It turns out that Rihanna’s new “Love The Way You Lie (Part II)” isn’t the only track where she appears to relive (and perhaps exorcise) the painful memories of her troubled relationship with Chris Brown. New ballad “Complicated” finds the mostly cheery singer locked in a difficult partnership with a lover she can’t seem to leave. In theory, she could be singing about anyone. But take one listen to this song — in which Rihanna stretches her voice to the outer limits of its register — and it’s clear this one is personal. Hear it below.
Rihanna - Complicated
The only quibble we have with this song is that — as with “Firework” by Ri-Ri’s friend Katy Perry — we have to wonder if she can carry this off live.
This is certainly not the kind uptempo dance music that fans sometimes seem to demand of Rihanna (though it does seem ripe for remixing). But it’s a terrific example of what she can do when she digs deep. Her vocals sound clear and strong, aided by the minimalist electronic production (which we’re guessing comes courtesy of Stargate). Is this the kind of song you hoped she would tackle on Loud?
I was thinking the same thing (can she perform this live?) when I heard it. I like this song, “What’s Your Name?” and “Only Girl”, but the other leaked tracks (Love the Way You Lie Part II, S&M, Cheers) I’m not really sure about, especially “Cheers”. And “Love the Way You Lie Part II” seems kinda forced. They’re probably hoping the success from Part I will continue, but like movies, sequels aren’t always as good or any better than the original. I was planning on buying it, even though it only has 11 songs (shouldn’t an album have at least 15), but now I’m not so sure. I’m going to wait until I hear all the songs.
She can’t sing live, and looking at her X- factor live performance, i still believe she can’t deliver this live.
hi my name is britney i am a big fan
I really like this song, but she definitely could not sing this live.
with all the media hype and overexposure, she’ll probably come out on top…BUT, trust me she’s not that talented. Heaven help her when she can’t strut that body around anymore. Better watch what she eats. I’m NOT sold on anything about her.
hey PETRA: an album does not need to have at least 15 songs, ur wrong. as for her sining it live….im not entirely sure…?
I think she can, just hear to Unfaithful live (:
Rihanna has no talent. She gets by on her since of style.
I must say when I got the album, it was one of the most confusing tracks there, I didn’t get the arrangement at all, maybe because it was something I had never heard until that point, but now it seems to be my favourite song off of the entire album.
Never mind the question of her performing it live, the emotion in the song is enough to bring me to tears, the minimalist production (a mix of Ska and electronica influences) with its thumping bassline makes it easy to remix for the dancefloor, but I feel it wholeheartedly belongs to late night crying fests with your girlfriends.
Look, talented or not, this is a beautiful song.
I <3 RIhanna
I REALLY LIKE DIs SONG …