Celebrating the Feminine Rage of Hole's 'Live Through This'

As I ponder the timing of the release of Hole's Live Through This, it seems like a cosmic joke. On April 8th, 1994, the Earth stood still as the news of Kurt Cobain's untimely passing rippled through the Universe. It was an event that rerouted the course of music history, causing a media firestorm that still burns today. Released just four days later, on April 12th, 1994, Live Through This seemed like a direct response to the occurrence, however, it wasn't—contrary to popular belief.

Live Through This is stated to be derived from a line in Gone With the Wind. Standing on top of the ashen wreckage of her plantation, Scarlett O'Hara proclaims, "As God is my witness they're not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never be hungry again. No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat, or kill. As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again."

O'Hara's words are incendiary—lit by a match of spite. She decrees that she will survive regardless of the obstacles, and thrive afterward by any means necessary. It's a pretty fitting declaration for frontwoman Courtney Love, who clawed her way from tumultuous beginnings to rock superstardom. Whether you love her or hate her, there's no denying Love carved a space for herself in pop culture.

No matter its origin or surrounding lore, Hole's most notable album has become synonymous with powering through the chaos of life. For 30 years, Live Through This has been the epitome of feminine rage and despair. Constantly pilloried, yet constantly emulated, Love was appointed patron saint of pissed-off women worldwide, as she was a mouthpiece for those who often couldn't outwardly express their own anguish—myself included.

Live Through This helped fuel my own "as God as my witness" moment, becoming a more potent influence in my life than ever before. The words always resonated with me but mutated into an anthem of survival and defiance as I embraced the rage that fueled my will to live again. Sometimes spite is that one little push that helps you move forward.

At its release, Hole's members included Love, guitarist Eric Erlandson (who also often co-wrote), drummer Patty Schemel, and bassist Kristen Pfaff. Pfaff brought the professionalism needed to craft Hole's new sound. While both albums are often considered part of the "grunge" movement, Hole's debut Pretty on the Inside was an audio diary inspired by noise and punk, and Live Through This is slightly more polished for mainstream appeal, packaging Love's frenzied wails and the band's feverish instrumentals with beauty pageant, doll-inspired, and pastel candy aesthetics.

Semi-autobiographical, Live Through This was mined from Love's experiences with toxic relationships, being vilified by the press, her launch into motherhood, and the insecurities of being with a partner who was a larger-than-life figure. At the time, Love created songs about subjects largely glossed over by her male contemporaries. On the album, Love's genius was able to shine on its own accord, forever branding herself as "The Girl With the Most Cake."

Live Through This opens with the soul-splitting "Violet," an ode to a tumultuous relationship and sexual exploitation. The twenties-inspired video follows the same themes, juxtaposing strippers with young ballerinas, who are both leered at by suited men. "Violet" is a lightning strike as Love screams "Go on, take everything, I want you to.." inviting listeners into her pain. To this day, as I listen to "Violet," I feel a curdle in my stomach when I hear "Might last a day... Mine is forever..." To me, it's a song that captures the emotional scars left behind by a bitter breakup.

"I'm Miss World, watch me break and watch me burn..." The album doesn't ease up as it moves forward to "Miss World," which hides dark lyrics under an upbeat melody and the glitz and glam of pageantry. The song laments trying to uphold beauty standards and engaging in self-destruction. On-screen, Love stands in front of a glittering sign, "Cleanliness is close to Godliness," hinting at the pursuit of perfection.

As Live Through This continues, Love's body is a battleground—whether it be due to motherhood, substance abuse, societal expectations, or sex. "Plump" details Love's experience with pregnancy and post-partum depression. Love's role as a mother is also referenced in "Softer, Softest," and "I Think That I Would Die." The biting "Asking For It" is a song that deals with rape, both in the physical and metaphorical sense.

The most successful song on Live Through This is "Doll Parts," in which Love takes on a more melancholy tone. Known for her biting lyrics and rage, "Doll Parts" takes time to despair over the insecurity of being with someone (that someone being Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain) that the whole world seemingly desires. Love takes a step down and allows herself to exhibit a longing that isn't quite present in earlier work.

Vulnerable and sharp, Love spills her guts between the notes of Live Through This. For a little while, one of the most famous rock stars ever comes down to Earth. The sad reality of Live Through This is that as women, most of us share the same experiences. Whether it be on a small scare or a large scale, you're under a microscope.

With her private life on display and ripped apart, it's still baffling that Love and Hole were able to power through motherhood, fame, and tragedy to create something that has withstood the test of time. Despite the obstacles thrown Love's way, Live Through This showcases resilience. It says, "I'm still here and I'm not fuckin' leaving."

Because of this album, so many others have made the same declaration.