Love-Hate-Sex-Pain

"Love-Hate-Sex-Pain" is a song by American heavy metal band Godsmack. It is the second single from the band's fifth studio album, The Oracle.

Sound
When interviewed by Pop Culture Madness , Shannon Larkin 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 Godsmack 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.

Digital download
On April 6, "Love-Hate-Sex-Pain" was released as the first song from The Oracle, giving the fans the opportunity to download it through iTunes.

Track listing

Digital single
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Love-Hate-Sex-Pain" Sully Erna 5:15
CD single
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Love-Hate-Sex-Pain" (Radio Edit) Sully Erna 4:20
2. "Love-Hate-Sex-Pain" (Album Version) Sully Erna 5:15
Reception

Critical
The song has received highly 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 song than what they've been known for", then 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." Reviewer 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 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 twenty-four, two, and five respectively, 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 twenty-three.
With "Love-Hate-Sex-Pain" appearing on the Billboard Alternative Songs, Godsmack currently stands as the act with the most appearances on the chart without reaching the apex. The single is Godsmack's 19th charted title at the format. The band has peaked as high as No. 6 with "Voodoo" in 2000.

Chart positions
Chart (2010) Peak position
Billboard Rock Songs 5
Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks 2
Billboard Alternative Songs 24
Billboard Heatseekers Songs 23

Personnel
Sully Erna - Vocals, Producer
Tony Rombola - Lead guitar
Robbie Merrill - Bass
Shannon Larkin - Drums
Dave Fortman - Producer