Rihanna: 'Take A Bow'

Released on Monday, May 19 2008

Published Tuesday, May 6 2008, 19:26 BST | By Nick Levine | 31 comments

Ah, decisions, decisions. Seeking to nudge sales of her Good Girl Gone Bad album past the 5m mark, what should Rihanna do?

A. Give 'Breakin Dishes', a surefire smash from the album, a belated crack at the singles chart.
B. Reissue the album with a new song written by Ne-Yo, the R&B hitmaker who also penned 'Unfaithful' and 'Hate That I Love You'.

Sadly, as you've probably guessed by now, the Bajan pop princess chose option 'B'.

So, Ne-Yo once again imagines Rihanna as a balladeer rather than a booty-shaker, getting her to play the wronged woman over a smooth, elegantly-constructed R&B backdrop. "You're so ugly when you cry," she sneers, sounding a little bit angry but, as ever, mainly rather bored. 'Take A Bow' does what it sets out to do very well, but it's an underwhelming follow-up to the dancefloor rush of 'Don't Stop The Music'.

> Click here to watch the 'Take A Bow' video

More: Rihanna, Ne-Yo, Music, Gay Spy

Your Views

31 Comments

Your Responses

kttu, on October 9th, 2008
can some one write this song for me pls i love it

Cythammer, US, on August 6th, 2008
*Yawn*... Put me to sleep. So mediocre, and before now I've liked all of Rihanna's stuff I've heard.

Naomi, Newport, on August 5th, 2008
I Love This Song!! It Helped Me 2 Get Over My Boyfriend So Easily!! I Love Rihanna, And Shes So Pretty!! xx

Jo, UK, on June 21st, 2008
Thanksfully not as bad as hate that I love you but still too mushy. There is no climax or anything exciting to this song. She may never top Umbrella, but Rihanna needs to stick to pop!

Jade Rebekah, Newton Radcliffe, on June 17th, 2008
i love this song it is soo cool i love itr soo much it shud be no ..1

Deanna , on June 14th, 2008
HI its a great song i cant stop playin it on my phone it very catchey evan tho its UPSETTIN to you

Amy, Barnsley, on June 4th, 2008
the song is ace mint a wat

Sam, UK, on June 2nd, 2008
breakin dishes is much better than this 'crap'. it is a number one song and is the best song shes ever done.

Helen, Croydon, on May 29th, 2008
seriously though, isn't this just Irreplaceable by Beyonce, but under a different name, and "sung" by Rihanna?

PRUE, SOUTH AFRICA, on May 27th, 2008
I TOTALLY LOVE RIHANNA AND EVERY SONG SHE'S RELEASED IS EXCELLENT!!!

Gary, Kent, on May 26th, 2008
It's an amazing song.

Vanessa, UK, on May 25th, 2008
i luv this song its amazing !! xx

Connor, UK, on May 24th, 2008
i think this song must be the worst song in the history of the world it has no peak or climax it has a very monotonous melody and it sounds like she's making the lyrics up as shes singing them. you've had your time to shine rihanna, now give it up.

mde, on May 23rd, 2008
i think the song is great shows real emotion, good to see a good mix of different songs from her

Chloe, England, on May 23rd, 2008
this song is ok but i get bored after a bit. i did have this songonmafonebut it had togoca i got borrrrrriiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnn !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maria Villarreal, Ozona Tx, on May 21st, 2008
this song is so awesome!!!! :)

Derrick, Los Angeles, on May 20th, 2008
This song for me is a guilty pleasure. I agree the lyrics are quite cheesy, but the melody, musical arrangements and vocals are outstanding. I can't stop playing this song.

Dean, New York, on May 19th, 2008
I LOVE THIS SONG!!! JUST LOVE IT!!! THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING!!! =]

Susan, Hemel Hempstead, on May 18th, 2008
i think this song is great i love the video too, i agree with the fact that she could of had at least another two hit singles of the good girl album but i think this songs fab! it gets a big thumbs up from me! xx

Nick, Burnley, on May 18th, 2008
rubbish!

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