Even If It Kills Me (song)

"Even If It Kills Me"
Single by Papa Roach
ReleasedJanuary 22, 2025
March 26, 2025 (Reimagined version)
Recorded2023
GenreAlternative rock
Length3:32
LabelNew Noize
Songwriters
ProducerDrew Fulk
Papa Roach singles chronology
"Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark)"
(2023) 		"Even If It Kills Me"
(2025) 		"Braindead"
(2025)
Music video
"Even If It Kills Me" on YouTube

"Even If It Kills Me" is a song by American rock band Papa Roach. It was released as a single on January 22, 2025, through New Noize Records/ADA. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in March 2025.

Background and release

"Even If It Kills Me" is Papa Roach's first single since 2023's collaboration with Carrie Underwood, "Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark)".[1] The initial music for the track began about two years before its release,[2] and the single release coincided with the "Rise of the Roach tour".[3]

Jacoby Shaddix said the song was inspired by his son going through what he called a "traumatic life upheaval". He compared it to watching him "walk through fire" and said he wanted to carry the pain for him during that time.[4]

Composition

According to NME, the song is a return to Papa Roach's alternative hard-rock roots.[1] Revolver described the song as dark and anthemic, built for large audiences, and centered on people facing hardship and supporting one another.[5]

Critical reception

Loudwire included the song in its "51 Best Rock + Metal Songs of 2025", citing its blend of veteran experience and youthful angst, as well as Shaddix's commanding vocals and emotional honesty.[6]

Music video

An animated official lyric video was released alongside the single in January 2025.[1] The live-action music video, directed by Jesse Davey and Ed Shires, was released shortly after the single. Shaddix described it as one of their most epic videos and said it allowed him to explore his "inner action hero".[2] The reimagined version was released[7] alongside an official music video that continues the narrative from the original.[8] In late May 2025, an acoustic music video was released for the track.[9]

Notable live performances

Date City Venue Notes
January 21, 2025 Berlin, Germany Huxley's Neue Welt Live premiere of "Even If It Kills Me"[3][10]
April 24, 2025 Detroit, Michigan, US Riff Lounge Intimate acoustic 'Riff Session'; Shaddix performed a brief metal-style vocal flourish during the finale.[11]
February 10, 2025 London, UK Wembley Arena Opened live show with "Even If It Kills Me"; stage featured a roach-adorned curtain, LED screens, and pyrotechnics.[12]

Track listing

Even If It Kills Me - by Papa Roach Single[13][14]
No.TitleLength
1."Even If It Kills Me"3:32
Even If It Kills Me (Reimagined) - by Papa Roach Single[15]
No.TitleLength
1."Even If It Kills Me (Reimagined)"2:54
2."Even If It Kills Me"3:32
Total length:6:26

Commercial performance

According to Blabbermouth, it accumulated nearly 10 million streams and charted in 27 countries within the first five weeks.[2]

Chart performance

It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart on March 22, 2025, their eleventh song to do so.[16]

Personnel

Papa Roach

Production and additional credits

  • Anthony Esperance – touring guitar, songwriting
  • Drew Fulk – production, songwriting
  • Joshua Landry – production (Reimagined version)
  • Andrew Goldstein – songwriting
  • Jesse Davey – music video direction
  • Ed Shires – music video direction

Charts

Release history

Digital download + streaming
Type Date Format
Original version[26] January 22, 2025 digital download / streaming
Reimagined version[27] March 26, 2025 digital download / streaming
Acoustic version[9] May 27, 2025 streaming

References

  1. ^ a b c Skinner, Tom (January 22, 2025). "Listen to Papa Roach's first new single in three years, Even If It Kills Me". NME. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c "Papa Roach Shares Cinematic Music Video For New Single 'Even If It Kills Me'". Blabbermouth. February 27, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  3. ^ a b Blabbermouth, (Staff) (January 22, 2025). "Papa Roach Releases Brand New Song 'Even If It Kills Me'". Blabbermouth. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  4. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (February 4, 2025). "Papa Roach talk mental health, Bring Me The Horizon and "pushing the boundaries" for their next album". NME. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  5. ^ Adams, Gregory (January 22, 2025). "Hear Papa Roach's first song in 3 years, "Even If It Kills Me"". Revolver. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  6. ^ Schaffner, Lauryn (December 2, 2025). "The 51 Best Rock + Metal Songs of 2025". Loudwire. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  7. ^ Garner, Emily (March 28, 2025). "Papa Roach release reimagined version of Even If It Kills Me: "It shines in a new way"". Kerrang!. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  8. ^ Howell, Maddy (March 28, 2025). "Papa Roach Drop Re-Imagined Version Of 'Even If It Kills Me'". Rock Sound. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  9. ^ a b Blabbermouth, (Staff) (May 27, 2025). "Papa Roach Shares Music Video For Acoustic Version Of 'Even If It Kills Me'". Blabbermouth. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  10. ^ Morton, Luke (January 22, 2025). "Papa Roach release new single, Even If It Kills Me". Kerrang!. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  11. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (April 24, 2025). "See Papa Roach play acoustic Last Resort at stripped-down Riff Lounge performance". Revolver. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  12. ^ Morton, Luke (February 10, 2025). "Papa Roach live review – Wembley Arena, London 2025". Metal Hammer. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  13. ^ "Even If It Kills Me - Single - Album by Papa Roach - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  14. ^ "Even If It Kills Me - Single by Papa Roach - Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  15. ^ "Even If It Kills Me (Reimagined) - Single by Papa Roach - Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  16. ^ a b Rutherford, Kevin (March 22, 2025). "Papa Roach Rules Mainstream Rock Airplay Chart With 'Even If It Kills Me'". Billboard. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  17. ^ "Canada Mainstream Rock Chart — 2025-05-10". Billboard Canada. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  18. ^ "ČNS IFPI – CZ Radio – Top 100 – 22. týden 2025" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  19. ^ "Papa Roach – Even If It Kills Me" (in Czech). ČNS IFPI. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  20. ^ "Top Germany Radio Hits Weekly February 19, 2026". TopHit. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  21. ^ "Papa Roach Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  22. ^ "Papa Roach Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  23. ^ "Year End Charts 2025: Canada Mainstream Rock". Billboard. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  24. ^ "Rock & Alternative Airplay Songs – Year-End 2025". Billboard. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  25. ^ "Mainstream Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2025". Billboard. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  26. ^ "Even If It Kills Me–Papa Roach". Apple Music.
  27. ^ "Even If It Kills Me (Re-imagined)–Papa Roach". Apple Music.
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