comparisons to dimes—a form of consistent, everyday exchange—he argues for the reliability and consistency of his art. This claim stands in stark contrast to the glorification of excess often found in hip-hop culture, stressing an ethos of substance over flash.
Laugh Tracks to Reality Checks: The Song’s Hidden Meaning
The seemingly nonsensical humor of lines like ‘Keep a pen like a fiend keep a pipe with him,’ reveals a darker commentary once disentangled. Here, DOOM equates the addict’s dependence on their vice to his own dependency on creativity and expression; it is a necessary tool for survival, yet an addiction nonetheless. Throughout the song, DOOM uses his absurdist humor as both a weapon and a shield, skewering the industry while protecting his own vulnerabilities.
DOOM’s humor and self-reflection reach a peak when addressing the superficiality of success and the illusion of materialism in the industry. Lines like ‘The one who mostly keep cash but brag about the broker times’ underscore how authenticity is often lost in the pursuit of wealth. DOOM recognizes the irony in glorifying hardship while simultaneously parading prosperity, alluding to the complex dynamics of street credibility and commercial success in hip-hop.
Timeless Bars: How Classic References Elevate the Text
References to pop culture and figures from history are littered throughout ‘Rhymes Like Dimes’. MF DOOM drops lines such as ‘Tally-ho! A high Joker like Spades game,’ a proclamation both arcane and revealing. The Joker, often an outlier in card games like Spades, represents DOOM’s perception of himself within the hip-hop game—an unpredictable force, capable of trumping convention.
Similarly, by recalling moments like ‘something to remember like the Alamo,’ DOOM links the struggle for remembrance within the rap game to significant historical battles. His use of such analogies challenges the listener to view hip-hop as more than entertainment; it’s a battleground of narratives, each fighting for lasting legacy.
The Breakdown: Wit, Wisdom, and Wordplay
MF DOOM’s gift for wordplay is unmistakable, with every verse steeped in double entendre and linguistic tricks. Wordplay isn’t just a stylistic choice, but a confirmation of hip-hop’s intellectual capability and flexibility. DOOM, through intricate rhymes, engages listeners in a mental game of catch, demanding close attention and deep contemplation.
Take the line, ‘electromagnetic field, it blocks all logic, Spock’, as a perfect example. DOOM plays on the idea of being emotionally guarded and illogical in the face of attraction while smartly integrating a ‘Star Trek’ reference, showcasing his capacity to blend personal narrative with broader pop culture discourse.
Memorable Lines and the Echo of Influence
Certain lines from ‘Rhymes Like Dimes’ have achieved a life beyond the song itself. Quotes like ‘You still taste it when you chase it with the Coca-Cola’ not only provide a vivid sensory experience but also comment on the harsh realities that can’t be washed away by instant gratification. These lines resonate with listeners, creating a shared cultural memory that transcends the confines of the track.
They are examples of DOOM’s ability to construct phrases that stick in the collective consciousness, simultaneously catchy and laden with meaning. It’s a testament to his skill that such lines can become fingerprints on the minds of those who hear them, shaping ideas and influencing the direction of the hip-hop art form itself.
