"Love the Way You Lie" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his seventh studio album Recovery (2010). It was released as the album's second single on March 4, 2009 and features vocals from Barbadian singer Rihanna. The song's lyrics are about two people who are in a love-hate relationship, but they love each other too much to terminate their abusive relationship. Some critics believe that the song is about Em's former marriage to Kim Scott and Rihanna's abusive relationship with Chris Brown, but others have translated the lyrics differently, believing, that, since it is a hip-hop song, they portray Rihanna as the subject of Eminem's violence and anger.
Background[]
Alex da Kid explained to Billboard how Eminem heard the song "Airplanes" and liked it, wanting to appear on it. This followed by the rapper asking if there were any other songs with hooks for him, and was sent "Love the Way You Lie". Alex mixed it, and Rihanna was in Dublin when she recorded her part. The song was completed within two days, and two days after the album went to be pressed.[1]
Rihanna told MTV News, "This song… it gave a voice to not only victims, but also… what I really enjoy about this song is not only how cleverly written it is—unbelievably, I can’t believe he wrote this song like that—but the fact that he confronts himself on this record was the biggest thing for me, and I think that’s what people connected to the most."[2]
Personnel[]
- Alexander "Alex Da Kid" Grant – writing, production
- Brian "Big Bass" Gardner – mastering
- Holly "Skylar Grey" Hafferman – writing
- J. Brow – additional guitar
- Joe Strange – engineering assistance
- Makeba Riddick – vocal production
- Marshall "Eminem" Mathers – vocals, mixing
- Mike Strange – recording, mixing
- Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty – featured vocals
- Spike Lindsey – engineering assistance
Music video[]
The accompanying music video was directed by Joseph Kahn, depicting Rihanna inside the burning house and Eminem in the fields. British actor Dominic Monaghan and actress Megan Fox appear in the visual.
| Video | Information | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2010 | |
| Director | Joseph Kahn | |
| Producer | Maryann Tandedo | |
| Prod. Company | HSI London | |
| Exec. Producer | Coleen Haynes | |
| Cinematographer | Chris Probst | |
| Editor | Joseph Kahn • Life Garland | |
| Colorist | Beau Lyon | |
| Length | 4:27 | |
Accolades[]
| Year | Ceremony | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Music: Rap/Hip-Hop Track | Won |
| MTV Europe Music Awards | Best Song | Nominated | |
| Best Video | Nominated | ||
| Soul Train Music Awards | Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year | Won | |
| People's Choice Awards | Favorite Music Video | Won | |
| Favorite Song | Won | ||
| 2011 | BET Hip Hop Awards | Best Hip-Hop Video | Nominated |
| BMI Pop Awards | Award-Winning Song | Won | |
| BMI Urban Awards | Won | ||
| NAACP Image Awards | Best Collaboration | Nominated | |
| UK Music Video Awards | Best Urban Video – International | Nominated | |
| Barbados Music Awards | Best Collaboration | Won | |
| NRJ Music Awards | Chanson Internationale de l'Année (International Song of the Year) | Nominated | |
| Clip de l'Année (Video of the Year) | Nominated | ||
| Grammy Awards | Record of the Year | Nominated | |
| Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Best Rap Song | Nominated | ||
| Best Rap/Sung Collaboration | Nominated | ||
| Best Short Form Music Video | Nominated | ||
| Billboard Music Awards | Top Digital Song | Nominated | |
| Top Hot 100 Song | Nominated | ||
| Top Radio Song | Nominated | ||
| Top Rap Song | Won | ||
| Top Streaming Song (Audio) | Nominated | ||
| Top Streaming Song (Video) | Nominated | ||
| MuchMusic Video Awards | Best International Artist Video | Nominated | |
| MuchMusic.com Most Watched Video | Nominated | ||
| UR Fave: International Video | Nominated | ||
| MTV Video Music Awards Japan | Best Collaboration | Won | |
| Detroit Music Awards | Outstanding National Single | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Video / Major Budget (Over $10,000) | Nominated | ||
| MTV Video Music Awards | Best Cinematography | Nominated | |
| Best Direction | Nominated | ||
| Best Male Video | Nominated | ||
| Best Video with a Message | Nominated |
Audio[]
Lyrics[]
[Chorus: Rihanna]
Just gonna stand there and watch me burn?
Well, that's all right because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry?
Well, that's all right because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
[Verse 1: Eminem]
I can't tell you what it really is, I can only tell you what it feels like
And right now, there's a steel knife in my windpipe
I can't breathe, but I still fight while I can fight
As long as the wrong feels right, it's like I'm in flight
High off of love, drunk from my hate
It's like I'm huffin' paint and I love her, the more I suffer, I suffocate
And right before I'm about to drown, she resuscitates me
She fuckin' hates me, and I love it — "Wait
Where you going?" — "I'm leaving you" — "No, you ain't
Come back" — We're runnin' right back, here we go again
It's so insane, 'cause when it's goin' good, it's goin' great
I'm Superman with the wind at his back, she's Lois Lane
But when it's bad, it's awful, I feel so ashamed
I snapped, "Who's that dude?", I don't even know his name
I laid hands on her, I'll never stoop so low again
I guess I don't know my own strength
[Chorus: Rihanna]
Just gonna stand there and watch me burn?
Well, that's all right because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry?
Well, that's all right because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
[Verse 2: Eminem]
You ever love somebody so much you can barely breathe when you're with 'em?
You meet, and neither one of you even know what hit 'em
Got that warm fuzzy feelin', yeah, them chills, used to get 'em
Now you're gettin' fuckin' sick of lookin' at 'em?
You swore you'd never hit 'em, never do nothin' to hurt 'em
Now you're in each other's face
Spewin' venom in your words when you spit 'em
You push, pull each other's hair, scratch, claw, bit 'em
Throw 'em down, pin 'em
So lost in the moments when you're in 'em
It's the rage that’s the culprit, it controls you both
So they say you're best to go your separate ways
Guess that they don't know ya
'Cause today, that was yesterday, yesterday is over
It's a different day, sound like broken records playin' over
But you promised her, next time you'll show restraint
You don't get another chance, life is no Nintendo game
But you lied again
Now you get to watch her leave out the window
Guess that's why they call it window pane
[Chorus: Rihanna]
Just gonna stand there and watch me burn?
Well, that's all right because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry?
Well, that's all right because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
[Verse 3: Eminem]
Now, I know we said things, did things that we didn't mean
And we fall back into the same patterns, same routine
But your temper's just as bad as mine is, you're the same as me
When it comes to love, you're just as blinded, baby, please
Come back, it wasn't you, baby, it was me
Maybe our relationship isn't as crazy as it seems
Maybe that's what happens when a tornado meets a volcano
All I know is I love you too much to walk away though
Come inside, pick up your bags off the sidewalk
Don't you hear sincerity in my voice when I talk?
Told you this is my fault, look me in the eyeball
Next time I'm pissed, I'll aim my fist at the drywall
Next time? There won't be no next time!
I apologize, even though I know it's lies
I'm tired of the games, I just want her back, I know I'm a liar
If she ever tries to fuckin' leave again, I'ma tie her
To the bed and set this house on fire, just gonna—
[Chorus: Rihanna]
Just gonna stand there and watch me burn?
Well, that's all right because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry?
Well, that's all right because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
References[]
- ↑ Herrera, Monica (August 17, 2010). "Hitmaker Alex Da Kid Talks Eminem’s ‘Lie,’ Rihanna’s New Album". Billboard.
- ↑ "Rihanna Talks Eminem Collab (Love The Way You Lie Part 2)". YouTube. October 30, 2010.
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