 Rihanna said she joined the collaboration because she could relate to the theme of the song , as she and Eminem had been in difficult relationships on " different ends of the table " . Eminem had released the songs " ' 97 Bonnie & Clyde " ( 1998 ) and " Kim " ( 2000 ) , in which he fantasizes , respectively , about murdering and verbally abusing his then @-@ wife Kimberly Scott . They had divorced in 2001 and again in 2006 after a remarriage . In February 2009 , Rihanna 's relationship with the American singer Chris Brown had ended following his felony assault on her . Rihanna described " Love the Way You Lie " as unique , realistic and deep , saying that it " broke down the cycle of domestic violence " because few people had insight on the topic . 
