Rhyme or Reason

"Rhyme or Reason" is a song from Eminem's eighth studio album The Marshall Mathers LP 2. The song concerns his father's abandonment of his wife and Eminem when Eminem was born. Produced by the album's executive producer Rick Rubin, the song contains samples of The Zombies' "Time of the Season" from their 1968 album Odessey and Oracle. The song received positive reviews from music critics.

"Rhyme or Reason"
Song by Eminem
from the album The Marshall Mathers LP 2
ReleasedNovember 5, 2013 (2013-11-05)
RecordedEffigy Studios (Ferndale, Michigan), Shangri La Studios (Malibu, California)[1]
GenreHip hop
Length5:01
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

Background and theme

In the song, Eminem discusses his father, who left him and his mother when he was born; as well as his skill as a rapper and fame. In the bridge, Eminem sings along with the chorus of "Time of the Season" with altered lyrics, and in one part he responds as Shady and references his song "Just Don't Give a Fuck".[2]

Composition

The song was produced by the album's executive producer Rick Rubin and written by Eminem and Rod Argent of The Zombies. The song samples "Time of the Season" from their 1968 album Odessey and Oracle. It was recorded by Mike Strange, Joe Strange and Tony Campana.[1] The Zombies' keyboardist, Rod Argent, who wrote "Time of the Season", is given a co-songwriting credit.

Critical response

Rhyme or Reason received generally positive reviews from music critics. Dan Rys of XXL Magazine said that the song, along with "So Far..." will "grow on you by getting stuck in your head, and before long you’ll know every word and skip ahead to hear the familiar refrains and deft flows."[3] Nick Catucci of Entertainment Weekly called the song one of the "album's most endearingly bonkers tracks."[4]

Chart performance
Chart (2013) Peak
position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[5] 13
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[6] 41

References
  1. "Here Are Eminem's Real Production Credits For 'MMLP 2' - XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2013-11-01. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  2. Rhyme or Reason lyrics
  3. "Eminem Battles Slim Shady On 'Marshall Mathers LP 2' - XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2013-11-04. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  4. "The Marshall Mathers LP 2 Review | Music Reviews and News". EW.com. 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
  5. "Eminem Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
  6. "Eminem Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
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