This Hell by Rina Sawayama Lyrics Meaning – Embracing Identity in a Fiery Dance Pop Anthem
Lyrics
Ha, ha, ha, ha
Saw a poster on the corner opposite the motel
Turns out I’m going to hell
If I keep on being myself
Don’t know what I did
But they seem pretty mad about it
God hates us?
Alright then
Buckle up, at dawn we’re riding
Walk a mile on these coals
Busy cleansing my soul
Getting ready for the night
Damned for eternity
But you’re coming with me into the afterlife
This hell is better with you
We’re burning up together baby, that makes two
‘Cause the devil’s wearing Prada
And loves a little drama, ooh, ooh
(This hell is better with you)
With you (woo ooh ooh, woo ooh ooh)
With you (woo ooh ooh, woo ooh ooh)
Ohh, with you (woo ooh ooh, woo ooh ooh)
(This hell is better with you) (aha ha)
Flame red, caught the moment
Posing for the paparazzi
Fuck what they did to Britney
To lady di and Whitney
Don’t know why we’re here
But might as well get down and dirty
That Satan’s looking thirsty
Not even he can hurt me
Walk a mile on these coals
Busy cleansing my soul
Getting ready for the night
Damned for eternity
But you’re coming with me into the afterlife (wow, that’s hot)
This hell is better with you
We’re burning up together baby, that makes two
‘Cause the devil’s wearing Prada
And loves a little drama, ooh, ooh
(This hell is better with you)
With you
This life gave us nothing to lose
We’re going down together
Got a ticket for two
‘Cause the devil’s wearing Prada
And loves a little drama, ooh, ooh
(This hell is better with you)
With you (woo ooh ooh, woo ooh ooh)
With you (woo ooh ooh, woo ooh ooh)
Ohh, with you (woo ooh ooh, woo ooh ooh)
(This hell is better with you)
Got my invitation to eternal damnation
Get in line, pass the wine, bitch
We’re going straight to hell!
Got my invitation to eternal damnation
Get in line, pass the wine, bitch
We’re going straight to hell
This hell is better with you
We’re burning up together
Baby, that makes two
‘Cause the devil’s wearing Prada
And loves a little drama, ooh, ooh
This hell is better with you (with you)
This hell is better with you (woo ooh ooh, woo ooh ooh)
(I’m in this hell with you) (woo ooh ooh, woo ooh ooh)
This hell is better with you (woo ooh ooh, woo ooh ooh)
Ohh, with you (woo ooh ooh, woo ooh ooh)
This hell is better with you (ohh, oh)
(This hell is better with you)
Rina Sawayama’s song ‘This Hell’ captures the zeitgeist of an identity-embracing generation with unapologetic flair. Within the sizzling beats and buoyant melodies, Sawayama crafts a narrative that defies the stifling norms and celebrates self-acceptance, even if it means dancing with the devil himself.
The song’s blend of pop, rock, and country elements, paired with its glittery defiance, raises questions about what it means to live authentically in a world that might not always accept you. ‘This Hell’ serves as both a battle cry and a joyous anthem, inviting listeners to find solace in its rapturous rebellion.
Hell Hath No Fury Like an Authentic Heart Scorned
‘This Hell’ opens with a cheeky yet profound acknowledgment that authenticity can be controversial. With lines such as ‘Turns out I’m going to hell if I keep on being myself,’ Sawayama deftly illustrates a reality for many: the act of merely existing as one’s true self can be met with judgement and condemnation.
The song’s first verse sets the stage for an audacious message of perseverance. Rather than cower in the face of societal disapproval, Sawayama invites us to buckle up and embrace the ride — a journey that champions identity over conformity, with hell as a backdrop for celebratory resistance.
Strutting Down the Inferno’s Runway
The chorus becomes an infectious hook that reframes hell not as a pit of despair, but as a party for two. ‘This hell is better with you,’ Sawayama sings, crafting a narrative that celebrates unity and camaraderie amid adversity. Who the devil is wearing Prada alludes to a world where even malevolence has style and substance.
The track veers from its deep-seated themes to provide a playful commentary on the absurdity and vanity of evil. By personifying the devil in such a modern, fashion-forward way, Sawayama diminishes the power of fear and replaces it with a mischievous wink to the audience.
Peeling Back the Layers of ‘This Hell’s’ Hidden Meaning
Beyond the glossy surface and the undeniable pop appeal, ‘This Hell’ taps into the shared experiences of being vilified for one’s identity. Sawayama’s tongue-in-cheek acceptance of ‘eternal damnation’ serves as a shrewd critique of religious and societal dogma that often marginalizes LGBTQ+ individuals, women, and other minority groups.
By reclaiming the concept of hell as a space where the outcasts gather, Sawayama reflects on the notion that if heaven is exclusive, then perhaps the fiery depths offer a more inclusive alternative, one that welcomes all without judgement. In this light, ‘This Hell’ is not just a song, but an act of solidarity — a heaven for the heretics.
Pop Culture’s Martyrs and the Call for Justice
Amid its rallying cry, the track doesn’t shy away from calling out the real-life demons behind the maltreatment of pop culture icons. The mention of Britney Spears, Princess Diana, and Whitney Houston pays homage to women who have navigated, and at times succumbed to, the inferno of public scrutiny.
Sawayama sets her sights on the broader narrative these figures represent: the demonization and exploitation of female figures in the media. In doing so, she sends a message about the hellish side of fame, solidifying her own resolve to rise above it with her head held high and her spirits unbroken.
Memorable Lines that Ignite the Spirit
‘Get in line, pass the wine, bitch, we’re going straight to hell!’ With this all-too-quotable line from ‘This Hell,’ the singer transforms the traditionally somber journey into damnation into a cheeky invitation for a tipsy soiree. It’s a bold declaration that life — and its afterlife counterpart — is what you make of it.
The defiance embedded in this line, paired with its carefree delivery, has already etched itself in the annals of pop music as a catchphrase for those ready to face their battles with a smile and a glass in hand. It’s these lines that give ‘This Hell’ its signature zest, fitting seamlessly into Rina Sawayama’s repertoire of empowering and daring music.
