Rehab (Rihanna song)
{{Short description|2008 single by Rihanna}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Rehab
| cover = Rihanna - Rehab.png
| alt = A portrait of a young woman looking to her left with a rainbow-like realistic environmental coloring as her backdrop. She is dressed exotically, with light-green facial paint covering her forehead up to her eyelids. Her short black hair is fringed to her right side. She is wearing light-pink lipstick, a sleeveless light-green top and Arabic-style earrings, all of which contrast in color with her light-green forehead. In the bottom right corner of the portrait is her name "Rihanna" in thin, white, capital letters, and directly below it in small letters is the title 'Rehab'.
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Rihanna
| album = Good Girl Gone Bad
| released = {{Start date|2008|10|06}}
| recorded = January 2007
| studio = Roc the Mic (New York City)
| venue =
| genre = R&B
| length = {{Duration|m=4|s=54}}
| label =
- Def Jam
- SRP
| writer =
- Justin Timberlake
- Timothy Mosley
- Hannon Lane
| producer =
- Timbaland
- Lane
- Timberlake
| chronology = Rihanna
| prev_title = Live Your Life
| prev_year = 2008
| next_title = Run This Town
| next_year = 2009
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|rJYcmq__nDM|"Rehab"}}}}
}}
"Rehab" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad (2007). Def Jam Recordings serviced the song to contemporary hit radio in the United States on October 6, 2008, as the fifth and final single from the album. It was released in the United Kingdom as a CD single on December 8, 2008.
Development of "Rehab" began while Rihanna was accompanying Timbaland on Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveShow tour in 2007. Timberlake wrote the song in collaboration with his producers, Hannon Lane and Timbaland, and provided additional vocals. "Rehab" is a mid-paced R&B song with an emotional, melancholy chorus; the lyrics are about the protagonist's painful memories of her former lover, who is portrayed metaphorically as a disease.
"Rehab" reached top-ten positions on the singles charts in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway. It reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart and number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Anthony Mandler directed the accompanying music video, which was shot in Vasquez Rocks Park, near Los Angeles. It won the Urban Music Award for Best Music Video. Rihanna performed "Rehab" on the Good Girl Gone Bad Tour (2007–2009), and occasionally on the Last Girl on Earth (2010–2011).
Production and release
"Rehab" is one of the three songs composed and produced by Timbaland for Rihanna's third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad. Timbaland was on tour with Justin Timberlake for the FutureSex/LoveShow to promote Timberlake's 2006 album FutureSex/LoveSounds, which Timbaland had also produced. After completing a show in Chicago, they joined Rihanna in the studio, where Timberlake experimented with beats and melodies. Weeks later, the three got together in New York City, where Timberlake had already conceptualized a song for Rihanna. Timbaland, who wanted to compose a song called "Rehab" for Rihanna, was producing a beat, when Timberlake came in and improvised the song over it. Hannon Lane co-wrote and co-produced the song,{{cite web|url=http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=REHAB&search_in=t&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&pagenum=2&start=11|title='Rehab' Writing Credits|publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|access-date=August 19, 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110929131451/http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=REHAB&search_in=t&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&pagenum=2&start=11|archive-date=September 29, 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1581045/20080206/timberlake_justin.jhtml|title=Justin Timberlake's Fooling 'Around' Resulted In Award-Nominated Song: Behind The Grammys|publisher=MTV News. MTV Networks|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=February 8, 2008|access-date=May 27, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213054927/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1581045/20080206/timberlake_justin.jhtml|archive-date=December 13, 2010|url-status=dead}} and Demacio Castellon recorded and mixed it in 2007 at Roc The Mic Studios in New York City.{{cite AV media notes|others=Rihanna |title=Good Girl Gone Bad|year=2007|type= inlay cover|page= 5|publisher= The Island Def Jam Music Group|id= 6-009143-327931}} Rihanna's stint with Timbaland also resulted in "Sell Me Candy" and "Lemme Get That", produced for Good Girl Gone Bad.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/albumreviews/a98660/rihanna-good-girl-gone-bad-reloaded.html|title=Rihanna: 'Good Girl Gone Bad Reloaded'|publisher=Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Ltd|last=Levine|first=Nick|date=June 10, 2008|access-date=October 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091025122640/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/albumreviews/a98660/rihanna-good-girl-gone-bad-reloaded.html|archive-date=October 25, 2009|url-status=dead}}
Timberlake told Entertainment Weekly that he believed "Rehab" to be "the bridge for [Rihanna] to be accepted as an adult in the music industry".{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/06/26/music-stars-were-loving-right-now/|title=The EW 100: Music|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=June 26, 2007|access-date=September 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113122223/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20043665,00.html|archive-date=January 13, 2012|url-status=live}} Rihanna told Robert Copsey of Digital Spy that she enjoyed working with Timberlake, and learned much from the sessions. She said, "Working with Justin in the studio is just great. He's a fun guy and likes to make all the sessions enjoyable. He's also such a genius when it comes to lyrics."{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a220871/rihanna-timberlake-is-a-lyrical-genius.html|title=Music – News – Rihanna: 'Timberlake is a lyrical genius'|publisher=Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Ltd|last=Copsey|first=Robert|date=May 20, 2010|access-date=September 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612050240/http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a220871/rihanna-timberlake-is-a-lyrical-genius.html|archive-date=June 12, 2012|url-status=dead}}
"Rehab" was the eighth and final single to be released from Rihanna's third studio album Good Girl Gone Bad (2007). According to American music magazine Rap-Up, both "Breakin' Dishes" and "Rehab" were potential single releases, but "Rehab" was chosen.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2007/10/12/rihanna-co-hosts-trl-again/#comments|title=Rihanna Co-Hosts 'TRL' Again|work=Rap-Up|publisher=Devine Lazerine|access-date=September 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310053452/http://www.rap-up.com/2007/10/12/rihanna-co-hosts-trl-again/|archive-date=March 10, 2012|url-status=dead}} Def Jam Recordings released the song for airplay on contemporary hit radio in the United States on October 6, 2008.{{cite web|url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=10/06/2008&Format=1|title=R&R :: Going for Adds :: CHR/Top 40|publisher=Going for Adds. Radio and Records|date=June 10, 2008|access-date=September 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119190947/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=10/06/2008&Format=1|archive-date=January 19, 2012|url-status=dead}} On November 3, 2008, it was released to rhythmic contemporary and urban contemporary radio stations.{{cite web|url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=11/03/2008&Format=9|title=R&R :: Going for Adds :: Rhythmic|publisher=Going for Adds. Radio and Records|date=November 3, 2008|access-date=September 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119001710/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=11/03/2008&Format=9|archive-date=January 19, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=11/03/2008&Format=5|title=R&R :: Going for Adds :: Urban|publisher=Going for Adds. Radio and Records|date=November 3, 2008|access-date=September 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119100418/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=11/03/2008&Format=5|archive-date=January 19, 2012|url-status=dead}} The single was released in the UK by Mercury Records on December 8, 2008, as a CD single containing both the album version and an instrumental version of "Rehab". On the same date, it was released as a digital download in Ireland. A live performance of the song, recorded in Manchester during Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad Tour (2007–2009), was released for download on the UK and Ireland iTunes Stores.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/rehab-single/id299827694|title=Rehab – Single|publisher=iTunes Store (GB). Apple|access-date=August 31, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109222830/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/rehab-single/id299827694|archive-date=November 9, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/rehab-single/id299827694|title=Rehab – Single|publisher=iTunes Store (IE). Apple|access-date=September 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109222932/https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/rehab-single/id299827694|archive-date=November 9, 2012|url-status=dead}} The performance was featured on Rihanna's DVD Good Girl Gone Bad Live.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/good-girl-gone-bad-live/id283129314|title=Good Girl Gone Bad (Live)|publisher=iTunes Store (GB). Apple|access-date=September 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102134559/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/good-girl-gone-bad-live/id283129314|archive-date=November 2, 2010|url-status=dead}}
On December 12, 2008, the song and its instrumental version were released on iTunes and 7digital in ten countries, including Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland. In January 2009, it was released as a CD single in Germany, with the same material as in the UK release. In early 2009, Timbaland signed a contract with Verizon Communications, under which he would create music exclusively for BlackBerry Storm mobile phone owners.{{cite magazine |year=2008 |title=Verizon-Timbaland partnership |magazine=Billboard |page=56 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W6e7tlhHmP0C&q=Timbaland+creates+new+rehab+remix&pg=PT17 |access-date=September 18, 2011 |issn=0006-2510 |volume=121 |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915110005/https://books.google.com/books?id=W6e7tlhHmP0C&q=Timbaland+creates+new+rehab+remix&pg=PT17 |url-status=live }} He was contracted to work with various artists and remix their songs, which would be available for Verizon customers to download at no extra cost. "Rehab" was the first song remixed for the project, and this version was released in Canada and the US on May 19, 2009, via iTunes.
Composition
"Rehab" is a mid-tempo R&B ballad with a subtle backbeat. According to the digital sheet music published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, it is written in the key of G minor and set in common time, with a moderately slow groove. The vocal range spans nearly an octave and a half from F3 to B♭ (musical note).{{cite web|url= http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdVPE.asp?ppn=MN0071889|title= Digital Sheet Music – Rihanna – Rehab|publisher= Sony/ATV Music Publishing|access-date= July 26, 2007|archive-date= April 19, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150419141108/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdVPE.asp?ppn=MN0071889|url-status= live}} "Rehab" opens with a string section, played by Stevie Blacke, and a violin, cello, and tambourine instrumental groove with Hannon Lane's keyboard melody. Rihanna then sings the opening lines, "Baby, baby, when we first met, I never felt something so strong".
Critics noted similarities among the structures of "Rehab" and some of Timberlake's songs, such as "What Goes Around... Comes Around" and "Cry Me a River".{{cite news|url=http://www.metroweekly.com/arts_entertainment/music.php?ak=2843|title=Bad Girl: With her new album, Rihanna proves herself to be the new bad girl of our good-pop dreams|work=Metro Weekly|publisher=Jansi LLC|last=Rule|first=Doug|date=July 5, 2007|access-date=September 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119063151/http://metroweekly.com/arts_entertainment/music.php?ak=2843|archive-date=November 19, 2011|url-status=dead}} Spence D. of IGN wrote that the song has an "R&B swoon", similar to Rihanna's previous singles. In an interview with Margeaux Watson for Entertainment Weekly, Rihanna explained the meaning of the song's lyrics: "'Rehab' is a metaphorical song. Rehab really just means we have to get over the guy. So we talk about checking ourselves into rehab, meaning we have to get over him. And we compare the guy to a disease or an addiction."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20043289_20043293_20043298,00.html|title=Caribbean Queen|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Watson|first=Margeaux|date=June 21, 2007|access-date=September 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818211832/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20043289_20043293_20043298,00.html|archive-date=August 18, 2011|url-status=dead}} Watson further called the song a "lovesick ballad".{{cite magazine|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2008/11/13/rihanna-goes-to/|title=Rihanna goes to 'Rehab'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Watson|first=Margeaux|date=November 12, 2008|access-date=September 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119004042/http://music-mix.ew.com/2008/11/13/rihanna-goes-to/|archive-date=January 19, 2012|url-status=dead}}
Critical reception
Rodney Dugue of The Village Voice called it one of the standout songs on Good Girl Gone Bad,{{cite news|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2007-05-29/music/mediocre-girl-gone-good/|title=Mediocre Girl Gone Good|work=The Village Voice|publisher=Village Voice Media|last=Dugue|first=Rodney|date=May 29, 2007|access-date=August 31, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805095949/http://www.villagevoice.com/2007-05-29/music/mediocre-girl-gone-good/|archive-date=August 5, 2011|url-status=dead}} and Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe said it was essential to the album.{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2007/06/12/bad_never_sounded_so_good/ |title=Bad never sounded so good |work=Boston Globe |last=Rodman |first=Sarah |date=June 12, 2007 |access-date=August 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090610051118/http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2007/06/12/bad_never_sounded_so_good/ |archive-date=June 10, 2009 |url-status=dead }} Quentin B. Huff of PopMatters called it a "little gem"{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/rihanna-good-girl-gone-bad/|title=Rihanna: Good Girl Gone Bad|publisher=PopMatters. PopMatters Media|last=Huff|first=Quentin B.|date=June 26, 2007|access-date=August 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920235819/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/rihanna-good-girl-gone-bad|archive-date=September 20, 2011|url-status=dead}} and compared it to Babyface's collaboration with Madonna on her 1994 single "Take a Bow". Billboard magazine called the song a highlight of the album, with "slinky-assisted Timberlake background vocals, tension-filled production, and contrasting strings and guitars."{{cite magazine|url=http://us.mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE4B47BQ20081205?ca=rdt|title=Billboard single reviews of Taylor Swift, Jamie Foxx|magazine=Billboard|date=December 5, 2008|access-date=August 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901004953/http://us.mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE4B47BQ20081205?ca=rdt|archive-date=September 1, 2011|url-status=dead}} Vibe's Shanel Odum, while reviewing Good Girl Gone Bad, noted that the album predominantly consists of up-tempo songs, while the ballads are its weak part, eventually being "saved" by "Rehab".{{cite journal |year=2007 |title=Rihanna - Good Girl Gone Bad |journal=Vibe |page=69 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oSYEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Rehab%22+Rihanna&pg=PA69 |access-date=December 14, 2011 |issn=1070-4701 |volume=15}}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Spence D. of IGN stated that Timberlake and Rihanna work well together, thanks to their similar vocal ranges. He wrote that the song "reverts to Rihanna's old styled R&B swoon, the groove being built around tambourine shakes, acoustic guitar swirls, and a subtle backbeat."{{cite web|url=http://music.ign.com/articles/794/794166p2.html|title=Rihanna – Good Girl Gone Bad – Music Review|publisher=IGN. News International|last=D|first=Spence|date=June 5, 2007|access-date=August 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628223050/http://music.ign.com/articles/794/794166p2.html|archive-date=June 28, 2011|url-status=dead}} Doug Rule of Metro Weekly wrote that "Rehab" "is its own distinctive song—and a fetching one at that—but the resemblance to one of Timberlake's best is unmistakable." Sylvia Patterson from The Guardian described the song as a "mournful tale of lost love feeling like a catastrophic rehab meltdown".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/aug/26/popandrock|title=Singing in the rain: an exclusive interview with Rihanna|work=The Guardian|last=Patterson|first=Sylvia|date=August 26, 2007|access-date=January 30, 2012|author-link=Sylvia Patterson|archive-date=February 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208170722/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2007/aug/26/popandrock|url-status=live}}
Tom Breinan of Pitchfork Media wrote that Rihanna "comes closer than usual to depicting something resembling human emotion, but she still comes off sounding like a robot programmed to impersonate Alanis Morissette."{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10320-good-girl-gone-bad/|title=Album Reviews: Rihanna: Good Girl Gone Bad|work=Pitchfork Media|last=Breinan|first=Tom|date=June 15, 2007|access-date=August 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016163046/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10320-good-girl-gone-bad/|archive-date=October 16, 2011|url-status=dead}} Neil Drumming of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "Rehab is a joyless overdose of mid-tempo melodrama".{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/06/01/good-girl-gone-bad/|title=Good Girl Gone Bad|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Drumming|first=Neil|date=May 30, 2007|access-date=August 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105182257/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20040683,00.html|archive-date=November 5, 2011|url-status=live}} Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine said that "Rehab" proves that Timberlake "is better off penning lyrics about sexy backs or dicks in boxes"—a reference to Timberlake's 2006 singles "SexyBack" and "Dick in a Box" (with The Lonely Island).{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/rihanna-good-girl-gone-bad/1122|title=Rihanna: Good Girl Gone Bad|publisher=Slant Magazine. Creative Nonfiction|last=Cinquemani|first=Sal|date=May 22, 2007|access-date=August 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114015634/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/rihanna-good-girl-gone-bad/1122|archive-date=November 14, 2011|url-status=dead}}
Chart performance
"Rehab" entered the US Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 91 on November 22, 2008,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-11-22/hot-100?order=gainer|title=Billboard Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111211013303/http://www.billboard.com/#/charts/hot-100?chartDate=2008-11-22&order=gainer|archive-date=December 11, 2011|url-status=dead}} and peaked at number 18, making it Rihanna's twelfth US top-twenty single. It also peaked at number 17 on Billboard's Pop Songs chart{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=rihanna|chart=all}}|title= Rehab - Rihanna|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 18, 2011|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6421XVwUP?url=http://www.billboard.com/#/song/rihanna/rehab/11472607|archive-date=December 18, 2011}} and at number 52 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song rose to number 19 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart, having started at number 56 on December 6, 2008.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/2008-12-06/canadian-hot-100?order=gainer|title=Canadian Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111211013303/http://www.billboard.com/#/charts/hot-100?chartDate=2008-11-22&order=gainer|archive-date=December 11, 2011|url-status=dead}} It entered the Australian ARIA Singles Chart at number 37 on November 17, 2008 and eventually reached number 26, thus becoming Rihanna's twelfth consecutive top-thirty single in Australia.{{cite web|url=http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Rihanna&titel=Rehab&cat=s|title=Rihanna – Rehab|publisher=ARIA Charts. Hung Medien|access-date=October 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111214033226/http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Rihanna&titel=Rehab&cat=s|archive-date=December 14, 2011|url-status=dead}} In New Zealand, it first entered the singles chart at number 24 on October 27, 2008, and rose to number 12.{{cite web|url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Rihanna&titel=Rehab&cat=s|title=Rihanna – Rehab|publisher=Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Hung Medien|access-date=October 2, 2011|archive-date=January 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123142230/https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Rihanna&titel=Rehab&cat=s|url-status=live}} On January 11, 2009, it was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ), 12 weeks after it first charted.{{cite web|url=http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp|title=Chart 1651 – Monday 12 January 2009|publisher=Recording Industry Association of New Zealand|access-date=October 2, 2011|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/628sTVGph?url=http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp|archive-date=October 2, 2011|url-status=dead}}
"Rehab" first appeared in the UK Singles Chart at number 51 on November 22, 2008.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Rehab|title=Rihanna - Rehab|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=December 5, 2011|archive-date=April 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403094706/http://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/REHAB/|url-status=live}} After two weeks, it became the greatest gainer on the chart, climbing twenty-seven places to number 24,{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20081130/7501/|title=2008-12-06 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=November 24, 2011|archive-date=2017-04-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421135228/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20081130/7501/|url-status=live}} and in the week after that, it reached its peak of 16.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20081214/7501/|title=2008-12-20 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=December 20, 2008|access-date=October 2, 2011|archive-date=October 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018110322/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20081214/7501/|url-status=live}} More than 160,000 copies of the song have been sold in the UK.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/music/charts/official-uk-countdowns/rihanna-official-top-20|title=Rihanna – Official Top 20 Selling Singles|publisher=MTV. MTV Networks|access-date=August 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902141628/http://www.mtv.co.uk/music/charts/official-uk-countdowns/rihanna-official-top-20|archive-date=September 2, 2011|url-status=dead}} The single debuted at number 33 on the Ö3 Austria Top 40 and peaked at number nine.{{cite web|url=http://www.austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Rihanna&titel=Rehab&cat=s|title=Rihanna – Rehab|publisher=Ö3 Austria Top 75. Hung Medien|access-date=October 2, 2011|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921195327/http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Rihanna&titel=Rehab&cat=s|archive-date=September 21, 2011|url-status=dead}} In Germany it reached number 4 and became Rihanna's sixth top-five single.{{cite web|url=http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Rihanna/?type=single |title=Musicline.de – Chartverfolgung – Rihanna |publisher=Media Control Charts. PhotoNet GmbH |access-date=September 9, 2010 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306082211/http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Rihanna?type=single |archive-date=March 6, 2012 |url-status=dead }} "Rehab" started at number 18 in the Dutch Top 40 on January 17, 2009,{{cite web|url=http://www.top40.nl/index.aspx?week=03&jaar=2009|title=Nederlandse Top 40 – week 03, 2009|publisher=Dutch Top 40. Stichting Nederlandse Top 40|access-date=October 1, 2011|language=nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017001412/http://www.top40.nl/index.aspx?week=03&jaar=2009|archive-date=October 17, 2012|url-status=dead}} and peaked at number 3 in its fourth week on the chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.top40.nl/index.aspx?week=06&jaar=2009|title=Nederlandse Top 40 – week 06, 2009|publisher=Dutch Top 40. Stichting Nederlandse Top 40|access-date=October 2, 2011|language=nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017002338/http://www.top40.nl/index.aspx?week=06&jaar=2009|archive-date=October 17, 2012|url-status=dead}} In Norway it entered the singles chart at number 19 and climbed to number 4, becoming Rihanna's seventh top-five single in that country.{{cite web|url=http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Rihanna&titel=Rehab&cat=s|title= Rihanna – Rehab|publisher= VG-lista. Hung Medien|access-date=September 4, 2010|language=no|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117011038/http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Rihanna&titel=Rehab&cat=s|url-status=live|archive-date=January 17, 2010}} It peaked at number 8 on the Slovakian singles chart, becoming Rihanna's fifth international top-ten single, and her sixth top-ten single in Slovakia.{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparadask/index.php?a=interpret&hitparada=18&interpret=41264&sec=58171fa4e2136e13b3aaf3ccf1701e10|title=SNS IFPI Oficiálna Rihanna|publisher= Radio Top 100. IFPI Czech Republic|access-date=September 21, 2010|language=sk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207101613/http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparadask/index.php?a=interpret&hitparada=18&interpret=41264&sec=58171fa4e2136e13b3aaf3ccf1701e10|url-status=live|archive-date=February 7, 2012}}
It has also peaked at #1 in Israel, the only country in which it did.
Music video
File:Vasquez Rocks County Park.jpg (pictured), near Los Angeles.]]
Rihanna filmed the music video for "Rehab" with Justin Timberlake at Vasquez Rocks Park, near Los Angeles, on October 22, 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2008/11/17/video-rihanna-f-justin-timberlake-rehab/#more-9365|title=Video: Rihanna f/ Justin Timberlake – 'Rehab'|work=Rap-Up|publisher=Devine Lazerine|date=November 17, 2008|access-date=August 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308172651/http://www.rap-up.com/2008/11/17/video-rihanna-f-justin-timberlake-rehab/#more-9365|archive-date=March 8, 2012|url-status=dead}} It was directed by Anthony Mandler, who directed the videos for Rihanna's 2008 singles "Take a Bow" and "Disturbia".{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2010/03/20/director-anthony-mandler-discusses-rihannas-music-video-evolution/|title=Director Anthony Mandler Discusses Rihanna's Music Video Evolution|work=Rap-Up|publisher=Devine Lazerine|date=March 20, 2010|access-date=September 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310052951/http://www.rap-up.com/2010/03/20/director-anthony-mandler-discusses-rihannas-music-video-evolution/|archive-date=March 10, 2012|url-status=dead}} Simon Reynolds of Digital Spy said that Timberlake's partner Jessica Biel was "said to be 'sick to her stomach' after seeing Rihanna wearing a revealing outfit while filming with Timberlake."{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a134529/biel-fuming-at-timberlake-rihanna.html|title=Biel 'fuming' at Timberlake, Rihanna|publisher=Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Ltd|last=Reynolds|first=Simon|date=November 4, 2008|access-date=September 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611151621/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a134529/biel-fuming-at-timberlake-rihanna.html|archive-date=June 11, 2011|url-status=dead}} Timberlake told Access Hollywood, "I'm the guy in the video, so I had to give them all insecurities about that. But yeah we had a great time, we goofed around at the shoot most of the time."{{cite web|url=http://popdirt.com/justin-timberlake-on-being-rihannas-rehab-video-guy/70055/|title=Justin Timberlake On Being Rihanna's 'Rehab' Video Guy|work=Access Hollywood|publisher=NBCUniversal|date=November 12, 2008|access-date=September 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321164504/http://popdirt.com/justin-timberlake-on-being-rihannas-rehab-video-guy/70055/|archive-date=March 21, 2012|url-status=dead}} The video premiered November 17, 2008, on MTV and Rihanna's YouTube channel.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/rihanna/318453/rehab.jhtml|title=Rehab | MTV|publisher=MTV. MTV Networks|last=Anitai|first=Tamar|date=November 13, 2008|access-date=September 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117221951/http://www.mtv.com/videos/rihanna/318453/rehab.jhtml|archive-date=November 17, 2011|url-status=dead}}
The video begins as Rihanna, scantily dressed and wearing fishnet stockings, stands against a convertible car in a desert. Timberlake, wearing a leather jacket and black jeans, arrives on a motorcycle. He unbuttons his jacket to cool down and bathes in pink-colored water before greeting Rihanna at her Airstream trailer.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/thesound/a136136/rihanna-and-justin-get-steamy-in-the-desert.html|title=Rihanna and Justin get steamy in the desert|publisher=Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Ltd|last=Balls|first=David|date=November 20, 2008|access-date=September 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612050300/http://www.digitalspy.com/music/thesound/a136136/rihanna-and-justin-get-steamy-in-the-desert.html|archive-date=June 12, 2012|url-status=dead}} The pair then climb onto the hood of the vintage car. In the next scene, Timberlake plays a guitar while lying on a large rocket.
David Balls of Digital Spy wrote, "The pop pair put in such a highly-charged, effortlessly sexual display that it's no surprise Justin's lady was far from happy." In his book Post Cinematic Affect (2010), Steven Shaviro wrote that, in the videos of "Rehab", "Love Sex Magic" and "4 Minutes", Timberlake "radiates a smothering sexual heat", and that these videos "can be contrasted with the videos from Timberlake's own Future Sex/Love Sounds album which Joshua Clover convincingly describes as a 'homosocial' exchange between Timberlake and his producer Timbaland".{{cite book |last= Shaviro |first= Steven |title= Post Cinematic Affect |publisher= O-Books, an imprint of John Hunt Publishing Ltd |year= 2010 |isbn= 978-1-84694-431-4|pages=85, 175}} The "Rehab" video won the Best Music Video award at the 2009 Urban Music Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.prohiphop.com/2009/07/7th-annual-urban-music-awards-complete-winners-list.html|title=7th Annual Urban Music Awards: Complete Winners List|publisher=Urban Music Awards. ProHipHop|date=July 20, 2009|access-date=September 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930015822/http://www.prohiphop.com/2009/07/7th-annual-urban-music-awards-complete-winners-list.html|archive-date=September 30, 2011|url-status=dead}}
Live performances
On April 28, 2008, Rihanna performed at the Pepsi Center with Kanye West, N.E.R.D, and Lupe Fiasco as part of West's Glow in the Dark Tour. She sang "Rehab" and other songs from Good Girl Gone Bad. John Wenzel of The Denver Post wrote that "Rehab" and other songs "would have benefited from more backing vocals, or perhaps a more focused performance approach".{{cite news|url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/reverb/2008/04/28/kanye-west-rihanna-the-pepsi-center/|title=Kanye West, Rihanna, N.E.R.D. @ the Pepsi Center|work=The Denver Post|last=Wenzel|first=John|date=April 28, 2008|access-date=September 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920070527/http://blogs.denverpost.com/reverb/2008/04/28/kanye-west-rihanna-the-pepsi-center/|archive-date=September 20, 2010|url-status=dead}} To promote the single, Rihanna performed "Rehab" live on November 23, 2008, at the 2008 American Music Awards, where she won the awards for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/2008-american-music-awards-winners-article-1.338264|title=2008 American Music Awards Winners|work=Daily News|date=November 24, 2008|access-date=November 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520210257/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/2008-american-music-awards-winners-article-1.338264|archive-date=May 20, 2013|url-status=dead}} At the awards ceremony, she performed it wearing an eye patch, which she later removed after she was lowered to the main stage.{{cite video |people=Jimmy Kimmel (host) |date=November 23, 2008 |title=American Music Awards of 2008 |medium=Television production |publisher=ABC |location=United States}}
"Rehab" was the fourth song on the set list for Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad Tour {{nowrap|(2007–2009)}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r1401536|title=Good Girl Gone Bad Live (DVD)|publisher=AllMusic. Rovi Corporation|access-date=August 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211044046/http://www.allmusic.com/album/r1401536|archive-date=December 11, 2015|url-status=dead}} Her performance in Manchester was released in the UK through iTunes{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/music-video/rehab-live-from-men-arena/id299983530|title=Rehab (Live from MEN Arena, UK, December 6th 2007)|publisher=iTunes Store (GB). Apple|access-date=September 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113231731/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/music-video/rehab-live-from-men-arena/id299983530|archive-date=November 13, 2012|url-status=dead}} and is featured on the Good Girl Gone Bad Live DVD. Rihanna performed "Rehab" on February 7, 2009, at a pre-Grammy party.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604534/rihanna-timbaland-pump-up-starstudded-grammy-party.jhtml|title=Rihanna, Timbaland Pump Up Star-Studded Grammy Party|publisher=MTV News. MTV Networks|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=February 7, 2009|access-date=September 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222043126/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604534/rihanna-timbaland-pump-up-starstudded-grammy-party.jhtml|archive-date=February 22, 2012|url-status=dead}} She was scheduled to perform at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, but canceled her performance after an altercation with her then boyfriend, singer Chris Brown.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/feb/09/grammy-awards-rihanna-chris-brown|title=Grammys 2009: Rihanna cancels appearance after boyfriend Chris Brown arrested|work=The Guardian|last=Swash|first=Rosie|date=February 9, 2009|access-date=May 27, 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629083848/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/feb/09/grammy-awards-rihanna-chris-brown|archive-date=June 29, 2012|url-status=dead}}
"Rehab" was the twelfth song on Rihanna's set list for her 2010 Last Girl on Earth Tour, throughout which she performed it on a therapist's couch adorned with metal casts of human heads and limbs. David Sprague of Variety called her performance of "Rehab" at Madison Square Garden dishearteningly leaden.{{cite web|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117943332.html?categoryid=34&cs=1&nid=2562|title=Concert Review: Rihanna/Ke$ha|work=Variety|last=Sprague|first=David|date=August 17, 2010|access-date=October 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604065255/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117943332.html?categoryid=34&cs=1&nid=2562|archive-date=June 4, 2011|url-status=dead}} Ben Ratliff from The New York Times wrote that "Rihanna's lip curl during 'Rehab' and her low hip-grind during 'Rude Boy' were the smash hits of her body language."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/14/arts/music/14riha.html|title=Rihanna at Madison Square Garden, Dressed for Battle|work=The New York Times|last=Ratliff|first=Ben|date=August 14, 2010|access-date=September 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331163701/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/14/arts/music/14riha.html|archive-date=March 31, 2016|url-status=dead}} Deborah Linton of City Life wrote that Rihanna "even manages to make a psychiatric couch look sexy". Linton called the show's stage sets impressive and imaginative.{{cite web|url=http://www.citylife.co.uk/music/reviews/18275_review__rihanna___men_arena|title=Rihanna – Reviews – Music – Greater Manchester's|work=City Life|last=Linton|first=Deborah|date=May 16, 2010|access-date=September 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727004925/http://www.citylife.co.uk/music/reviews/18275_review__rihanna___men_arena|archive-date=July 27, 2010|url-status=dead}} Rick Massimo of The Providence Journal wrote that Rihanna "looked like a neon-sign rendition of herself during 'Rehab', rarely addressed the audience, and didn't rise above flat cliché in that until the very end of the show".{{cite news|url=http://www.projo.com/music/content/RIHANNA_REVIEW_08-13-10_4IJHH36_v8.245a25a.html|title=Review: Amid neon glitz, a darkness visible in Rihanna's set at Mohegan Sun|newspaper=The Providence Journal|publisher=A. H. Belo Corporation|last=Massimo|first=Rick|date=August 13, 2010|access-date=September 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629044520/http://www.projo.com/music/content/RIHANNA_REVIEW_08-13-10_4IJHH36_v8.245a25a.html|archive-date=June 29, 2011|url-status=dead}} "Rehab" and Rihanna's 2009 single "Russian Roulette" were excluded from the set list during the tour's Australian leg.{{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|publisher=Fox FM. Austereo|date=February 26, 2011|access-date=March 10, 2011|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|url-status=dead}}
{{Clear}}
Formats and track listings
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
- CD single and digital download{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.de/dp/B001MZ140M|title=Rehab (2-Track)|publisher=Amazon Germany|date=January 9, 2009|access-date=October 18, 2011|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103180611/https://www.amazon.de/dp/B001MZ140M|archive-date=January 3, 2020|url-status=dead}}
- "Rehab" – 4:54
- "Rehab" (Instrumental) – 4:54
- "Rehab" (Timbaland Remix) – 3:30
{{col-end}}
Credits and personnel
Credits are taken from the Good Girl Gone Bad liner notes.
Locations
- Vocals recorded at Roc the Mic Studios, New York City, New York; mixed at The Hit Factory Criteria in Miami, Florida
Personnel
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
- Rihanna – lead vocals
- Justin Timberlake – additional vocals, background vocals, writing, vocal production
- Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley – writing, production
- Hannon Lane – writing, co-production
- Demacio Castellon – recording, mixing
- Shane Woodley – recording assistant
- Marcos Tovar – recording assistant
- Stevie Blacke – violin, cello
{{div col end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
{{col-2}}
=Monthly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Monthly chart performance for "Rehab" ! scope="col" | Chart (2010) ! scope="col" | Peak |
| scope="row" |Brazil (Brasil Hot 100 Airplay){{Cite magazine|title=Brasil Hot 100 Airplay (Set 21, 2009)|magazine=Billboard Brasil|publisher=BPP Promoções e Publicações|issue=1|page=79|date=October 2009}}
|35 |
|---|
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Rehab"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Rihanna|title=Rehab|award=Diamond|type=single|relyear=2008|certyear=2024|access-date=July 12, 2024}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=Rehab|artist=Rihanna|type=single|relyear=2007|relmonth=10|relday=06recent=false|region=Denmark|award=Gold|certref={{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content/guld-og-platin-i-august|title=Guld og platin i august | ifpi.dk|publisher=IFPI Denmark|access-date=October 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008131515/http://ifpi.dk/?q=content/guld-og-platin-i-august|archive-date=October 8, 2011|language=da|url-status=dead}}}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Rihanna|title=Rehab|relyear=2008|certyear=2023|award=Platinum|type=single|access-date=May 17, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|title=Rehab|artist=Rihanna|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2022|source=radioscope|access-date=2024-12-17}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|relyear=2007|type=single|award=Platinum|certyear=2025|artist=Rihanna Ft Justin Timberlake|title=Rehab|id=12085-3894-1|access-date=January 24, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|relyear=2008|certyear=2015|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|artist=Rihanna|title=Rehab|access-date=July 1, 2015}}
{{certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for "Rehab" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Version(s) ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| United States
| October 6, 2008 | rowspan="2"| Original | rowspan="2"| Def Jam |
|---|
| November 3, 2008
| {{Hlist|Rhythmic contemporary radio|urban contemporary radio}} |
| scope="row"| Ireland
| rowspan="2"| December 8, 2008 | Live from MEN Arena | align="center"| {{cite web|url=http://www.7digital.com/artists/rihanna/rehab-1|title=Rihanna – Rehab|publisher=7digital Ireland|date=December 8, 2008|access-date=September 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111222803/http://www.7digital.com/artists/rihanna/rehab-1/|archive-date=January 11, 2009|url-status=dead}} |
| scope="row"| United Kingdom
| CD | rowspan="13"| {{Hlist|Original|instrumental}} | Mercury | align="center"| {{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rehab-2-Track-Rihanna/dp/B001MZ140M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1316992675&sr=8-2|title=Rehab (2-Track):Rihanna|publisher=Amazon United Kingdom|access-date=September 26, 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130419151148/http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rehab-2-Track-Rihanna/dp/B001MZ140M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1316992675&sr=8-2|archive-date=April 19, 2013|url-status=dead}} |
| scope="row"| Australia
| rowspan="8"| December 12, 2008 | rowspan="11"| Digital download | rowspan="10"| Def Jam |
| scope="row"| Italy |
| scope="row"| Netherlands |
| scope="row"| New Zealand |
| scope="row"| Norway |
| scope="row"| Spain |
| scope="row"| Sweden |
| scope="row"| Switzerland |
| scope="row"| Belgium
| rowspan="2"| December 15, 2008 |
| scope="row"| Portugal |
| scope="row"| Austria
| December 19, 2008 | rowspan="2"| Universal |
| scope="row"| Germany
| January 9, 2009 | CD |
| scope="row"| Canada
| May 19, 2009 | Digital download | Timbaland remix | Def Jam |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{YouTube|id=rJYcmq__nDM|title="Rehab"}}
{{Rihanna songs}}
{{Justin Timberlake songs}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Song recordings produced by Timbaland
Category:Music videos directed by Anthony Mandler
Category:Contemporary R&B ballads
Category:Songs written by Justin Timberlake
Category:Songs written by Timbaland
Category:Song recordings produced by Justin Timberlake