"House of Pain" is a

power ballad A sentimental ballad is an emotional style of music that often deals with romantic and intimate relationships, and to a lesser extent, loneliness, death, war, drug abuse, politics and religion, usually in a poignant but solemn manner.J. M. C ...

by American heavy metal band

Faster Pussycat Faster Pussycat is an American hard rock/glam metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1985 by vocalist Taime Downe, guitarists Brent Muscat and Greg Steele and bassist Kelly Nickels. The group has since gone through numerous lineup changes lea ...

. The song was released as the third and final single from the album ''

Wake Me When It's Over ''Wake Me When It's Over'' is the second album by Faster Pussycat, released in 1989. The band moved away from the glam metal of their first album to a more blues-influenced sound. Music videos were produced for "Poison Ivy" and "House of Pain". ...

''. It is the most popular song by the band, peaking at No. 28 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.

Music video

A music video was filmed for the song, which was directed by

Michael Bay Michael Benjamin Bay (born February 17, 1965) is an American film director and producer. He is best known for making big-budget, high-concept action films characterized by fast cutting, stylistic cinematography and visuals, and extensive use of ...

Track listing

;7" single ;US 12" single ;Spain 12" single ;UK 12" single ;Cassette single ;EP single

Chart positions

Use in other media

The song was featured in the ''

Peacemaker Peacemaker or The Peacemaker (in various forms) may refer to: Individuals and groups * UN Peacemaker, a project of the UN to support international peacemakers and mediators * Peace makers, a list of contemporary individuals and organizations inv ...

'' episode " The Choad Less Traveled". Towards the end of the episode, the

titular character The title character in a narrative work is one who is named or referred to in the title of the work. In a performed work such as a play or film, the performer who plays the title character is said to have the title role of the piece. The title of ...

listens to the song while reflecting on his childhood trauma and turning to drugs and alcohol for support.

Personnel

;Faster Pussycat *

Taime Downe Taime Downe (; born Gustave Molvik on September 29, 1964) is an American musician best known as the lead singer of the 1980s hard rock/glam metal band Faster Pussycat. Life and career In high school, Downe formed a band named The Bondage Boy ...

– lead vocals * Greg Steele – guitar, piano, backing vocals *

Brent Muscat Brent Muscat (born April 23, 1967) is an American musician best known as the guitarist of glam metal band Faster Pussycat Faster Pussycat is an American hard rock/glam metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1985 by vocalist Taime Downe, g ...

– guitar * Eric Stacy – bass guitar * Mark Michals – drums, percussion ;Additional musicians *

Jimmy Zavala Jimmy 'Z' Zavala (born July 12, 1955) is an American musician. He is notable for playing harmonica on the Eurythmics song " Missionary Man" and performing with the band live. He also played live as part of Rod Stewart's band and appears on "Weir ...

– harmonica

References