This Hell Explained

This Hell
Cover:This Hell Rina Sawayama.webp
Type:single
Artist:Rina Sawayama
Album:Hold the Girl
Genre:
Length:3:56
Label:Dirty Hit
Producer:
Prev Title:Follow Me
Prev Year:2022
Next Title:Catch Me in the Air
Next Year:2022

"This Hell" is a song by Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama from her second studio album, Hold the Girl (2022). It was released through Dirty Hit on 18 May 2022 as the lead single from the album.[3]

Background

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

"This Hell" is a "glammy, country pop inspired" song which contains references to numerous country and western motifs such as cowboys and horseriding. 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. The singer makes references to some gay icons such as Britney Spears, Princess Diana, and Whitney Houston, 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

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

Sawayama performed "This Hell" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[16] On October 30, 2022, Sawayama performed the song on British television dance contest Strictly Come Dancing.

Personnel

Critical response

"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]

Charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[19] 8

Gyarupi remix

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]

Notes and References

  1. Jones. Damian. 18 May 2022. Rina Sawayama shares euphoric new single 'This Hell' and UK tour dates. 19 May 2022. NME. 18 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220518201834/https://www.nme.com/news/music/rina-sawayama-shares-euphoric-new-single-this-hell-and-uk-tour-dates-3228809. live.
  2. Billboard Staff . The 100 Best Songs of 2022: Staff List . . December 7, 2022 . The song’s stomping synth-rock groove burns a hole in the road from here to the afterlife.... January 8, 2023.
  3. News: Lorusso . Marissa . 2022-05-19 . Rina Sawayama, 'This Hell' . en . NPR . 2022-07-25.
  4. Web site: Sun Li . Jessica . 2022-05-10 . Review: Rina Sawayama's Boston performance inspires audience to dance and cry . 2022-08-10 . The Dartmouth . en-GB.
  5. Web site: Young . David . 2021-09-22 . Rina Sawayama sets release window for her second album . 2022-08-10 . . en-GB.
  6. Web site: Richards . Will . 2021-11-14 . Watch Rina Sawayama debut soaring new song 'Catch Me In The Air' live . 2022-08-10 . . en-GB.
  7. Web site: 2022-05-16 . Hold The Girl The new album September 2 2022 . 2022-08-10 . . en-GB.
  8. Web site: 2022-05-17 . This Hell the new single out tomorrow . 2022-08-10 . . en-GB.
  9. Web site: 2022-05-18 . Rina Sawayama announces new album, shares new countrified pop single "This Hell" . 2022-07-25 . . en-us.
  10. Web site: Garcia . Thania . 2022-05-18 . Rina Sawayama Reveals Upcoming 'Hold the Girl' Album, With New Single 'This Hell' . 2022-07-25 . . en-US.
  11. Rina Sawayama shares fiery new single 'This Hell'. 2022-10-22 . Rolling Stone. 18 May 2022 .
  12. Web site: Rina Sawayama, 'This Hell' . . 2022-10-22 . en-US.
  13. Web site: Watch Rina Sawayama throw a lavish wedding in music video for 'This Hell' . 2022-10-22 . NME. 16 June 2022 .
  14. Web site: Soo . J. X. . 2022-06-16 . Watch Rina Sawayama throw a lavish wedding in music video for 'This Hell' . 2022-07-25 . . en-GB.
  15. Web site: Rina Sawayama Shares Video for "This Hell" -- Perfect for Pride Month . 2022-07-26 . Rock Cellar Magazine. 15 June 2022 .
  16. Web site: . Rina Sawayama: This Hell . . 21 December 2022 . en . May 19, 2022.
  17. December 5, 2022 . The 100 Best Songs of 2022 . December 8, 2022 . . en-US.
  18. 2022-12-08 . The 100 Best Songs of 2022: Staff List . 2022-12-08 . . en-US.
  19. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of 1 June 2022. Billboard Japan. ja. 1 June 2022. 30 July 2022.
  20. Web site: 2024-04-11 . Rina Sawayama、ちゃんみなを迎えた"This Hell"リミックスをSpotify Singlesとして発表 . 2024-04-12 . Spincoaster . ja.
  21. Web site: ちゃんみな、リナ・サワヤマとのコラボが決定 「This Hell (feat. CHANMINA - Gyarupi Remix - Spotify Singles)」をリリース【コメントあり】 . 2024-04-12 . Spice . ja.
  22. Web site: リナ・サワヤマ「より良い世界を目指し、一緒に闘って」ちゃんみな迎えた「This Hell」配信リリース(コメントあり / 動画あり) . 2024-04-12 . 音楽ナタリー . ja.
  23. News: April 11, 2024 . リナ・サワヤマ、ちゃんみなを迎えた「This Hell (Gyarupi Remix)」を配信 . April 11, 2024 . Billboard Japan.