"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)". The initial music for the track began about two years before its release, and the single release coincided with the "Rise of the Roach tour".
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.
Composition According to NME, the song is a return to Papa Roach's alternative hard-rock roots. Revolver described the song as dark and anthemic, built for large audiences, and centered on people facing hardship and supporting one another.
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.
Music video An animated official lyric video was released alongside the single in January 2025. 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". The reimagined version was released alongside an official music video that continues the narrative from the original. In late May 2025, an acoustic music video was released for the track.
Notable live performances Date City Venue Notes January 21, 2025 Berlin, Germany Huxley's Neue Welt Live premiere of "Even If It Kills Me" April 24, 2025 Detroit, Michigan, US Riff Lounge Intimate acoustic 'Riff Session'; Shaddix performed a brief metal-style vocal flourish during the finale. 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.
Track listing
Commercial performance According to Blabbermouth, it accumulated nearly 10 million streams and charted in 27 countries within the first five weeks.
Chart performance It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart on March 22, 2025, their eleventh song to do so.
Personnel Papa Roach Jacoby Shaddix – vocals, songwriting Jerry Horton – guitar Tobin Esperance – bass, songwriting Tony Palermo – drums
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
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for "Even If It Kills Me" Chart (2025–2026) Peakposition Czech Republic Modern Rock (ČNS IFPI)1 Germany Airplay (TopHit)29US Mainstream Rock Airplay (Billboard)1
Year-end charts + Year-end chart performance for "Even If It Kills Me" Chart (2025) Position Canada Mainstream Rock (Billboard) 4 US Rock & Alternative Airplay Songs (Billboard) 2 US Mainstream Rock Airplay (Billboard) 7
Release history + Digital download + streaming Type Date Format Original version January 22, 2025 digital download / streaming Reimagined version March 26, 2025 digital download / streaming Acoustic version May 27, 2025 streaming
References
External links