Songfacts®:

• This song's inspiration lay in a vicious assault by Brown on his then girlfriend, Robyn Fenty, who is better known as the recording artist Rihanna.
  
  In March 2009, Brown was charged with assaulting her during an argument in his car during which she had accused him of seeing another woman. A photograph leaked by Los Angeles police showed the full extent of her facial injuries.
  
  The one thing that can be said to Brown's credit is that he made no attempt to excuse or mitigate his behavior. He pleaded guilty to assault - albeit late in the day - and was sentenced to five years probation with strings attached. He also made a public apology that was released on video. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Alexander Baron - London, England
• According to Brown, he played this song for Rihanna right after he wrote it, which was a month after the assault, and she cried.