 " Love the Way You Lie " is a midtempo hip hop ballad . The lyrics describe a couple 's refusal to separate despite having an abusive relationship . According to the sheet music from Universal Music Publishing Group , the song is in the key of B ♭ major with a common time signature and a tempo of 84 beats per minute . The vocal range spans from B ♭ 3 to D5 . " Love the Way You Lie " opens as Rihanna sings the pop refrain over a piano : 
