Russian Roulette (Rihanna song)
"Russian Roulette" | ||||
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Single by Rihanna | ||||
from the album Rated R | ||||
Released | October 20, 2009 | |||
Recorded | 2009 | |||
Studio | Roc the Mic (New York City) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:47 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | ||||
Rihanna singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Russian Roulette" on YouTube |
"Russian Roulette" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer
"Russian Roulette" received acclaim from critics; with many praising Rihanna's vocal performance and the song's lyrics. It reached the top-ten in over twenty countries worldwide including number one in the Czech Republic, Israel, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, and Switzerland. The song reached number two on the
The song's music video was shot by director
Writing and production
Whatever she came with, if she came out with 'I still love you' that would have been about Chris Brown. If she came out with 'I hate your dog' that would have been about Chris Brown, too. It's just a natural reaction for people to associate 'cause she's been so tight-lipped.
—Chuck Harmony talking about the connection between Chris Brown and "Russian Roulette"[1]
In 2009, producer Chuck Harmony and singer-songwriter Ne-Yo convened together to conceptualize a song that would take Rihanna's music to a further level. According to Harmony, they didn't want to re-work the previous works by Rihanna—something that according to him the fans expected. The producer told MTV News that they wanted to give Rihanna a film, not just a song with a length of three minutes, "I felt musically like everybody was gonna give like that 'Disturbia,' 'SOS,' kind of pop, uptempo stuff, and I really wanted the song that me and Ne-Yo did to stand out."[1]
Following a domestic violence case between Rihanna and her boyfriend Chris Brown, media speculated as to whether any song featured on her fourth upcoming album would be about him.[2] In an interview with MTV News, Ne-Yo clarified that he would not write a song for Rihanna about Brown, because he considered the idea unnecessary.[2] Harmony said that no matter what song Rihanna released as a lead single from the album, it would be looked at as a song about Brown.[1]
In an interview with the same publication, Ne-Yo explained how he wrote the lyrics, "I'm listening to the track, and all I can see is Rihanna and some random person sitting across from each other at the table with a gun sitting in the middle of the table and playing Russian roulette."[3] Ne-Yo further stated that Rihanna is not afraid to try new things and from the first moment she heard the song he knew she would like it, "I trust Rihanna to be Rihanna, and she trusts me to be me. That's the coolest thing about our relationship. I must say this song is a step in somewhat of a different direction for both of us." When Harmony heard the song, both he and Ne-Yo were aware that they should change some elements and that it had to be darker and edgier.[1]
"Russian Roulette" was recorded during summer 2009,
Release and artwork
On October 14, 2009, a metallic "R" along with a message saying "The Wait is Over" was placed on Rihanna's official website.[5] Subsequently, Rihanna posted on her official Twitter profile "#The Wait Is Ova. Nov. 23 09".[6] Speculation rose among fans that "The Wait Is Ova", literally meaning "The wait is over", would either be the name of a new single or the then-upcoming album.[5] According to Entertainment Weekly the date looked accurate for her album release and "The Wait Is Ova" would not be the title of the album.[6] Two days later, a countdown timer appeared on her website and was scheduled to end on October 20, 2009.[7] After the timer finished counting, "Russian Roulette" premiered on BBC Radio 1, the singer's official website and on American radio stations.[8]
Def Jam Recordings serviced the song to contemporary hit radio radio in the United States on October 26, 2009, as the lead single from Rated R. The next day, it was also sent to the rhythmic contemporary and urban contemporary radio stations in the country.[9][10] In an interview with NME, Rihanna explained that she and her management didn't have doubts if "Russian Roulette" should be the lead single as it was very personal and emotional track to her.[11] On November 3, the single was released for a digital download via the iTunes Store.[12] The album version of "Russian Roulette" together with its instrumental were released as a CD single in Germany on November 13.[13] On December 11, seven remixes of the song were digitally released in some countries.[14]
Composition and lyrical interpretation
"Russian Roulette" is a mid-tempo
Lyrically, "Russian Roulette" is about an abusive romantic relationship that ends abruptly, with some critics comparing them to the relationship that Rihanna had with Brown.[24][25] Kot noted that the single's lyrics compare a relationship to a fatal game of choice,[19] while Andy Jill of The Independent wrote that its title refers to a "state of relationships".[26] Rob Harvilla of The Village Voice described the song as a spare, suspenseful, violent torch song with a literal title.[27] The Los Angeles Times' Todd Martens wrote that although the song's lyrics are vague and find people speculating, they "hint at a situation one probably doesn't want to be in the middle of".[28] Sasha Resende of The Michigan Daily wrote "the ballad, which employs reckless gunplay as a not-so-subtle metaphor for a troubled relationship, achieves its seemingly morbid intent."[17]
"Russian Roulette" begins with a "searing" guitar solo that later transitions into a "pulsing" beat which stays constant until the end of the song. The single opens with the lyrics, "Take a breath/ Take it deep/ Calm yourself/ He says to me/ If you play/ You play for keeps/ Take the gun/ And count to three." The metaphor about the game of Russian roulette is also present in the chorus in which Rihanna sings, "And you can see my heart beating/ You can see it through my chest/ I said I'm terrified, but I'm not leaving/ I know that I must pass this test/ So just pull the trigger." In the upcoming verse, the character that the singer portrays in the song it's scared that the man talking to her will always have power over, "Say a prayer to yourself/ He says close your eyes/ Sometimes it helps/ And then I get a scary thought/ That he's here means he's never lost."[24] "Russian Roulette" ends with a sound of a gunshot, which according to Michaelangelo Matos of The A.V. Club extends the drama accompanied by "harrowing scenarios and tremulous vocals".[29]
Critical reception
Nick Levine of
The Boston Globe's Sarah Rodman wrote that the song is moody but far too deliberate and "has a grab bag of evocative images but never quite jells".[31] A reviewer of OK! magazine wrote that the single represents a downbeat way for return to the charts for Rihanna, but can grow on you.[32] Andy Jill of The Independent stated that "Russian Roulette" and "Fire Bomb" have "inflammatory" titles.[26] Entertainment Weekly's Simon Vozick-Levinson wrote that although Rihanna took risk with releasing the song, it pays off, "Rihanna is in fine vocal form throughout, and Ne-Yo's songwriting is economical and evocative per usual."[33] A staff from MTV Newsroom thought that the single retains some sort of attitude and atmosphere that made Rihanna "such a definitive artist".[34] Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone concluded that works like "Russian Roulette", "a domestic-violence victim's confession whipped into soaring melodrama — tell us why: She was busy saying her piece in the studio."[35]
Andy Kellman of
Chart performance
"Russian Roulette" debuted at number 100 on the US
"Russian Roulette" entered the
"Russian Roulette" entered the
Music video
Background and synopsis
The music video for "Russian Roulette" was directed by Rihanna's frequent collaborator
The music video opens with shots of Rihanna hooded, lying on the floor of a gas chamber. Three men, dressed in black uniforms and wearing dark round glasses circulate the singer, attempting to extort information from her. The scene then moves to a dimly lit room in which Rihanna sits at a table with her love interest (played by American actor Jesse Williams) opposite. On the table between them lies a silver revolver in which, throughout the video, they take it turns holding to their heads. Other scenes include Rihanna in woodland at night standing in the middle of a highway before a car speeds towards her, quickly cutting to another scene, giving the impression she is run over. Elements of blood and tears and vehicular assault dominate the video.[68] In the final scenes, Rihanna is shown underwater, floating while being fired at; one bullet is visually seen cutting her throat. The video ends with her lover committing suicide with the revolver placed between them.[70][71]
Reception
James Montgomery of
Live performances and cover
Following the release of Rated R in the United Kingdom, Rihanna performed the song for the first time at the Nokia promotional concert at Brixton Academy in London. Rihanna performed the song as part of a setlist, which included "Wait Your Turn" and "Hard". She sang "Russian Roulette" while sitting on a throne chair. A reviewer from British MTV stated that "The Barbadian beauty then sat seductively on stage in a throne that even the Beckhams would be proud of to belt out the ballad".[76]
Rihanna performed "Russian Roulette", together with "Wait Your Turn", "Hard" and "
"Russian Roulette" was the opening song on Rihanna's setlist for her Last Girl on Earth tour (2010–11). She performed the song on a movable platform while wearing a floor-length gown covered with red LED lights. Neil McCormick of The Telegraph, in a review of the Birmingham concert, said, "She kicked off with the homicidal pop-rock ballad Russian Roulette to screen imagery of burning naked mannequins and had shed most of her clothes by her second song...".[83] Later the track was excluded from the setlist for the Australian leg of the tour, together with "Rehab", and was replaced with "Only Girl (In the World)" as the tour opener.[84] English singer George Michael covered "Russian Roulette" during his orchestral concert tour, titled the Symphonica Tour (2011–12).[85]
Formats and track listing
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Personnel
- Locations
- Recorded at Roc the Mic Studios, New York City, New York; mixed at Chung King Studios, New York City, New York.
- Personnel
- Songwriting – Shaffer Smith, Charles Harmon
- Production – Ne-Yo, Chuck Harmony
- Vocal production – Makeba Riddick
- Recording – Marcos Tovar
- Assistant recorder – Mykael Alexander
- Music recorder – Mike "TrakGuru" Johnson
- Assistant music recorder – Kevin Hanson
- Mixing – Kevin "KD" Davis
- Assistant mixer – Jared Newcomb
- Guitar – Jessie Bonds
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Rated R, Def Jam Recordings, SRP.[4]
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
|
Certifications and sales
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[48] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[136] | Gold | 15,000^ |
France | — | 135,000[137] |
Germany (BVMI)[138] | Gold | 150,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[139] | Platinum | 30,000* |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[46] | Gold | 7,500* |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[132] | Gold | 20,000* |
Sweden (GLF)[140] | Platinum | 20,000‡ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[141] | Gold | 15,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[142] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[143] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Version(s) | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Worldwide | October 20, 2009 | Radio premiere | Original | Def Jam | [144] |
United States | October 26, 2009 | Contemporary hit radio | [9] | ||
October 27, 2009 |
|
[9][10] | |||
Denmark | October 30, 2009 | Digital download | [145] | ||
Finland | [146] | ||||
Italy | [147] | ||||
Japan | [148] | ||||
Netherlands | [149] | ||||
New Zealand | [150] | ||||
Norway | [151] | ||||
Australia | November 3, 2009 | [12] | |||
France | [152] | ||||
Ireland | [153] | ||||
Portugal | [154] | ||||
Spain | [155] | ||||
Sweden | [156] | ||||
United Kingdom | [86] | ||||
France | November 13, 2009 | CD |
|
Universal | [157] |
Germany | [13] | ||||
Denmark | December 14, 2009 | Digital download | The remixes | Def Jam | [14] |
Finland | [158] | ||||
Netherlands | [159] | ||||
Norway | [160] | ||||
Portugal | [161] | ||||
Spain | [162] | ||||
Sweden | [163] |
See also
- List of number-one songs in Norway
- List of number-one hits of 2010 (Switzerland)
- List of UK R&B Singles Chart number ones of 2009
- List of Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs number ones of 2010
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