Theory of a Deadman (or Theory for short) is a rock band from North Delta, … Read Full Bio ↴Theory of a Deadman (or Theory for short) is a rock band from North Delta, British Columbia, Canada, formed in 2001, signed by Nickelback vocalist Chad Kroeger to 604 Records, after lead singer Tyler Connolly gave Kroeger a demo tape. The band also includes traits of other music styles, such as country, metal and more acoustic elements. Theory has released six studio albums and three #1 hits on the Mainstream Rock Chart. The band scored the entire soundtrack for the video game, "Indigo Prophecy" / "Fahrenheit".

Theory of a Deadman's fourth studio album, The Truth Is.. was released on July 12, 2011. The Truth Is... (I Lied About Everything) Songfacts reports it was inspired by the divorce that Tyler Connolly went through in 2010.

Current bandmembers:
Tyler Connolly – lead vocals, lead guitar (2001–present)
Dave Brenner – rhythm guitar (2001–present)
Dean Back – bass (2001–present)
Joey Dandeneau – drums (2009–present)

Former members
Tim Hart – drums (2001–2004)
Brent Fitz – drums (2004–2007)
Robin Diaz – drums (2007–2009)

Discography
Theory of a Deadman (2002)
Gasoline (2005)
Scars & Souvenirs (2008)
The Truth Is.. (2011)
Savages (2014)
Wake Up Call (2017)
Say Nothing (2020)

Love Is Hell
Theory of a Deadman Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Rather be punched in the face
Be sprayed with some mace
Than be head over heals
I'd rather be hit by a truck
Then be totally fucked
I know you know how it feels
I'd rather be buried alive
Than be living a lie with somebody like you

Love is hell
Love is shit
Can't you tell I've had enough of it
Raise your hands, let me hear you yell
Love is hell
Love is hell
Love is hell

I'd rather be broke on the street
Than be losing sleep over something you said
I'd rather spend the weekend in jail
And be stuck without bail
Than have you stuck in my head
I'd rather just play with myself
Than deal with somebody else and get totally screwed

Love is hell
Love is shit
Can't you tell I've had enough of it
Raise your hands, let me hear you yell
Love is hell
Love is hell
Love is hell

I'd rather be stabbed and be cut into ribbons
I'd rather be dead than the way you got me living
I'd rather be shot in the heart and be bleeding
I'd rather be left here alone than be needed

Love is hell
Love is shit
Can't you tell I've had enough of it
Raise your hands, let me hear you yell
Love is hell
Love is hell
Love is hell

Love ain't right
Just as well I'll be alone tonight
Raise your hands, let me hear you yell
Love is hell
Love is hell
Love is hell

I'd rather be stabbed and be cut into ribbons
I'd rather be dead than the way you got me living
(Love is hell)
I'd rather be shot in the heart and be bleeding

I'd rather be left here alone than be needed
(Love is hell)

Overall Meaning

Theory of a Deadman's song "Love Is Hell" expresses the frustration of being stuck in a relationship that brings you down rather than uplifts you. The lyrics are a powerful statement of someone who would rather experience physical pain or death than continue to endure the pain of a toxic relationship. The song is an anthem for anyone who has been through an abusive or manipulative relationship and emerged stronger on the other side.

The artist is using extreme examples of physical harm to describe the emotional turmoil of staying with someone who is not good for you. They would rather be physically hurt than continue to suffer the emotional pain of being with someone who does not treat them well. This shows how intense the impact of a bad relationship can be on someone's life.

"Love Is Hell" is a song that shares a unique perspective on love and relationships that is not commonly explored in mainstream music. It is a song that speaks to those who have experienced the darker side of falling in love, where the passion and romance turn sour, and love becomes a burden rather than a source of joy. The lyrics are straightforward, and the message is clear - love can be a painful, toxic experience that is not worth the sacrifice.

Line by Line Meaning

Rather be punched in the face
I would prefer physical pain over being completely infatuated with you

Be sprayed with some mace
I would prefer being pepper sprayed over being struck by love

Than be head over heals
Being overwhelmed with love is not for me

I'd rather be hit by a truck
Being hit by a vehicle is more appealing than dealing with a relationship gone wrong

Then be totally fucked
I would rather deal with a physical accident than the emotional pain of loving someone

I know you know how it feels
You're aware that love can be difficult and painful

Love is hell
Love can be a very difficult and painful experience

Love is shit
Love can be a terrible experience

Can't you tell I've had enough of it
I have experienced enough love, and it has been terrible

Raise your hands, let me hear you yell
Those who have also experienced terrible love should make their voices heard

I'd rather be broke on the street
I would prefer financial instability over emotional pain

Than be losing sleep over something you said
I don't want to be kept awake by thoughts of something you said or did

I'd rather spend the weekend in jail
I would prefer being in jail over being in a relationship with you

And be stuck without bail
I would rather be stuck in jail than deal with love gone wrong

Than have you stuck in my head
I don't want to be constantly thinking about you

I'd rather just play with myself
I would prefer being alone and indulging in my own company over dealing with someone else's presence

Than deal with somebody else and get totally screwed
I don't want to get hurt by someone else's actions or feelings

I'd rather be stabbed and be cut into ribbons
Physical harm is preferable to the emotional pain of potential rejection

I'd rather be dead than the way you got me living
You make me feel so terrible that death is preferable to living with you

I'd rather be shot in the heart and be bleeding
Physical pain is more preferable to the emotional pain inflicted by love

I'd rather be left here alone than be needed
I would prefer being alone to being in need of someone who causes me pain

Love ain't right
Love is wrong, and not meant to be

Just as well I'll be alone tonight
It's better to be alone than to deal with the trials of love

Love is hell
Love can be a very difficult and painful experience

Lyrics © Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DANA CALITRI, DANA D. CALITRI, DAVID BRENNER, DAVID J. BRENNER, DEAN BACK, DEAN HENNING BACK, KATHY MARIA SOMMER, NINA OSSOFF, NINA MERYL OSSOFF, TYLER CONNOLLY, TYLER PATRICK CONNOLLY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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