This Hell
"This Hell" is a song by Japanese-British singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama. It was released on 18 May 2022, through Dirty Hit, as the first single from her second album Hold the Girl.[3]
"This Hell"
18 May 2022
3:56
- Rina Sawayama
- Paul Epworth
- Vic Jamieson
- Lauren Aquilina
- Clarence Clarity
- Paul Epworth
Background[edit]
In April 2020, Sawayama released her debut album, Sawayama. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dynasty Tour was postponed twice.[4] Sawayama teased her second album in late 2021, saying "Next year, late summer", and played a new song called "Catch Me in the Air" while announcing she was finishing her "even more personal" second album.[5][6] On 16 May 2022, Sawayama announced her second album, Hold the Girl.[7] On the 17th, one day after, she announced the lead single "This Hell" would release the day after.[8] "This Hell" is the first solo song by Sawayama since "Lucid" was released in 2020.[9]
Composition[edit]
"This Hell" is a "glammy, country pop inspired" song which contains references to numerous country and western motifs such as cowboys and horseriding.[3] It was produced by Paul Epworth and Clarence Clarity, and written by Sawayama alongside Vic Jamieson, Epworth, and Lauren Aquilina.[10]
Sawayama has noted Dolly Parton and Kacey Musgraves as inspirations for "This Hell", as well as Shania Twain, whom Sawayama has described as "The queen of country pop".[11]
Sawayama wrote "This Hell" while reflecting about attacks against LGBT people, which are often motivated by religious beliefs, stating: "When the world tells us we don't deserve love and protection, we have no choice but to give love and protection to each other".[12]
The song contains a guitar solo which was described as "over-the-top" by NPR.[3] The singer makes references to some gay icons such as Britney Spears, Princess Diana, and Whitney Houston,[10] and references Shania Twain’s "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" with the beginning line, "Let's go, girls", as well as Paris Hilton's signature catchphrase "that's hot".[12] Sawayama stated: "I put in as many iconic pop culture moments as I can, but the song is more than that."[13]
Upon the song's release, Sawayama posted to Twitter: "I wanted to write a western pop song that celebrated COMMUNITY and LOVE in a time where the world seemed hellish."[11]
Music video[edit]
A music video for "This Hell" was described as "glitzy" by NME.[14] The visual, directed by Ali Kaur, depicts the singer marrying two people in a lavish wedding, all while drinking, line-dancing, and playing air guitar.[13] Adrian Garro for Rock Cellar Magazine noted that the video was released during gay pride month.[15]
Live performances[edit]
Sawayama performed "This Hell" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[16][9] On October 30, 2022, Sawayama performed the song on British television dance contest Strictly Come Dancing.
Critical response[edit]
"This Hell" received critical acclaim. Rolling Stone listed "This Hell" as one of the best songs of 2022, placing it at number 15, and wrote: "Artists from other genres dabbling in country music is nothing new, but Sawayama does it better than nearly anyone here, proving she's just trying to have a good time — while also inspiring change."[17] Billboard ranked named the 68th best song of the year.[18]
Gyarupi remix[edit]
On April 12, 2024, a remix of "This Hell" featuring South Korean-Japanese rapper Chanmina was released exclusively on Spotify as part of their Spotify singles series.[20][21] In regard to LGBT rights in Japan, Spotify partnered with Asahi Breweries for a campaign for awareness of same-sex marriage.[22][23]