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Unfaithful (song)

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"Unfaithful"
Song

"Unfaithful" is a ballad written by Ne-Yo, Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel S. Eriksen for R&B singer Rihanna's second album, A Girl like Me. It was produced by Stargate and released as the album's second single in mid-2006.

Background

In addition to Rihanna's workings with Sean Paul, she collaborated with Def Jam labelmate singer-songwriter Ne-Yo.[1] Ne-Yo together with Norwegian duo Stargate wrote "Unfaithful" as part of Rihanna's second studio album, A Girl Like Me, which she quoted as "a personal album" about what it's like to be a girl like her and speaking of girl experiences and things every girl has and will go through.[1] Stargate produced the track. While most of Rihanna's records since her debut album Music of the Sun are set in a disco-mode, mostly dance-pop and R&B, "Unfaithful" was differently made compared to its predecessors. In an interview, Rihanna said, "It's a ballad, so it's new ground for me, but I'm excited."[1] The song also appears in the game Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore.

Music and lyrics

"Unfaithful" is a slow song written in the key of C minor.[2] It is set in common time in the count 4/4.[2] The chord progression starts with Cm9-Fm6/6-Cm9-Fm6/C which shifts to A and G before Rihanna starts to sing.[2]

The string orchestra was arranged and conducted by Rob Mounsey.

The piano-driven ballad is about a woman who is in a relationship with a man, but is having an affair. "I'm referred to as a murderer in that song. Meaning, I'm taking this guy's life by hurting him, cheating on him. He knows, and it makes him feel so bad. It's killing him to know that another guy is making me happy…we always put it out there that guys cheat. And finally someone put it in perspective: Girls cheat too."[3] Rihanna said on an August 26, 2006 review that "Unfaithful" was birthed out of a relationship she outgrew when she was fourteen. She was quick to add though that the relationship was not physical.[4] For radio airplay, the word "gun" (in the line "Might as well take a gun and put it to his head, get it over with") in the song is edited out.

Critical reception

Despite strong chart performance, the track has received mixed reviews among Rihanna's fans and critics, as it is the first ballad she released and quite a contrast to the pop/R&B/reggae foundation of her previous work. Her vocal performance has also been the subject of criticism. Shaun Kitchener of UKMix states "There's no denying that her voice is strong",[5] but Bill Lamb of About.com states, "Rihanna's voice is not particularly strong. There are points here at which it sounds thin and reedy", though due to the fact that this song was thought to be a strong contender for the Grammys. However, when the 2007 nominations were released, the song received none.[6]

Chart performance

"Unfaithful" reached number six on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in July 2006. Its music video also performed well on MTV's Total Request Live peaking at No. 1 for 14 days. She performed the song on TRL on July 25 and the video was retired on July 27 (being at number 7 on the countdown). This was also her first video to retire on TRL.

The song is listed number eight on Songs of the Summer of 2006 published by Billboard magazine.[7]

The single was released July 17, 2006 in the UK and Australia where it was already available for downloads worldwide. It debuted at number sixteen in the UK Singles Chart on downloads alone one week prior to its physical release. The following week, July 24, it jumped to number two on the UK Singles Chart after a physical release (held off number one by Shakira and Wyclef Jean with "Hips Don't Lie"), becoming Rihanna's third number two hit in the UK, after "Pon De Replay" and "SOS". That same day "Unfaithful" debuted at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart. It reached number one on the Eurochart 100 and stayed in the top 3 for several weeks. "Unfaithful" sold over 4.5 million copies.The song has sold 2,727,000 paid digital downloads in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan

After a successful duet with Matt Cardle on the popular British television show The X Factor (UK) in December 2010, "Unfaithful" re-entered the UK top 40 at number 31.

Music video

The video was directed by Anthony Mandler. It shows Rihanna in a restaurant with her boyfriend. The man (her love interest) tells the waiter to give the note to Rihanna whilst her boyfriend is away from the table. She reads it quickly and then her boyfriend comes back. Then she starts singing by a piano. Then, we see moments of her and her boyfriend spending time together. While her boyfriend is sleeping, she sends a text to someone. Then, she hops into a car with her love interest. We see her singing by the piano again. Then, she sits by her love interest, who is the pianist, and they share a kiss. Then when she walks out of the stage, her boyfriend is waiting for her. The music video ends when she and her boyfriend hug each other and she sheds a tear.[8] The music video takes it concept from the film Unfaithful starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane.

Track listing and formats

  • CD single (UK version)
  1. "Unfaithful" (Eriksen, M./Hermansen, T./Smith, S.) — 3:48
  2. "SOS (Moto Blanco Remix)" (Bogart, E. Kidd/Cobb, E./Rotem, J.) — 5:14
  • CD single Pt. 2
  1. "Unfaithful" (Eriksen, M./Hermansen, T./Smith, S.) — 3:48
  2. "Unfaithful (Tony Moran Radio Edit)" (Eriksen, M./Hermansen, T./Smith, S.) — 3:10
  3. "Unfaithful (Instrumental)" (Eriksen, M./Hermansen, T./Smith, S.)
  • Extras:
"Unfaithful" (Video) — 4:34
  • Dutch CD single
  1. "Unfaithful" (Eriksen, M./Hermansen, T./Smith, S.) — 3:48
  2. "Unfaithful (Tony Moran Radio Edit)" (Eriksen, M./Hermansen, T./Smith, S.) — 3:10
  • UK 12" vinyl single

Side A

  1. Radio Edit
  2. Instrumental

Side B

  1. Remix
  • Australian Single
  1. "Unfaithful" - 3:48
  2. "SOS" (Moto Blanco Remix) - 8:37
  • Australian Single Pt. 2
  1. "Unfaithful" - 3:48
  2. "Unfaithful" (Tony Moran Radio Mix) - 4:16
  • Australian And American iTunes Remixes
  1. "Unfaithful" (Tony Moran Radio Mix) - 4:15
  2. "Unfaithful" (Hamel Radio Edit) - 3:53
  3. "Unfaithful" (Maurice's Radio Edit) - 3:28
  4. "Unfaithful" (Tony Moran Club Mix) - 9:08
  5. "Unfaithful" (Hamel Club Mix) - 8:48
  6. "Unfaithful" (Maurice's Club Mix) - 6:57
  7. "Unfaithful" (AOL Music Sessions) - 3:49

Charts

Chart (2006) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[9] 1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[10] 1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[11] 1
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[12] 1
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[13] 1
Denmark Airplay (Tracklisten)[14] 1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[15] 1
France (SNEP)[16] 1
songid field is MANDATORY FOR GERMAN CHARTS 1
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[17] 1
Hungary (Dance Top 40)[18] 1
Hungary (Single Top 40)[19] 1
Ireland (IRMA)[20] 1
Italy (FIMI)[21] 1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[22] 1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[23] 1
Norway (VG-lista)[24] 1
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[25] 1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[26] 1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[27] 1
UK Singles (OCC)[28] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[29] 1
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[30] 1
Chart (2010) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[28] 1

Year-end

End of year chart (2006) Position
German Singles Chart[31] 1

Decade-end charts

(2000–2009) Position
German Singles Chart[32] 1

Release history

Region Date
United States July 17, 2006
Australia July 20, 2006

Successions

Preceded by Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number-one single
July 29, 2006 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Billboard Hot Dance Airplay number-one single
August 5-19, 2006 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Eurochart Hot 100 number-one single
September 10, 2006 - September 17, 2006 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Polish National Top 50 number-one single
September 18, 2006 		Succeeded by
"Słowa" by Gosia Andrzejewicz
Preceded by Portuguese
number one single
September 24, 2006 		Succeeded by

References

  1. ^ a b c Kaufman, Gil ((April 5, 2006)). "Rihanna Hooking Up With Ne-Yo When She's Done Crying 'S.O.S.'". MTV News. MTV Networks and TM MTV Networks. Retrieved 2007-12-31. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b c "Rihanna Digital Sheet Music: Unfaithful". Musicnotes, Inc. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
  3. ^ Tecson, Brandee J. ((February 22, 2006)). "Rihanna Getting In Touch With Her Rock Side For Next LP". MTV News. MTV Networks and TM MTV Networks. Retrieved 2007-12-31. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "CROWDS GREET RIHANNA, LEGEND". Newsday. 2006-08-26.
  5. ^ http://www.ukmix.org/reviews/release.php?release_id=9900 UKmix.org
  6. ^ http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/rihunfaithful.htm Top40.about.com
  7. ^ "Songs of the Summer 1986-2009". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 2010-07-01. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
  8. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp4UwPZfRis
  9. ^ "Rihanna – Unfaithful". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  10. ^ "Rihanna – Unfaithful" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  11. ^ "Rihanna – Unfaithful" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  12. ^ "Rihanna Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  13. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 50. týden 2006 in the date selector.
  14. ^ "{{{artist}}} – {{{song}}}" (in Danish). Tracklisten.
  15. ^ "Rihanna: Unfaithful" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  16. ^ "Rihanna – Unfaithful" (in French). Les classement single.
  17. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  18. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  19. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  20. ^ "Chart Track: Week 17, 2006". Irish Singles Chart.
  21. ^ "Rihanna – Unfaithful". Top Digital Download.
  22. ^ "Rihanna – Unfaithful" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  23. ^ "Rihanna – Unfaithful". Top 40 Singles.
  24. ^ "Rihanna – Unfaithful". VG-lista.
  25. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200638 into search.
  26. ^ "Rihanna – Unfaithful". Singles Top 100.
  27. ^ "Rihanna – Unfaithful". Swiss Singles Chart.
  28. ^ a b "Rihanna: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  29. ^ "Rihanna Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  30. ^ "Rihanna Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
  31. ^ http://www.mtv.de/charts/Single_Jahrescharts_2006
  32. ^ http://www.rtl.de/cms/unterhaltung/tv-programm/show/die-ultimative-chartshow/hits-neue-jahrtausend-download.html
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