 Writing began in late 2009 , when the American singer Holly Hafermann resided at the Artula Retreat in Bandon , Oregon , and composed songs . Later , in New York , under her new stage name Skylar Grey , she visited her Universal Music publisher , Jennifer Blakeman , to seek help presenting her work ; Blakeman suggested she collaborate with Alex da Kid . The producer emailed Grey his track , which suggested a theme of abusive romantic relationships to her as she spontaneously sang lyrics to the melody . She told the Los Angeles Times that she was in an abusive relationship with the music industry : " I love it so much , and I give it all that I have , yet it beats me down . " This idea inspired her writing , a process she found came naturally , as if she were creating an alternative pop song for herself . She wrote the chorus to " Love the Way You Lie " in fifteen minutes and recorded vocals for Alex da Kid 's demo . 
