| "She Hates Me" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Dierks Bentley | ||||
| from the album Broken Branches | ||||
| Released | February 14, 2025 | |||
| Recorded | 2024 | |||
| Studio | Blackbird Studio | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 2:50 | |||
| Label | Capitol Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Dierks Bentley singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "She Hates Me" on YouTube | ||||
"She Hates Me" is a song by the American country music singer Dierks Bentley. It was released on February 14, 2025, as the lead single to Bentley's eleventh studio album Broken Branches . [1]
"She Hates Me" first originated in a cryptic post shared on Bentley's social media profiles on December 19, 2024, where he posted a short snippet of the song with the caption reading "finishing a few things in the studio before we shut it down for the holidays", and wanted to know, "what do y'all think?" [2] [3]
The song was officially announced on February 11, 2025, and revealed it would be released on February 14, 2025 (Valentines Day), as the lead single from Bentley's eleventh studio album, Broken Branches. [4] Bentley co-wrote the track with Ashley Gorley, Ross Copperman, Chase McGill, Wes Scantlin, and Jimmy Allen with production being handled by Jon Randall and Copperman. [5]
The song originated during a songwriting retreat in 2024. According to Bentley, it began as a humorous diversion between more serious tracks. He later reconsidered its potential after receiving enthusiastic reactions from his children and close friends. [6] The lyrics describe a lopsided relationship in which the narrator expresses romantic commitment while the woman he desires actively dislikes him. [7]
Bentley acknowledged that the track includes lyrical nods to the 2001 Puddle of Mudd single of the same name, leading to co-writing credits for Puddle of Mudd's lead singer Wes Scantlin and former guitarist Jimmy Allen. [8] He described the song as a "lighthearted breakup anthem" and an "anti-Valentine's Day" track intended for listeners dealing with unrequited love. [9]
Bentley initially had no intention of recording "She Hates Me" and never expected it to become the lead single for his next album. "We were goofing around with this idea before diving into our next 'serious' song, really just trying to make each other laugh", he explained. [10] "It just fell out, and I didn't think much more about it after that". He considered the track a lighthearted diversion until his daughters began singing the chorus and friends reacted strongly. "Didn't take it too seriously until my kids started singing it back to me and the friends I sent it to kind of freaked out about it", Bentley said. [11] Their encouragement prompted him to revisit the song, write a bridge, and move forward with recording it. [12]
In an promotional interview after the single's release, Bentley described the track as "landing somewhere between Whitley and Weezer" highlighting its blend of classic country and rock influences with a mischievous edge. [13]
Upon release, "She Hates Me" became the most-added song on country radio for the week, with over 111 stations adding it to their playlists. [14] [15]
"She Hates Me" centers on the theme of unreciprocated love, with lyrics that juxtapose the narrator's affection with his partner's complete disdain. The narrator envisions a future with someone who has firmly rejected him, singing lines such as: "Thought one day we'd be on some acres raisin' babies / She should be fallin', only problem is she hates me". [16] Bentley has described the song as a "lighthearted breakup song" and emphasized its self-deprecating humor, suggesting it was created to bring levity to an otherwise emotional subject. [17]
Musically, the song blends Bentley's traditional country sound with alternative rock and post-grunge influences, interpolating lyrics from the Puddle of Mudd song, "She Hates Me". [18] The recording features upbeat instrumentation, including Bentley's signature smoky vocals backed by grungy guitars, steady drums, and an undeniable hook with a satirical tone. [19] [20]
"She Hates Me" received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its playful concept and Bentley's willingness to poke fun at himself. [21]
Taste of Country likened the track to Bentley's earlier humorous breakup songs like "Drunk on a Plane" and "What the Hell Did I Say", calling it a relatable and tongue-in-cheek anti-Valentine's Day anthem. [5]
Rolling Stone described the music video as "charmingly silly", highlighting its exaggerated depiction of romantic fallout. [22]
Jonathan Keefe of Country Universe gave the song a highly critical review, calling it "a nadir" in the country trend of interpolating earlier pop and rock hits. He argued that Bentley had "brought this trend to what is hopefully its nadir by interpolating a just-godawful Puddle of Mudd single from the peak of the Butt Rock era". Keefe contrasted the song unfavorably with Bentley's earlier humorous material like "Drunk on a Plane" stating that whereas that song succeeded with intentional irony, "She Hates Me" lacked any such purpose. He criticized the song's characterization of the woman in the narrative, writing that Bentley "acts like it's her fault that she doesn't find him charming", and concluded that the single was "a waste of a formidable talent". [23]
Smooth Radio noted the single's amusing and self-aware nature, stating that Bentley "fails to come to terms with the obvious fact that the object of his affection hates his guts". [24]
The official music video for "She Hates Me" was released concurrently with the single on February 14, 2025. Directed in a darkly comedic tone, the video features Bentley waking up in a vandalized house after an apparent breakup. Scenes depict a blonde woman keying his car, smashing objects in his home, and spiking his drink, symbolizing escalating chaos and resentment. Bentley described the concept as being "trapped in a looping nightmare", portraying a fictional ex-girlfriend who resents every aspect of him. [25]
The visuals reflect the song's theme of romantic misalignment while offering exaggerated depictions of frustration and rejection. Bentley noted that the self-deprecating humor in the video aligned with the song's original intent and praised the opportunity to "laugh at [his] younger self". The video was described by reviewers as "playful", "revenge-filled", and "tongue-in-cheek", complementing the lyrical tone of the track. [26]
Credits adapted from streaming metadata. [27]
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country ( Billboard ) [28] | 24 |
| US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [29] | 46 |
| US Country Airplay ( Billboard ) [30] | 23 |