The Meaning Behind The Song: Love on the Brain by Rihanna
Love on the Brain: Decoding Rihanna’s Heartfelt Ballad
Table of Contents
The Rise of Rihanna
Rihanna is a powerhouse in the music industry. The Barbados beauty has sold over 250 million records, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. She has won nine Grammy Awards, 13 American Music Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards and is the recipient of two Brit Awards. Rihanna’s career trajectory has been meteoric, with hits like “Umbrella,” “Don’t Stop the Music,” “Only Girl (In the World),” and “Diamonds.” Her songs have topped charts around the world, and she’s regarded as one of the most influential women in music.
The Origins of Love on the Brain
“Love on the Brain” is a song from Rihanna’s eighth studio album, Anti. The track was released on January 27, 2017, and was written and produced by Fred Ball and Joseph Angel. According to Ball, the inspiration for the song came from his mother’s love for Motown’s music. The song features a doo-wop style with soulful, heartfelt lyrics.
The Lyrics
“Love on the Brain” is a ballad about a woman who’s fallen deeply in love with her partner. The lyrics are raw and vulnerable as Rihanna sings, “And you got me like, ‘oh, what you want from me?’ / ‘What you want from me?’ / And I tried to buy your pretty heart, but the price is too high / Baby, you got me like, ‘oh’ / You love when I fall apart (fall apart) / So you can put me together and throw me against the wall.”
The chorus is just as powerful. Rihanna sings, “It beats me black and blue, but it f**ks me so good / And I can’t get enough / Must be love on the brain.”
The Meaning Behind the Song
The vulnerability found in “Love on the Brain” is what makes it a sincere and relatable song to many. It isn’t hard for audiences to read straight through the song as its meaning shines through the lyrics themselves.
The song portrays the complexities of love and the dilemma it can sometimes cause, especially in a relationship where emotions run deep. Rihanna is singing about a relationship that is somewhat toxic. The chorus, “It beats me black and blue, but it f**ks me so good / And I can’t get enough / Must be love on the brain,” is essentially a double entendre. In this light, that means that even though the love might be hard and tough, it’s also addicting and keeps Rihanna in the relationship.
In an interview with MTV, Rihanna stated that the song is one of her personal favorites on the album because of its soulful and raw nature. She said, “I just love that it’s organic and honest. I felt like I had to take myself back to the first time I ever listened to a record like that – and that’s what inspired me.”
The Song’s Reception
“Love on the Brain” peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song did well internationally, reaching the top 10 in Canada, France, and Germany. The track received critical acclaim from music critics. Ira Madison III of MTV News praised the song’s doo-wop sound and compared Rihanna’s vocals to those of Amy Winehouse. Gwen Inhat wrote in the website The A.V. Club that “Love on the Brain” stands as “one of Rihanna’s best vocal performances to date,” calling the song “timeless”. The song also became a fan-favorite in Rihanna’s discography and was regarded as one of her most vulnerable songs.
Conclusion
“Love on the Brain” is a song that resonates with many. It’s not just a song about love, but it’s about the ups and downs of love and relationships. Rihanna’s extraordinary vocals bring the lyrics to life and put the listener on an emotional journey. The doo-wop style makes it stand out and gives it a classic feel. The song showcases the diversity of Rihanna’s ability as a singer and songwriter, and this track is a good representation of the many talents of the Barbadian superstar.
