 Critics especially praised Rihanna 's contribution . Michael Menachem of Billboard complimented her " exquisitely melodic and surprisingly hopeful " vocal performance and " Eminem 's dark , introspective " rapping . He noted that the percussion complements both artists and that Alex da Kid gave the classical arrangement a mainstream touch . Kyle Anderson , writing for MTV , remarked that the song showcases Rihanna 's emotional vocals and Eminem 's " most intense rhymes about his tumultuous relationships " . He regarded " Love the Way You Lie " as an honest , " well @-@ constructed pop song with a killer hook " and likened the " slow @-@ burning " music to that of " Someone Like You " , a 2011 single by the British singer Adele . The Houston Chronicle pop critic Joey Guerra commented that Rihanna brought a " sandpaper and silk sheen " to the track . 
