...To Be Loved
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| "...To Be Loved" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Papa Roach | ||||
| from the album The Paramour Sessions | ||||
| Released | August 8, 2006 | |||
| Recorded | December 2005–May 2006 at the Paramour Mansion in Hollywood, California | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:02 | |||
| Label | Geffen | |||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producer | Howard Benson | |||
| Papa Roach singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "...To Be Loved" on YouTube | ||||
"...To Be Loved" is the first single from the band Papa Roach's fifth album, The Paramour Sessions, and eighth released single in total. The song is a slight return to the band's early work, starting with a rapping introduction, but as the introduction goes the rapping then goes into fast screaming making it different from the usual rapping of the band's early releases. Most of the song is singing with Jacoby singing in the verses and also choruses. The song follows the band's hard rock sound of their previous album. The song hit American radio stations on August 7, 2006. The song was played in full on Kerrang! Radio in the United Kingdom on August 1, 2006 and has since become available to download via the iTunes Store and Walmart Downloads store as a radio edit version. On September 18, the single became available in UK stores as a 7" vinyl picture disc with a complimentary Papa Roach sticker. The CD was released on October 11, 2006. The song was used as the official theme song for WWE Raw on the USA Network from October 9, 2006 to November 9, 2009. The song has risen to number eight on the Mainstream Rock Tracks and number 14 on the Modern Rock Tracks and played during the theatrical trailer of the 2008 film Never Back Down.
Music video
[edit]The music video was shot at Park Plaza Hotel (Los Angeles) and was directed by Kevin Kerslake. It begins by showing two skimpy-dressed women who are picked up by the vocalist, Jacoby Shaddix, of the band with three other women in the back. Then they arrive at a building where the band is playing. Meanwhile, strippers and circus performers are seen in the background, along with a huge crowd of fans. The video was shot on August 3, 2006. On August 15, 2006, the video for "...To Be Loved" premiered on Yahoo Music. There are three versions. The original censored one, one for public viewings (which removes the scene where a girl is shown on a leash), and an uncensored version. The start of the song also samples the Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop", with the 'Hey Ho, Lets Go!'.
Appearances
[edit]The music video had various actors, adult stars, and musicians in this video. Jason Jenson, lead singer of the band formerly known as Die Trying. Telly "Leatherface" Blackwood known actor, producer, wrestler from MTV's Viva La Bam.
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "...To Be Loved" (edited version) | 3:02 |
| 2. | "...To Be Loved" (explicit version) | 3:02 |
7" single
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "...To Be Loved" | 3:01 |
| 2. | "Getting Away with Murder" (Live in Chicago) | 4:04 |
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[6] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ Kazmierczak, Pamela. "Top 10 Papa Roach Songs". Classic Rock History. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
- ^ "Papa Roach Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
- ^ "Papa Roach Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
- ^ "Papa Roach Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
- ^ "Mainstream Rock Songs – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
- ^ "American single certifications – Papa Roach – ...To Be Loved". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
...To Be Loved
View on GrokipediaBackground and recording
Album development
Papa Roach's fifth studio album, The Paramour Sessions (2006), marked a significant evolution for the band, transitioning from their nu-metal roots exemplified in early works like Infest (2000) to a more mature hard rock sound characterized by anthemic choruses and reduced rap elements. This shift built on the melodic experimentation of their previous album, Getting Away with Murder (2004), as the band sought to distance themselves from the nu-metal label that had dominated their early career and embrace broader rock influences inspired by acts like Queen and Mötley Crüe.[2][10] The decision to record at the historic Paramour Mansion in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, from October 2005 to February 2006, was pivotal, as the band's immersion in the estate's gothic, rock'n'roll atmosphere—complete with unique decor like a stuffed polar bear—influenced the album's haunting, atmospheric vibe and fostered creative freedom. Drummer Dave Buckner noted that living at the mansion for several months created an intense, communal environment that shaped the record's attitude and sound.[11][12][13] "...To Be Loved" was selected as the lead single to serve as an energetic opener, reintroducing the band's refined style with its gang-chant chorus and resilient themes, originating from a melody Jacoby Shaddix developed backstage during the Getting Away with Murder tour and refined early in the Paramour sessions. Frontman Jacoby Shaddix emphasized personal growth in the track's lyrics, drawing from themes of following one's heart and perseverance amid life's challenges, stating, “It was like us staking our claim again... We’re not going away, you can’t get rid of us.” This creative input occurred within a stable lineup featuring Shaddix alongside guitarist Jerry Horton, bassist Tobin Esperance, and drummer Dave Buckner, who had been consistent since 2002, providing a solid foundation for the album's introspective direction.[2]Production process
The recording sessions for "...To Be Loved" occurred at the Paramour Mansion in Hollywood, California, during the production of Papa Roach's fifth studio album, The Paramour Sessions, spanning from October 2005 to February 2006.[11] The band chose this historic location to foster an immersive creative process, living on-site to integrate their daily experiences into the music.[14] The track was produced by Howard Benson, with Papa Roach credited as co-producers, emphasizing a collaborative approach to refine the song's hard rock elements.[15] Recording engineer Mike Plotnikoff handled the primary tracking, capturing the band's performances in the mansion's spaces to preserve a sense of live intensity and immediacy.[16] Mixing duties for "...To Be Loved," as track one on the album, were led by Chris Lord-Alge, who balanced the aggressive instrumentation with Jacoby Shaddix's dynamic vocal delivery.[17] Mastering was completed by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in New York City, ensuring the final mix translated powerfully across formats.[17] The Paramour Mansion's reputed haunted history, linked to spirits from its past as a silent film-era residence, influenced the sessions by creating an eerie atmosphere that occasionally disrupted recording with unexplained power outages and affected band morale.[18] This led to a more introspective environment, where personal struggles—including Shaddix's battles with addiction—infused the track with emotional depth, though the band adapted by channeling the tension into raw, unpolished takes.[18]Composition
Musical style
"...To Be Loved" is a hard rock track reflecting Papa Roach's evolution from their earlier rap metal sound toward a more melodic style, with aggressive energy.[2] The song operates at a tempo of 96 beats per minute in the key of G♯ major, contributing to its driving, anthemic feel.[19] The structure begins with an energetic intro leading into punchy verses that build tension through rhythmic delivery, transitioning to a melodic, swelling chorus featuring gang-vocal chants for a communal, uplifting effect.[2] A bridge provides dynamic contrast before returning to the chorus, emphasizing the song's rock foundation without extended solos.[20] Instrumentation centers on distorted guitars by Jerry Horton, which utilize power chords to create a heavy, riff-driven backbone, complemented by Tobin Esperance's prominent bass lines that add thunderous depth.[21] Dave Buckner's tight, propulsive drumming maintains a solid groove throughout, enhancing the track's modern hard rock intensity.[22] Jacoby Shaddix's vocal performance highlights dynamic shifts, starting with an aggressive, near-rap style in the verses that evokes the band's nu-metal roots, before exploding into clean, emotive singing in the chorus to convey resilience and emotional range.[23] This contrast underscores the song's blend of raw aggression and melodic accessibility.[22]Lyrics
The lyrics of "...To Be Loved" revolve around a core theme of yearning for love and acceptance, underscored by the repeated chorus declaration "I just want to be loved," which conveys a raw emotional plea amid inner turmoil and external temptations. This theme emerges from lines depicting personal vulnerability, such as "I got a jet-black heart / It's all fucked up, and it's falling apart," illustrating self-doubt and emotional breakdown in the face of love's elusiveness.[23] The song's structure builds through verses that explore struggles in relationships and desire, including references to "love deprivation" and a pull toward "domination" and "submission," suggesting conflicts between control and surrender. The references to "domination" and "submission" have been interpreted as alluding to BDSM themes, enhancing the song's exploration of temptation and power dynamics.[23] The chorus then shifts to a direct plea for unconditional acceptance, while the bridge urges releasing the past—"Take the past, burn it up and let it go"—to embrace resilience. Shaddix has described the track as capturing "walking that line of temptation" while embracing boldness and gut instinct.[23][3] Poetic devices enhance the emotional intensity, with repetition of the chorus phrase "Whoa-oh! I never give in / Whoa-oh! I never give up" emphasizing perseverance and the desperate need for love, creating a mantra-like effect. Metaphorical imagery, like the "jet-black heart" symbolizing deep-seated pain, draws parallels to the band's history of grappling with fractured personal foundations, evoking a sense of a "broken home" through indirect allusions to past hardships.[23] This track represents a shift in Shaddix's songwriting toward themes of vulnerability and introspection.[1]Release and formats
Single release
"...To Be Loved" was released on August 8, 2006, as the lead single from Papa Roach's fifth studio album, The Paramour Sessions, through Geffen Records.[24] The track premiered on U.S. mainstream rock radio stations the day prior, on August 7, 2006.[25] In the UK, it debuted on Kerrang! Radio on August 1, 2006. Distribution began with digital downloads available on platforms including iTunes and Walmart.com starting August 8, 2006. Physical formats followed, with the 7" vinyl picture disc released on September 18, 2006, in the UK, and the CD single on October 11, 2006.[25][26] The initial promotion focused on integrating the single with album pre-orders, while band interviews highlighted its central role in the narrative of The Paramour Sessions, marking a sonic evolution for the group.[2]Track listings
The single "...To Be Loved" by Papa Roach was issued in multiple formats, primarily as promotional releases and a limited vinyl edition, with variations including edited versions for radio play and a live B-side on the vinyl pressing.[24]Digital download
The digital single features the standard album version in an edited format suitable for mainstream radio.| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | ...To Be Loved (Album Version - Edited) | 3:01 |
CD single
Promotional CD singles were distributed to radio and industry personnel, typically containing only the lead track in a clean edit.| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | ...To Be Loved (Edit) | 3:01 |
7" vinyl
A limited picture disc vinyl was produced for the UK and European markets, pairing the A-side with a live recording as the B-side.| Side | Title | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | ...To Be Loved | 3:01 | Album version |
| B | Getting Away with Murder (Live & Murderous in Chicago) | 3:12 | Live recording from a 2006 performance |
International variants and promos
- UK CD promo: Identical to the US version, featuring "...To Be Loved" (3:01) as a single-track disc for radio promotion.[26]
- Additional promo variants: Custom CD-R promos circulated in the US with clean edits of the track for airplay, often without additional content. No official remixes or alternate B-sides beyond the vinyl live track were commercially issued.[24]