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Skin (Rihanna song)

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"Skin"
Song

"Skin" is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her fifth studio album, Loud (2010). The song was written by Kenneth Coby and Ursula Yancy, whilst production of the song was completed by Soundz. Musically, the song draws influence from rock and R&B genres, whilst lyrically, the song is about in a relationship with someone and only wanting to feel their skin close to the protagonists. "Skin" received generally positive reviews from critics, as part of their overall review of Loud, praising the song's compositions as well as Rihanna's "sensual vocal performance. The song was included on the set list of the Loud Tour, where Rihanna retrieves a man from the audience near the end of the song, and performs a lap-dance whilst on an elevated platorm. The song was also used in Rihanna's advertisement campaign for Armani Jeans.

Background and composition

Recording sessions for Loud began in February 2010,[1] and continued for six months, overlapping with her Last Girl on Earth Tour and filming during her debut feature film Battleship (2012).[2] The song was written by Kenneth Coby and Ursula Yancy, with production of the song completed by Hip hop and R&B producer, Soundz.[3] The song was recorded at Studio at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.[3] According to the digital music sheet published at musicnotes.com, the song is written in the key of G minor and is set in common time with a moderate groove of 62 beats per minute.[4] The song is instrumentally complete with bass instruments, synthesizers and and an electric guitar.[5][6] "Skin" contains elements of pop, dance-pop as well as dubstep.[4][7] As commented by Robbie Daw of Idolator, the song's "real" hook is "the fuzzy electric guitar" that begins sawing through the melody about three minutes in, and continues building until it reaches "a, er, climactic[sic] solo at the very end."[6] Rihanna's vocal range in the song spans from the low note of G3 to the high note of B♭4.[4] As noted by Emily Mackay of NME, her vocals sound "restrained" and "controlled". Throughout the song, Rihanna sounds "suspenseful" and "sultry" as she sings the lyrics "I got secrets that I wanna show you".[5] Thomas Conner of Chicago Sun-Times wrote that the singer "teases her man" and "lets him at her" as she sings the line "You've waited long enough" before instructing "Don't hold back/you know I like it rough".[8]

Critical reception

Of the multiple music critics who commented on the song, the majority praised the its musical structure as well as Rihanna's vocal performance. Apart from writing about the song's composition, Daw called the ballad "smoldering" and compared the last minute of the song to Sade Adu's "No Ordinary Love" for the song's sensual content, but noted that Adu's song is not as lyrically graphic as "Skin".[6] Jon Pareles of The New York Times commented that Rihanna's sensuality in the song is evoked though her use of sexually suggestive moaning and heavy breathing, adding to the "slow, torrid buildup".[9] Colin Gentry of 4Music noted that Rihanna appears to be transitioning from singing songs about partying and dancing in clubs to singing about her sexual fantasies and desires, writing "Rihanna swaggers through the album as a woman on the prowl, taking her conquests from the clubs to the bedroom. Demanding to know 'why are you standing over there with your clothes on?' on sultry track Skin, the Barbadian clearly means business."[10] Ryan Dombell of Pitchfork Media concurred with Stern with regard to "Skin" being the singer's most mature song to date, writing "'Skin' is her sexiest song yet, a haunted, near-dubstep stunner that wouldn't sound totally out of place on Massive Attack's Mezzanine."[7] Ryan Burleson of Consequence of Sound commented that Rihanna's combines different emotions in the song to increase the level of provocativeness, writing "For its part, the Soundz-produced 'Skin' combines these emotions into a five-minute space-hop excursion into the boudoir, driving deep into the id with an austere, though undeniably potent amount of minor chords and bass."[11] Andy Kellman of the website Allmusic chose "Skin" as a highlight on Loud adding, "One song that sounds nothing like anything else in Rihanna’s past is 'Skin,' a contender for anti-gravity slow jam of 2010 – a match for Trey Songz's 'Red Lipstick' and Usher's 'Mars vs Venus.'"[12] USA Today's Steve Jones also put the song in his list of tracks from Loud to consider downloading.[13] Jerry Shriver of the same publication found "down-and-dirty-ness" in the chorus of the song.[14] James Skinner of BBC Online said that the line "I like it rough" was a little "uncomfortable in the light of her personal history".[15] Thomas Conner of Chicago Sun-Times commented on Rihanna's sex appeal in the song, writing "the art of her seduction is oh-so slow and merciless".[8]

Armani Jeans advertisment

The song was also used in Rihanna's advertisement campaign for Armani Jeans and Emporio Armani Underwear.[16][17] The advert, which launched the brand's Fall 2011 line, was directed by Johan Renck and photographed by Steven Klein.[16][18][19] In the advert, "Rihanna wears a short blonde wig and enters a vintage car with a bag of clothing, changing in the car and visible in her underwear while a bodyguard keeps watch. She then leaves the car wearing a dark leather jacket and Armani jeans and takes an elevator out of the underground parking lot to meet her partner-in-crime or love interest".[20] Giorgio Armani said that Rihanna was a "pleasure to work with" and said that she "perfectly embodies" the spirit of his company.[16] The advert, which was filmed in New York and shot in monochrome, was also used to launch Armani's e-commerce site.[21][22][23]

The advertisement received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, with The Huffington Post claiming that it was "sizzling".[24] The magazine Stylist called the advert "saucy" and praised the fact that it "combines traces of metropolitan storytelling, cops ‘n robbers movies with an ode to film noir, but with a lighter and ironic touch".[25] Claiming that Rihanna is "at her steamy-best" in the "sultry" piece, the Hindustan Times said that the piece "is a must-watch, not just for it's steam factor but for its visual and aesthetic sense too".[21] Grazia also gave a positive review by saying that the advert was, among other things, "saucy" and "exciting".[26]

Live performances

Though the song has never been performed live as part of a televised performance, the song is featured on the set list of the Loud Tour.[27] Before performing "Skin", Rihanna appeared on stage with a set similar to that of her performance "S&M" remix with Britney Spears at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards,[28] wearing a black tuxedo and pink tie to perform a cover of Prince's "Darling Nikki", before transitioning into "S&M".[27] Whilst transitioning into "S&M", Rihanna removed her tuxedo to reveal a white PVC body suit.[27] After performing "S&M", Rihanna performed "Skin" laying on raised platform, which at the end of the performance, the singer says "this is the part of the show when we like to have a little fun - who wants to come up here and get freaky with me?" and takes a man out of the audience and pins them down on the platform, where she provocatively and sexually gyrates and grinds the man, as they are lowered under the stage as the song's instrumental ends and the lights go out.[27] Rihanna has caused controversy by occasionally perform the act with a woman instead.[29][30]

Critical reactions to performances of "Skin" have been mixed. The Daily Mail was critical of the routine; they branded it "lewd", compared the routine with Rihanna's previous sexual performances and voiced the belief that the singer had "outdone herself" with the "raunchy and overtly sexualised" routine.[31] A few months later, the paper claimed that Rihanna had "pushed the boundaries" by lap dancing an older man at her show in Barbados and a review for the Evening Herald voiced similar sentiments, arguing that Rihanna's "good girl gone bad image is getting tired".[32][33] The Daily Record praised Rihanna's Glasgow performance but argued that the lap dance at the end of the "Skin" routine was "a move that had parents covering their children's eyes".[34] Bernard Perusse of The Gazette, however, criticized parents who attended with children knowing that the singer is known for performing sexually suggestive dance routines.[35] He also stated that "Rihanna [walks] that always confusing line between sexual empowerment and objectification, gave the crowd an eyeful" and suggested that the "main concept seemed to be bumping, grinding, groping, straddling, black underwear and self-touching".[35] Catriona Stewart Lotte Jeffs, editor of ES Magazine was one of the audience members who received a lap dance from Rihanna and reacted positively, saying "[i]t was a night I will never forget".[36]

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel adapted from the liner notes of Loud.[3]

References

  1. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (2010-03-03). "Rihanna Working On New Album, Producer Confirms". MTV, Viacom. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  2. ^ Kaufman, Gil (2010-09-16). "Rihanna Reveals Title of New Album". MTV, Viacom. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  3. ^ a b c (Media notes). p. 6. {{cite AV media notes}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Format= ignored (|format= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Type= ignored (|type= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b c "Skin – Rihanna Digital Music Sheet". Musicnotes.com. Peer International Music Publishing. 2010. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help); Unknown parameter |productnumber= ignored (help)
  5. ^ a b Mackay, Emily (2010-11-03). "Rihanna, 'Loud' — Album First Listen". NME. IPC Media. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  6. ^ a b c Daw, Robbie (2010-11-09). "Rihanna's New 'Loud' Track "Skin" Will Make You Blush". Idolator, Buzz Media. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
  7. ^ a b Dombell, Ryan (2010-11-24). "Rihanna — Loud". Pitchfork Media, Ryan Ryan Schreiber. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  8. ^ a b Conner, Thomas (2010-11-12). "'Loud' a well-deserved party for Rihanna". Chicago Sun-Times. Sun-Times Media Group. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  9. ^ Pareles, Jon (2010-11-15). "Critics' Choice: New CDs". The New York Times. Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  10. ^ Gentry, Colin (2010-11-12). "News: Rihanna — Loud Review". 4Music. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  11. ^ Burleson, Ryan (2010-11-22). "Album Review: Rihanna — Loud". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  12. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Loud - Rihanna". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  13. ^ Jones, Steve (2010-11-16). "Listen Up: Rihanna is living out 'Loud' on new album". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  14. ^ Shriver, Jerry (2010-11-19). "Rihanna lightens up, in her life as well as in her music". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  15. ^ Skinner, James (2010-11-15). "Review of Rihhana - Loud". BBC Online. BBC. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  16. ^ a b c Radović, Katarina (2011-10-09). "Rihanna For Armani". Branding Magazine. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  17. ^ "Rihanna Flirts with Danger in Armani Jeans Short Film [Video]". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. 2011-10-06. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
  18. ^ DelliCarpini Jr., Gregory (2011-10-11). "Hooked: Rihanna Strips For Armani, Kanye Defends His Fashion Line". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  19. ^ "Watch Rihanna get into her Armani jeans". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. 2011-10-10. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  20. ^ "Rihanna Stars In Armani Jeans Short Film". RTTNews. 2011-10-08. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  21. ^ a b "STRIPTEASE! Rihanna sizzles in Armani". Hindustan Times. HT Media Ltd. 2011-10-07. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  22. ^ Passariello, Christina (2011-10-06). "Armani Revamps Website With Rihanna". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  23. ^ Moore, Booth (2011-10-06). "Giorgio Armani launches e-flagship". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  24. ^ "Rihanna Takes Off Her Clothes In New Commercial For Armani Jeans (VIDEO)". The Huffington Post. AOL. 2011-10-05. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  25. ^ "First Look: Rihanna's New Armani Video". Stylist. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  26. ^ Vince, Jessica (2011-10-07). "WATCH Rihanna's Saucy Striptease for Armani!". Grazia. Arnoldo Mondadori Editore. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  27. ^ a b c d Stevenson, Jane (2011-06-07). "Rihanna is loud, sexy and larger than life". Toronto Sun. Mike Power. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
  28. ^ Herrera, Monica (2011-05-22). "Britney Spears, Rihanna Kick Off Billboard Music Awards". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-05-30.
  29. ^ "Rihanna Gives Female Fan Sexy Lap Dance On Tour!". MTV, Viacom. 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2011-10-04.
  30. ^ "Rihanna performs lap dance on female fan at Miami show". Herald Sun. The Herald and Weekly Times. 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
  31. ^ "Video captures domineering Rihanna giving female fan a lewd lap dance onstage". Daily Mail. 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  32. ^ "Talk about dirty dancing! Rihanna gives an old man the time of his life with raunchy stage antics in Barbados". Daily Mail. 2011-08-06. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  33. ^ "Time for the bad girl to strip out the sex". Evening Herald. 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  34. ^ Boyle, Jules (2011-10-11). "REVIEW: Rihanna live at the SECC, Glasgow". Daily Record. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  35. ^ a b Perusse, Bernard (2011-06-11). "Rihanna shows Bell Centre concert-goers that brash confidence is her main gift". The Gazette. Postmedia Network. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
  36. ^ "Rihanna gives journalist a saucy lap dance!". The Times of India. 2011-10-16. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
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