THE 
October 20, 2009 Rihanna’s New Single ‘Russian Roulette’ + Official Album Title
UPDATE: Lyrics added after the jump!
“The Wait Is Ova” as Rihanna’s new single premiered just a few moments ago! “Russian Roulette” was written by Ne-Yo and it serves as the lead single from her upcoming album which is officially titled Rated R and is scheduled for release on November 23rd! I think the song is a certified hit! Rihanna’s vocals sound amazing…miles better than anything I’ve heard from her to date. The song itself has somewhat of an epic feel to it that’s hard to describe. Check out the official single cover above and take a listen to the song below!
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Love muffins, what do you think? Are you feeling the song? Was it worth the wait?
Rihanna – Russian Roulette [Link]
Take a breath take it deep
Calm yourself he says to me
If you play, you play for keeps
Take a gun and count to three
I’m sweating now moving slow
No time to think my turn to goAnd 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 triggerSay 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 lostAnd 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 triggerAs my life flashes before my eyes
I’m wondering will I ever see another sunrise?
So many won’t get the chance to say goodbye
But it’s too late too pick up the value of my life
IBJuliet
October 20, 2009 at 11:53 am
It’s a hit! She did not disappoint!
Loveit
October 20, 2009 at 11:58 am
ITS Amazing, its a hit 4 sure but i was expecting sumthing more uptempo…
DC_Island_Boy
October 20, 2009 at 12:08 pm
RiRi Has Sure Giving Her Fans ANd Everyone In General A New Sound That Is Indeed HOTTTTTTTTTTT…..RUSSIAN ROULETTE Is On Fiyahhhh…Her Vocie Is So Flawless On This Song….I Think This Is The Best Her Vocals Has Ever Been…..I Have This Song On Like Repeat….LET THE RIRI SAGA BEGINNNNNNNNN….Can’t Wait Til Nov. 23rd For Her Cd “RATED R”…I Even Love The Title Of The CD…Just Plain, Simple, And Sexy And Hot!…Let The Haters Begin To Hate!
Cassandra
October 20, 2009 at 12:10 pm
I love it! It sounds like a woman who has overcome an obstacle. Very nice.
Kitty
October 20, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I don’t like it because of her horrible voice.
Rob
October 20, 2009 at 12:11 pm
The song is pure fire. The more you hear it the more you feel it. Go Ri welcome back!
Lee
October 20, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I have to say …ummm..gawd.yes..im feelin it. It’s something about it….I didnt expect to like it and when I started listening it felt as though I was waiting for something but by the end I realized it was there..considering what she’s been going through..yea..ima jam this one! November will be a huge month..her and Alicia..among others and with my constant listening to mariah right now..ahh my life is complete..so full of music and then Beyonce releasing her live DVD two days prior to my b-day…O M GAAAAWWWD..for me? O thanks girls..lol
Black.summernite
October 20, 2009 at 12:11 pm
i love the song. i think this will be her best album yet. Now if she can learn to sing and dance at the same time she might give beyonce some competition.
hotrod88
October 20, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I love you it. Her music is much deeper now, which it should be(all the stuff she been through).. This a hot song, I LIVE!!!!. I don’t see it number 1 on the charts but it will hit the top ten. If you really listen , you can tell she as improve a lot as an artist vocally from the first CD to now.. “I love you Ri,Ri. you better work!” Its was worth the wait..
KingMo
October 20, 2009 at 12:21 pm
I’m a Rihanna fan by no means, and I see HIT written all over this. Love it.
DOB
October 20, 2009 at 12:27 pm
this is definitely hot and I love the title. this will be the first album I actually purchase in a long time
me
October 20, 2009 at 12:27 pm
needs to grow on me still….
killin'em softly
October 20, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I really like this song. Her voice sounds great.
Devan
October 20, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I love it ! She gave us something NEW and different ! I love her
me
October 20, 2009 at 12:32 pm
OMG this song is so dark!!
StephA
October 20, 2009 at 12:48 pm
maybe im being SUPER OVER CRITICAL…but this image is not healthy for her right now. Dark, restraining, sexy-edgy…kinda promotes that she likes being risky or dangerous…last thing she needs to be promoting for her image. Yes it is time to move on from her past, but this isnt a good re-entry image. no go for me-fyi: im a violence prevention coordinator so maybe thats why its all i see.
Anonymous
October 20, 2009 at 12:49 pm
wat da fuk is wrng wid dis devil child?
cici
October 20, 2009 at 12:50 pm
wat da fuk is wrng wid dis devil child??
dis song is shit..
Justice
October 20, 2009 at 12:53 pm
This song if perfect. I love it. I love me some Riri
KJ
October 20, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Not really Lead Single worthy!
DrmKpr
October 20, 2009 at 1:17 pm
First of all the title of her upcoming cd…. Rated R is simply epic!!!
The song itself… it’s dark and deep and I freaking love it! Happy bouncy dance songs are cool but every now and again I need a song to stop me and make me be like damn and this song is it….
As for the lyrics… [written by NeYo]
Verse I
Take a breath… Take it deep…. Calm yourself… He says to me… If you play, you play for keep… Take the gun and count to three… I’m sweating now… Moving slow… No time to think… My turn to go
Chorus
And you can see my heart beating… You can see it through my chest… Said I’m terrified but I’m not leaving… I know that I must pass this test…. So just pull the trigger…
Verse II
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
Chorus
And you can see my heart beating… You can see it through my chest… Said I’m terrified but I’m not leaving… Know that I must pass this test… So just pull the trigger
Bridge
As my life flashes before my eyes… I’m wondering will I… Ever see another sun rise… So many won’t get the chance to say goodbye… But it’s too late to think of the value of my life
Chorus
And you can see my heart beating… You can see it through my chest… Said I’m terrified but I’m not leaving… Know that I must pass this test
You can see my heart beating… You can see it through my chest… Said I’m terrified but I’m not leaving… Know that I must pass this test… So just pull the trigger
Love
October 20, 2009 at 1:18 pm
By the end of the song I was pretty much scared..but she sounded beautiful..
Joseph Reaves
October 20, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I like it but I have a feeling that I’m gonna grow tired of it because the media is gonna binge on it.
Meehsue
October 20, 2009 at 1:32 pm
She is surly killing the outfits and the Goth meets Punk meets Urban look… Her voice seems much cleaner. I like it.
me
October 20, 2009 at 1:36 pm
its amazing and who ever the fuck you are who sed it waz shit your shit
chriswell
October 20, 2009 at 1:37 pm
I love it! I’m definitely banging this on my ipod!
missdiva
October 20, 2009 at 1:50 pm
ok this is so overhyped…vocals a little bit better but its not amazing
hisfave
October 20, 2009 at 1:54 pm
LOVED it!!! Welcome back Ri-Ri!
chriswell
October 20, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Yeah StephA, you’re being super overly critical. It’s music! Are you an image consultant or something?
Roabsalom
October 20, 2009 at 2:09 pm
For the love of my people…somebody please get this girl some new management and some Zoloft!
The cover…the song…it’s so theatrical and morbid. Who is going to let their youngster (kids are crazy enough) listen to this confused heffa?
The song is nice but not for Rihanna…Unfaithful and Take a Bow were great tunes especially when they were covered by other artist…cough…am I the only person in the world that thinks she sounds like a junior high talent contest winner?
I mean the chicken wire around your breast?? Guns?? Deadly games…instead of smelling a hit…I smell a breakdown and intervention in the works.
Get some help!
bryan78701
October 20, 2009 at 2:54 pm
I am not a Rihanna fan. I know she can’t sing, but this song is going to be a huge hit. This is what you get with good production and studio magic.
cvt
October 20, 2009 at 3:04 pm
I HAVE TO AGREE.. THIS SONG DOES NOT MUSICSUIT RHIANNA’S VOICE U ALL.. GRANTED THE VIDEO WILL BE NICE STYLE ON POINT AND LOOKBEAUIFUL.. BUT, SOMEONE WITH A MORE DEPTH TO THEIR VOICE COULD HVE SUNG THIS BETTER… IT LEAVES ME WANTING MORE TO IT .. GREAT I DEA FOR A SON.G. BUT WRONG VOCALIST.. SORRY AND I AM NOT A HATER.. JUST AN ADVOCATE FOR GREAT MUSIC
Snarky
October 20, 2009 at 3:08 pm
*face palm*
So tired of this robot twit….
Xavier
October 20, 2009 at 3:11 pm
She has really outdone herself this time. I can’t believe how amazing this song is! I can’t wait for the new album!
Spicy Goddess
October 20, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I like it…. next, I need something UPTEMPO!!!!!!!!!!!!
turin
October 20, 2009 at 4:09 pm
The song is understated brilliance. I has an African feel to it, and I hear some French music influences in there too, with the sparse arrangements. If you listen to Celine’s work with producer Jean Jacques Goldman (ie Zorat Sourit) you’ll feeil it. I’ve always wanted to hear that style of music transposed to American music, and it figures NeYo has cowriten it cause his music is pretty European influenced.
SongBird
October 20, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Okay, so, first off, I was caught off guard. I was expecting a club-hopping type of song. This ain’t it. With that said…
I am LOVING the new song. I *really* like the message of the song (or at least what I interpreted it to be): Love is like a game of Russian roulette. The risks are high, but so are the stakes, and the decision to make that leap is up to you.
This song contains, without a doubt, some of the deepest lyrics that I’ve heard in a long time (Phenomenal job, Ne-Yo). It did not give me chills, but I have been playing it over and over, and I do believe that this song has GREAT potential to be a number one hit. Definitely worth the wait! Welcome back, Rihanna
azures
October 20, 2009 at 4:40 pm
some of you people just won’t let the past go. instead of waiting for someones breakdown or trying to spew negativity out of the deal. try to be positive and like the song for what it is. honestly looking for someones failure is getting old amongst people. why not be positive and be THANKFUL that she is alive and well to make music. and to those who are getting tired of this chick…..you know what to do. DON’T LISTEN. its just that damn simple. but oviously thats not the case. people are always in the mood to put down and diss someone. thats whats wrong with this world today. to much negative thinking. welcome back riri. the song is a nice touch.
parisboy
October 20, 2009 at 4:45 pm
boring….she’s a beautiful girl girl who , can’t sing can’t dance she’s no writer or musician she looks good in pictures that’s ok beust at least she should try be fun and entertaining! well it’s not going to happen with this song..
the doctor
October 20, 2009 at 4:57 pm
what iz up with the gun shot at the end ? iz this why she wears all these gun tats. she is to young 2 be associated with something that promotes violence
DaVoice
October 20, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I like the song, I feel she is expressing herself as an artist. Apparently this is how she’s feeling at this point and time, and I knew her music was gonna eventually go in this direction when she released disturbia. I think this is the best I have ever heard rhianna vocally. I say do you Ri-Ri, you can’t please everyone.
mi
October 20, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Damn the song is so dark… I feel it though!
ACE
October 20, 2009 at 7:21 pm
BRAVO! ENCORE! BRAVO!
Rihanna is shitting on these biatches. This is what evolution is. She did not come with Umbrella pt 2 she came with something totally unexpected and totally left field and it works. Rihanna has been in the center of a major scandal she is indeed the girl to watch in 2010, he vocals have matured and she’s coming from another place now. The song gets a 10 Im sure the video will get a 20. Im ready baby lets do it
alex dominguez
October 20, 2009 at 9:01 pm
it’s ok..i don’t like it for a single but hey i know her other stuff is going to be great!!
TK
October 20, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Big Ups to Ne-Yo. Great writing, as usual.
sharay
October 20, 2009 at 10:07 pm
OMG!! i absolutely love this shit!!! its so damn good!!
naynaylashay
October 20, 2009 at 10:36 pm
love it . already on the pod . will be on repeat for a while . maybe more . =]
im indeed satisfied .
Jimmy
October 20, 2009 at 11:16 pm
I like the song, however I do not think it was the best choice for a so called “Comeback” song, or for lack-there-of a Lead single at that. I was expecting a club-friendly track with some huge rapper. But she took a different route so i’m not going to knock her on that. I’m still buying the album regardless & kudos on her vocal improvement becasue it definitely shows
)
DrmKpr
October 20, 2009 at 11:50 pm
i think what i love most about the song is rihanna actually co-wrote with neyo so werk it out ms fenty….
this song and these lyrics could apply to so many different thing it just rih-damn-diculous…..
this song has made me so hype for the coming cd and the greatness it will bring!
b
October 21, 2009 at 12:08 am
well i think that her vocals seem to improve. but hey lets NOT forget about auto-tune. which is CLEARLY used lol I think that its a decent produced song but the content and already allegations that her, beyonce, jay-z, Kayne west have sold there souls to the devil is still on the rise. and this here doesn’t make me want to have hope that the rumors aren’t true. example ppl say that the “rock symbol” is a demonic triangle that the FREE MASON’S use or something and that your left eye has to be covered to make it legit or whatever. jay-z always has pictures and album covers doing this and now she drops a album cover with her left eye patch on. SEE LOOK i don’t have time. and she has thorns and rope cutting into her body and is being hung by a rusty chain. to me this photo is very symbolic and if i don’t notice all the little stuff. the stuff i do notice doesn’t sit well with me. the torns i think symbol the crown of thorns jesus wore to the cross and the left eye patch represents the Shiva the Destroyer and signifies the flame which rises upwards from the funeral pyre toward Heaven. see look and i think that she is hanging to symbol that they are hanging jesus? again i dont have time. and another thing in her song “te amo” which is also on the cd. she talks about somebody a girl waits for her under neath a pentagram or “pentalabra” which is also something that goes deep into free masontry. DAM SEE LOOK I DON’T HAVE TIME. im not even one of those “pop cultrre” is the devil ppl lol
VERDICT: this song is a FAIL! lol
ps. this the site where i got me info stuff.
i also google and watch a couple different vids on it to see if it was legit.
http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/symbology/3o5.htm
Rod
October 21, 2009 at 5:32 am
I LOVE IT….!!!! AND I’ M ALL FOR IT…… AUTONE….. I DON’;T GIVE A DARN!!!!..
TELL YOUR STORY GIRLLLLL…. LOVE YA…!!! (WHITNEY #1 FAN )……..
LOVE
YA RI RI… JUST IN TIME FOR WINTER LOVE….. OHHH.. P.S PLEASE TRY
TO STAY AWAY FROM MR. BROWN…. AND I AIN’T TALKIN ABOUT BOBBY!!!
LOL…!!!
Alexis
October 21, 2009 at 7:09 am
I never thought I’d say this, but Rihanna was BLOWING (for Rihanna) on this song! And I like that she wrote it. I literally jumped at the end of the song – that was somehow unexpected to me. I REALLY like that she didn’t come with something addressing the “issues”. It’s cool that she is just so above that situation, like she leaves it for the little people to chew on while she just rises above.
Hayley
October 21, 2009 at 7:49 am
This girl is a ridiculous MESS! She cannot sing shes a talentless girl whos whoring herself to the music industry and acting a slut. Shes a fucking trollop
kayce.
October 21, 2009 at 7:54 am
at the end, she doesn’t say “pick up” she says “it’s too late to think of the value of my life”.
Natural Beauty
October 21, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Y’all a like anything this confused chick do, are y’all listening to the lyrics or your just listening to the beat??? I’m so disappointed in this B***H, why would you make a song like this, when half of her fan base is young girls and boys??? This B***H is RETARDED, ARE U FOR REAL PULL THE TRIGGER!!! Rihanna big fore headed azz is dumb as F**K, you dizzy confused B**H, go back to Barbados.
I just don’t get the whole bad girl dark side thing, I mean ok you got your azz beat, move on and stop trying to pretend you’re bad and you’re in control and get your SH** together. Her music and style is a mess and she really needs a reality check.
Ebony
October 21, 2009 at 1:13 pm
@StephA…So what kind of music do you listen to on a regular basis? Just curious…
Ebony
October 21, 2009 at 1:17 pm
@azures…… you are my hero today. why do people want to see others fail? that is what is dark and morbid!!!
Ebony
October 21, 2009 at 1:19 pm
@Jimmy….that’s why it’s good, man….cause it’s different and unexpected!!
Ebony
October 21, 2009 at 1:24 pm
@ b…….COMMENT FAIL!!!! THE PATCH IS ON HER RIGHT EYE!!!! lol lol I’M LAUGHING CAUSE YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE SCHOOLIN US!! GET A GRIP!!!!!
Mark I- The Black Viking
October 21, 2009 at 1:36 pm
This girl is too hyped. Dont know if I like the song yet, therefor not amazing.
But why is everyone writing she hittin us with something new? The song reminds me of some alternative rock music from the late 90s.
CJ
October 21, 2009 at 5:56 pm
i dont like!!! need to grow on me
jay
October 21, 2009 at 9:19 pm
I always have tought this beautiful girl was being overhyped ,,always tought she can dance but she doesn´t have a voice,,then it came out her good girl gone bad album and I like it a lot ,,it has very good production ,,she came with her tour to my city ,I went to see her ,,and I confirmed my toughts she sounds better in record and shes not a big entertainer ,,shes pretty but thats all ¡¡ ,and know that shes into this darker image ,like shes in some satanist cult its just like forget it ¡¡ I hear music to make me feel good ,,this song its just dark and doesn´t even make you think about going trough some abusive relationship and overcome it ,,it s about goingh trough an abusive relationship and be dwelling on it ,sounds to me just depressing and suicidal ,,the gun at the end doesn´t help either,,I just think theres enough violence in this world already to be listening to this kind of crap ,,sorry but it doen´t make it for me ,,maybe for other people ,but it doesn´t make it for me,,,slam it¡¡¡
jay
October 21, 2009 at 9:24 pm
yo better hear mariah carey´s memoirs of an angel album for a great voice or shakiras she wolf for a great feel good album ¡¡¡
b
October 21, 2009 at 10:01 pm
@ebony……you tryn to come for me……MAJOR FAIL!
no shade. ps. don’t try to read
U wouldn’t attend no school of mine, but you can sure
go to somebody else’s, grab a dictionary and lookup
what the word subliminal means.
me if you don’t know my chapter. girl BOOM BYE
a response from you will also not be needed
don’t try to make writing on this blog your everything. because if you didn’t know, NO ONE CARES!
Shakera
October 21, 2009 at 10:54 pm
The song is so amazing. The lyrics are very emotional and dark I love it. Plus, she has grown so much vocally. I am very pleased with Rihanna.
StephA
October 22, 2009 at 1:07 am
@ chriswell….not an image consultant per say, but i most definitely use Hollywood/music industry images to show examples of how an image or product is portrayed, particularly with women, alcohol/drugs, sex, sexual assault/violence, and rape. Unfortunately, Rihanna’s name will be FOREVER tied to some of these issues, so that’s why i felt the photo and song should have been more carefully selected as a “comeback”
@Ebony…i listen to ALL kinds of music..rnb (my fav), rap (old sku-current radio play), jazz, classical, pop, rock, country, folk, gospel…..just a bunch!
Monroe
October 22, 2009 at 8:12 am
Im sorry, but people are brainwashed…
This song is complete crap! I’m an open minded individual and I didnt listen to the song with a negtive mindset. I was excited 2 c wat she brings out!
And this is overrated and she tries to damn hard.
I know alot of you on this site are big “b.scott” fans so when he says something, most of ya’ll agree.
But this is ridiculous. Im 20 years old. And she would never be my role model. The most I ever learnt from her was that although Im from the Caribbean, my international dreams CAN be accomplished. However, her “trying to hard to be different and lack of talent” is ridiculous.
My opinion ppl!
Budi.nerd
October 22, 2009 at 1:28 pm
As far as Rihanna and all of those star worshiping the Devil. I think I’m going to need more proof then what I’m hearing here and on other websites.
@B
I think the word she said was candelabra, I’m not sure though so you could be right. Oh an the patch is over her right eye.
Anyway I just read that People think that she is a devil worshiper because of the lyrics of the song. If she is a devil worshiper people would have realized that when “Unfaithful” came out. She mentions murder in that song.
The fact is that she is using the idea of “Russian Roulette” is what makes people nervous (despite the fact that Lady Gaga has mentioned it in her song “Poker face”). If people really understood what “expressing yourself” is they would know what she’s talking about. The idea behind the song is a woman who is letting a man have control over her. She has no voice, no opinions, and no free will. Basically the man can talk her into doing whatever he wants.
When I first heard it my initial thought wasn’t that she was telling people to kill themselves; it was that she’s talking about a woman in a relationship where the man doesn’t care about her or himself. He’s crazy and does crazy things which means she’ll do it to because he controls her. That’s where the idea of Russian roulette comes from. He has no regard for his life or hers. Sounds like a very sad, tearjerker lifetime movie to me not some devil worshiping, suicidal plot!
As far as her image is concerned, yes what she’s wearing is very weird. I’m not into it and I don’t very much life it. She could have worn something else; something that didn’t look so sinister, but think of the song and the story that it tells. A woman who has just come out of a relationship like that would probably be scorn and
Budi.nerd
October 22, 2009 at 1:37 pm
that seems like that is were the look is coming from. She has that “Don’t you dare f*** with me” look in her eye as well.
What people are saying could be true because I am a christian and I do understand that there is evil out there but I think people pay too much attention to things like this when I say on the TV a couple months ago that there is a man who calms to be Jesus (if I’m not mistaken). He’s saying that civilization has had the mark of the beast wrong for centuries. People are walking around with three 6’s on their shirts and are preaching that there is no such thing as sin and we are all going to heaven yet we are worried about Rihanna singing a song. Hmmm
Nicole
October 22, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Why do people have to be so negative?
Obviously if you listened to the lyrics, you would know that the gun is a metaphor. & anyone who actually commits suicide from listening to this song is weakminded. I’m pretty sure that they already had problems to begin with.
I love this song. It’s really deep & reflects what she’s been going thru this past year. She is evolving as an artist as well as a human being. This is art people. I can’t wait for her album to drop. Soooooo excited!
LeLe
October 23, 2009 at 1:14 am
Love it!! It has some substance!! Go Rhi Rhi!!
LeLe
October 23, 2009 at 1:17 am
And I must also add that she has definitely grown vocally.
MW09
October 24, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Her saying “so just pull the trigger” throughout the song and the gunshot at the end make this song COMPLETELY detestable……I don’t know why the her producers thought this would be okay……..