"Love-Hate-Sex-Pain" is a song by American

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

band

Godsmack Godsmack is an American rock band from Lawrence, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The band is composed of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Sully Erna, bassist Robbie Merrill, lead guitarist Tony Rombola and drummer Shannon Larkin. Since its forma ...

. It is the second single from the band's fifth studio album, '' The Oracle''.

Sound

Shannon Larkin James Shannon Larkin (born April 24, 1967) is an American musician, best known as the drummer of rock band Godsmack. He replaced the previous drummer Tommy Stewart in June 2002. Prior to Godsmack, he was a member of Amen, Candlebox, Ugly Kid Joe ...

mentioned that "Love-Hate-Sex-Pain" is one of his favorite songs from ''The Oracle'', stating "Love-Hate-Sex-Pain is special to me because I feel it has a different sound for the band, and it was a song that Tony and I put together many years ago, and honestly never imagined it being picked for a

record. When Sully put the lyrics and melody to it, it was like seeing a child grow up."

Release

The single made its way to radio stations in the United States on July 12, 2010. On April 6, it was released as the first song from ''The Oracle'', giving the fans the opportunity to download it through

iTunes iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mul ...

Track listing

;Digital single ;CD single

Reception

Critical

The song has received positive reviews. Chris Akin from PitRiff.com praised the song, stating "This song might be the closest thing to a 'twist' that you get on ''The Oracle''. A rare balladic number, this song showcases a much more musical direction than Godsmack has ever taken in the past. Sounding more like a mid-tempoed

Alice In Chains Alice in Chains (often abbreviated as AIC) is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1987 by guitarist and vocalist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney, who later recruited bassist Mike Starr and lead vocalist Layne ...

song than what they've been known for." He added, "Love-Hate-Sex-Pain could very well be the song that reaches the most people." Reviewer Greg Maki from Live-Metal.net described the song as "one of ''The Oracle'''s bright spots". Aaron Titan from 411mania.com commented that "This was one of the other songs that the band leaked out ahead of the album's release and it's kind of a different route for Godsmack", adding "Very introspective feel to it, and it kind of jams with these Alice in Chains-style melancholy guitar chords that reek of despair until it hits the pendulum chorus that has some of the most simple yet interesting guitar work we've gotten from

Tony Rombola Tony Rombola (born November 24, 1964) is an American musician who has been the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for the Boston-based rock band Godsmack since the mid-1990s. Rombola has been cited as "an extraodinaire" in the guitar world by ' ...

in quite a while."

Commercial

"Love-Hate-Sex-Pain" climbed the '' Billboard Alternative Songs'', the '' Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks'' and the '' Billboard Rock Songs'', peaking at 24, two, and five respectively, and making it the band's 19th top 10 hit at active rock radio. Recently, the single debuted on the '' Billboard Heatseekers Songs'' and peaked at number 23. With "Love-Hate-Sex-Pain" appearing on the ''Billboard Alternative Songs'', Godsmack stood as the act with the most appearances on the chart without reaching the apex until 2011. The single is Godsmack's 19th charted title at the format. The band has peaked as high as No. 6 with "

Voodoo Voodoo may refer to: Religions * African or West African Vodun, practiced by Gbe-speaking ethnic groups * African diaspora religions, a list of related religions sometimes called Vodou/Voodoo ** Candomblé Jejé, also known as Brazilian Vodu ...

" in 2000. Metal band

Korn Korn (stylized as KoЯn, or occasionally KoRn) is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The band is notable for pioneering the nu metal genre and bringing it into the mainstream. Originally formed in 1993 ...

would later break the record in 2011.

Chart positions

Personnel

Sully Erna Salvatore Paul Erna Jr. (born February 7, 1968) is an American singer, musician, and songwriter, best known as the vocalist and rhythm guitarist for rock band Godsmack. He is also a harmonica player, drummer, and percussionist, performing these o ...

– vocals, producer *

– lead guitar *

Robbie Merrill Robbie or Robby is a surname. It is usually encountered as a nickname or a shortened form of Robert, Rob or Robin. The name experienced a significant rise in popularity in Northern Ireland in 2003. People Given name Robbie * Robbie Amell (born 1 ...

– bass *

– drums *

Dave Fortman Dave Fortman (born July 11, 1967) is an American record producer and musician. He is the guitarist for rock band Ugly Kid Joe, and has worked with bands such as Superjoint Ritual, Snot, Atomship, Eyehategod, Mudvayne, Otep, Slipknot (on thei ...

– producer

References

{{authority control Godsmack songs 2010 singles 2010 songs Songs written by Sully Erna Universal Republic Records singles