Unfaithful by Rihanna

Album: A Girl Like Me (2006)

Charted: 2 6

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Songfacts®:

In this song, Rihanna is cheating on her man and she knows he knows. She starts to regret the affair because of what it's doing to him, but doesn't seem ready to end it. The song is pretty dramatic; she thinks she might be killing the poor dude:

I don't wanna take away his life
I don't wanna be a murderer
Rihanna was 18 when this song was released on her second album, A Girl Like Me, in 2006. The previous three years were a whirlwind: She was discovered by the American producer Evan Rogers in her native Barbados when she was 15, signed with Def Jam Records when she was 16, and released her debut album, Music Of The Sun, at 17. That first album included the hit "Pon De Replay." The first single from A Girl Like Me was "SOS," Rihanna's first #1. "Unfaithful" was the next single and was a solid hit, going to #6. Importantly, the ballad showed her range, proving that she could excel in a number of styles even with no Caribbean influence.
"Unfaithful" was written by Ne-Yo, who signed with Def Jam around the same time as Rihanna. He was also a solo artist but his first hits were as a writer, notably "Let Me Love You" by Mario in 2004.

The producers were the Stargate team of Norwegians Mikkel Eriksen and Tor Erik Hermansen. They worked on many of Ne-Yo's hits, including "So Sick."
The music video was directed by Anthony Mandler, whose credits include "OMG" by Usher and "Irreplaceable" by Beyoncé. It's the first Rihanna video with no dancing; she had no problem acting out the story in the song while wearing very elegant outfits. Those acting skills she would later show off in the 2012 movie Battleship.

Also note the prominent product placement for the Nokia phone. Def Jam did a lot of brand partnerships with their artists, and Rihanna proved very marketable. This was before the iPhone, so there were many manufacturers trying to get their phones into the hands of young people.
Makeba Riddick, who co-wrote Rihanna's "If It's Lovin' That You Want," was her vocal producer on her first four albums. She feels this was a key song in Rihanna's evolution as a singer.

Riddick told Billboard that Rihanna's team took her out to Las Vegas so she could cut the vocals with her.

"Most artists have an awareness that they can sing, but they don't know how to go into the studio and deliver the vocals and the emotion that grabs people out in radio land," Riddick explained. "There are a lot of people who can tear a stage down, but recording? Not everyone has a grasp on that. With Rihanna, she didn't even know she had such an incredible tone. I helped her find her confidence with that. Lyrically, it's a pretty heavy song, and it was a big transition for her."
"Unfaithful" went to #2 in the UK, then returned at #31 in December 2010 after Rihanna performed it with Matt Cardle on the 2010 X Factor final.
This song plays in the 2017 South Park episode "Doubling Down" when Cartman and Heidi have some drama.

Comments: 20

Jedi from Abuja@Alycia from Bicknell, may i ask why you are still beong unfaithful, even when you know it is wrong and you feel terrible about
January from Cornelly, Wii rally like this song. but the guy that she is cheating on has no backbone or just really loves her and shes to stupid to no it.... but this song isnt made from a true story. its just a houx to say. but i like it. it would seriously suck to be in this situation
Alycia from Bicknell, Ini love rihanna's voice but i especially love the song at this moment because i am in the exact same position right now and feel terrible about it. i've never been unfaithful before but i am RIGHT now.
Matthew from Sayre, PaWhy is it the people who love these songs are usually teenagers without a real sense of anything? Hmmmm! I see a bit of a pattern here.
Kim from Newcastle, United KingdomI think this song is really good, and some of the words and phrases used are very relative, and make you think ''what if i put somebody through that?'' and really make you think that you would never want to hurt somebody like that. So in a way it is also a lesson, and a reality check on what you could do by cheating on someone. I know what it's like, because I've been cheated on. But cheat on anyone? I could never, not with knowing what I felt like, and I would never wish that upon my worst enemy! From Kim, 14. (Young I know, but my first 'love' cheated on me)
Savannah from Eastpoint, Flbeing unfaithful is not the way to go there is a saying that says thou shall not commit adultry
i know i am doing it. This is a very importaint
issue that is in all kinds of songs in all kinds
of situations in all kinds of many forms of ways
and it is still happening in the world as we speak
you ask when will it end god only know. To me this
is a very touchy issue for me just look around you
just be careful out there where is is the love.
Pie from Vegas, United Statesi luv this song! RIHANNA RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boosy from Muscat, Saudi Arabiato say the truth this song is amazin it is explainin not only man can cheat but woman cheat an in a very high number...am a woman an i now how it feels..but try nt to fail in love relationships coz ones u fail it'll neva be called love for the second time!!!
boosy_my_name
Jess from Adelaide, AustraliaI reckon this song is cool.Did u kno that Mario(the singer not cartoon character) actually rote the song for her????
Aditi from Bangalore, Indiathis is a copy of the song 'lonely no more' by rob thomas
Kaitlin from Cornwall, OntThis song may SOUND pretty... but think about it. She's depressed because SHE'S cheating on her man. Honestly!
Sam from Portsmouth, VaThis song is very dumb, corny, and melodramaic.
Sam from Portsmouth, VaEvery once in a while there is a corny love/breakup song. This is one of those songs.
Katykat from Wadsworth, OhThis is the story of a young woman (Rihanna) who is cheating on her boyfriend. Rihanna feels sorry about it but lacks the courage to break it off. In this song she is trying to find the strength to leave him. Her boyfriend (that she is cheating on) is beginning to realize what's going on. He seems to either have no backbone or can't decide whether he should dump her.
Charles from L'assomption, CanadaI think that she's the more surestimated singer by those days. She performed in a festival not far from here and oh gosh she was even worse than on her cd... She frequently used some backup voice cause she just can't sing.
Michelle from Anaheim, CaI like this song, but she sucks when she sings the chorus. Just end the relationship already.
Caitlin from Upper Township, NjI love this ong. Rihanna has a beautiful voice and the beat is very nice. I think the guy she's dating is an idiot however for staying with a cheater. Also, does Rihanna realize she is telling the whole world through song that she cheats on her man?
Ariana from Dallas, Txi like this song....=)
Christina from Atl Hoe!, GaThis song is georgous I'on know what u talkin bout
Ashley from Pgh, PaThis is probably one of the worst songs ever! And what makes it worse, is that she can't sing to save her life.

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