Eminem And Rihanna Song And Video "Love The Way You Lie"

[MrsSpringsteen]

Some people are questioning what kind of statement this song (and the video) makes about domestic violence and if it actually glorifies or glamorizes it in some ways, and if it depicts in some ways that the victim is responsible for it.."your temper's just as bad as mine", etc.. And of course Rihanna singing that line, "I like the way it hurts", with the abuse that happened to her. Eminem had the issues he had in his relationship with Kim, I don't really remember all the details.

YouTube - ‪Eminem - Love The Way You Lie ft. Rihanna‬‎

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
I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie

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 of a love
Drunk from the hate
It's like I'm huffing paint
And I love it the more that I suffer
I suffocate
And right before im about to drown
She resuscitates me
She fucking hates me
And I love it
Wait
Where you going
I'm leaving you
No you ain't
Come back
We're running right back
Here we go again
It's so insane
Cause when it's going good
It's going great
I'm Superman
With the wind in his bag
She's Lois Lane
But when it's bad
It's awful
I feel so ashamed
I snap
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

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
I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie

You ever love somebody so much
You can barely breathe
When you're with them
You meet
And neither one of you
Even know what hit 'em
Got that warm fuzzy feeling
Yeah them chills
Used to get 'em
Now you're getting fucking sick
Of looking at 'em
You swore you've never hit 'em
Never do nothing to hurt 'em
Now you're in each other's face
Spewing venom
And these 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 took over
It controls you both
So they say it's 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

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
I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie

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
But 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 dry wall
Next time
There will 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 fucking leave again
I'mma tie her to the bed
And set the house on fire

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
I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie

 

[Irvine511]

weird, i was just thinking about this the other day. here are my thoughts:

1. this is the best Eminem song in a long time.

2. Rhianna -- who i think is stunning, incidentally -- has referred to the violence in other songs, album covers, etc. at least in this song, she seems to be delving a bit more into the psychology of some abusive relationships where they can be addictive, and it's why people often don't leave, so it's important, i think, not to be a literalist about this. there is a thin line between love and hate, as there is a thin line (sometimes) between sex and violence.

3. the video seems to do a good job of making the female character every bit as crazy as the male character.

4. Eminem is a notoriously unreliable narrator, and has been from the beginning, and his characters often behave in ways that we wouldn't approve of and make terrible choices, but that does not mean that the choices are approved of by Eminem, they are just represented.

5. whenever you have a situation played about by two impossibly good looking individuals who are professionally lit and shot and edited to be as dramatic as possible, you're going to get an inevitable glamorization of whatever situation; it's impossible not to, simply because it's on TV, because it's a dramatically heightened reality, and that instantly becomes appealing for many because we crave not necessarily the situation represented but the sense of importance of that situation in our own lives. does that make sense?

6. i read a bit about this and Eminem said that they spent a long time on the video trying to get it right, and by that i take to mean that he and the producers are aware of the controversial nature of the subject and are smart enough to make something that can't be either quickly condemned, or something that's going to be so message-driven that it could be easily dismissed as simplistic either way.

7. controversy will gain attention, and ultimately sell records.

 

[financeguy]

As the Bible says, there is no new thing under the sun.

From 1966:

Under my thumb
The girl who once had me down
Under my thumb
The girl who once pushed me around

It's down to me
The difference in the clothes she wears
Down to me, the change has come,
She's under my thumb

Ain't it the truth babe?

Under my thumb
The squirmin' dog who's just had her day
Under my thumb
A girl who has just changed her ways

It's down to me, yes it is
The way she does just what she's told
Down to me, the change has come
She's under my thumb
Ah, ah, say it's alright

Under my thumb
A siamese cat of a girl
Under my thumb
She's the sweetest, hmmm, pet in the world

It's down to me
The way she talks when she's spoken to
Down to me, the change has come,
She's under my thumb
Ah, take it easy babe
Yeah

It's down to me, oh yeah
The way she talks when she's spoken to
Down to me, the change has come,
She's under my thumb
Yeah, it feels alright

Under my thumb
Her eyes are just kept to herself
Under my thumb, well I
I can still look at someone else

It's down to me, oh that's what I said
The way she talks when she's spoken to
Down to me, the change has come,
She's under my thumb
Say, it's alright.

Say it's all...
Say it's all...

Take it easy babe
Take it easy babe
Feels alright
Take it, take it easy babe.

YouTube - ‪The Rolling Stones - LIVE (?) - "Under My Thumb" - '66 - HQ‬‎

 

[An Cat Gav]

Not sure yet about how I feel about the song's message, but as Irvine said, it's Eminem's best song in ages! Stunning song.
Come to think of it, Under My Thumb is one of my favourite Rollong Stones songs too. Oops.

 

[U2isthebest]

weird, i was just thinking about this the other day. here are my thoughts:

1. this is the best Eminem song in a long time.

2. Rhianna -- who i think is stunning, incidentally -- has referred to the violence in other songs, album covers, etc. at least in this song, she seems to be delving a bit more into the psychology of some abusive relationships where they can be addictive, and it's why people often don't leave, so it's important, i think, not to be a literalist about this. there is a thin line between love and hate, as there is a thin line (sometimes) between sex and violence.

3. the video seems to do a good job of making the female character every bit as crazy as the male character.

4. Eminem is a notoriously unreliable narrator, and has been from the beginning, and his characters often behave in ways that we wouldn't approve of and make terrible choices, but that does not mean that the choices are approved of by Eminem, they are just represented.

5. whenever you have a situation played about by two impossibly good looking individuals who are professionally lit and shot and edited to be as dramatic as possible, you're going to get an inevitable glamorization of whatever situation; it's impossible not to, simply because it's on TV, because it's a dramatically heightened reality, and that instantly becomes appealing for many because we crave not necessarily the situation represented but the sense of importance of that situation in our own lives. does that make sense?

6. i read a bit about this and Eminem said that they spent a long time on the video trying to get it right, and by that i take to mean that he and the producers are aware of the controversial nature of the subject and are smart enough to make something that can't be either quickly condemned, or something that's going to be so message-driven that it could be easily dismissed as simplistic either way.

7. controversy will gain attention, and ultimately sell records.

You summed up everything I have to say about the song/video way better than I could.

 

[deep]

Eminem does a lot of interesting work.

add this to the list.

The last thing this is?
is really controversial, there have been dozens of songs about domestic violence.

The production values, professional actors, Joseph Kahn-directing make this one of the better ones.

 

[Irvine511]

i also think that this song is an update of "Stan" -- both in form and in content.

i think that overall "Stan" is a better song, though this song has arguably more insight. remember, all that happened in "Stan" was that Stan was an obsessive fan who eventually locked his girlfriend in the trunk and drank a fifth of vodka and drove into the river and then blamed it all on Eminem. while that was a more gripping narrative, this one is much more internal and emotionally complex.

 

[financeguy]

American Psycho author Bret Easton Ellis argues love and sadism are linked, and that technology has stopped us feeling

Video: 'I really wasn't that concerned about morality in my fiction' | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

 

[AliEnvy]

I'm not sure this song/video is going to advance any worthwhile discussion or understanding of the abuser-victim-addiction cycle, but given that both Eminem and Rhianna have publically lived it, it's definitely interesting to see their yin and yang presentation of what happens on the inside.

 

[Bono's shades]

As the Bible says, there is no new thing under the sun.

From 1966:



YouTube - ‪The Rolling Stones - LIVE (?) - "Under My Thumb" - '66 - HQ‬‎

That song has always creeped me out. I love the Rolling Stones, but the lyrics in some of their songs trouble me.

I know rap music gets blasted a lot for being misogynist (for good reason sometimes), but I think a lot of people tend to overlook the fact that often times rock music - especially "classic" rock - isn't exactly pure in that regard either.

 

[nathan1977]

That song has always creeped me out. I love the Rolling Stones, but the lyrics in some of their songs trouble me.

I know rap music gets blasted a lot for being misogynist (for good reason sometimes), but I think a lot of people tend to overlook the fact that often times rock music - especially "classic" rock - isn't exactly pure in that regard either.

Flanagan talks about this in U2 at the End of the World -- that Jagger's been called out for his misogyny in certain songs. Jagger's defense is that when you operate in a bubble where women are really that sexually forward and willing to be used just to get close to a rock star, it's hard for that reality not to seep into your lyrics.

It's not an excuse, however.

 

[financeguy]

Yeah, agree with both of the above posts. Actually I heard that song on the radio the other day and the DJ introduced it as the ultimate expression of the Mick Jagger persona. The misogyny inherent to the ethos of bands like the Stones was one of the things U2 were trying to get away from, to re-capture rock music for the good guys as it were, notwithstanding Bono and Jagger later becoming buddies.

In U2 songs which deal with issues around powerplay/dominance/submission in relationships - An Cat Dubh, Sweetest Thing, and WOWY being perhaps the most obvious candidates - it is largely presented as the guy that is getting the raw deal. Although Bono has actually said regarding An Cat Dubh, it was based on a real relationship that he had, but the lyrics present it was as the reverse of what happened, seemingly the song was about an early girlfriend of Bono's but in reality it he was he who toyed with her emotions and she was the one that got burned.

 

[maycocksean]

Hmmm.

Good song. Eminem is a talented artist, no question.

with the lyrics and video. . .I'm undecided. It's typical Eminem, I guess, pushing the boundaries.

I'm undecided.

 

[mad1]

Eminem has made more dramatic controversial videos than this one.
One of my favs is 'I Just Dont Give a Fuk'.

this video, I just see a fiery relationship with two people dependant on each other, even with abuse....or is it turning into one leaving the other at some point, or trying to?


I wonder if they should have started to 'add' bruises to their bodies and faces thou as the video progresses, now I know that sounds harsh!, but if its already 'controversial' or 'confusing' about the message it sends, perhaps doing that would have added more fuel to the fire.......already thou, cant get the song outta my head.

 

[hiphop]

Eminem hates gays btw - gay groups who want to block dancehall artists (who also sprad the hate against "battyman" in their tunes) should do the same with some hip hop artists.

Still don´t like him. Great tune and yes he´s talented, but I don´t like him, it´s as simple as that. Have to give Rihanna credit, I like her.

Tricky´s new album is out September, eagerly expecting that one.