The Hell Song

Album: Does This Look Infected? (2002)
Charted: 35
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about a friend of the band who contracted HIV. According to lead singer Deryck Whibley, it wasn't their most serious song, but it was the most personal. He also stated that it isn't an HIV or AIDS awareness song, but is supposed to make you realize how quickly things can change and how vulnerable we are. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Hunter - Atlanta, GA
  • The band was doing very well at the time, with "Fat Lip" a hit single when they got the sobering news that their friend tested positive for HIV. They helped pay for her treatments and medication.
  • This was the second single from Sum 41's second album, Does This Look Infected?, following "Still Waiting."
  • The video is goofy and low-budget, belying the song's inspiration. Directed by Marc Klasfeld, it's shots of action figures in various scenarios, with no attempt to hide the strings or hands moving them. The band didn't have action figures, so they made some by taping photos of their heads on to other figures. Klasfeld got the idea after noticing how many celebrities - especially musicians - had action figures. "The video looks like a piece of s--t," he admitted to MTV. "Anyone could have done this video, and I think that’s the whole point."

Comments: 17

  • Brad from Nocona, Tx@Jeff: *facepalm*
  • Tyler from Leoma, Tn@Jeff
    So Green Day, Sum 41, and Rush don't rock, just because they're from Canada? That has got to be the most biased statement I've ever heard.
  • Samantha from West Orange, NjI really love this song. It speaks to my heart. It just proves that everyine has problems and that you have the power to change the outcome. because my dad has been sick for the past 8 years it seems that i have forgotten the good times. This song gives me hope that my family will pull through and we will be happy. thank you sum 41 for making this song.
  • Nate from Syrause, Nyk, dave from montreal, almost every rock song (especially modern music) is a repeating chord progression, with a different progression thrown in for the chorus. thats just how it is
  • Jeff from Austin, TxReal rockers don't come from Canada
  • Josh from New York, Nydave from montreal, very stupid comment, last time i checked, metallica made videos, megadeth made videos, soundgarden, nirvana, pearl jam, rhcp, sublime, you name a band (since 1979) and chances are they've made a music video for at least one song.
  • Caroline from Long Island, Nyk, dave from montreal, what do you consider a real "rock band" cause, i consider that like, nirvana, metallica, rage against the machine, and guess what, they have videos. and sum 41 owns, and they are the greatest ever, and this video is amazing,an amazing video for an amazing song, i love sum, and cone's boy band good looks!
  • Dave from Montreal, CanadaReal rockers don't make videos
  • Dave from Montreal, CanadaYea the solo's somewhat juicy, but man if you think that's a "good" solo... listen to dimebag darrell or zakk wylde, you won't understand what's going on.. And I wish they tried different chords, instead of repeating the same chord progression throughout the whole song. geez..
  • Tbis from Gpf, Michigan, Mithis is an awsome song and the solo is awsome(not as hard as you would think) and i love their videos cause they make them real cheap like real rockers should. sum 41 rocks.
  • Jen from Perryville, Mdi love the song and the video :)
  • Ashley from Moncton, CanadaI love the solo in this song, and it's got a great ending- i don't think I knew what I ha-D. with all that emphasis on the D.
  • Matt from Birmingham, EnglandBrilliant song, and I love the solo (1:39).
  • Jamez from Kendibredge, WvThis is a great song.

    I heard that the toys were actually Steve-O's personal collection(most of them)
  • Ariel from Woodbridge, Ctthe part that goes "Everybody's got their problems/Everybody says the same things to you/It's just a matter how you solve them/And knowing how to change the things you've been through" reminds me of Nickelback's "How you remind me"
  • Scott Baldwin from Edmonton, Canadayah,but waht dosent??
  • Kurt from Downers Grove, IlI love the video for this song! It reminds me of when I used to videotape wrestling matches with my WWF action figures. Man, those were the days!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

80s Music Quiz 1

80s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

MTV, a popular TV theme song and Madonna all show up in this '80s music quiz.

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul Station

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul StationSongwriter Interviews

Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Benny Mardones

Benny MardonesSongwriter Interviews

His song "Into The Night" is one of the most-played of all time. For Benny, it took him to hell and back.