"This Hell" is a song by Japanese-British singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama. It was released on 18 May 2022, through Dirty Hit, as the first single from her second album Hold the Girl.^[3]

In April 2020, Sawayama released her debut album, Sawayama. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dynasty Tour was postponed twice.^[4] Sawayama teased her second album in late 2021, saying "Next year, late summer", and played a new song called "Catch Me in the Air" while announcing she was finishing her "even more personal" second album.^[5][6] On 16 May 2022, Sawayama announced her second album, Hold the Girl.^[7] On the 17th, one day after, she announced the lead single "This Hell" would release the day after.^[8] "This Hell" is the first solo song by Sawayama since "Lucid" was released in 2020.^[9]

"This Hell" is a "glammy, country pop inspired" song which contains references to numerous country and western motifs such as cowboys and horseriding.^[3] It was produced by Paul Epworth and Clarence Clarity, and written by Sawayama alongside Vic Jamieson, Epworth, and Lauren Aquilina.^[10]

Sawayama has noted Dolly Parton and Kacey Musgraves as inspirations for "This Hell", as well as Shania Twain, whom Sawayama has described as "The queen of country pop".^[11]

Sawayama wrote "This Hell" while reflecting about attacks against LGBT people, which are often motivated by religious beliefs, stating: "When the world tells us we don't deserve love and protection, we have no choice but to give love and protection to each other".^[12] The song contains a guitar solo which was described as "over-the-top" by NPR.^[3] The singer makes references to some gay icons such as Britney Spears, Princess Diana, and Whitney Houston,^[10] and references Shania Twain’s "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" with the beginning line, "Let's go, girls", as well as Paris Hilton's signature catchphrase "that's hot".^[12] Sawayama stated: "I put in as many iconic pop culture moments as I can, but the song is more than that."^[13] Upon the song's release, Sawayama posted to Twitter: "I wanted to write a western pop song that celebrated COMMUNITY and LOVE in a time where the world seemed hellish."^[11]

A music video for "This Hell" was described as "glitzy" by NME.^[14] The visual, directed by Ali Kaur, depicts the singer marrying two people in a lavish wedding, all while drinking, line-dancing, and playing air guitar.^[13] Adrian Garro for Rock Cellar Magazine noted that the video was released during gay pride month.^[15]

Sawayama performed "This Hell" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.^[16][9] On October 30, 2022, Sawayama performed the song on British television dance contest Strictly Come Dancing.

• Rina Sawayama – performer, songwriter
• Paul Epworth – producer, songwriter
• Clarence Clarity – producer
• Lauren Aquilina – songwriter
• Vic Jamieson – songwriter

"This Hell" received critical acclaim. Rolling Stone listed "This Hell" as one of the best songs of 2022, placing it at number 15, and wrote: "Artists from other genres dabbling in country music is nothing new, but Sawayama does it better than nearly anyone here, proving she's just trying to have a good time — while also inspiring change."^[17] Billboard ranked named the 68th best song of the year.^[18]

On April 12, 2024, a remix of "This Hell" featuring South Korean-Japanese rapper Chanmina was released exclusively on Spotify as part of their Spotify singles series.^[20][21] In regard to LGBT rights in Japan, Spotify partnered with Asahi Breweries for a campaign for awareness of same-sex marriage.^[22][23]