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"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.[2]

"This Hell"
Single by Rina Sawayama
from the album Hold the Girl
Released	18 May 2022 (2022-05-18)
Genre	Country pop[1]
Length	3:56
Label	Dirty Hit
Songwriter(s)	Rina Sawayama Paul Epworth Vic Jamieson Lauren Aquilina
Producer(s)	Clarence Clarity Paul Epworth
Rina Sawayama singles chronology
"Follow Me" (2022) "This Hell" (2022) "Catch Me in the Air" (2022)

Background

In April 2020, Sawayama released her debut album, Sawayama. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dynasty Tour was postponed twice.[3] 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.[4][5] On 16 May 2022, Sawayama announced her second album, Hold the Girl.[6] On the 17th, one day after, she announced the lead single "This Hell" would release the day after.[7] "This Hell" is the first solo song by Sawayama since "Lucid" was released in 2020.[8]

Composition

"This Hell" is a "glammy, country pop inspired" song which contains references to numerous country and western motifs such as cowboys and horseriding.[2] It was produced by Paul Epworth and Clarence Clarity, and written by Sawayama alongside Vic Jamieson, Epworth, and Lauren Aquilina.[9]

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".[10]

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".[11] The song contains a guitar solo which was described as "over-the-top" by NPR.[2] The singer makes references to some gay icons such as Britney Spears, Princess Diana, and Whitney Houston,[9] 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".[11] Sawayama stated: “I put in as many iconic pop culture moments as I can, but the song is more than that.” [12] 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."[10]

Music video

A music video for "This Hell" was described as "glitzy" by NME.[13] The visual, directed by Ali Kaur, depicts the singer getting married to two people in a lavish wedding, all while drinking, line-dancing, and playing air guitar.[12] Adrian Garro for Rock Cellar Magazine noted that the video was released during gay pride month.[14]

Live performances

Sawayama performed "This Hell" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[8] On October 30, 2022, Sawayama performed the song on British television dance contest Strictly Come Dancing.

Personnel

• Rina Sawayama – performer, songwriter
• Paul Epworth – producer, songwriter
• Clarence Clarity – producer
• Lauren Aquilina – songwriter
• Vic Jamieson – songwriter

Charts

Chart performance for "This Hell"

Chart (2022)	Peak position
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[15]	8

References

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