Kiss It Better
{{Short description|2016 single by Rihanna}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Kiss It Better
| cover = Kiss It Better cover.png
| alt = Rihanna with her face tilted backwards and eyes closed.
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Rihanna
| album = Anti
| released = {{Start date|2016|3|30}}
| format =
| recorded = 2014
| studio = Jungle City, New York City
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 4:13
| label = {{hlist|Roc Nation|Westbury Road}}
| writer = {{hlist|Jeff Bhasker|John Glass|Teddy Sinclair|Robyn Fenty}}
| producer = Jeff Bhasker
| prev_title = Work
| prev_year = 2016
| concurrent_title = Needed Me
| next_title = This Is What You Came For
| next_year = 2016
| misc = {{External music video|
{{YouTube|49lY0HqqUVc|Kiss It Better}} }}
}}
"Kiss It Better" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her eighth studio album, Anti (2016). It was written and produced by Jeff Bhasker and Glass John, with additional writing by Teddy Sinclair and Rihanna. The song was serviced to radio stations in the United States on March 30, 2016, together with "Needed Me". "Kiss It Better" is a synth-rock and R&B ballad, which features influences from the 1980s and 1990s-music ballads. The song's lyrics focus on a destructive relationship that the singer finds irresistible. It also deals with themes of mending broken fences and getting back together with a lover.
The single received critical acclaim, with critics praising its 1980s style ballad, lyrics, and Rihanna's vocals. It received a Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Song at the 59th ceremony. "Kiss It Better" peaked at number 62 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified 3× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It also reached number four on the South African radio chart. The song's music video was directed by fashion photographer Craig McDean and premiered on March 31, 2016. The video was inspired by dadaism and surrealism, and depicts Rihanna against a dark background. The song was included on the Anti World Tour setlist as the closing song.
In January 2021, the song gained notoriety again on radio and TikTok with the release of rapper Fat Joe's single "Sunshine (The Light)" featuring DJ Khaled and Amorphous. The song heavily samples the first verse of "Kiss It Better" as its chorus, using Rihanna's vocals.
Background and release
File:Extreme08 026.jpg played guitar on the track.]]
On December 8, 2014, "Kiss It Better" was registered through Harry Fox Agency, an agency "who handles publishing rights for physical and digital music formats."{{cite news|last1=Brett|first1=Guy|title=Rihanna Set To 'Kiss It Better'|url=http://www.2dayfm.com.au/scoopla/music/blog/2014/12/rihanna-set-to-kiss-it-better/|access-date=July 13, 2016|publisher=2Day FM|date=December 8, 2014}} The same day, Australian FM radio station 2Day FM and other websites reported that the song was allegedly going to be released as the lead single of her then-upcoming eight studio album.{{cite news|last1=Carlin|first1=Shannon|title=Rihanna Teases New Song 'Kiss It Better': Listen|url=http://radio.com/2014/12/09/rihanna-kiss-it-better-r8-teaser/|access-date=July 13, 2016|publisher=Radio.com|date=December 9, 2014}} A day later, Rihanna teased a snippet of the track on her Instagram account, featuring Extreme's guitarist Nuno Bettencourt working on a solo electric melody.{{cite news|last1=Stern|first1=Bradley|title=Rihanna Teases A Second Snippet From 'R8′: Listen|url=http://www.idolator.com/7573526/rihanna-teases-a-second-snippet-from-r8-listen-instagram|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161111032737/http://www.idolator.com/7573526/rihanna-teases-a-second-snippet-from-r8-listen-instagram|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 11, 2016|access-date=July 13, 2016|work=Idolator|date=December 9, 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Lindner|first1=Emilee|title=Rihanna Teases New Song 'Kiss It Better': Listen - MTV|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2021869/rihanna-kiss-it-better/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224093412/http://www.mtv.com/news/2021869/rihanna-kiss-it-better/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 24, 2014|access-date=July 13, 2016|publisher=MTV News|date=December 10, 2014}} On July 7, 2015, English singer Teddy Sinclair confirmed she was one of the songwriters of the song.{{cite news|last1=Wass|first1=Mike|title=Natalia Kills (Now Known As Teddy Sinclair) Is Writing Songs For Rihanna's 'R8' LP And Starting A Band|url=http://www.idolator.com/7599712/natalia-kills-teddy-sinclair-writing-songs-rihanna-r8-starting-band|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161111032744/http://www.idolator.com/7599712/natalia-kills-teddy-sinclair-writing-songs-rihanna-r8-starting-band|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 11, 2016|access-date=July 13, 2016|work=Idolator|date=July 8, 2015}}
On December 27, 2015, Glass John, who also co-wrote and co-produced the song, via Twitter expressed his dissatisfaction about the delay of the song's release and its parent album. He eventually leaked a minute-long demo of the song and also described it as "the best damn song."{{cite news|last1=Carley|first1=Brennan|title=Alleged Rihanna Cowriter Glass John Leaked an 'Anti' Snippet|url=http://www.spin.com/2015/12/rihanna-kiss-it-better-glass-john-snippet-anti/|access-date=July 13, 2016|work=Spin|date=December 28, 2015}}{{cite magazine|last1=Platon|first1=Adelle|title=Rihanna Songwriter Blames 'Anti' Album Delay on Travi$ Scott|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/6821639/rihanna-anti-album-delay-travis-scott|access-date=July 13, 2016|magazine=Billboard|date=December 28, 2015}} Through her Twitter account, Rihanna confirmed that "Kiss It Better" alongside "Needed Me" were going to be released as the follow-up singles from Anti (2016) and impacted radio on March 30, 2016.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/rihanna/status/714934622962974720|title= #KISSITBETTER and #NEEDEDME will both be serviced to radio tomorrow morning at 7am EST. #ANTI|publisher=Twitter|date=March 29, 2016|access-date=March 30, 2016}} She also revealed the artwork for both singles, with "Kiss It Better" having a close-up of Rihanna's face.{{cite news|last1=Wass|first1=Mike|title=Rihanna Unveils "Kiss It Better" And "Needed Me" Single Covers|url=http://www.idolator.com/7628359/rihanna-kiss-it-better-needed-me-single-covers|access-date=July 13, 2016|publisher=Idolator|date=March 29, 2016}}
Composition and lyrical interpretation
{{Listen
| filename = Rihanna - Kiss It Better (sample).ogg
| title = "Kiss It Better"
| pos = right
| description = "Kiss It Better" is characterized by critics as a synth-rock and R&B power ballad reminiscent of the 1980s music scene by incorporating electric guitar in its composition.}}
"Kiss It Better" was written and produced by Jeff Bhasker and Glass John, while Sinclair and Rihanna provided additional writing. The song was recorded at the Jungle City Studios in New York City. American producer Kuk Harrell provided the vocal recording and vocal production of the song. Blake Mares was responsible for additional recording, while Brendan Morawski was the recording assistant. The mixing of the single was done by Manny Marroquin at the Larrabee Studios in North Hollywood; Chris Galland and Ike Schultz served as the mixing assistants. Bettencourt played the guitar and Chris Gehringer mastered it at the Sterling Sound Studios in New York City. "Kiss It Better" is a synth-rock and "electro-charged R&B" power ballad{{cite web|last=Benjamin|first=Jeff|url=http://www.fuse.tv/2016/01/rihanna-anti-album-review-track-by-track|title=Rihanna's 'ANTI' Album: Track-by-Track Review|publisher=Fuse|date=January 28, 2016|access-date=March 31, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Tolentino|first1=Jia|author-link=Jia Tolentino|title=Review: Rihanna Doesn't Know What She Wants But She Knows How to Get It on 'ANTI'|url=http://www.spin.com/2016/02/review-rihanna-anti/|access-date=July 19, 2016|work=Spin|date=February 1, 2016}} that lasts 4 minutes and 13 seconds.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/anti-deluxe/1440933869|title=ANTI (Deluxe) by Rihanna|publisher=iTunes|date=January 28, 2016|access-date=March 31, 2016}} It is written in the key of F{{Sharp}} major{{Cite web|url=http://www.notediscover.com/song/kiss-it-better-by-rihanna|title=Key & BPM/Tempo of Kiss It Better by Rihanna {{!}} Note Discover|website=Note Discover|access-date=2016-06-11}} with an andante moderato tempo of 95 beats per minute.{{Cite web|url=http://classic.beatport.com/release/anti/1700592|title=ANTI [Roc Nation / Rihanna] :: Beatport|last=Beatport, LLC|website=Beatport|access-date=2016-06-11}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} It features "deep snaking synths",{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/rihanna-anti-track-by-track/|title=Rihanna, Anti, track by track|last=McCormick|first=Neil|date=January 28, 2016|work=The Telegraph|access-date=July 21, 2016}} "gleaming" electric guitar riffs and drums,{{cite news|last1=Ryan|first1=Patrick|title=Rihanna's 'ANTI:' A track-by-track review|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2016/01/28/rihanna-anti-track-by-track-review/79450234/|access-date=July 19, 2016|work=USA Today|date=January 28, 2016}} that were influenced by 1980s and 1990s power ballads.
Lyrically, the song focus on a destructive relationship that the singer knows is wrong for her, but one she finds irresistible, which can be seen in the lines, "Who cares when it feels like crack?."{{cite web|last=Bassett|first=Jordan|url=http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/anti-track-by-track-first-listen-review#sq67YSA3ScKU3mlg.99|title=Rihanna's Anti : Track-By-Track Review|work=NME|date=January 28, 2016|access-date=January 30, 2016}} In the chorus, she "hauntingly asks over and over, 'What are you willing to do? / Oh, tell me what you’re willing to do,'" in which she responds, "Kiss it, kiss it better, baby." During the song, she seeks reconciliation from a lover,{{cite news|last1=Wood|first1=Mikael|title=Review With 'Anti,' Rihanna shows the strength in vulnerability|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-rihanna-anti-review-20160129-story.html|access-date=July 21, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=January 29, 2016}} and "relies on [sex] to smooth over a conflict," singing: "Mmm, do what you gotta do, keep me up all night."{{cite web|last1=Holz|first1=Adam R.|title=Anti Album Review (2016)|url=http://www.pluggedin.com/music-reviews/album/rihanna-anti/|website=Plugged In (publication)|access-date=July 19, 2016}} Julianne Shepherd of Billboard and Adam R. Holz of Plugged In (publication) also noted that the song has themes of sex.{{cite magazine|last=Shepherd|first=Julianne|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/6859531/rihanna-anti-album-review|title=On 'Anti,' Being Rihanna Isn't Easy: Album Review|magazine=Billboard|date=February 1, 2016|access-date=March 31, 2016}} Patrick Ryan of USA Today noted that her "sultry, towering vocals call to mind past hits 'Take a Bow' and 'Cheers (Drink to That)'. Billboard{{'s}} Shepherd and Rolling Stone{{'s}} Brittany Spanos found similarities between "Kiss It Better" and Prince's "Purple Rain",{{cite magazine|last1=Spanos |first1=Brittany |title=Anti - Rolling Stone |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/rihanna-anti-20160201 |access-date=July 19, 2016 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=February 1, 2016}} with Bianca Gracie of Idolator agreeing, adding that it also resembles TLC's "Red Light Special".{{cite web|last=Gracie|first=Bianca|url=http://www.idolator.com/7621751/rihanna-anti-track-by-track-album-review|title=Rihanna's 'ANTI': A Track-By-Track Album Review|publisher=Idolator|date=January 29, 2016|access-date=March 31, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202095238/http://www.idolator.com/7621751/rihanna-anti-track-by-track-album-review|url-status=dead}}
Critical reception
File:Prince at Coachella.jpg.]]
"Kiss It Better" was highly acclaimed by music critics. Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone called it "the album's most direct pop moment by far," describing it as a "shimmering, funky" track. Jordan Bassett of NME agreed, calling it "the album’s best and most full-bodied track, replete with snaking synths and two swooning, overlapping vocal refrains." AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine and USA Today's Patrick Ryan both agreed that the song was an album highlight,{{cite web|last1=Erlewine|first1=Stephen Thomas|author-link1=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|title=Anti - Rihanna - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/anti-mw0002888391|publisher=AllMusic. All Media Network|access-date=July 20, 2016}} with Ryan adding that it was "perhaps Rihanna's best shot at scaling the pop charts with Anti and praised the "effectively catchy" hook. Chris Gerard of PopMatters defined it as "a moment of classic Rihanna—edgy, soulful and confident, complimenting the "sinuous melody" and the "terrific vocal arrangement."{{cite news|last1=Gerard|first1=Chris|title=Rihanna: Anti - PopMatters|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/rihanna-anti/|access-date=July 20, 2016|work=PopMatters|date=January 29, 2016}} Spin{{'s}} editors Safy-Hallan Farah and Eve Barlow named it "a highlight" and "as triumphant a Prince jam as it gets" respectively.{{cite news|last1=Farah|first1=Safy-Hallan|last2=Barlow|first2=Eve|title=Rihanna's 'ANTI': SPIN's Impulsive Reviews|url=http://www.spin.com/2016/01/rihanna-anti-impulsive-reviews-tidal-leak/|access-date=July 20, 2016|work=Spin|date=January 28, 2016}} Zach Bernstein of Pretty Much Amazing observed that the song is "one of ANTI’s best offerings and a pure shot of old-school Rihanna—a stuttering, hypnotic beat, {{sic|compli|mented|expecting=complemented}} by a hard-rock guitar riff and an innuendo about as subtle as a sledgehammer."{{cite news|last1=Bernstein|first1=Zach|title=Review: Rihanna's ANTI|url=http://prettymuchamazing.com/reviews/rihanna-anti|access-date=July 21, 2016|publisher=Pretty Much Amazing|date=February 1, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818081835/http://prettymuchamazing.com/reviews/rihanna-anti|url-status=dead}}
Corbin Reiff of The A.V. Club was very positive with the "gorgeous array of ’80s power rock electric guitar lines,"{{cite news|last1=Reiff|first1=Corbin|title=Rihanna shifts moods in the highly anticipated Anti|url=http://www.avclub.com/review/rihanna-shifts-moods-highly-anticipated-anti-231427|access-date=July 20, 2016|work=The A.V. Club|date=January 29, 2016}} with Bianca Gracie of Idolator sharing the same sentiment, writing that "th[e] heartbreaking electric guitar riff alone deserves a couple of future nominations," and labelled it "one of the strongest tracks off ANTI" and "all-around beautifully intimate." Jeff Benjamin of Fuse also commended the "mesmerizing electric guitar riff." For Alexis Petridis, a writer of The Guardian, "Kiss It Better" is the "closest it comes to the stuff that Stargate or Sia Furler have sold her in the past," due to the "ineffaceable chorus."{{cite news|last1=Petridis|first1=Alexis|author-link1=Alexis Petridis|title=Rihanna: Anti review – brave, bold … and confused|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jan/28/rihanna-anti-album-review-brave-bold-and-confused|access-date=July 20, 2016|work=The Guardian|date=January 28, 2016}} Jon Caramanica of The New York Times considered it "an ostentatious sex jam" and "one of several songs on 'Anti' on which Rihanna's singing takes center stage."{{cite news|last1=Caramanica|first1=Jon|title=Review: Rihanna, Blissfully Adrift, Juggles Styles on 'Anti'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/29/arts/music/review-rihanna-blissfully-adrift-juggles-styles-on-anti.html|access-date=July 20, 2016|work=The New York Times|date=January 28, 2016}} In a positive note, Nolan Feeney of Time went on to call it a "stellar slow-jam [that] opens with a guitar solo straight out of the ‘80s, but if today’s high school seniors are smart, they'll put this on their prom playlists."{{cite magazine|last1=Feeney|first1=Nolan|title=Review: Rihanna's Anti Rewrites the Rules of Her Career|url=https://time.com/4198509/rihanna-anti-review/|access-date=July 21, 2016|magazine=Time|date=January 28, 2016}} Jessica McKinney of Vibe appreciated the track due to "the rock-inspired vibe [and] the desperation in her voice that makes the song feel so heavy and ultimately enjoyable."{{cite news|last1=McKinney|first1=Jessica|title=Review: Rihanna's 'ANTI' Is Gold… If You're Willing To Give It A Try|url=http://www.vibe.com/2016/01/review-rihanna-anti/|access-date=July 21, 2016|work=Vibe|date=January 29, 2016}} Claire Lobenfeld of Fact defended the song for being "one of many examples of how Rihanna has refined her ability to do romantic despondency with confident precision. Instead of washing those feelings in huge productions, everything is stripped down to its emotional core."{{cite news|last1=Lobenfeld|first1=Claire|title=Rihanna's ANTI is no fun, and that's no problem|url=http://www.factmag.com/2016/02/01/rihanna-anti-review/|access-date=July 21, 2016|work=Fact|date=February 1, 2016}}
"Kiss It Better" received a nomination for Best R&B Song at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/dec/06/grammy-awards-2017-nominations-drake-rihanna-beyonce-adele|title=Grammy nominations 2017: Beyoncé and R&B artists shine while rock suffers|date=December 6, 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=December 7, 2016}} Paste considered it the thirteenth-best song on their "50 Best Songs of 2016" list.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/12/the-50-best-songs-of-2016.html?a=1|title=50 Best Songs of 2016|author=Hillary Saunders|magazine=Paste|date=December 2, 2016|access-date=December 2, 2016|archive-date=December 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203061150/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/12/the-50-best-songs-of-2016.html?a=1|url-status=dead}} Billboard named the single the second best on their list Best R&B Songs of 2016, while later placing it at number 51 on their "100 Best Pop Songs of 2016" list.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/year-in-music-2016/7616928/best-rb-singles-2016|title=10 Best R&B Songs of 2016: Critic's Picks|magazine=Billboard|date=December 9, 2016|last=Mitchell|first=Gail|access-date=December 11, 2016}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/year-in-music-2016/7617635/billboard-top-100-pop-songs-of-2016|title=Billboard's 100 Best Pop Songs of 2016: Critics' Picks|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 12, 2016|date=December 12, 2016}} In the annual Village Voice's Pazz & Jop mass critics poll of the year's best in music in 2016, "Kiss It Better" was ranked at number 29, tied with Maren Morris' "My Church" and The Weeknd's "Starboy".{{cite news|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/singles/2016|title=PAZZ+JOP 2016|newspaper=Village Voice|date=January 25, 2017|access-date=January 28, 2017|archive-date=February 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203205750/http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/singles/2016|url-status=dead}}
Commercial performance
In the United States, "Kiss It Better" debuted at number eighty on the US Billboard Hot 100, following the release of the song's music video. Its debut was driven primarily by streaming (73 percent of its chart points), which saw a 31 percent to 4.8 million U.S. streams. It also opened at number thirty-six on the US Pop Songs, marking Rihanna's record-extending 43rd entry.{{cite magazine|last1=Trust|first1=Gary|title=Hot 100 Chart Moves: Drake Moves Closer to Elvis, Rihanna's 'Kiss It Better' Debuts|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7333942/hot-100-chart-moves-drake-elvis-rihanna-kiss-it-better|access-date=July 21, 2016|magazine=Billboard|date=April 14, 2016}} It eventually peaked at number sixty-two on the Billboard Hot 100. Though it was the promotional focus at pop radio, "Kiss It Better" reached as far as number twenty-four on the Pop Songs chart, leading Def Jam Recordings to release "Needed Me" - an initially "urban radio priority" - to pop radio as well, due to its success.{{cite news|last1=Cantor|first1=Brian|title=Rihanna's "Needed Me" Gains More Airplay At Pop Radio, "Kiss It Better" Declining|url=http://headlineplanet.com/home/2016/05/21/rihannas-needed-me-gains-more-airplay-at-pop-radio-kiss-it-better-declining/|access-date=July 21, 2016|publisher=Headline Planet|date=May 21, 2016}} As of January 2021, "Kiss It Better" has accumulated over one 360 million and 313,000 downloads in the United States.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9517469/rihanna-anti-most-streamed-songs|title=Rihanna's Anti: Which Tracks Have Been Streamed and Sold the Most?|first=Andrew|last=Unterberger|date=28 January 2021|magazine=Billboard|access-date=30 September 2021}}
Although the single did not manage to chart on the New Zealand chart, it did manage to chart at number three on the New Zealand Heatseekers chart, which comprises that week's fastest-rising titles outside the Top 40 Singles Chart. In Australia, the song only spent one week inside the ARIA Charts, reaching number forty-eight. In the United Kingdom, the song fared better, spending 13 weeks inside the UK Singles Chart; it debuted at number fifty-one on the chart dated April 14, 2016, after the music video's release. A week later, the song descended to number sixty, before moving to number fifty-seven. After two weeks fluctuating on the charts, the song managed to move to number forty-six, which became its peak position. It later remained seven further weeks on the chart.{{cite web|title=Kiss It Better - Official Charts Company|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/kiss%20it%20better/|website=The Official Charts Company|access-date=July 21, 2016}}
Music video
{{Quote box
|quote = There is something hypnotic about the song, the way some of it repeats and you don't know where is the beginning and end. It is very intimate in this sense and we wanted it to be about a very personal moment—both a physical journey through an abstract space and an inner reflection at the same time.
|source = —Craig McDean talking to The Fader about shooting Rihanna only by herself in the video
|quoted = true
|bgcolor = #FFFFF0
|salign = center
|align = left
|width = 25%
|border = 1px
|fontsize = 90%
}}
The accompanying music video for "Kiss It Better" was directed by British fashion photographer Craig McDean and premiered on March 31, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.videostatic.com/watch-it/2016/03/31/rihanna-kiss-it-better-explicit-craig-mcdean-dir|title=Rihanna 'Kiss It Better (explicit)' (Craig McDean, dir.)|publisher=Video Static|last=Gottlieb|first=Steven|date=March 31, 2016|access-date=April 1, 2016}} It was shot in Los Angeles over a "very long night". A teaser for the video was released a day earlier on March 30 via Rihanna's Vevo account on YouTube.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/3/31/11330304/rihanna-kiss-it-better-music-video-watch|title=Watch Rihanna's black-and-white video for new single 'Kiss It Better'|work=The Verge|last1=Plaugic|first1=Lizzie|last2=Cox|first2=Jamieson|date=March 31, 2016|access-date=April 1, 2016}} Keeley Gould and Ciara Pardo served producers for the visual which was shot entirely in black-and-white. In an interview with The Fader, McDean explained that the inspiration for the video was based on ideas which were inspired by dadaism and surrealism, "It all comes from you as a person, your inner inspiration and ideas you've had inside for a lifetime."{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2016/04/01/rihanna-kiss-it-better-director-interview|title=Rihanna's 'Kiss It Better' Video Director Explains His Dadaist Vision|work=The Fader|last=Tanzer|first=Myles|date=April 1, 2016|access-date=April 2, 2016}}
Jessie Katz of Billboard described the storyline of the video, it "features the singer intermittently standing, writhing on the ground and floating through space through various stages of undress while she sings to the Prince-esque synth and electric guitar track. In fact, Rihanna is the entire video -- there's no backdrop at all."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7318620/rihanna-kiss-it-better-video-watch|title=Rihanna Goes Topless for Intimate, Black & White 'Kiss It Better' Video|magazine=Billboard|last=Katz|first=Jessie|date=March 31, 2016|access-date=April 1, 2016}} Cosmopolitan{{'}}s Eliza Thompson wrote that "the clip shows Rihanna rolling around under sheets while dice roll up and down her body, writhing on the floor in sheer lingerie, and stripping off her oversize business-lady suit."{{cite web|url=http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/news/a56071/rihanna-kiss-it-better-video/|title=Rihanna's Super-Sexy "Kiss It Better" Video Has Arrived|work=Cosmopolitan|last=Thompson|first=Eliza|date=March 31, 2016|access-date=April 1, 2016}} According to McDean the idea to include dice in the video came from him and his creative partner Masha Vasyukova, "Sometimes it's all about combining things that might not make any sense, [like] subconsciousness and dreams. Dice is such a graphic and surrealistic object so it came into play." The video ends with Rihanna walking away slowly into a dark background.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-rihannas-striking-kiss-it-better-video-20160331|title=Watch Rihanna's Striking 'Kiss It Better' Video|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Spanos|first=Brittany|date=March 31, 2016|access-date=April 1, 2016|archive-date=April 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406235947/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-rihannas-striking-kiss-it-better-video-20160331|url-status=dead}}
Natalie Weiner of Billboard thought that the video for the song was one of the 11 best videos ever done by Rihanna and described it as a "fitting flex" for the singer and represents that the sexiness she presented in the visual for her 2013 single, "Pour It Up" "was just the beginning of her pulse-quickening powers."{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/6820748/rihanna-best-videos|title=Rihanna's 11 Best Videos: From 'Umbrella' to 'BBHMM'|magazine=Billboard|last=Weiner|first=Natalie|date=March 31, 2016|access-date=April 1, 2016}} Laura Bradley of Slate magazine described the video as a departure for the both videos for "Work" with regards to her decision to star alone and shot the video only in black-and-white, reasons which ultimately gave the video a different vibe according to her.{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/03/31/rihanna_s_kiss_it_better_video_is_here.html|title=Rihanna's "Kiss It Better" Video Is Here, and It Is Steamy|work=Slate|last=Bradley|first=Laura|date=31 March 2016|access-date=April 1, 2016}} Maeve McDermott of USA Today described the video as "somewhat" NSFW regarding the language and the partial nudity and concluded by asking, "but would you expect anything less from a Rihanna video?"{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2016/03/31/rihanna-kiss-it-better-video/82467348/|title=Rihanna's ultra-sexy 'Kiss It Better' video has arrived|work=USA Today|last=McDermott|first=Maeve|date=March 31, 2016|access-date=April 1, 2016}} Vogue{{'}}s Mackenzie Wagoner wrote, " In every instance, however free her nipple, she manages to look empowered, not vulgar—speaking to an obvious body confidence that, especially in the spotlight, can be hard-won." Further, she stated that Rihanna "evolved rule-breaking" and wrote that she is not a "factory-bred" sex symbol, but a woman who is fully comfortable with her body image.{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.com/13421890/rihanna-kiss-it-better-video-body-sheer-confidence/|title=Why Rihanna's "Kiss It Better" Video Is a Study in Bold Body Confidence|work=Vogue|last=Wagoner|first=Mackenzie|date=March 31, 2016|access-date=April 1, 2016|archive-date=April 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402114230/http://www.vogue.com/13421890/rihanna-kiss-it-better-video-body-sheer-confidence/|url-status=dead}}
Live performances and covers
Rihanna was scheduled to perform "Kiss It Better" at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards, however her performance was cancelled last minute per her doctor's order to go on a "vocal rest". The performance was supposed to feature a 1980s talk-show theme where the singer was to be joined by television host James Corden. Rihanna performed "Kiss It Better" at the Anti World Tour as the closing song of each show.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2016/03/13/rihanna-kicks-off-anti-world-tour/|title=Rihanna Kicks Off 'Anti World Tour'|work=Rap-Up|access-date=March 13, 2016}}
American singer Miguel covered the song during his performance at the Spotify House, part of SXSW concerts.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/64165-miguel-covers-rihannas-kiss-it-better-checking-lyrics-on-his-phone-watch/|title=Miguel Covers Rihanna's "Kiss it Better," Checking Lyrics on His Phone: Watch|work=Pitchfork Media|last=Camp|first=Zoe|date=March 15, 2016|access-date=April 1, 2016}} Indie rock singer Father John Misty covered "Kiss It Better" during his 2016 tour in support of his studio album, I Love You, Honeybear. According to Jon Blistein he delivered a "faithful, rousing rendition of the track while grinding and dancing around the stage".{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-father-john-mistys-steamy-cover-of-rihannas-kiss-it-better-20160331|title=Watch Father John Misty's Steamy Cover of Rihanna's 'Kiss It Better'|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Blistein|first=Jon|date=March 31, 2016|access-date=April 1, 2016|archive-date=April 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402134409/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-father-john-mistys-steamy-cover-of-rihannas-kiss-it-better-20160331|url-status=dead}}
At her halftime performance for the Super Bowl LVII, Rihanna did not actually perform "Kiss It Better", but interpolated a snippet of its refrain into "Rude Boy".
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Dance Remix EP{{cite web|title=Kiss It Better (Dance Remix) / Rihanna TIDAL|date=June 2016 |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/61335000|publisher=Tidal|access-date=July 22, 2016}}
| title1 = Kiss It Better
| note1 = R3hab Remix
| length1 = 3:04
| title2 = Kiss It Better
| note2 = Four Tet Remix
| length2 = 4:56
| title3 = Kiss It Better
| note3 = Kaytranada Edition
| length3 = 5:25
| title4 = Kiss It Better
| note4 = Feenixpawl Remix
| length4 = 3:53
}}
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Rihanna's official website.{{cite web|url=http://www.rihannanow.com/music/anti-deluxe-edition/|title=Anti (Deluxe Edition) {{!}} Rihanna {{!}} Credits|publisher=Rihannanow.com|access-date=February 11, 2016}}
;Locations
- Recorded at Jungle City Studios in New York City
- Mixed at Larrabee Studios in Universal City, California
- Mastering at Sterling Sound Studios in New York City, New York
;Personnel
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
- Rihanna – vocals, writing
- Jeff Bhasker – writing, production
- Glass John – writing, additional production
- Teddy Sinclair – writing
- Nuno Bettencourt – guitar
- Marcos Tovar – vocal recording
- Kuk Harrell – vocal recording, vocal production
- Blake Mares – additional recording
- Brendan Morawski – recording assistant
- Manny Marroquin – mixing
- Chris Galland – mixing assistant
- Ike Schultz – mixing assistant
- Chris Gehringer – mastering
{{div col end}}
Charts
{{Col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Weekly chart performance for "Kiss It Better" ! scope="col"| Chart (2016) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{single chart|Australia|48|artist=Rihanna|song=Kiss It Better|rowheader=true|refname="aria"|access-date=April 23, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Flanders Tip|15|artist=Rihanna|song=Kiss It Better|access-date=June 11, 2016|rowheader=true|refname=Flanders}} |
| scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop Flanders Urban)
|1 |
|---|
| {{single chart|Wallonia Tip|32|artist=Rihanna|song=Kiss It Better|rowheader=true|access-date=June 11, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Canada|54|artist=Rihanna|rowheader=true|access-date=April 26, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Finnishairplay|77|artist=Rihanna|song=Kiss It Better|access-date=July 25, 2016|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|France|76|artist=Rihanna|song=Kiss It Better|rowheader=true|access-date=April 26, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland|66|year=2016|week=19|rowheader=true|access-date=May 14, 2016}} |
| scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/tipparade/2016/week-20|title=week 20 (14 mei 2016)|publisher=Dutch Top 40|language=nl|access-date=April 10, 2022}}
|align="center"|6 |
| scope="row"| New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ){{cite web|url= http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=4221|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160424141837/http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=4221|url-status= dead|archive-date= April 24, 2016|title=NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=April 22, 2016}}
| 3 |
| {{single chart|Scotland|37|date=20160408|rowheader=true|access-date=April 8, 2016}} |
| scope="row" | South Africa (EMA){{Cite web |url=http://sa-ema.com/airplay-chart/?week=2016-05-10 |title=EMA Top 10 Airplay: Week Ending 2016-05-10 |access-date=June 16, 2025 |archive-date=August 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818213919/http://sa-ema.com/airplay-chart/?week=2016-05-10 |url-status=bot: unknown }}
| 4 |
| scope="row"| Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan){{cite web|url=http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=215&dfom=20160205|title=Vecolista Heatseeker – Vecka 6, 12 februari 2015|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=April 1, 2018}}
| 4 |
| {{single chart|UK|46|date=20160519|rowheader=true|access-date=May 13, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|UKrandb|8|date=20160408|rowheader=true|access-date=April 8, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|62|artist=Rihanna|rowheader=true|access-date=May 17, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|1|artist=Rihanna|rowheader=true|access-date=July 26, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|21|artist=Rihanna|rowheader=true|access-date=May 17, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|24|artist=Rihanna|rowheader=true|access-date=May 4, 2016}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|39|artist=Rihanna|rowheader=true|access-date=January 23, 2017}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Kiss It Better"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Rihanna|title=Kiss It Better|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2024|access-date=July 11, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Kiss It Better|artist=Rihanna|type=single|region=Canada|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2023|relyear=2016|accessdate=January 31, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|title=Kiss It Better|artist=Rihanna|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2016|certyear=2022|id=11435|access-date=28 June 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2016|certyear=2022|artist=Rihanna|title=Kiss It Better|access-date=27 October 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|title=Kiss It Better|artist=Rihanna|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2016|certyear=2023|source=radioscope|access-date=2024-12-17}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Rihanna|title=Kiss It Better|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2024|access-date=August 28, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Kiss It Better|artist=Rihanna|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2016|certyear=2023|id=13906-1629-1|access-date=September 8, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Rihanna|title=Kiss It Better|award=Platinum|number=3|certyear=2023|relyear=2016|accessdate=January 28, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|nocert=true|salesamount=5,500,000|salesref={{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/rihanna-happy-antiversary-pics-video-9518130/|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|title=Rihanna Wishes Herself a 'Happy #ANTIversary' With Throwback Pics|magazine=Billboard|date=January 29, 2021|access-date=March 7, 2025|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102041120/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/rihanna-happy-antiversary-pics-video-9518130/|archive-date=January 2, 2022}}}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true|nosales=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Release dates for "Kiss It Better" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row"| United States
| March 30, 2016 | rowspan="2"| Contemporary hit radio | rowspan="3"| {{hlist|Roc Nation|Westbury Road}} | {{cite news|last1=McKinney|first1=Kelsey|title=Even for Rihanna, dropping two singles at once is risky business|url=http://fusion.net/story/286179/rihanna-needed-me-two-singles/|access-date=July 20, 2016|work=Fusion|date=March 30, 2016|archive-date=August 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804050343/http://fusion.net/story/286179/rihanna-needed-me-two-singles/|url-status=dead}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| Italy
| May 20, 2016 |
| scope="row"| United States
| June 1, 2016 | Streaming (remixes) |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{YouTube|id=49lY0HqqUVc|title="Kiss It Better (Explicit)" music video}}
{{Rihanna songs}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Black-and-white music videos
Category:Songs written by Jeff Bhasker
Category:Songs written by Natalia Keery-Fisher
Category:Songs written by Rihanna