Rihanna – Russian Roulette

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“Russian Roulette,” is ’s official first single off her “comeback” album, Rating R. She debuted the song, which was written and produced by Ne-Yo, on Ryan Seacrest’s show Tuesday morning.

Where’s the dancefloor beat, girl? If this is really your “comeback” track shouldn’t it be a little more uptempo?! A little more like “Umbrella”?! The song has simple yet moody and noir-esque lyrics. It captures the fear and agony of a roulette game while paralleling the game with certain real life situations.

“And you can see my heart beating. You can see it through my chest. And I’m terrified but I’m not leaving. Know that I must, must pass this test so just pull the trigger.”

The music video for the track will appear on prime-time ABC and from paparazzi shots, it looks like it’s going to be fierce, dark and seducing, a lot like the art work for the single.

Rated R is scheduled for release November 23rd. There will be a collaborative track with Justin Timberlake on the album, among other collaborations. This new album may show the dark side of the artist that we will grow to love and appreciate. Either direction the album goes, this is Rihanna’s chance to make her mark. Listen to “Russian Roulette” after the jump.

{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }

Madalyn Krummel October 21, 2009 at 12:42 pm

Anyone else notice that she uses the phrase “Russian roulette” right after Gaga references it in Poker Face?

Reply

Zachary October 21, 2009 at 12:48 pm

That's irrelevant, the contexts in each song make it completely different.

Anyways, I didn't really like this song at first, especially after the rumours or who she's been working with on the album. However after several listens I've warmed up quite a bit to it, though I still hold out much higher expectations from the rest of the album. Oh and the music video metioned above, I've watched a clip of her shooting that video and it actually is for the song “the wait is over” which is sampled in the promotional video on her official website.

Reply

jstnATL October 21, 2009 at 3:20 pm

Yeah I mean, it's not horrible, but I totally wanted an upbeat club banger as the first single, like we were all expecting. I bet she's got some major jams on the album, though.

Reply

Pretty Much Amazing: Luis October 21, 2009 at 3:51 pm

I agree. Almost every track on Good Girl Gone Bad could have easily been a
Top 10 single.

Reply

Sherine October 21, 2009 at 5:56 pm

The song is cool, i had fun making my cover video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c0x3WZvm8g

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sexidance October 21, 2009 at 10:34 pm

this song is by far the most boring song… even the kfed song on blackout was better than this garbage.

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Name October 22, 2009 at 1:11 am

Potential for some hot remixes – but a shame that it'd have to be remixed and doesn't just come out a hot track to begin with.

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Bear October 22, 2009 at 8:22 am

It's definitely not “Halo.”

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Name October 23, 2009 at 4:38 pm

boring

not good.

terrible single, terrible idea to go against Gaga on release date.

bad romance and Alejandro feel light years ahead of this.

Reply

Name October 23, 2009 at 5:38 pm

boring

not good.

terrible single, terrible idea to go against Gaga on release date.

bad romance and Alejandro feel light years ahead of this.

Reply

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