Love the Way You Lie is a song by American rapper Eminem featuring Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was released in 2010 as the second single from Eminem's seventh studio album, Recovery. The song was written by Eminem, Rihanna, and the song's producer, Alex da Kid. It became a global hit, reaching the top of the charts in multiple countries, and has been certified nine-times Platinum in the United States.
The song's lyrics tell the story of a tumultuous and abusive relationship, with both the narrator and their partner unable to escape its toxic cycle. The chorus, sung by Rihanna, speaks to the irrational and destructive nature of love: "Just gonna stand there and watch me burn / But that's alright because I like the way it hurts / Just gonna stand there and hear me cry / But that's alright because I love the way you lie."
The lyrics of the song were inspired by Eminem's own experience with domestic violence in his past relationship with his ex-wife, Kimberly Scott. In an interview with MTV News, he explained that the song is meant to be a "play on the typical love song" and that he wanted to "take situations that are familiar to people and flip them and make them into something that's different."
Love the Way You Lie received mixed reactions upon its release. Some critics praised the song for its raw and honest portrayal of domestic abuse, while others criticized it for romanticizing and glorifying abusive behavior. In a 2011 interview with Rolling Stone, Eminem addressed the controversy, saying, "I'm not saying I'm proud of certain things I've done in the past, but these are my mistakes. This is what I'm talking about in this record."
Despite the controversy, Love the Way You Lie remains one of Eminem's most popular and enduring hits. The song's music video, which features Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan as the couple in the song's story, has over 1.8 billion views on YouTube.
In conclusion, Love the Way You Lie is a powerful and emotional song that tells the story of a toxic and abusive relationship. While it may have sparked controversy for its depiction of domestic violence, it ultimately serves as a reminder of the destructive nature of such relationships and the importance of seeking help and support.