The song "Love the Way You Lie" by Eminem and Rihanna is about a dysfunctional relationship involving domestic violence. The title refers to the way the victims of abuse learn to love the ups and downs of the volatile relationship. The chorus has Rihanna singing about watching and hearing her partner but accepting it because she loves the way he lies. Eminem's lyrics describe the cycle of abuse where the relationship goes from good to bad, with fighting, hate and shame, before inevitably returning to the beginning again.