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{{Good article}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = Russian Roulette
| name = Russian Roulette
| cover = Russian Roulette_-_Rihanna.png
| cover = Russian Roulette_-_Rihanna.png
| alt =
| alt =
| border = yes
| border = yes
| type = single
| type = single
| artist = [[Rihanna]]
| artist = Angie Steadman and Kate Houghton feat. DJ Drake and Blossom Utonium feat. Bubbles Utonium and Buttercup Utonium
| album = [[Rated R (Rihanna album)|Rated R]]
| album = [[Rated R (Rihanna album)|Rated R]]
| released = {{Start date and age|2014|4|14}}
| released = {{Start date|2009|10|20}}
| recorded = {{Start date and age|2014|4|14}}
| recorded = 2009
| studio = Roc the Mic (New York City)
| studio = Roc the Mic (New York City)
| genre = <!-- Sourced in Composition and lyrical interpretation section. Do not add unsourced genres. -->
| genre = <!-- Sourced in Composition and lyrical interpretation section. Do not add unsourced genres. -->
{{Flat list|
{{Flat list|
*[[Pop music|Pop]]
*[[Pop music|Pop]]
*[[pop-rock]]
*[[pop-rock]]
*[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]}}
*[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]}}
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=47}}
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=47}}
| label = {{Flat list|
| label = {{Flat list|
*[[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]]
*[[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]]
*SRP}}
*SRP}}
| writer = {{Flat list|
| writer = {{Flat list|
*[[Ne-Yo|Shaffer Smith]]
*[[Ne-Yo|Shaffer Smith]]
*[[Chuck Harmony|Charles Harmon]]}}
*[[Chuck Harmony|Charles Harmon]]}}
| producer = {{Flat list|
| producer = {{Flat list|
*[[Chuck Harmony]]
*[[Chuck Harmony]]
*[[Ne-Yo]]
*[[Ne-Yo]]
*[[Makeba Riddick]]}}
*[[Makeba Riddick]]}}
| prev_title = [[Run This Town]]
| prev_title = [[Run This Town]]
| prev_year = 2009
| prev_year = 2009
| next_title = [[Hard (song)|Hard]]
| next_title = [[Hard (song)|Hard]]
| next_year = 2009
| next_year = 2009
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|ZQ2nCGawrSY|"Russian Roulette"}}}}
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|ZQ2nCGawrSY|"Russian Roulette"}}}}
}}
}}


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In 2009, producer [[Chuck Harmony]] and singer-songwriter [[Ne-Yo]] convened together to conceptualize a song that would take Rihanna's music to a further level. According to Harmony, they didn't want to re-work the previous works by Rihanna—something that according to him the fans expected. The producer told MTV News that they wanted to give Rihanna a film, not just a song with a length of three minutes, "I felt musically like everybody was gonna give like that '[[Disturbia (song)|Disturbia]],' '[[SOS (Rihanna song)|SOS]],' kind of pop, uptempo stuff, and I really wanted the song that me and Ne-Yo did to stand out."<ref name=mtvshockvalue/>
In 2009, producer [[Chuck Harmony]] and singer-songwriter [[Ne-Yo]] convened together to conceptualize a song that would take Rihanna's music to a further level. According to Harmony, they didn't want to re-work the previous works by Rihanna—something that according to him the fans expected. The producer told MTV News that they wanted to give Rihanna a film, not just a song with a length of three minutes, "I felt musically like everybody was gonna give like that '[[Disturbia (song)|Disturbia]],' '[[SOS (Rihanna song)|SOS]],' kind of pop, uptempo stuff, and I really wanted the song that me and Ne-Yo did to stand out."<ref name=mtvshockvalue/>


Following a domestic violence case between Rihanna and her boyfriend [[Chris Brown]], media speculated as to whether any song featured on her fourth upcoming album would be about him.<ref name=songbash>{{cite web|title=Ne-Yo Won't Write A 'Chris Brown Bash Song' For Rihanna|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616737/20090722/ne_yo.jhtml|publisher=[[MTV News]]|last=Rodriguez|first=Jayson|date=July 22, 2009|access-date=October 24, 2009|archive-date=January 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105054435/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616737/20090722/ne_yo.jhtml|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview with [[MTV News]], Ne-Yo clarified that he would not write a song for Rihanna about Brown, because he considered the idea unnecessary.<ref name=songbash/> Harmony said that no matter what song Rihanna released as a [[lead single]] from the album, it would be looked at as a song about Brown.<ref name=mtvshockvalue>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624350/20091021/rihanna.jhtml|title=Rihanna May Have Released 'Russian Roulette' For 'Shock Value,' Producer Says|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|date=October 21, 2009|publisher=MTV News|access-date=October 21, 2009|archive-date=March 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312104913/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624350/20091021/rihanna.jhtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
Following a domestic violence case between Rihanna and her boyfriend [[Chris Brown]], media speculated as to whether any song featured on her fourth upcoming album would be about him.<ref name=songbash>{{cite web|title=Ne-Yo Won't Write A 'Chris Brown Bash Song' For Rihanna|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616737/20090722/ne_yo.jhtml|publisher=[[MTV News]]|last=Rodriguez|first=Jayson|date=July 22, 2009|access-date=October 24, 2009|archive-date=January 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105054435/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616737/20090722/ne_yo.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> In an interview with [[MTV News]], Ne-Yo clarified that he would not write a song for Rihanna about Brown, because he considered the idea unnecessary.<ref name=songbash/> Harmony said that no matter what song Rihanna released as a [[lead single]] from the album, it would be looked at as a song about Brown.<ref name=mtvshockvalue>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624350/20091021/rihanna.jhtml|title=Rihanna May Have Released 'Russian Roulette' For 'Shock Value,' Producer Says|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|date=October 21, 2009|publisher=MTV News|access-date=October 21, 2009|archive-date=March 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312104913/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624350/20091021/rihanna.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>


In an interview with the same publication, Ne-Yo explained how he wrote the lyrics, "I'm listening to the track, and all I can see is Rihanna and some random person sitting across from each other at the table with a gun sitting in the middle of the table and playing [[Russian roulette]]."<ref name="Ne-Yo lyrics">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624467/rihanna-took-chance-with-ne-yo-russian-roulette.jhtml|title=Rihanna 'Took A Chance' With Ne-Yo For 'Russian Roulette'|publisher=MTV News|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|date=October 22, 2009|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105132726/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624467/rihanna-took-chance-with-ne-yo-russian-roulette.jhtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Ne-Yo further stated that Rihanna is not afraid to try new things and from the first moment she heard the song he knew she would like it, "I trust Rihanna to be Rihanna, and she trusts me to be me. That's the coolest thing about our relationship. I must say this song is a step in somewhat of a different direction for both of us." When Harmony heard the song, both he and Ne-Yo were aware that they should change some elements and that it had to be darker and edgier.<ref name=mtvshockvalue/>
In an interview with the same publication, Ne-Yo explained how he wrote the lyrics, "I'm listening to the track, and all I can see is Rihanna and some random person sitting across from each other at the table with a gun sitting in the middle of the table and playing [[Russian roulette]]."<ref name="Ne-Yo lyrics">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624467/rihanna-took-chance-with-ne-yo-russian-roulette.jhtml|title=Rihanna 'Took A Chance' With Ne-Yo For 'Russian Roulette'|publisher=MTV News|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|date=October 22, 2009|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105132726/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624467/rihanna-took-chance-with-ne-yo-russian-roulette.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ne-Yo further stated that Rihanna is not afraid to try new things and from the first moment she heard the song he knew she would like it, "I trust Rihanna to be Rihanna, and she trusts me to be me. That's the coolest thing about our relationship. I must say this song is a step in somewhat of a different direction for both of us." When Harmony heard the song, both he and Ne-Yo were aware that they should change some elements and that it had to be darker and edgier.<ref name=mtvshockvalue/>


"Russian Roulette" was recorded during summer 2009,<ref name=mtvshockvalue/> at the Roc the Mic Studios in [[New York City]] by Marcos Tovar and Kevin Hanson served as an assistant. <ref name="Credits"/> Mykael Alexander was the assistant recorder while [[Makeba Riddick]] made the vocal production of the song. Mike "TrakGuru" Johnson recorded the music."Russian Roulette" was [[Mixing (music production)|mixed]] by Kevin "KD" Davis together with Jared Newcomb who served as an assistant. Jessie Bonds played the [[guitar]]s in the song. Harmony explained that after the song was done, Rihanna called Ne-Yo and told him that "Russian Roulette" is one of her favorites, "I think overall she was comfortable with the vibe of the song and comfortable with the lyrical content of the song. She loves the song."<ref name=mtvshockvalue/>
"Russian Roulette" was recorded during summer 2009,<ref name=mtvshockvalue/> at the Roc the Mic Studios in [[New York City]] by Marcos Tovar and Kevin Hanson served as an assistant. <ref name="Credits"/> Mykael Alexander was the assistant recorder while [[Makeba Riddick]] made the vocal production of the song. Mike "TrakGuru" Johnson recorded the music."Russian Roulette" was [[Mixing (music production)|mixed]] by Kevin "KD" Davis together with Jared Newcomb who served as an assistant. Jessie Bonds played the [[guitar]]s in the song. Harmony explained that after the song was done, Rihanna called Ne-Yo and told him that "Russian Roulette" is one of her favorites, "I think overall she was comfortable with the vibe of the song and comfortable with the lyrical content of the song. She loves the song."<ref name=mtvshockvalue/>


==Release and artwork==
==Release and artwork==
On October 14, 2009, a metallic "R" along with a message saying "The Wait is Over" was placed on Rihanna's official website.<ref name="TWIO">{{cite web|url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1623762/20091013/rihanna.jhtml|title= Is Rihanna Releasing A New Album On November 23?|date= October 13, 2009|publisher= MTV News|access-date= April 3, 2013|archive-date= March 16, 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100316182041/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1623762/20091013/rihanna.jhtml|url-status= live}}</ref> Subsequently, Rihanna posted on her official [[Twitter]] profile "#The Wait Is Ova. Nov. 23 09".<ref name=CNN>{{cite news|url=http://articles.cnn.com/2009-10-14/entertainment/rihanna.new.album_1_rihanna-angry-song-twitter-party?_s=PM:SHOWBIZ|title=Cryptic tweet signals date for new Rihanna release|publisher=[[CNN News]]|date=October 14, 2009|access-date=April 3, 2013|archive-date=October 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010053417/http://articles.cnn.com/2009-10-14/entertainment/rihanna.new.album_1_rihanna-angry-song-twitter-party?_s=PM:SHOWBIZ|url-status=dead}}</ref> Speculation rose among fans that "The Wait Is Ova", literally meaning "The wait is over", would either be the name of a new single or the then-upcoming album.<ref name="TWIO"/> According to ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' the date looked accurate for her album release and "The Wait Is Ova" would not be the title of the album.<ref name=CNN/> Two days later, a countdown timer appeared on her website and was scheduled to end on October 20, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624128/20091019/rihanna.jhtml|title=Is Rihanna Releasing A New Single Tomorrow?|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|date=October 19, 2009|publisher=MTV News|access-date=April 3, 2013|archive-date=October 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010100334/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624128/20091019/rihanna.jhtml|url-status=live}}</ref> After the timer finished counting, "Russian Roulette" premiered on [[BBC Radio 1]], the singer's official website and on American radio stations.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/10002471|title= Rihanna track gets worldwide premiere|last= Cochrane|first= Greg|date= October 20, 2009|work= [[BBC News]]|access-date= April 3, 2013|archive-date= February 13, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150213171859/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/10002471|url-status= live}}</ref>
On October 14, 2009, a metallic "R" along with a message saying "The Wait is Over" was placed on Rihanna's official website.<ref name="TWIO">{{cite web|url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1623762/20091013/rihanna.jhtml|title= Is Rihanna Releasing A New Album On November 23?|date= October 13, 2009|publisher= MTV News|access-date= April 3, 2013|archive-date= March 16, 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100316182041/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1623762/20091013/rihanna.jhtml|url-status= dead}}</ref> Subsequently, Rihanna posted on her official [[Twitter]] profile "#The Wait Is Ova. Nov. 23 09".<ref name=CNN>{{cite news|url=http://articles.cnn.com/2009-10-14/entertainment/rihanna.new.album_1_rihanna-angry-song-twitter-party?_s=PM:SHOWBIZ|title=Cryptic tweet signals date for new Rihanna release|publisher=[[CNN News]]|date=October 14, 2009|access-date=April 3, 2013|archive-date=October 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010053417/http://articles.cnn.com/2009-10-14/entertainment/rihanna.new.album_1_rihanna-angry-song-twitter-party?_s=PM:SHOWBIZ|url-status=dead}}</ref> Speculation rose among fans that "The Wait Is Ova", literally meaning "The wait is over", would either be the name of a new single or the then-upcoming album.<ref name="TWIO"/> According to ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' the date looked accurate for her album release and "The Wait Is Ova" would not be the title of the album.<ref name=CNN/> Two days later, a countdown timer appeared on her website and was scheduled to end on October 20, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624128/20091019/rihanna.jhtml|title=Is Rihanna Releasing A New Single Tomorrow?|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|date=October 19, 2009|publisher=MTV News|access-date=April 3, 2013|archive-date=October 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010100334/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624128/20091019/rihanna.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> After the timer finished counting, "Russian Roulette" premiered on [[BBC Radio 1]], the singer's official website and on American radio stations.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/10002471|title= Rihanna track gets worldwide premiere|last= Cochrane|first= Greg|date= October 20, 2009|work= [[BBC News]]|access-date= April 3, 2013|archive-date= February 13, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150213171859/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/10002471|url-status= live}}</ref>


[[Def Jam Recordings]] serviced the song to [[contemporary hit radio]] radio in the United States on October 26, 2009, as the lead single from ''[[Rated R (Rihanna album)|Rated R]]''. The next day, it was also sent to the [[rhythmic contemporary]] and [[Urban contemporary music|urban contemporary]] radio stations in the country.<ref name="CHR&RCR">{{Cite magazine|year=2009|title=FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!|url=https://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239|magazine=[[FMQB]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231142820/http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239|archive-date=December 31, 2009}}</ref><ref name="urban">{{cite web |url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=10/27/2009&Format=5 |title=R&R :: Going For Adds :: Urban |publisher=Gfa.radioandrecords.com |access-date=April 4, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222233534/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=10%2F27%2F2009&Format=5 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 }}</ref> In an interview with ''[[NME]]'', Rihanna explained that she and her management didn't have doubts if "Russian Roulette" should be the lead single as it was very personal and emotional track to her.<ref name="nme">{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/nme-video/rihanna-talks-about-russian-roulette-and-finding-producers/53133756001|title=Rihanna Talks About 'Russian Roulette' And Finding Producers video|work=[[NME]]|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=May 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514083717/http://www.nme.com/nme-video/rihanna-talks-about-russian-roulette-and-finding-producers/53133756001|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 3, the single was released for a [[Music download|digital download]] via the [[iTunes Store]].<ref name="aus itunes"/> The album version of "Russian Roulette" together with its instrumental were released as a [[CD single]] in Germany on November 13.<ref name="germany cd single"/> On December 11, seven remixes of the song were digitally released in some countries.<ref name="RRRemixes"/>
[[Def Jam Recordings]] serviced the song to [[contemporary hit radio]] radio in the United States on October 26, 2009, as the lead single from ''[[Rated R (Rihanna album)|Rated R]]''. The next day, it was also sent to the [[rhythmic contemporary]] and [[Urban contemporary music|urban contemporary]] radio stations in the country.<ref name="CHR&RCR">{{Cite magazine|year=2009|title=FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!|url=https://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239|magazine=[[FMQB]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231142820/http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239|archive-date=December 31, 2009}}</ref><ref name="urban">{{cite web |url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=10/27/2009&Format=5 |title=R&R :: Going For Adds :: Urban |publisher=Gfa.radioandrecords.com |access-date=April 4, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222233534/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=10%2F27%2F2009&Format=5 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 }}</ref> In an interview with ''[[NME]]'', Rihanna explained that she and her management didn't have doubts if "Russian Roulette" should be the lead single as it was very personal and emotional track to her.<ref name="nme">{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/nme-video/rihanna-talks-about-russian-roulette-and-finding-producers/53133756001|title=Rihanna Talks About 'Russian Roulette' And Finding Producers video|work=[[NME]]|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=May 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514083717/http://www.nme.com/nme-video/rihanna-talks-about-russian-roulette-and-finding-producers/53133756001|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 3, the single was released for a [[Music download|digital download]] via the [[iTunes Store]].<ref name="aus itunes"/> The album version of "Russian Roulette" together with its instrumental were released as a [[CD single]] in Germany on November 13.<ref name="germany cd single"/> On December 11, seven remixes of the song were digitally released in some countries.<ref name="RRRemixes"/>
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}}
}}


"Russian Roulette" is a mid-tempo [[pop music|pop]], [[pop rock]] and [[contemporary R&B|R&B]] [[ballad]]<ref name="digital spy">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a185756/rihanna-russian-roulette.html|title=Rihanna: 'Russian Roulette'|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|last=Levine|first=Nick|date=November 16, 2009|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=July 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703205352/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a185756/rihanna-russian-roulette.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McCormick|first=Neil|date=10 May 2010|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/7704827/Rihanna-at-the-NEC-Birmingham-review.html|title=Rihanna at the NEC Birmingham, review|website=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|accessdate=18 May 2024|quote=She kicked off with the homicidal pop-rock ballad Russian Roulette}}</ref><ref name="thethings">{{cite web|url=https://www.thethings.com/a-timeline-of-20-highs-and-lows-of-rihannas-career/|title=A Timeline of 20 Highs and Lows of Rihanna's Career > 8/20 2009: Rated R|publisher=thethings.com|date=February 1, 2020|access-date=June 27, 2020|quote=Rihanna kicks off the album with a dark, morbid, pop and R&B ballad Russian Roulette|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627075337/https://www.thethings.com/a-timeline-of-20-highs-and-lows-of-rihannas-career/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Michigan Daily">{{cite news|url=http://www.michigandaily.com/content/rihanna-review|title=Rihanna turns dark on 'Rated R'|work=[[The Michigan Daily]]|last=Resende|first=Sasha|date=November 22, 2009|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=November 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112092353/http://www.michigandaily.com/content/rihanna-review|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ok.co.uk/music/view/16303/Review-Rihanna-Rated-R/|title=Review&nbsp;— Rihanna: Rated R|work=[[OK!]]|date=November 24, 2009|access-date=April 7, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505034916/http://www.ok.co.uk/music/view/16303/Review-Rihanna-Rated-R/|archive-date=May 5, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> that contains dark, haunting, morbid, and tense atmospheric elements.<ref name=mtvshockvalue/><ref name="digital spy"/> The song has an [[Instrumentation (music)|instrumentation]] that features guitars, [[piano]] and [[synths]] which play over a "heart beat" [[bass line]], accompanied with Rihanna's "affecting" vocals.<ref name="Credits"/><ref name="Chicago Tribune">{{cite news|url=http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2009/11/album-review-rihanna-rated-r-.html|title=Album review: Rihanna, 'Rated R'|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|last=Kot|first=Gred|date=November 20, 2009|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=October 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022082025/http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2009/11/album-review-rihanna-rated-r-.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="consequence of sound">{{cite web|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/11/album-review-rihanna-rated-r/|title=Album Review: Rihanna&nbsp;– Rated R|publisher=[[Consequence of Sound]]|last=Hines|first=Will|date=November 19, 2009|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171818/http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/11/album-review-rihanna-rated-r/|url-status=live}}</ref> Eric Henderson of ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' wrote that the song's production is also features a sound of a rolling dice.<ref name="Slant magazine">{{cite web|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/rihanna-rated-r/1919|title=Rihanna: Rated R|work=[[Slant Magazine]]|last=Henderson|first=Eric|date=November 22, 2009|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=May 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502231501/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/rihanna-rated-r/1919|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Jon Pareless of ''[[The New York Times]]'', it "is paced by a heartbeat, a ticking clock and Rihanna's fearful voice."<ref name="The New York Times">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/arts/music/23choice.html?_r=4&ref=music&|title=Critic's Choice&nbsp;— New from Rihanna, Shakira, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert|work=[[The New York Times]]|last=Pareless|first=Jon|date=November 22, 2009|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=August 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831181356/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/arts/music/23choice.html?_r=4&ref=music|url-status=live}}</ref> "Russian Roulette" is written in the key of [[F-sharp minor|F {{music|sharp}} minor]], in [[common time]], with a tempo of 83 [[beats per minute]]. Rihanna's vocal range spans from [[F♯ (musical note)|F♯<sub>3</sub>]] to [[C♯ (musical note)|C<sub>5</sub>]].<ref name="musicnotes">{{cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0080535|title=Russian Roulette: Digital Sheet music|date=11 January 2010 |publisher=Musicnotes.com. [[Sony/ATV Music Publishing]]|access-date=May 25, 2010|archive-date=January 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125132941/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=mn0080535|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''{{'}}s Greg Kot called the singer's voice a "delicate instrument" that is often the least element in her song's production, however, he noted that on the song "she's squarely in the center of the action".<ref name="Chicago Tribune"/>
"Russian Roulette" is a mid-tempo [[pop music|pop]], [[pop-rock]] and [[contemporary R&B|R&B]] [[ballad]]<ref name="digital spy">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a185756/rihanna-russian-roulette.html|title=Rihanna: 'Russian Roulette'|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|last=Levine|first=Nick|date=November 16, 2009|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=July 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703205352/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a185756/rihanna-russian-roulette.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McCormick|first=Neil|date=10 May 2010|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/7704827/Rihanna-at-the-NEC-Birmingham-review.html|title=Rihanna at the NEC Birmingham, review|website=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|accessdate=18 May 2024|quote=She kicked off with the homicidal pop-rock ballad Russian Roulette}}</ref><ref name="thethings">{{cite web|url=https://www.thethings.com/a-timeline-of-20-highs-and-lows-of-rihannas-career/|title=A Timeline of 20 Highs and Lows of Rihanna's Career > 8/20 2009: Rated R|publisher=thethings.com|date=February 1, 2020|access-date=June 27, 2020|quote=Rihanna kicks off the album with a dark, morbid, pop and R&B ballad Russian Roulette|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627075337/https://www.thethings.com/a-timeline-of-20-highs-and-lows-of-rihannas-career/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Michigan Daily">{{cite news|url=http://www.michigandaily.com/content/rihanna-review|title=Rihanna turns dark on 'Rated R'|work=[[The Michigan Daily]]|last=Resende|first=Sasha|date=November 22, 2009|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=November 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112092353/http://www.michigandaily.com/content/rihanna-review|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ok.co.uk/music/view/16303/Review-Rihanna-Rated-R/|title=Review&nbsp;— Rihanna: Rated R|work=[[OK!]]|date=November 24, 2009|access-date=April 7, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505034916/http://www.ok.co.uk/music/view/16303/Review-Rihanna-Rated-R/|archive-date=May 5, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> that contains dark, haunting, morbid, and tense atmospheric elements.<ref name=mtvshockvalue/><ref name="digital spy"/> The song has an [[Instrumentation (music)|instrumentation]] that features guitars, [[piano]] and [[synths]] which play over a "heart beat" [[bass line]], accompanied with Rihanna's "affecting" vocals.<ref name="Credits"/><ref name="Chicago Tribune">{{cite news|url=http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2009/11/album-review-rihanna-rated-r-.html|title=Album review: Rihanna, 'Rated R'|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|last=Kot|first=Gred|date=November 20, 2009|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=October 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022082025/http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2009/11/album-review-rihanna-rated-r-.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="consequence of sound">{{cite web|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/11/album-review-rihanna-rated-r/|title=Album Review: Rihanna&nbsp;– Rated R|publisher=[[Consequence of Sound]]|last=Hines|first=Will|date=November 19, 2009|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171818/http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/11/album-review-rihanna-rated-r/|url-status=live}}</ref> Eric Henderson of ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' wrote that the song's production is also features a sound of a rolling dice.<ref name="Slant magazine">{{cite web|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/rihanna-rated-r/1919|title=Rihanna: Rated R|work=[[Slant Magazine]]|last=Henderson|first=Eric|date=November 22, 2009|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=May 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502231501/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/rihanna-rated-r/1919|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Jon Pareless of ''[[The New York Times]]'', it "is paced by a heartbeat, a ticking clock and Rihanna's fearful voice."<ref name="The New York Times">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/arts/music/23choice.html?_r=4&ref=music&|title=Critic's Choice&nbsp;— New from Rihanna, Shakira, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert|work=[[The New York Times]]|last=Pareless|first=Jon|date=November 22, 2009|access-date=April 4, 2013|archive-date=August 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831181356/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/arts/music/23choice.html?_r=4&ref=music|url-status=live}}</ref> "Russian Roulette" is written in the key of [[F-sharp minor|F {{music|sharp}} minor]], in [[common time]], with a tempo of 83 [[beats per minute]]. Rihanna's vocal range spans from [[F♯ (musical note)|F♯<sub>3</sub>]] to [[C♯ (musical note)|C<sub>5</sub>]].<ref name="musicnotes">{{cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0080535|title=Russian Roulette: Digital Sheet music|date=11 January 2010 |publisher=Musicnotes.com. [[Sony/ATV Music Publishing]]|access-date=May 25, 2010|archive-date=January 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125132941/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=mn0080535|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''{{'}}s Greg Kot called the singer's voice a "delicate instrument" that is often the least element in her song's production, however, he noted that on the song "she's squarely in the center of the action".<ref name="Chicago Tribune"/>


Lyrically, "Russian Roulette" is about an abusive romantic relationship that ends abruptly, with some critics comparing them to the relationship that Rihanna had with Brown.<ref name="Mtv News review">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624241/rihanna-plays-russian-roulette-on-new-single.jhtml|title=Rihanna Plays 'Russian Roulette' On New Single|publisher=MTV News|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|date=October 20, 2009|access-date=April 5, 2013|archive-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107160856/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624241/rihanna-plays-russian-roulette-on-new-single.jhtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/nqvh|title=BBC&nbsp;— Music&nbsp;— Review of Rihanna&nbsp;— Rated R|publisher=BBC Music|last=Rogers|first=Jude|author-link=Jude Rogers|date=November 23, 2009|access-date=April 5, 2013|archive-date=March 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304213103/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/nqvh|url-status=live}}</ref> Kot noted that the single's lyrics compare a relationship to a fatal game of choice,<ref name="Chicago Tribune"/> while Andy Jill of ''[[The Independent]]'' wrote that its title refers to a "state of relationships".<ref name="The Independent">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-rihanna-rated-r-mercury-1828345.html|title=Album: Rihanna, Rated R (Mercury)|work=[[The Independent]]|last=Jill|first=Andy|date=November 27, 2009|access-date=April 5, 2013|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094749/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-rihanna-rated-r-mercury-1828345.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Rob Harvilla of ''[[The Village Voice]]'' described the song as a spare, suspenseful, violent torch song with a literal title.<ref name="Village Voice">{{cite news|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-11-24/music/sympathy-for-lady-vengeance-rihanna-s-rated-r/full/|title=Sympathy for Lady Vengeance: Rihanna's Rated R|work=[[The Village Voice]]|last=Harvilla|first=Rob|date=November 24, 2009|access-date=April 5, 2013|archive-date=June 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619015242/http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-11-24/music/sympathy-for-lady-vengeance-rihanna-s-rated-r/full/|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''{{'}} Todd Martens wrote that although the song's lyrics are vague and find people speculating, they "hint at a situation one probably doesn't want to be in the middle of".<ref name="Los Angeles Times">{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/10/rihanna-reveals-russian-roulette.html|title=Rihanna reveals new single, 'Russian Roulette'|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|last=Martens|first=Todd|date=October 20, 2009|access-date=April 5, 2013|archive-date=February 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227102955/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/10/rihanna-reveals-russian-roulette.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Sasha Resende of ''[[The Michigan Daily]]'' wrote "the ballad, which employs reckless gunplay as a not-so-subtle metaphor for a troubled relationship, achieves its seemingly morbid intent."<ref name="Michigan Daily"/>
Lyrically, "Russian Roulette" is about an abusive romantic relationship that ends abruptly, with some critics comparing them to the relationship that Rihanna had with Brown.<ref name="Mtv News review">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624241/rihanna-plays-russian-roulette-on-new-single.jhtml|title=Rihanna Plays 'Russian Roulette' On New Single|publisher=MTV News|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|date=October 20, 2009|access-date=April 5, 2013|archive-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107160856/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624241/rihanna-plays-russian-roulette-on-new-single.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/nqvh|title=BBC&nbsp;— Music&nbsp;— Review of Rihanna&nbsp;— Rated R|publisher=BBC Music|last=Rogers|first=Jude|author-link=Jude Rogers|date=November 23, 2009|access-date=April 5, 2013|archive-date=March 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304213103/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/nqvh|url-status=live}}</ref> Kot noted that the single's lyrics compare a relationship to a fatal game of choice,<ref name="Chicago Tribune"/> while Andy Jill of ''[[The Independent]]'' wrote that its title refers to a "state of relationships".<ref name="The Independent">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-rihanna-rated-r-mercury-1828345.html|title=Album: Rihanna, Rated R (Mercury)|work=[[The Independent]]|last=Jill|first=Andy|date=November 27, 2009|access-date=April 5, 2013|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094749/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-rihanna-rated-r-mercury-1828345.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Rob Harvilla of ''[[The Village Voice]]'' described the song as a spare, suspenseful, violent torch song with a literal title.<ref name="Village Voice">{{cite news|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-11-24/music/sympathy-for-lady-vengeance-rihanna-s-rated-r/full/|title=Sympathy for Lady Vengeance: Rihanna's Rated R|work=[[The Village Voice]]|last=Harvilla|first=Rob|date=November 24, 2009|access-date=April 5, 2013|archive-date=June 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619015242/http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-11-24/music/sympathy-for-lady-vengeance-rihanna-s-rated-r/full/|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''{{'}} Todd Martens wrote that although the song's lyrics are vague and find people speculating, they "hint at a situation one probably doesn't want to be in the middle of".<ref name="Los Angeles Times">{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/10/rihanna-reveals-russian-roulette.html|title=Rihanna reveals new single, 'Russian Roulette'|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|last=Martens|first=Todd|date=October 20, 2009|access-date=April 5, 2013|archive-date=February 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227102955/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/10/rihanna-reveals-russian-roulette.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Sasha Resende of ''[[The Michigan Daily]]'' wrote "the ballad, which employs reckless gunplay as a not-so-subtle metaphor for a troubled relationship, achieves its seemingly morbid intent."<ref name="Michigan Daily"/>


"Russian Roulette" begins with a "searing" guitar solo that later transitions into a "pulsing" beat which stays constant until the end of the song. The single opens with the lyrics, "Take a breath/ Take it deep/ Calm yourself/ He says to me/ If you play/ You play for keeps/ Take the gun/ And count to three." The metaphor about the game of Russian roulette is also present in the [[Refrain|chorus]] in which Rihanna sings, "And you can see my heart beating/ You can see it through my chest/ I said I'm terrified, but I'm not leaving/ I know that I must pass this test/ So just pull the trigger." In the upcoming verse, the character that the singer portrays in the song it's scared that the man talking to her will always have power over, "Say a prayer to yourself/ He says close your eyes/ Sometimes it helps/ And then I get a scary thought/ That he's here means he's never lost."<ref name="Mtv News review"/> "Russian Roulette" ends with a sound of a gunshot, which according to Michaelangelo Matos of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' extends the drama accompanied by "harrowing scenarios and tremulous vocals".<ref name="AV club">{{cite news|url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/rihanna-rated-r,36042/|title=Rihanna: Rated R&nbsp;— Music|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|last=Matos|first=Michaelangelo|date=December 8, 2009|access-date=April 5, 2013|archive-date=November 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109211154/http://www.avclub.com/articles/rihanna-rated-r,36042/|url-status=live}}</ref>
"Russian Roulette" begins with a "searing" guitar solo that later transitions into a "pulsing" beat which stays constant until the end of the song. The single opens with the lyrics, "Take a breath/ Take it deep/ Calm yourself/ He says to me/ If you play/ You play for keeps/ Take the gun/ And count to three." The metaphor about the game of Russian roulette is also present in the [[Refrain|chorus]] in which Rihanna sings, "And you can see my heart beating/ You can see it through my chest/ I said I'm terrified, but I'm not leaving/ I know that I must pass this test/ So just pull the trigger." In the upcoming verse, the character that the singer portrays in the song it's scared that the man talking to her will always have power over, "Say a prayer to yourself/ He says close your eyes/ Sometimes it helps/ And then I get a scary thought/ That he's here means he's never lost."<ref name="Mtv News review"/> "Russian Roulette" ends with a sound of a gunshot, which according to Michaelangelo Matos of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' extends the drama accompanied by "harrowing scenarios and tremulous vocals".<ref name="AV club">{{cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/rihanna-rated-r-1798207567|title=Rihanna: Rated R&nbsp;— Music|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|last=Matos|first=Michaelangelo|date=December 8, 2009|access-date=April 5, 2013|archive-date=November 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109211154/http://www.avclub.com/articles/rihanna-rated-r,36042/|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
Nick Levine of [[Digital Spy]] praised "Russian Roulette" and called it a "masterful return effort".<ref name="digital spy"/> He additionally wrote that the single is "brave, brilliantly-realized and bizarre enough to distance" the singer from the other pop or R&B performers like [[Lady Gaga]].<ref name="digital spy"/> According to Levine, the song is her best vocal performances and shows Rihanna growing in front of the audience's eyes.<ref name="digital spy"/> Will Hines of ''[[Consequence of Sound]]'' called the song a worthy centerpiece and further wrote that it stands out from other tracks on the album which proves that ''Rated R'' "was a cathartic process for the singer".<ref name="consequence of sound"/> Todd Martens of ''Los Angeles Times'' wrote that although is hard to imagine the song to be played in a car or a club, it's "attention-grabbing stuff, standing in stark—emphasis on stark—contrast to much of the current pop landscape."<ref name="Los Angeles Times"/> Alibhe Malone of ''NME'' wrote that ''Rated R'' is an album about power and control in which "Russian Roulette" sets the agenda.<ref name="NME">{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/rihanna/10985|title=Album review: Rihanna - 'Rated R' (Mercury)|work=NME|last=Malone|first=Alibhe|date=December 3, 2009|access-date=April 7, 2013|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001637/http://www.nme.com/reviews/rihanna/10985|url-status=live}}</ref>
Nick Levine of [[Digital Spy]] praised "Russian Roulette" and called it a "masterful return effort".<ref name="digital spy"/> He additionally wrote that the single is "brave, brilliantly-realized and bizarre enough to distance" the singer from the other pop or R&B performers like [[Lady Gaga]].<ref name="digital spy"/> According to Levine, the song is her best vocal performances and shows Rihanna growing in front of the audience's eyes.<ref name="digital spy"/> Will Hines of ''[[Consequence of Sound]]'' called the song a worthy centerpiece and further wrote that it stands out from other tracks on the album which proves that ''Rated R'' "was a cathartic process for the singer".<ref name="consequence of sound"/> Todd Martens of ''Los Angeles Times'' wrote that although is hard to imagine the song to be played in a car or a club, it's "attention-grabbing stuff, standing in stark—emphasis on stark—contrast to much of the current pop landscape."<ref name="Los Angeles Times"/> Alibhe Malone of ''NME'' wrote that ''Rated R'' is an album about power and control in which "Russian Roulette" sets the agenda.<ref name="NME">{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/rihanna/10985|title=Album review: Rihanna - 'Rated R' (Mercury)|work=NME|last=Malone|first=Alibhe|date=December 3, 2009|access-date=April 7, 2013|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001637/http://www.nme.com/reviews/rihanna/10985|url-status=live}}</ref>


''[[The Boston Globe]]''{{'}}s Sarah Rodman wrote that the song is moody but far too deliberate and "has a grab bag of evocative images but never quite jells".<ref name="Boston">{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2009/11/20/rihanna_rages_on_rated_r/|title=Rihanna rages on 'Rated R'|work=[[Boston Globe]]|last=Rodman|first=Sarah|date=November 20, 2009|access-date=April 7, 2013|archive-date=October 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025023627/http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2009/11/20/rihanna_rages_on_rated_r/|url-status=live}}</ref> A reviewer of ''[[OK!]]'' magazine wrote that the single represents a downbeat way for return to the charts for Rihanna, but can grow on you.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ok.co.uk/music/view/16303/Review-Rihanna-Rated-R/|title=Review&nbsp;— Rihanna: Rated R|work=[[OK!]]|date=November 24, 2009|access-date=April 7, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505034916/http://www.ok.co.uk/music/view/16303/Review-Rihanna-Rated-R/|archive-date=May 5, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Andy Jill of ''The Independent'' stated that "Russian Roulette" and "Fire Bomb" have "inflammatory" titles.<ref name="The Independent"/> Entertainment Weekly's Simon Vozick-Levinson wrote that although Rihanna took risk with releasing the song, it pays off, "Rihanna is in fine vocal form throughout, and Ne-Yo's songwriting is economical and evocative per usual."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/10/20/rihanna-russian-roulette/|title=The Truth Behind Rihanna's "Extreme" Album Cover|last=Vozick-Levinson|first=Simon|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=September 22, 2010|access-date=July 31, 2011|archive-date=June 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616045205/http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/10/20/rihanna-russian-roulette/|url-status=live}}</ref> A staff from MTV Newsroom thought that the single retains some sort of attitude and atmosphere that made Rihanna "such a definitive artist".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/10/20/rihanna-russian-roulette-poll/|title=Is Rihanna's 'Russian Roulette' A Keeper? The Oh Snap! Poll&nbsp;— MTV Newsroom|publisher=[[MTV|MTV Newsroom]]|date=October 20, 2009|access-date=July 31, 2011|archive-date=April 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401094238/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/10/20/rihanna-russian-roulette-poll/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jody Rosen]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' concluded that works like "Russian Roulette", "a domestic-violence victim's confession whipped into soaring melodrama&nbsp;— tell us why: She was busy saying her piece in the studio."<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/rated-r-20091123|title=Rated R&nbsp;— Album Reviews|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=November 23, 2009|access-date=April 7, 2013|last=Rosen|first=Jody|archive-date=July 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711082946/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/rated-r-20091123|url-status=live}}</ref>
''[[The Boston Globe]]''{{'}}s Sarah Rodman wrote that the song is moody but far too deliberate and "has a grab bag of evocative images but never quite jells".<ref name="Boston">{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2009/11/20/rihanna_rages_on_rated_r/|title=Rihanna rages on 'Rated R'|work=[[Boston Globe]]|last=Rodman|first=Sarah|date=November 20, 2009|access-date=April 7, 2013|archive-date=October 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025023627/http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2009/11/20/rihanna_rages_on_rated_r/|url-status=live}}</ref> A reviewer of ''[[OK!]]'' magazine wrote that the single represents a downbeat way for return to the charts for Rihanna, but can grow on you.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ok.co.uk/music/view/16303/Review-Rihanna-Rated-R/|title=Review&nbsp;— Rihanna: Rated R|work=[[OK!]]|date=November 24, 2009|access-date=April 7, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505034916/http://www.ok.co.uk/music/view/16303/Review-Rihanna-Rated-R/|archive-date=May 5, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Andy Jill of ''The Independent'' stated that "Russian Roulette" and "Fire Bomb" have "inflammatory" titles.<ref name="The Independent"/> Entertainment Weekly's Simon Vozick-Levinson wrote that although Rihanna took risk with releasing the song, it pays off, "Rihanna is in fine vocal form throughout, and Ne-Yo's songwriting is economical and evocative per usual."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/10/20/rihanna-russian-roulette/|title=The Truth Behind Rihanna's "Extreme" Album Cover|last=Vozick-Levinson|first=Simon|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=September 22, 2010|access-date=July 31, 2011|archive-date=June 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616045205/http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/10/20/rihanna-russian-roulette/|url-status=live}}</ref> A staff from MTV Newsroom thought that the single retains some sort of attitude and atmosphere that made Rihanna "such a definitive artist".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/10/20/rihanna-russian-roulette-poll/|title=Is Rihanna's 'Russian Roulette' A Keeper? The Oh Snap! Poll&nbsp;— MTV Newsroom|publisher=[[MTV|MTV Newsroom]]|date=October 20, 2009|access-date=July 31, 2011|archive-date=April 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401094238/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/10/20/rihanna-russian-roulette-poll/|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Jody Rosen]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' concluded that works like "Russian Roulette", "a domestic-violence victim's confession whipped into soaring melodrama&nbsp;— tell us why: She was busy saying her piece in the studio."<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/rated-r-20091123|title=Rated R&nbsp;— Album Reviews|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=November 23, 2009|access-date=April 7, 2013|last=Rosen|first=Jody|archive-date=July 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711082946/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/rated-r-20091123|url-status=live}}</ref>


Andy Kellman of [[AllMusic]] stated that in the song Rihanna had a sudden desire to provoke even if that is in metaphorical context.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/rated-r-r1700065|title= ''Rated R''&nbsp;– Rihanna|last= Kellman|first= Andy|publisher= [[AllMusic]]|access-date= July 31, 2011|archive-date= December 19, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111219031804/http://www.allmusic.com/album/rated-r-r1700065|url-status= live}}</ref> [[Pitchfork Media]]'s Ryan Dombal concluded that the single is a bad [[Celine Dion]] song with "barrel-turning revolver noises that actually sound like a can of spray paint being shook up".<ref name="pitchfork">{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/11578-russian-roulette/|title=Rihanna&nbsp;– Russian Roulette&nbsp;– Review|last=Dombal|first=Ryan|work=[[Pitchfork Media]]|date=October 22, 2009|access-date=July 31, 2011|archive-date=August 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808043036/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/11578-russian-roulette/|url-status=live}}</ref> Rob Harvilla of ''The Village Voice'' stated that "Russian Roulette"'s composition, makes the song unpleasant for listening.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-11-24/music/sympathy-for-lady-vengeance-rihanna-s-rated-r/|title= Review: ''Rated R''|last= Harvilla|first= Rob|work= [[The Village Voice]]|date= November 24, 2009|access-date= July 28, 2011|archive-date= March 7, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120307041547/http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-11-24/music/sympathy-for-lady-vengeance-rihanna-s-rated-r/|url-status= live}}</ref> Chris Richards of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' wrote that the song has "plodding beat" and "forgettable hook" and additionally criticized the ending of the song with a sound of gunshot; according to him that's an attempt to "salvage its wasted potential".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/20/AR2009112000295.html|title=Recordings: Chris Richards reviews the album 'Rated R' by Rihanna|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|last=Richards|first=Chris|date=November 22, 2009|access-date=April 7, 2013|archive-date=November 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109200500/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/20/AR2009112000295.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Andy Kellman of [[AllMusic]] stated that in the song Rihanna had a sudden desire to provoke even if that is in metaphorical context.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/rated-r-r1700065|title= ''Rated R''&nbsp;– Rihanna|last= Kellman|first= Andy|publisher= [[AllMusic]]|access-date= July 31, 2011|archive-date= December 19, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111219031804/http://www.allmusic.com/album/rated-r-r1700065|url-status= live}}</ref> [[Pitchfork Media]]'s Ryan Dombal concluded that the single is a bad [[Celine Dion]] song with "barrel-turning revolver noises that actually sound like a can of spray paint being shook up".<ref name="pitchfork">{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/11578-russian-roulette/|title=Rihanna&nbsp;– Russian Roulette&nbsp;– Review|last=Dombal|first=Ryan|work=[[Pitchfork Media]]|date=October 22, 2009|access-date=July 31, 2011|archive-date=August 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808043036/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/11578-russian-roulette/|url-status=live}}</ref> Rob Harvilla of ''The Village Voice'' stated that "Russian Roulette"'s composition, makes the song unpleasant for listening.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-11-24/music/sympathy-for-lady-vengeance-rihanna-s-rated-r/|title= Review: ''Rated R''|last= Harvilla|first= Rob|work= [[The Village Voice]]|date= November 24, 2009|access-date= July 28, 2011|archive-date= March 7, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120307041547/http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-11-24/music/sympathy-for-lady-vengeance-rihanna-s-rated-r/|url-status= live}}</ref> Chris Richards of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' wrote that the song has "plodding beat" and "forgettable hook" and additionally criticized the ending of the song with a sound of gunshot; according to him that's an attempt to "salvage its wasted potential".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/20/AR2009112000295.html|title=Recordings: Chris Richards reviews the album 'Rated R' by Rihanna|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|last=Richards|first=Chris|date=November 22, 2009|access-date=April 7, 2013|archive-date=November 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109200500/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/20/AR2009112000295.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
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[[File:Russian Roulette screenshot.png|thumb|left|280px|Rihanna and actor [[Jesse Williams (actor)|Jesse Williams]] playing [[Russian roulette]] in the music video for the song.]]
[[File:Russian Roulette screenshot.png|thumb|left|280px|Rihanna and actor [[Jesse Williams (actor)|Jesse Williams]] playing [[Russian roulette]] in the music video for the song.]]


The music video for "Russian Roulette" was directed by Rihanna's frequent collaborator [[Anthony Mandler]], who directed Rihanna's previous videos for "[[Take a Bow (Rihanna song)|Take a Bow]]", "Disturbia", "[[Rehab (Rihanna song)|Rehab]]" and "[[Wait Your Turn]]".<ref name="MTV2">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626315/rihannas-russian-roulette-video-dark-arts.jhtml|title=Rihanna's 'Russian Roulette' Video: Dark Arts|last=Montgomery|first=James|publisher=MTV News|date=November 13, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2011|archive-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107163516/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626315/rihannas-russian-roulette-video-dark-arts.jhtml|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2009, Rihanna appeared on "[[TV total]]" in [[Germany]] to talk about her new album and preview 30 seconds of the video for the song. Mandler spoke to MTV News, stating "I think that with this song and the meaning of this song and how loaded it all is, no pun intended, how much imagery and perhaps symbolism that is loaded in this song, the only way to do it was to do something that was visually challenging". The music video for the song premiered on ABC's ''[[20/20 (US television show)|20/20]]'' on November 13, 2009.<ref name="MTV4">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626269/rihanna-director-explains-russian-roulette-video.jhtml|title=Rihanna Director Didn't Want 'Russian Roulette' Video To Be 'Too Obvious'|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|publisher=MTV News|date=November 13, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2011|archive-date=November 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106122501/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626269/rihanna-director-explains-russian-roulette-video.jhtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
The music video for "Russian Roulette" was directed by Rihanna's frequent collaborator [[Anthony Mandler]], who directed Rihanna's previous videos for "[[Take a Bow (Rihanna song)|Take a Bow]]", "Disturbia", "[[Rehab (Rihanna song)|Rehab]]" and "[[Wait Your Turn]]".<ref name="MTV2">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626315/rihannas-russian-roulette-video-dark-arts.jhtml|title=Rihanna's 'Russian Roulette' Video: Dark Arts|last=Montgomery|first=James|publisher=MTV News|date=November 13, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2011|archive-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107163516/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626315/rihannas-russian-roulette-video-dark-arts.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> In November 2009, Rihanna appeared on "[[TV total]]" in [[Germany]] to talk about her new album and preview 30 seconds of the video for the song. Mandler spoke to MTV News, stating "I think that with this song and the meaning of this song and how loaded it all is, no pun intended, how much imagery and perhaps symbolism that is loaded in this song, the only way to do it was to do something that was visually challenging". The music video for the song premiered on ABC's ''[[20/20 (US television show)|20/20]]'' on November 13, 2009.<ref name="MTV4">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626269/rihanna-director-explains-russian-roulette-video.jhtml|title=Rihanna Director Didn't Want 'Russian Roulette' Video To Be 'Too Obvious'|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|publisher=MTV News|date=November 13, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2011|archive-date=November 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106122501/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626269/rihanna-director-explains-russian-roulette-video.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>


The music video opens with shots of Rihanna hooded, lying on the floor of a gas chamber. Three men, dressed in black uniforms and wearing dark round glasses circulate the singer, attempting to extort information from her. The scene then moves to a dimly lit room in which Rihanna sits at a table with her love interest (played by American actor [[Jesse Williams (actor)|Jesse Williams]]) opposite. On the table between them lies a silver revolver in which, throughout the video, they take it turns holding to their heads. Other scenes include Rihanna in woodland at night standing in the middle of a highway before a car speeds towards her, quickly cutting to another scene, giving the impression she is run over. Elements of blood and tears and vehicular assault dominate the video.<ref name="MTV2"/> In the final scenes, Rihanna is shown underwater, floating while being fired at; one bullet is visually seen cutting her throat. The video ends with her lover committing suicide with the revolver placed between them.<ref name="MTV3">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626208/rihanna-russian-roulette-video-preview-airs-on-german-tv.jhtml|title=Rihanna 'Russian Roulette' Video Preview Airs On German TV|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|publisher=MTV News|date=November 13, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2011|archive-date=June 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627202312/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626208/rihanna-russian-roulette-video-preview-airs-on-german-tv.jhtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.telefilm-central.org/?p=20985|author= Colombo, Valentina|title= Intervista a Jesse Williams di Grey's Anatomy|date= July 17, 2011|publisher= [[Telefilm]]|access-date= August 1, 2011|language= it|archive-date= March 13, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200313141704/https://www.telefilm-central.org/intervista-a-jesse-williams-di-greys-anatomy/|url-status= live}}</ref>
The music video opens with shots of Rihanna hooded, lying on the floor of a gas chamber. Three men, dressed in black uniforms and wearing dark round glasses circulate the singer, attempting to extort information from her. The scene then moves to a dimly lit room in which Rihanna sits at a table with her love interest (played by American actor [[Jesse Williams (actor)|Jesse Williams]]) opposite. On the table between them lies a silver revolver in which, throughout the video, they take it turns holding to their heads. Other scenes include Rihanna in woodland at night standing in the middle of a highway before a car speeds towards her, quickly cutting to another scene, giving the impression she is run over. Elements of blood and tears and vehicular assault dominate the video.<ref name="MTV2"/> In the final scenes, Rihanna is shown underwater, floating while being fired at; one bullet is visually seen cutting her throat. The video ends with her lover committing suicide with the revolver placed between them.<ref name="MTV3">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626208/rihanna-russian-roulette-video-preview-airs-on-german-tv.jhtml|title=Rihanna 'Russian Roulette' Video Preview Airs On German TV|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|publisher=MTV News|date=November 13, 2009|access-date=August 1, 2011|archive-date=June 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627202312/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626208/rihanna-russian-roulette-video-preview-airs-on-german-tv.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.telefilm-central.org/?p=20985|author= Colombo, Valentina|title= Intervista a Jesse Williams di Grey's Anatomy|date= July 17, 2011|publisher= [[Telefilm]]|access-date= August 1, 2011|language= it|archive-date= March 13, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200313141704/https://www.telefilm-central.org/intervista-a-jesse-williams-di-greys-anatomy/|url-status= live}}</ref>


===Reception===
===Reception===
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[[File:Rihanna in Last Girl on Earth Tour 16-04-7-2.jpg|thumb|170px|right|Rihanna performing "Russian Roulette" on the [[Last Girl on Earth|Last Girl on Earth Tour]] in [[Antwerp]].]]
[[File:Rihanna in Last Girl on Earth Tour 16-04-7-2.jpg|thumb|170px|right|Rihanna performing "Russian Roulette" on the [[Last Girl on Earth|Last Girl on Earth Tour]] in [[Antwerp]].]]


Following the release of ''Rated R'' in the United Kingdom, Rihanna performed the song for the first time at the ''[[Nokia]]'' promotional concert at [[Brixton Academy]] in [[London]]. Rihanna performed the song as part of a setlist, which included "Wait Your Turn" and "[[Hard (song)|Hard]]". She sang "Russian Roulette" while sitting on a throne chair. A reviewer from [[MTV (British and Irish TV channel)|British MTV]] stated that "The Barbadian beauty then sat seductively on stage in a throne that even the Beckhams would be proud of to belt out the ballad".<ref name="Nokia">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/rihanna/165570-rihanna-performs-rated-r-tracks-live-in-london|title=Rihanna Performs 'Rated R' Tracks Live In London|work=MTV UK|date=November 17, 2009|access-date=August 5, 2011|archive-date=September 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920233746/http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/rihanna/165570-rihanna-performs-rated-r-tracks-live-in-london|url-status=live}}</ref>
Following the release of ''Rated R'' in the United Kingdom, Rihanna performed the song for the first time at the ''[[Nokia]]'' promotional concert at [[Brixton Academy]] in [[London]]. Rihanna performed the song as part of a setlist, which included "Wait Your Turn" and "[[Hard (song)|Hard]]". She sang "Russian Roulette" while sitting on a throne chair. A reviewer from [[MTV (British and Irish TV channel)|British MTV]] stated that "The Barbadian beauty then sat seductively on stage in a throne that even the Beckhams would be proud of to belt out the ballad".<ref name="Nokia">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/rihanna/165570-rihanna-performs-rated-r-tracks-live-in-london|title=Rihanna Performs 'Rated R' Tracks Live In London|work=MTV UK|date=November 17, 2009|access-date=August 5, 2011|archive-date=September 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920233746/http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/rihanna/165570-rihanna-performs-rated-r-tracks-live-in-london|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Rihanna performed "Russian Roulette", together with "Wait Your Turn", "Hard" and "[[Umbrella (song)|Umbrella]]" on ''[[Good Morning America]]'' as part of the fall concert series in [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626953/rihanna-performs-on-good-morning-america.jhtml|title= Rihanna Performs On 'Good Morning America'|last= Vena|first= Jocelyn|publisher= MTV News|date= November 24, 2009|access-date= August 1, 2011|archive-date= November 7, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121107163606/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626953/rihanna-performs-on-good-morning-america.jhtml|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rihanna-brings-rated-r-tracks-and-her-umbrella-to-gma-20091124|title=Rihanna Brings 'Rated R' Tracks and Her 'Umbrella' to 'GMA'|last=Doyle|first=Patrick|date=November 24, 2009|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=August 1, 2011|archive-date=February 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203061334/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rihanna-brings-rated-r-tracks-and-her-umbrella-to-gma-20091124|url-status=live}}</ref> The next day, she performed the song on the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]''.<ref>{{cite video |people=[[David Letterman]] (host) |date=November 25, 2009 |title=[[Late Night with David Letterman]]|medium=Television production |publisher=[[CBS]] |location=United States}}</ref> On November 29, 2009, Rihanna sang "Russian Roulette" on the [[The X Factor (British series 6)|series six]] of ''[[The X Factor (British TV series)|The X Factor]]'' in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite video|people= [[Dermot O'Leary]]|date=November 29, 2009|title=[[The X Factor (British TV series)|The X Factor]] |medium=Television production |publisher=[[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]}}</ref> On December 5, Rihanna was a musical guest on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' where she performed both, "Russian Roulette" and "Hard".<ref>{{cite video |people=Rihanna |date=December 5, 2009 |title=[[Saturday Night Live]] |medium=Television production |publisher=[[NBC]] |location=United States}}</ref> In February 2010, Rihanna recorded [[Sessions@AOL]], where she performed the song, alongside "Hard", "[[Rude Boy (Rihanna song)|Rude Boy]]", "Disturbia", and "Take a Bow".<ref>{{cite web|url= http://music.aol.com/video/russian-roulette-sessions/rihanna/bc:68238970001|title= Russian Roulette (Sessions)|publisher= [[Sessions@AOL]]|access-date= August 1, 2011|archive-date= January 7, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120107222955/http://music.aol.com//video//russian-roulette-sessions//rihanna//bc:68238970001|url-status= live}}</ref>
Rihanna performed "Russian Roulette", together with "Wait Your Turn", "Hard" and "[[Umbrella (song)|Umbrella]]" on ''[[Good Morning America]]'' as part of the fall concert series in [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626953/rihanna-performs-on-good-morning-america.jhtml|title= Rihanna Performs On 'Good Morning America'|last= Vena|first= Jocelyn|publisher= MTV News|date= November 24, 2009|access-date= August 1, 2011|archive-date= November 7, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121107163606/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626953/rihanna-performs-on-good-morning-america.jhtml|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rihanna-brings-rated-r-tracks-and-her-umbrella-to-gma-20091124|title=Rihanna Brings 'Rated R' Tracks and Her 'Umbrella' to 'GMA'|last=Doyle|first=Patrick|date=November 24, 2009|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=August 1, 2011|archive-date=February 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203061334/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rihanna-brings-rated-r-tracks-and-her-umbrella-to-gma-20091124|url-status=live}}</ref> The next day, she performed the song on the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]''.<ref>{{cite video |people=[[David Letterman]] (host) |date=November 25, 2009 |title=[[Late Night with David Letterman]]|medium=Television production |publisher=[[CBS]] |location=United States}}</ref> On November 29, 2009, Rihanna sang "Russian Roulette" on the [[The X Factor (British series 6)|series six]] of ''[[The X Factor (British TV series)|The X Factor]]'' in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite video|people= [[Dermot O'Leary]]|date=November 29, 2009|title=[[The X Factor (British TV series)|The X Factor]] |medium=Television production |publisher=[[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]}}</ref> On December 5, Rihanna was a musical guest on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' where she performed both, "Russian Roulette" and "Hard".<ref>{{cite video |people=Rihanna |date=December 5, 2009 |title=[[Saturday Night Live]] |medium=Television production |publisher=[[NBC]] |location=United States}}</ref> In February 2010, Rihanna recorded [[Sessions@AOL]], where she performed the song, alongside "Hard", "[[Rude Boy (Rihanna song)|Rude Boy]]", "Disturbia", and "Take a Bow".<ref>{{cite web|url= http://music.aol.com/video/russian-roulette-sessions/rihanna/bc:68238970001|title= Russian Roulette (Sessions)|publisher= [[Sessions@AOL]]|access-date= August 1, 2011|archive-date= January 7, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120107222955/http://music.aol.com//video//russian-roulette-sessions//rihanna//bc:68238970001|url-status= live}}</ref>


"Russian Roulette" was the opening song on Rihanna's setlist for her [[Last Girl on Earth]] tour (2010–11). She performed the song on a movable platform while wearing a floor-length gown covered with red LED lights. Neil McCormick of ''[[The Telegraph (magazine)|The Telegraph]]'', in a review of the [[Birmingham]] concert, said, "She kicked off with the homicidal pop-rock ballad Russian Roulette to screen imagery of burning naked mannequins and had shed most of her clothes by her second song...".<ref name="RR">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/7704827/Rihanna-at-the-NEC-Birmingham-review.html|title=Rihanna at the NEC Birmingham, review|newspaper=[[The Telegraph (magazine)|The Telegraph]]|date=April 19, 2010|access-date=August 1, 2011|archive-date=May 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524020642/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/7704827/Rihanna-at-the-NEC-Birmingham-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Later the track was excluded from the setlist for the Australian leg of the tour, together with "Rehab", and was replaced with "[[Only Girl (In the World)]]" as the tour opener.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fox.com.au/entertainment/music/popbuzz/blog/rihanna-wows-brisbane-with-last-girl-on-earth-gig/20110226-bj29.html |title=Rihanna Wows Brisbane With Last Girl On Earth Gig |date=February 26, 2011 |work=[[Fox FM (Melbourne)|Fox FM]]|access-date=March 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928051643/http://www.fox.com.au/entertainment/music/popbuzz/blog/rihanna-wows-brisbane-with-last-girl-on-earth-gig/20110226-bj29.html |archive-date=September 28, 2011 }}</ref> English singer [[George Michael]] covered "Russian Roulette" during his orchestral concert tour, titled the [[Symphonica Tour]] (2011–12).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a347621/george-michael-covers-rihanna-at-london-symphonica-show.html|title=George Michael covers Rihanna at London 'Symphonica' show|work=Digital Spy|last=Copsey|first=Robert|date=October 26, 2011|access-date=October 24, 2014|archive-date=October 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024124935/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a347621/george-michael-covers-rihanna-at-london-symphonica-show.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
"Russian Roulette" was the opening song on Rihanna's setlist for her [[Last Girl on Earth]] tour (2010–11). She performed the song on a movable platform while wearing a floor-length gown covered with red LED lights. Neil McCormick of ''[[The Telegraph (magazine)|The Telegraph]]'', in a review of the [[Birmingham]] concert, said, "She kicked off with the homicidal pop-rock ballad Russian Roulette to screen imagery of burning naked mannequins and had shed most of her clothes by her second song...".<ref name="RR">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/7704827/Rihanna-at-the-NEC-Birmingham-review.html|title=Rihanna at the NEC Birmingham, review|newspaper=[[The Telegraph (magazine)|The Telegraph]]|date=April 19, 2010|access-date=August 1, 2011|archive-date=May 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524020642/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/7704827/Rihanna-at-the-NEC-Birmingham-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Later the track was excluded from the setlist for the Australian leg of the tour, together with "Rehab", and was replaced with "[[Only Girl (In the World)]]" as the tour opener.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fox.com.au/entertainment/music/popbuzz/blog/rihanna-wows-brisbane-with-last-girl-on-earth-gig/20110226-bj29.html |title=Rihanna Wows Brisbane With Last Girl On Earth Gig |date=February 26, 2011 |work=[[Fox FM (Melbourne)|Fox FM]]|access-date=March 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928051643/http://www.fox.com.au/entertainment/music/popbuzz/blog/rihanna-wows-brisbane-with-last-girl-on-earth-gig/20110226-bj29.html |archive-date=September 28, 2011 }}</ref> English singer [[George Michael]] covered "Russian Roulette" during his orchestral concert tour, titled the [[Symphonica Tour]] (2011–12).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a347621/george-michael-covers-rihanna-at-london-symphonica-show.html|title=George Michael covers Rihanna at London 'Symphonica' show|work=Digital Spy|last=Copsey|first=Robert|date=October 26, 2011|access-date=October 24, 2014|archive-date=October 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024124935/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a347621/george-michael-covers-rihanna-at-london-symphonica-show.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
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! scope="row"| Mexico ([[Mexico Airplay|''Billboard'' Mexican Airplay]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/rihanna/chart-history/min/|title=Rihanna Chart History (Mexico Airplay)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 18, 2020}}</ref>
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Latest revision as of 21:43, 13 November 2024

"Russian Roulette"
Single by Rihanna
from the album Rated R
ReleasedOctober 20, 2009 (2009-10-20)
Recorded2009
StudioRoc the Mic (New York City)
Genre
Length3:47
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Rihanna singles chronology
"Run This Town"
(2009)
"Russian Roulette"
(2009)
"Hard"
(2009)
Music video
"Russian Roulette" on YouTube

"Russian Roulette" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her fourth studio album, Rated R (2009). It premiered on radio stations worldwide on October 20, 2009, and was released as the album's lead single on October 26 by Def Jam Recordings. Written and produced by Ne-Yo and Chuck Harmony, "Russian Roulette" is a pop, pop-rock and R&B ballad that contains dark, morbid, and tense atmospheric elements in its composition. Lyrically, the single is about an abusive romantic relationship that ended abruptly. Music critics noted the lyrical theme to be a response to the domestic violence case between Rihanna and her former boyfriend, singer and rapper Chris Brown.

"Russian Roulette" received acclaim from critics; with many praising Rihanna's vocal performance and the song's lyrics. It reached the top-ten in over twenty countries worldwide including number one in the Czech Republic, Israel, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, and Switzerland. The song reached number two on the UK Singles Chart and number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. "Russian Roulette" also topped the UK R&B and US Dance Club Songs charts. It was certified two-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) denoting sales of over two million copies in the United States alone.

The song's music video was shot by director Anthony Mandler, a frequent collaborator of Rihanna's, and depicts her playing a game of the titular Russian roulette with her love interest played by American actor Jesse Williams. Other scenes include Rihanna in the woods where she is run over by a car, in a gas chamber, in a padded cell, and shots being fired at her underwater. The singer performed "Russian Roulette" on several occasions including on the sixth series of The X Factor, on the Late Show with David Letterman and also included it on the setlist of the Last Girl on Earth Tour (2010–11). English singer George Michael performed a cover of "Russian Roulette" during his Symphonica Tour (2011–12).

Writing and production

[edit]

Whatever she came with, if she came out with 'I still love you' that would have been about Chris Brown. If she came out with 'I hate your dog' that would have been about Chris Brown, too. It's just a natural reaction for people to associate 'cause she's been so tight-lipped.

—Chuck Harmony talking about the connection between Chris Brown and "Russian Roulette"[1]

In 2009, producer Chuck Harmony and singer-songwriter Ne-Yo convened together to conceptualize a song that would take Rihanna's music to a further level. According to Harmony, they didn't want to re-work the previous works by Rihanna—something that according to him the fans expected. The producer told MTV News that they wanted to give Rihanna a film, not just a song with a length of three minutes, "I felt musically like everybody was gonna give like that 'Disturbia,' 'SOS,' kind of pop, uptempo stuff, and I really wanted the song that me and Ne-Yo did to stand out."[1]

Following a domestic violence case between Rihanna and her boyfriend Chris Brown, media speculated as to whether any song featured on her fourth upcoming album would be about him.[2] In an interview with MTV News, Ne-Yo clarified that he would not write a song for Rihanna about Brown, because he considered the idea unnecessary.[2] Harmony said that no matter what song Rihanna released as a lead single from the album, it would be looked at as a song about Brown.[1]

In an interview with the same publication, Ne-Yo explained how he wrote the lyrics, "I'm listening to the track, and all I can see is Rihanna and some random person sitting across from each other at the table with a gun sitting in the middle of the table and playing Russian roulette."[3] Ne-Yo further stated that Rihanna is not afraid to try new things and from the first moment she heard the song he knew she would like it, "I trust Rihanna to be Rihanna, and she trusts me to be me. That's the coolest thing about our relationship. I must say this song is a step in somewhat of a different direction for both of us." When Harmony heard the song, both he and Ne-Yo were aware that they should change some elements and that it had to be darker and edgier.[1]

"Russian Roulette" was recorded during summer 2009,[1] at the Roc the Mic Studios in New York City by Marcos Tovar and Kevin Hanson served as an assistant. [4] Mykael Alexander was the assistant recorder while Makeba Riddick made the vocal production of the song. Mike "TrakGuru" Johnson recorded the music."Russian Roulette" was mixed by Kevin "KD" Davis together with Jared Newcomb who served as an assistant. Jessie Bonds played the guitars in the song. Harmony explained that after the song was done, Rihanna called Ne-Yo and told him that "Russian Roulette" is one of her favorites, "I think overall she was comfortable with the vibe of the song and comfortable with the lyrical content of the song. She loves the song."[1]

Release and artwork

[edit]

On October 14, 2009, a metallic "R" along with a message saying "The Wait is Over" was placed on Rihanna's official website.[5] Subsequently, Rihanna posted on her official Twitter profile "#The Wait Is Ova. Nov. 23 09".[6] Speculation rose among fans that "The Wait Is Ova", literally meaning "The wait is over", would either be the name of a new single or the then-upcoming album.[5] According to Entertainment Weekly the date looked accurate for her album release and "The Wait Is Ova" would not be the title of the album.[6] Two days later, a countdown timer appeared on her website and was scheduled to end on October 20, 2009.[7] After the timer finished counting, "Russian Roulette" premiered on BBC Radio 1, the singer's official website and on American radio stations.[8]

Def Jam Recordings serviced the song to contemporary hit radio radio in the United States on October 26, 2009, as the lead single from Rated R. The next day, it was also sent to the rhythmic contemporary and urban contemporary radio stations in the country.[9][10] In an interview with NME, Rihanna explained that she and her management didn't have doubts if "Russian Roulette" should be the lead single as it was very personal and emotional track to her.[11] On November 3, the single was released for a digital download via the iTunes Store.[12] The album version of "Russian Roulette" together with its instrumental were released as a CD single in Germany on November 13.[13] On December 11, seven remixes of the song were digitally released in some countries.[14]

Composition and lyrical interpretation

[edit]

"Russian Roulette" is a mid-tempo pop, pop-rock and R&B ballad[15][17][16][18][19] that contains dark, haunting, morbid, and tense atmospheric elements.[1][15] The song has an instrumentation that features guitars, piano and synths which play over a "heart beat" bass line, accompanied with Rihanna's "affecting" vocals.[4][20][21] Eric Henderson of Slant Magazine wrote that the song's production is also features a sound of a rolling dice.[22] According to Jon Pareless of The New York Times, it "is paced by a heartbeat, a ticking clock and Rihanna's fearful voice."[23] "Russian Roulette" is written in the key of F minor, in common time, with a tempo of 83 beats per minute. Rihanna's vocal range spans from F♯3 to C5.[24] Chicago Tribune's Greg Kot called the singer's voice a "delicate instrument" that is often the least element in her song's production, however, he noted that on the song "she's squarely in the center of the action".[20]

Lyrically, "Russian Roulette" is about an abusive romantic relationship that ends abruptly, with some critics comparing them to the relationship that Rihanna had with Brown.[25][26] Kot noted that the single's lyrics compare a relationship to a fatal game of choice,[20] while Andy Jill of The Independent wrote that its title refers to a "state of relationships".[27] Rob Harvilla of The Village Voice described the song as a spare, suspenseful, violent torch song with a literal title.[28] The Los Angeles Times' Todd Martens wrote that although the song's lyrics are vague and find people speculating, they "hint at a situation one probably doesn't want to be in the middle of".[29] Sasha Resende of The Michigan Daily wrote "the ballad, which employs reckless gunplay as a not-so-subtle metaphor for a troubled relationship, achieves its seemingly morbid intent."[18]

"Russian Roulette" begins with a "searing" guitar solo that later transitions into a "pulsing" beat which stays constant until the end of the song. The single opens with the lyrics, "Take a breath/ Take it deep/ Calm yourself/ He says to me/ If you play/ You play for keeps/ Take the gun/ And count to three." The metaphor about the game of Russian roulette is also present in the chorus in which Rihanna sings, "And you can see my heart beating/ You can see it through my chest/ I said I'm terrified, but I'm not leaving/ I know that I must pass this test/ So just pull the trigger." In the upcoming verse, the character that the singer portrays in the song it's scared that the man talking to her will always have power over, "Say a prayer to yourself/ He says close your eyes/ Sometimes it helps/ And then I get a scary thought/ That he's here means he's never lost."[25] "Russian Roulette" ends with a sound of a gunshot, which according to Michaelangelo Matos of The A.V. Club extends the drama accompanied by "harrowing scenarios and tremulous vocals".[30]

Critical reception

[edit]

Nick Levine of Digital Spy praised "Russian Roulette" and called it a "masterful return effort".[15] He additionally wrote that the single is "brave, brilliantly-realized and bizarre enough to distance" the singer from the other pop or R&B performers like Lady Gaga.[15] According to Levine, the song is her best vocal performances and shows Rihanna growing in front of the audience's eyes.[15] Will Hines of Consequence of Sound called the song a worthy centerpiece and further wrote that it stands out from other tracks on the album which proves that Rated R "was a cathartic process for the singer".[21] Todd Martens of Los Angeles Times wrote that although is hard to imagine the song to be played in a car or a club, it's "attention-grabbing stuff, standing in stark—emphasis on stark—contrast to much of the current pop landscape."[29] Alibhe Malone of NME wrote that Rated R is an album about power and control in which "Russian Roulette" sets the agenda.[31]

The Boston Globe's Sarah Rodman wrote that the song is moody but far too deliberate and "has a grab bag of evocative images but never quite jells".[32] A reviewer of OK! magazine wrote that the single represents a downbeat way for return to the charts for Rihanna, but can grow on you.[33] Andy Jill of The Independent stated that "Russian Roulette" and "Fire Bomb" have "inflammatory" titles.[27] Entertainment Weekly's Simon Vozick-Levinson wrote that although Rihanna took risk with releasing the song, it pays off, "Rihanna is in fine vocal form throughout, and Ne-Yo's songwriting is economical and evocative per usual."[34] A staff from MTV Newsroom thought that the single retains some sort of attitude and atmosphere that made Rihanna "such a definitive artist".[35] Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone concluded that works like "Russian Roulette", "a domestic-violence victim's confession whipped into soaring melodrama — tell us why: She was busy saying her piece in the studio."[36]

Andy Kellman of AllMusic stated that in the song Rihanna had a sudden desire to provoke even if that is in metaphorical context.[37] Pitchfork Media's Ryan Dombal concluded that the single is a bad Celine Dion song with "barrel-turning revolver noises that actually sound like a can of spray paint being shook up".[38] Rob Harvilla of The Village Voice stated that "Russian Roulette"'s composition, makes the song unpleasant for listening.[39] Chris Richards of The Washington Post wrote that the song has "plodding beat" and "forgettable hook" and additionally criticized the ending of the song with a sound of gunshot; according to him that's an attempt to "salvage its wasted potential".[40]

Chart performance

[edit]

"Russian Roulette" debuted at number 100 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in the issue dated November 7, 2009.[41] The next week the song reached a new peak of 75.[42] In its first week of digital release, "Russian Roulette" sold 132,000 copies and moved from 75 to number nine; it became Rihanna's twelfth top-ten single on the chart and made her the female artist of the 2000s decade with the second most top-ten songs only behind Beyoncé. Also, subsequently debuted at number nine on the US Digital Songs chart.[43] On the Pop Songs chart, the single debuted at number 36 and moved to 35 the next week with audience over 29 million audience impressions on the radio. In its third week, the song reached its peak of 21 on the chart. Additionally, it peaked at number 49 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In the US, "Russian Roulette" was most successful on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart where it peaked at number one in its seventh week for the issue dated February 20, 2010.[44] It was certified two-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) denoting sales of over two million digital copies in the US alone. "Russian Roulette" also peaked at number nine on the Canadian Hot 100.[45]

"Russian Roulette" entered the New Zealand Singles Chart at number 19 on November 9, 2009, climbing into the top ten the following week at number nine. After fluctuating around the top ten marks over the following three weeks, it regained its peak position on December 14, 2009. It remained on the chart for 12 weeks, earning a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand.[46][47] "Russian Roulette" debuted on the Australian Singles Chart, at number 11 on November 16, 2009. The following week it climbed to its peak of number seven. It remained in the top ten for three consecutive weeks and 12 weeks on the chart in total.[48] It has been certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association denoting sales of 35,000 copies.[49]

"Russian Roulette" entered the UK Singles Chart at number six on November 29, 2009.[50] The following week, it rose to its peak of number two, giving Rihanna her eleventh top five single in the country.[51] Simultaneously, it peaked at number one on the UK R&B Chart and remained at the top for three consecutive weeks.[52] It was certified Silver in the United Kingdom on February 12, 2010, after selling 200,000 copies.[53] As of August 2011, the single has sold over 360,000 copies in the United Kingdom. Elsewhere in Europe, the song managed to top the charts in Norway,[54] Slovakia, and Switzerland,[55] and attained top five positions in Austria,[56] Belgium,[57][58] Finland,[59] France,[60] Germany,[61] Hungary,[62] Ireland,[63] Scotland[64] and Sweden.[65] It also reached the top ten in Denmark,[66] Italy[67] and Spain.[68]

Music video

[edit]

Background and synopsis

[edit]
Rihanna and actor Jesse Williams playing Russian roulette in the music video for the song.

The music video for "Russian Roulette" was directed by Rihanna's frequent collaborator Anthony Mandler, who directed Rihanna's previous videos for "Take a Bow", "Disturbia", "Rehab" and "Wait Your Turn".[69] In November 2009, Rihanna appeared on "TV total" in Germany to talk about her new album and preview 30 seconds of the video for the song. Mandler spoke to MTV News, stating "I think that with this song and the meaning of this song and how loaded it all is, no pun intended, how much imagery and perhaps symbolism that is loaded in this song, the only way to do it was to do something that was visually challenging". The music video for the song premiered on ABC's 20/20 on November 13, 2009.[70]

The music video opens with shots of Rihanna hooded, lying on the floor of a gas chamber. Three men, dressed in black uniforms and wearing dark round glasses circulate the singer, attempting to extort information from her. The scene then moves to a dimly lit room in which Rihanna sits at a table with her love interest (played by American actor Jesse Williams) opposite. On the table between them lies a silver revolver in which, throughout the video, they take it turns holding to their heads. Other scenes include Rihanna in woodland at night standing in the middle of a highway before a car speeds towards her, quickly cutting to another scene, giving the impression she is run over. Elements of blood and tears and vehicular assault dominate the video.[69] In the final scenes, Rihanna is shown underwater, floating while being fired at; one bullet is visually seen cutting her throat. The video ends with her lover committing suicide with the revolver placed between them.[71][72]

Reception

[edit]

James Montgomery of MTV reviewed the video stating:,"There's seemingly no bottom to the inky depths Rihanna plumbs in her brand-new 'Russian Roulette' video, a dark, claustrophobic descent that's creepier than anything she's ever done before (including the 'Disturbia' video)".[69] Katy Hall from The Huffington Post commented that the video comes from a pretty dark place and tells more depressing story than Gaga's video for "Bad Romance".[73] According to Daniel Kreps from Rolling Stone, there is a lot of imagery that is influenced by the altercation of Rihanna and Brown from February 2009, including a speeding car that approaches Rihanna while she stands alone at night – "a moment that seems to mirror the events immediately following the assault".[74] Megan Masters from E! Online commented that the video "portrays "some seemingly real emotion with her bouncing back-and-forth between writhing around a padded cell."[75] Simon Vozick-Levinson from Entertainment Weekly supported the dark imagery used in the video, explaining, "What, you thought Rihanna was going to give 'Russian Roulette' a video full of sunshine and rainbows and peppy choreography? Her first single from Rated R is a song about violence".[76]

Live performances and cover

[edit]
Rihanna performing "Russian Roulette" on the Last Girl on Earth Tour in Antwerp.

Following the release of Rated R in the United Kingdom, Rihanna performed the song for the first time at the Nokia promotional concert at Brixton Academy in London. Rihanna performed the song as part of a setlist, which included "Wait Your Turn" and "Hard". She sang "Russian Roulette" while sitting on a throne chair. A reviewer from British MTV stated that "The Barbadian beauty then sat seductively on stage in a throne that even the Beckhams would be proud of to belt out the ballad".[77]

Rihanna performed "Russian Roulette", together with "Wait Your Turn", "Hard" and "Umbrella" on Good Morning America as part of the fall concert series in New York City.[78][79] The next day, she performed the song on the Late Show with David Letterman.[80] On November 29, 2009, Rihanna sang "Russian Roulette" on the series six of The X Factor in the United Kingdom.[81] On December 5, Rihanna was a musical guest on Saturday Night Live where she performed both, "Russian Roulette" and "Hard".[82] In February 2010, Rihanna recorded Sessions@AOL, where she performed the song, alongside "Hard", "Rude Boy", "Disturbia", and "Take a Bow".[83]

"Russian Roulette" was the opening song on Rihanna's setlist for her Last Girl on Earth tour (2010–11). She performed the song on a movable platform while wearing a floor-length gown covered with red LED lights. Neil McCormick of The Telegraph, in a review of the Birmingham concert, said, "She kicked off with the homicidal pop-rock ballad Russian Roulette to screen imagery of burning naked mannequins and had shed most of her clothes by her second song...".[84] Later the track was excluded from the setlist for the Australian leg of the tour, together with "Rehab", and was replaced with "Only Girl (In the World)" as the tour opener.[85] English singer George Michael covered "Russian Roulette" during his orchestral concert tour, titled the Symphonica Tour (2011–12).[86]

Formats and track listing

[edit]

Personnel

[edit]
Locations
  • Recorded at Roc the Mic Studios, New York City, New York; mixed at Chung King Studios, New York City, New York.
Personnel
  • Songwriting – Shaffer Smith, Charles Harmon
  • Production – Ne-Yo, Chuck Harmony
  • Vocal production – Makeba Riddick
  • Recording – Marcos Tovar
  • Assistant recorder – Mykael Alexander
  • Music recorder – Mike "TrakGuru" Johnson
  • Assistant music recorder – Kevin Hanson
  • Mixing – Kevin "KD" Davis
  • Assistant mixer – Jared Newcomb
  • Guitar – Jessie Bonds

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Rated R, Def Jam Recordings, SRP.[4]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "Russian Roulette"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[49] Platinum 70,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[140] Gold 15,000^
France 135,000[141]
Germany (BVMI)[142] Gold 150,000
Italy (FIMI)[143] Platinum 30,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[47] Gold 7,500*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[136] Gold 20,000*
Sweden (GLF)[144] Platinum 20,000
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[145] Gold 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[146] Platinum 600,000
United States (RIAA)[147] 2× Platinum 2,000,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Russian Roulette"
Region Date Format(s) Version(s) Label Ref.
Worldwide October 20, 2009 Radio premiere Original Def Jam [148]
United States October 26, 2009 Contemporary hit radio [9]
October 27, 2009 [9][10]
Denmark October 30, 2009 Digital download [149]
Finland [150]
Italy [151]
Japan [152]
Netherlands [153]
New Zealand [154]
Norway [155]
Australia November 3, 2009 [12]
France [156]
Ireland [157]
Portugal [158]
Spain [159]
Sweden [160]
United Kingdom [87]
France November 13, 2009 CD
  • Original
  • instrumental
Universal [161]
Germany [13]
Denmark December 14, 2009 Digital download The remixes Def Jam [14]
Finland [162]
Netherlands [163]
Norway [164]
Portugal [165]
Spain [166]
Sweden [167]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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