In 2010, they released their debut studio album Light Me Up. The album spawned the hit single Make Me Wanna Die, which peaked at number one on UK Rock Singles chart.
In 2012, the band released their second extended play Hit Me Like A Man, which includes 3 new songs and 2 live version tracks from Light Me Up.
In 2014, Going to Hell, the band's second studio album was released. The album debuted and peaked at number five on Billboard 200 chart. With the singles Heaven Knows, and Fucked Up World, the band made history as the first female-fronted band to achieve two number one hits on the US Mainstream Rock chart. Follow Me Down was later released as the final single and also reached number one on the same chart
In 2016, their third studio album, Who You Selling For, was released. The album spawned the single Take Me Down, which earned the band their fourth number one on the US rock chart.
In 2021 a fourth studio album, Death by Rock and Roll, was released. It was released on February 12, 2021. It is the band's first album released with their new label, Fearless Records. It is also the band's first album since the death of their long-time producer, Kato Khandwala. The album was produced by Jonathan Wyman, vocalist Taylor Momsen, and guitarist Ben Phillips, along additional production done by Nate Yacchichino. The album was preceded by two singles: Death by Rock and Roll and And So It Went (feat. Tom Morello). There were also two promotional singles released prior to the album: Broomsticks and 25.
Hit Me Like a Man
The Pretty Reckless Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am strong, love is evil
It's a version of perversion that is only for the lucky people
Take your time and do with me what you will
I won't mind, you know I'm ill, you know I'm ill
So hit me like a man and love me like a woman
One will give you hell, one will give you heaven
Hit me like a man, love me like a woman
Love me like a woman
Love is strong, but I am evil
You are wrong, about me
Take your time, ah, play with me until
You can hear the children scream, like their stuck inside a dream
That you, ah, will
So hit me like a man, love me like a woman
Bury me alive, I can see it in your eyes, you want it
Some will give you pain, some will give you pleasure
Hit me like a man, love me like a woman
Love me like a woman
Don't you run away, run away from me, I will run away from you
Don't you run away, run away from me, I will run away from you
Hit me like a man, love me like a woman
From the devil deep inside, can't you see what I'm wanting?
Some will give you hell, some will give you heaven
So hit me like a man, love me like a woman
Love me like a woman
Love me like a woman
Love me like a woman, ow!
The lyrics of "Hit Me Like a Man" by The Pretty Reckless are a strong statement about the persona being unpredictable and the nature of love. The song characterizes the inversion of gender roles and expectations, suggesting that the persona of the song is not like the average girl, but instead an unpredictable force that loves like a man and wants to be loved like a woman. The lines "I am strong, love is evil/ It's a version of perversion that is only for the lucky people" suggests the persona's strength and resilience, but also the idea that love can often be toxic. There is also an impression of the sexual nature of love, as the persona seems to be giving herself over to her partner with the lines "Take your time and do with me what you will/ I won't mind, you know I'm ill, you know I'm ill."
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea of the persona wanting to be loved in a more traditionally feminine way, while still maintaining her strength and power. The line "Hit me like a man and love me like a woman" creates a powerful juxtaposition of masculine and feminine behaviors. This refrain is repeated throughout the song, almost like a battle cry, suggesting that the persona is unapologetic in her complexity and unconventional attitude towards love.
The final stanza of the song adds another layer to the song's complexity, suggesting that both partners in the relationship are perhaps equally imperfect and searching for something. The lines "From the devil deep inside, can't you see what I'm wanting?/Some will give you hell, some will give you heaven" are particularly poignant, suggesting a deep longing for something more profound than just physical pleasure.
Overall, "Hit Me Like a Man" is a powerful and thought-provoking song about gender roles, love, and the complexities of relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Ow!
Expressive sound signifying pain or surprise.
I am strong, love is evil
I possess strength but love is corrupting and has negative effects.
It's a version of perversion that is only for the lucky people
Love is a distorted and twisted form of behavior that only benefits some individuals.
Take your time and do with me what you will
Take as much time as you need to manipulate me as you please.
I won't mind, you know I'm ill, you know I'm ill
I do not care what happens to me, as I am already emotionally unwell.
So hit me like a man and love me like a woman
Be rough with me like a man and treat me with love and care like a woman.
Buried and sad, look me in the eyes, I want it
I am depressed and defeated, stare into my eyes while hurting me.
One will give you hell, one will give you heaven
One person's actions will cause distress, while another's will bring pleasure.
Hit me like a man, love me like a woman
Hurt me with force but then make up for it with tenderness.
Love me like a woman
Care for me and treat me like a female should be treated.
Love is strong, but I am evil
Although love is powerful, my nature is wicked and malevolent.
You are wrong, about me
You have an inaccurate perception of my character and traits.
Take your time, ah, play with me until
Engage with me however you please until
You can hear the children scream, like their stuck inside a dream
You are causing harm and making innocent people suffer.
That you, ah, will
This will continue until you decide to stop.
Bury me alive, I can see it in your eyes, you want it
Cover me up alive and I can sense the eagerness in your gaze.
Some will give you pain, some will give you pleasure
Some people will inflict harm and others will bring enjoyment.
Don't you run away, run away from me, I will run away from you
Do not flee from me, or else I will leave you alone as well.
From the devil deep inside, can't you see what I'm wanting?
There is a sinister and evil force within me that desires what I am requesting.
So hit me like a man, love me like a woman
Translate your aggression and love into the masculine and feminine aspects respectively.
Love me like a woman
Treat me with respect and care, as if I were of the female gender.
Love me like a woman
Care for me and treat me like a female should be treated.
Love me like a woman, ow!
Treat me with love and appreciation, emphasized with an exclamation of pain or excitement.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BEN PHILLIPS, KATO KHANDWALA, TAYLOR MOMSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind