S&M (song)

File:Kuk Harrell.jpeg.|alt=A man wearing a black suit and white converse trainers.]]

"S&M" was written by Ester Dean in collaboration with the song's producers, Stargate and Sandy Vee. Dean explained its conception and the sexually suggestive lyrics to Gail Mitchell of Billboard: "The first thing that came to me was 'Come on, come on.' I'm thinking, 'I don't know what in the hell this is about to be.' And I remembered I'd seen something that said, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones.' Then came 'But chains and whips excite me.' When people have a great track that speaks to me, it feels like it already has a story in it".{{cite magazine|last=Mitchell|first=Gail|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/471195/ester-dean-talks-solo-career-writing-sm-and-firework|title=Ester Dean Talks Solo Career, Writing 'S&M' and 'Firework'|magazine=Billboard|date=2011-05-24|access-date=2011-11-29|archive-date=September 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916193231/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/471195/ester-dean-talks-solo-career-writing-sm-and-firework|url-status=live}} Dean states that she originally wrote the song for Britney Spears.{{Cite web|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ADH_xvKRbs|title = The Incredible Story Behind Rihanna's "S&M" with Songland's Ester Dean (Digital Exclusive)|website = YouTube| date=May 17, 2019 |access-date = December 26, 2021|archive-date = May 26, 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230526174535/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ADH_xvKRbs|url-status = live}} Rihanna told Rolling Stone about her interest in bondage and other sadomasochism activities, themes central to "S&M": "I like to take charge, but I love to be submissive ... being submissive in the bedroom is really fun. You get to be a little lady, to have somebody be macho and in charge."{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Joyce|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rihanna-talks-chris-brown-sm-tendencies-in-rolling-stone/|title=Rihanna talks Chris Brown, S&M tendencies in Rolling Stone|work=CBS News|date=2011-03-31|access-date=2011-09-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104144140/https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20049249-10391698.html|archive-date=2012-11-04|url-status=live}}

"S&M" was recorded during Rihanna's Last Girl on Earth tour: the instrumental parts for the song were recorded by Eriksen and Miles Walker at Roc the Mic Studios in New York City and the Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, and by Vee at The Bunker Studios in Paris. Rihanna's vocals were recorded by Kuk Harrell and were produced by Harrell, Josh Gudwin and Marcos Tovar; Bobby Campbell assisted in the singer's vocal recording. Veronika Bozeman provided additional vocal production. The song was mixed by Vee at The Bunker Studios and by Phil Tan at The Ninja Beat Club in Atlanta, Georgia; additional and assistant engineering was carried out by Damien Lewis. All instrumental production was completed by Eriksen, Hermansen and Vee.

"S&M" is an uptempo hi-NRG-Eurodance song that lasts four minutes and three seconds.{{cite web|last=Mackay |first=Emily |url=https://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=140&p=9345&more=1&c=1 |title=Rihanna, 'Loud' – Album First Listen |work=NME |date=2010-11-03 |access-date=2011-01-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120052409/http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=140&p=9345&more=1&c=1 |archive-date=2010-11-20 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0093503|title=Digital Sheet Music, Rihanna 'S&M'|publisher=Musicnotes.com|year=2011|access-date=February 20, 2015|archive-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527083327/https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0093503|url-status=live}} The song is composed in the key of E-flat minor using common time and a moderate dance tempo of 128 beats per minute. Instrumentation is provided by synthesizers, a keyboard and a guitar. Chris Ryan of MTV described the song as a "steady-rocking dance track, with ominous, snarling keyboard sounds."

During the track, Rihanna's vocal range spans one octave, from the low note of B♭₃ to the high note of D♭₅. Proposing illicit acts, she uses a "sexually aggressive tone" in her vocal performance. The lyrics are about sex, sadomasochism, bondage and BDSM fetishes, including the sexual fantasies and turn-ons of its protagonist.{{cite web |last=Conway |first=Jake |date=2011-04-21 |title=Review: S&M |url=http://www.qmagazineatyale.com/culture/music/rihanna-%e2%80%9csm%e2%80%9d/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713101456/http://www.qmagazineatyale.com/culture/music/rihanna-%E2%80%9Csm%E2%80%9D/ |archive-date=2011-07-13 |access-date=2011-06-12 |work=Q Magazine at Yale}} The song opens with the hook, "Na, na, na, c'mon". During the chorus the lyrics include, "'Cause I may be bad, but I'm perfectly good at it / Sex in the air, I don't care, I love the smell of it." The post-chorus features an interpolation from The Cure's 1982 song "Let's Go to Bed".{{cite web|last=Farrell|first=Margaret|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2106656/rihanna-loud/reviews/the-anniversary/|title=Loud Turns 10|publisher=Stereogum|date=November 12, 2020|access-date=November 3, 2021|archive-date=August 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802220019/https://www.stereogum.com/2106656/rihanna-loud/reviews/the-anniversary/|url-status=live}} In the song, Rihanna describes herself as "bad" and openly praises her own sexual prowess; lyrics include, "Sticks and stones may break my bones / But chains and whips excite me." Rihanna told Spin magazine that the lyrics are metaphoric. She said that she thought the song was mainly about having confidence in one's identity, and about being impervious to rumors and criticism.{{cite web|last=O'Donnell|first=Kevin|url=https://www.spin.com/2010/10/preview-rihanna-discusses-bad-ass-new-album/|title=Preview: Rihanna Discusses 'Bad Ass' New Album|work=Spin|date=2010-10-19|access-date=2011-02-02|archive-date=October 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002154125/https://www.spin.com/2010/10/preview-rihanna-discusses-bad-ass-new-album/|url-status=live}} According to Jake Conway of Q Magazine at Yale, the lyrics are guilty of "divesting sex of emotion" and re-envisaging violence as fetish; he went on to say that Rihanna pays homage to the sexual acts in an empowered dance and club mood. Chris Ryan described the song as being about "dirty, naughty, illicit bedroom activities".{{cite web|url=http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2010/11/08/rihanna-s-and-m/|title=Song You Need To Know: Rihanna, 'S&M'|publisher=MTV|date=2010-08-11|access-date=2011-01-29|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219120519/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2010/11/08/rihanna-s-and-m|archive-date=2010-12-19}}

File:S&M (FFT Argentina).jpg performing the remix of "S&M" on the Femme Fatale Tour in 2011|alt=A blond woman sitting on a motorcycle. She is smiling and a back up dancer is standing to her right.]]

"S&M" was the fourth single from the album Loud to be released in the US and the third in other countries. It was sent to contemporary hit and rhythmic radio stations in the US on January 23, 2011,"S&M" was released for Mainstream/Rhythmic airplay on January 23, 2011:

• {{cite web|url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=01/23/2011&Format=1|title=R&R – Going for adds|work=Radio & Records|date=2011-01-23|access-date=2012-01-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104153146/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=01/23/2011&Format=1|archive-date=November 4, 2013}}
• {{cite web|url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=01/23/2011&Format=9|title=R&R – Going for adds|work=Radio & Records|date=2011-01-23|access-date=2012-01-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105100902/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=01/23/2011&Format=9|archive-date=November 5, 2013}}

and to urban playlists on February 27, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=02/27/2011&Format=5|title=R&R – Going for adds|work=Radio & Records|date=2011-01-23|access-date=2012-01-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402102053/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=02/27/2011&Format=5|archive-date=2015-04-02}} The single was released on iTunes Stores throughout Europe and South America on February 11, 2011."S&M" was released as a single in Europe and South America on February 11, 2011:

• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ar/album/s-m-single/id419183909|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (AR)|date=2011-02-11|access-date=2012-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523071708/https://itunes.apple.com/ar/album/s-m-single/id419183909|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/br/album/s-m-single/id419183909|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (BR)|date=2011-02-11|access-date=2012-01-21|language=pt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523070053/https://itunes.apple.com/br/album/s-m-single/id419183909|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/hu/album/s-m-single/id419183909|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (HU)|date=2011-02-11|access-date=2012-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523065024/https://itunes.apple.com/hu/album/s-m-single/id419183909|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/fi/album/s-m-single/id419183909|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (FI)|date=2011-02-11|access-date=2012-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523070121/https://itunes.apple.com/fi/album/s-m-single/id419183909|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/nl/album/s-m-single/id419183909|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (NL)|date=2011-02-11|access-date=2012-01-21|language=nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523065549/https://itunes.apple.com/nl/album/s-m-single/id419183909|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/pt/album/s-m-single/id419183909|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (PT)|date=2011-02-11|access-date=2012-01-21|language=pt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523065354/https://itunes.apple.com/pt/album/s-m-single/id419183909|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/s-m-single/id419183909|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (ES)|date=2011-02-11|access-date=2012-01-21|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523070202/https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/s-m-single/id419183909|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/s-m-single/id419183909|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523070252/https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/s-m-single/id419183909|archive-date=2012-05-23|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (SE)|date=2011-02-11|access-date=2012-01-21}}

In Argentina, Brazil and certain territories throughout Europe, the song was released as an extended play (EP) on February 18, 2011; this consisted of the single version of "S&M" and two remixes by Audé and Samson."S&M" was released as an EP worldwide on February 18, 2011:

• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ar/album/s-m-ep/1444618181|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (AR)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|language=es|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523071813/https://itunes.apple.com/ar/album/s-m-ep/id418937510|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/br/album/s-m-ep/418937510|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (BR)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|language=pt|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523064945/https://itunes.apple.com/br/album/s-m-ep/id418937510|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/fi/album/s-m-ep/418937510|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (FI)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523065121/https://itunes.apple.com/fi/album/s-m-ep/id418937510|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/de/album/s-m-ep/1444618181|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (DE)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|language=de|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523065112/https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/s-m-ep/id418937510|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/hu/album/s-m-ep/418937510|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (HU)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523070317/https://itunes.apple.com/hu/album/s-m-ep/id418937510|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/nl/album/s-m-ep/418937510|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (NL)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|language=nl|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523065928/https://itunes.apple.com/nl/album/s-m-ep/id418937510|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/pt/album/s-m-ep/418937510|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (PT)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|language=pt|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523065303/https://itunes.apple.com/pt/album/s-m-ep/id418937510|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/es/album/s-m-ep/418937510|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (ES)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|language=es|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523065219/https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/s-m-ep/id418937510|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}

On February 28, 2011, a compilation was released worldwide as a digital package consisting of remixes by disc jockeys Audé, Samson and Joe Bermudez."S&M" was released as a remix package on February 28, 2011:

• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ar/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (AR)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523070153/https://itunes.apple.com/ar/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (AU)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523071021/https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/at/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (AT)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523070207/https://itunes.apple.com/at/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/br/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (BR)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|language=pt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523071735/https://itunes.apple.com/br/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/fi/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (FI)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523071754/https://itunes.apple.com/fi/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (DE)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110420023230/https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|archive-date=April 20, 2011}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/hu/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (HU)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523071641/https://itunes.apple.com/hu/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/nl/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (NL)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|language=nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523064907/https://itunes.apple.com/nl/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (NZ)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523070137/https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/pt/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (PT)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|language=pt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523071012/https://itunes.apple.com/pt/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (ES)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523071636/https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (SE)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429234309/https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|archive-date=April 29, 2011}}
• {{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ch/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (CH)|date=2011-02-28|access-date=2012-01-21|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523070116/https://itunes.apple.com/ch/album/s-m-remixes/id421856214|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}

"S&M" was released as a CD single in Germany on March 18, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.de/S-M-2-Track-Rihanna/dp/B004P68L1A|title=Rihanna – S&M|publisher=Amazon.com (Germany)|date=2011-03-22|access-date=2012-01-21|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308221315/https://www.amazon.de/S-M-2-Track-Rihanna/dp/B004P68L1A|archive-date=March 8, 2011}} On April 11, 2011, the remix single featuring Britney Spears was made available to download worldwide."S&M" was released as a remix single featuring Spears on February 28, 2011:

• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ar/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears/431811252|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (AR)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|language=es|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523065630/https://itunes.apple.com/ar/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears/431811252|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (AU)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523065957/https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/at/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears/431811252|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (AT)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|language=de|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523070102/https://itunes.apple.com/at/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/br/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears-single/1445311845|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (BR)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|language=pt|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523071740/https://itunes.apple.com/br/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/cz/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears-single/1445311845|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (CZ)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|language=de|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523070128/https://itunes.apple.com/cz/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/dk/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears/431811252|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (DK)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523071809/https://itunes.apple.com/dk/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/fi/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears/431811252|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (FI)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523070212/https://itunes.apple.com/fi/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/fr/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears-single/1445311845|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (FR)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|language=fr|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523071036/https://itunes.apple.com/fr/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/de/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears-single/1445311845|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (DE)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|language=de|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523070929/https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/hu/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears/431811252|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (HU)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523065915/https://itunes.apple.com/hu/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ie/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears/431811252|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (IE)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523070142/https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/it/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears/431811252|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (IT)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|language=it|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523065439/https://itunes.apple.com/it/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/nl/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears/431811252|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (NL)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|language=nl|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523065058/https://itunes.apple.com/nl/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/nz/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears/431811252|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (NZ)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523071016/https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/no/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears/431811252|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (NO)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523070147/https://itunes.apple.com/no/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/pt/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears-single/1445311845|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (PT)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|language=pt|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523065134/https://itunes.apple.com/pt/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/es/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears-single/1445311845|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (ES)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|language=es|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523071046/https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/se/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears/431811252|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (SE)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523070002/https://itunes.apple.com/se/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ch/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears/431811252|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (CH)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|language=de|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523071052/https://itunes.apple.com/ch/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/s-m-remix-feat-britney-spears-single/1445311845|title=S&M – Single – Rihanna|publisher=iTunes Store (GB)|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2012-01-21|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523064827/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/s-m-remix-feat.-britney-spears/id431811252|archive-date=May 23, 2012}}

In the United Kingdom, "S&M" was deemed too explicit for daytime airplay; it was edited to remove references to sex, chains and whips, and was renamed "Come On" for BBC Radio 1.{{cite web|last=Montgomery|first=James|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657491/rihanna-s-and-m-renamed.jhtml|title=Rihanna's 'S&M' Renamed Again By BBC Radio|publisher=MTV News|date=2011-08-02|access-date=2011-07-20|archive-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107143624/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657491/rihanna-s-and-m-renamed.jhtml|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/music/854875-rihannas-s-m-outrage-exposed-as-pr-stunt|title=BBC Radio 1 ban 'S&M' from daytime radio|work=Metro|date=2011-07-02|access-date=2011-05-06|archive-date=April 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110417204239/http://www.metro.co.uk/music/854875-rihannas-s-m-outrage-exposed-as-pr-stunt|url-status=dead}}

A remix of "S&M" featuring rapper J. Cole was released on the internet on January 17, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2011/01/17/new-music-rihanna-f-j-cole-sm-remix/|title=J Cole featured on official remix|work=Rap-Up|date=2011-01-17|access-date=2011-06-06|archive-date=May 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510163011/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/01/17/new-music-rihanna-f-j-cole-sm-remix/|url-status=dead}} After the release of the song's album version, Rihanna asked her followers on Twitter about potential collaborators, of which Spears was the most popular choice.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/apr/12/rihanna-britney-spears-s-m|title=Rihanna asks followers for collaboration suggestion|work=The Guardian|date=2011-02-13|access-date=2011-06-11|archive-date=April 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420084506/https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/apr/12/rihanna-britney-spears-s-m|url-status=live}} Twitter messages between the two artists caused speculation that they had recorded a remix of the song.{{cite web|url=http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/rihanna/news/britney-spears-team/|title=Rihanna tweets possible remix premiere date|publisher=The Capital FM Network|access-date=2011-06-11|archive-date=October 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003091257/http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/rihanna/news/britney-spears-team/|url-status=live}} The remix, featuring guest vocals and a verse written by Spears, was released on April 11, 2011.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/472130/britney-spears-rihanna-team-for-sm-remix|title=Britney Spears, Rihanna Team for 'S&M' Remix|magazine=Billboard|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2011-07-22|archive-date=December 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151214090928/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/472130/britney-spears-rihanna-team-for-sm-remix|url-status=live}}{{efn|1 = Spears' new lines are similar to the original lyrics: "Just one night full of sin/ Feel the pain on your skin/ Tough, I don't scream 'mercy'/ It's your turn to hurt me/ If I'm bad, tie me down/ Shut me up, gag and bound me/ 'Cuz the pain is my pleasure/ Nothing comes better".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/472130/britney-spears-rihanna-team-for-sm-remix|title=Britney Spears, Rihanna Team for 'S&M' Remix|magazine=Billboard|date=2011-06-16|access-date=2011-06-17|archive-date=December 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151214090928/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/472130/britney-spears-rihanna-team-for-sm-remix|url-status=live}}}}

"S&M" received mixed responses from music critics. Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine described "S&M" as an ode to sadomasochism that compares to Janet Jackson's The Velvet Rope.{{cite web|last=Cinquemani|first=Sal|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/rihanna-loud/2312|title=Rihanna: Loud | Music Review|work=Slant Magazine|date=2010-11-12|access-date=2011-01-29|archive-date=August 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809070910/http://slantmagazine.com/music/review/rihanna-loud/2312|url-status=live}} Conner felt that "S&M", as well as other Loud tracks "What's My Name?" and "Skin", were songs which allowed Rihanna to boast about how good she is in certain situations, as she did on Rated R. He chose the lyrics "I may be bad/ but I'm perfectly good at it... Chains and whips excite me" as an example of her vaunt.{{cite news|last=Conner |first=Thomas |author-link=:de:Thomas Conner |url=http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/2896510,conner-rhianna-loud-review-111610.article |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127070714/http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/2896510%2Cconner-rhianna-loud-review-111610.article |archive-date=2010-11-27 |title='Loud' a well-deserved party for Rihanna |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=2010-11-19 |access-date=2011-01-29 |url-status=dead }} USA Today{{'}}s Steve Jones opined that "Loud{{'}}s pulsating opener, 'S&M,' makes it clear from the jump where [Rihanna is] headed as she acknowledges that 'chains and whips excite [her]'",{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Steve|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2010-11-16-listen16_ST_N.htm|title=Listen Up: Rihanna is living out 'Loud' on new album|work=USA Today|date=2010-11-16|access-date=2011-01-29|archive-date=October 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009010157/http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2010-11-16-listen16_ST_N.htm|url-status=live}} while Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly called "S&M" an "explicitly carnal opener" with "late-night-Cinemax naughtiness".{{cite magazine|last=Greenblatt|first=Leah|url=https://ew.com/article/2010/11/10/loud/|title=Loud|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=2010-11-10|access-date=2011-01-29|archive-date=August 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826070310/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20440920,00.html|url-status=live}}

Digital Spy's Nick Levine gave the song a rating of four stars out of five, and wrote that the song makes the listener as "up-for it" as Rihanna herself; he went on to say that "S&M" consists of "ear-frotting" hooks, synths and pounding beats.{{cite web|last=Levine|first=Nick|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a302069/rihanna-sm.html|title=Rihanna: 'S&M'|work=Digital Spy|date=2011-03-20|access-date=2011-03-20|archive-date=July 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703191840/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a302069/rihanna-sm.html|url-status=live}} James Skinner of BBC Music wrote that Loud lacked the "chart-friendly moments" of Rated R and criticized the overtly sexual lyrics which he found "at odds with" the flirtatious appeal for which Rihanna was aiming. Skinner described the singer's vocal delivery as "forced" and criticized her for not projecting a "daring" or convincing sound on "S&M".{{cite web|last=Skinner|first=James|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/x5fd|title=Music – Review of Rihanna – Loud|publisher=BBC|date=2010-11-15|access-date=2011-01-29|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921072725/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/x5fd|url-status=live}}

File:Janet Jackson 4.jpg (pictured) for female soloists who have topped the chart.]]

"S&M" made its first chart appearance in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2010, at number 55.{{cite web|url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/101127cluk.txt|title=Chart Log UK: Chart entries update|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=2010-11-27|access-date=2011-10-03|archive-date=August 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817224115/http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/101127cluk.txt|url-status=live}} It peaked at number three on March 5, 2011, where it remained for three consecutive weeks."S&M" spent three consecutive weeks at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart:

• {{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20110227/7501/|title=Top 40 Singles Archive Chart – 5 March 2011|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=2011-03-05|access-date=2012-01-10|archive-date=April 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424165414/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20110227/7501/|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20110306/7501/|title=Top 40 Singles Archive Chart – 12 March 2011|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=2011-12-05|access-date=2012-01-10|archive-date=April 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421062638/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20110306/7501/|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20110313/7501/|title=Top 40 Singles Archive Chart – 19 March 2011|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=2011-05-19|access-date=2012-01-10|archive-date=February 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201174514/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20110313/7501/|url-status=live}} It was more successful on the UK R&B Chart, where it was number one for five consecutive weeks."S&M" spent five consecutive weeks at number 1 on the UK R&B Singles Chart:
• {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20110227/7501/|title=Top 40 R&B Singles Archive Chart – 5 March 2011|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=2011-03-05|access-date=2012-01-10|archive-date=October 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014092331/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20110227/7501/|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20110306/7501/|title=Top 40 R&B Singles Archive Chart – 12 March 2011|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=2011-03-12|access-date=2012-01-10|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306081615/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20110306/7501/|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20110313/7501/|title=Top 40 R&B Singles Archive Chart – 19 March 2011|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=2011-03-19|access-date=2012-01-10|archive-date=April 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420101241/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20110313/7501/|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20110320/7501//|title=Top 40 R&B Singles Archive Chart – 26 March 2011|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=2011-03-26|access-date=2012-01-10|archive-date=August 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824003632/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20110320/7501/|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20110403/7501/|title=Top 40 R&B Singles Archive Chart – 4 April 2011|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=2011-04-04|access-date=2012-01-10|archive-date=October 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005104447/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20110403/7501/|url-status=live}} The song was the second-biggest selling R&B or hip hop single of 2011 in the UK:{{cite web|last=Lane|first=Dan|title=The biggest selling R&B and hip hop albums and singles of 2011 revealed|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/chart-news/the-biggest-selling-rb-and-hip-hop-albums-and-singles-of-2011-revealed/|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=2012-01-20|date=2012-01-21|archive-date=January 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125234320/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/chart-news/the-biggest-selling-rb-and-hip-hop-albums-and-singles-of-2011-revealed/|url-status=live}} by December that year, "S&M" had sold 643,000 copies in the UK and was certified double platinum by the BPI in November 2020.{{cite web|last=Lane|first=Dan|title=The Top 20 biggest selling singles of 2011 revealed|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-top-20-biggest-selling-singles-of-2011-revealed/|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=2012-01-20|date=2012-01-21|archive-date=June 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620014158/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-top-20-biggest-selling-singles-of-2011-revealed/|url-status=live}} Elsewhere in Europe, "S&M" was a commercial success and peaked within the top three in many countries.{{efn|1 = This included:
• being number one on the Polish Singles Chart from April 23, 2011, for two consecutive weeks;{{cite web|url=http://zpav.pl/rankingi/listy/nielsen/top5.php?idlisty=356|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114142412/http://zpav.pl/rankingi/listy/nielsen/top5.php?idlisty=356|archive-date=2011-11-14|title=Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia – Związek Producentów Audio-Video|publisher=Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry|date=2011-04-29|access-date=2011-05-30|language=pl}}
• debuting on the Danish Singles Chart on February 11, 2011, at number 34, eventually peaking at number two;{{cite web|url=https://danishcharts.dk/showitem.asp?interpret=Rihanna&titel=S%26M&cat=s|title=Rihanna – S&M|publisher=danishcharts.dk. Hung Medien|access-date=2011-05-30|archive-date=May 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507061224/http://danishcharts.dk/showitem.asp?interpret=Rihanna&titel=S%26M&cat=s|url-status=live}}
• peaking at number two in Germany, Sweden{{cite web|url=http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Rihanna&titel=S%26M&cat=s|title=Rihanna – S&M|publisher=swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien|access-date=2011-05-30|archive-date=December 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230091011/http://swedishcharts.com//showitem.asp?interpret=Rihanna&titel=S%26M&cat=s|url-status=live}} and Switzerland;{{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Rihanna&titel=S%26M&cat=s|title=Rihanna – S&M|publisher=swisscharts.com. Hung Medien|access-date=2011-05-30|archive-date=December 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219124524/http://www.swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Rihanna&titel=S%26M&cat=s|url-status=live}}
• debuting in France at number 22 on November 29, 2011, and peaking at number three for two consecutive weeks;
• reaching the top five in Austria, Finland, and Spain, and the top ten in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.}}

"S&M" debuted on the Australian Singles Chart at number 87 on November 29, 2010, upon the release of Loud.{{cite web|url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/chartifacts.htm |title=Chartifacts – Week Commencing: 29th November 2010 |date=2010-11-29 |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119103528/http://ariacharts.com.au/pages/chartifacts.htm |archive-date=2010-11-19 |access-date=2011-01-29 |url-status=dead }} When it was released as a single, it returned to the singles chart at number 27 on January 30, 2011. The song peaked at number one on February 13, 2011, for five non-consecutive weeks. It has since been certified six times platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association, denoting shipments of over 420,000 copies of the single. The song debuted on the New Zealand Singles Chart at number six on February 7, 2011. It peaked at number two the following week for two consecutive weeks, and returned to its peak position again in its fifth week on the chart. "S&M" was subsequently certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand, denoting sales of over 15,000 copies.{{cite web|url=http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=1637|title=NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 09 May 2011|publisher=Recording Industry Association of New Zealand|date=2011-05-09|access-date=2013-08-04}}

In the US, the song debuted at number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 on December 4, 2010.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/2010-12-04/hot-100?order=gainer|title=The Billboard Hot 100: Week of December 4, 2010|magazine=Billboard|date=2010-12-04|access-date=2011-01-29|archive-date=September 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907070043/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2010-12-04/hot-100?order=gainer|url-status=live}} On the week of February 23, 2011, "S&M" jumped from 31 to eight, reaching the top ten. After climbing up the chart, the song reached number two on March 30, 2011, and stayed for two consecutive weeks, behind Katy Perry's song "E.T.". Following the release of the official remix featuring Spears, the song reached the top of the chart, with the album version of "S&M" and the remix selling a combined total of 293,000 downloads. "S&M" became Rihanna's tenth US number-one single on the chart, tying her with Janet Jackson in fourth place for female soloists who have topped that chart; with only four years, eleven months and two weeks between her first and tenth number one on the chart, Rihanna achieved the milestone faster than any other solo artist.{{cite magazine|last=Trust|first=Gary|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/471954/rihannas-sm-reigns-on-hot-100-lady-gagas-judas-debuts|title=Rihanna's "S&M" Reigns On Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|date=2011-04-11|access-date=2011-06-10|archive-date=September 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915210727/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/471954/rihannas-sm-reigns-on-hot-100-lady-gagas-judas-debuts|url-status=live}} It became Spears' fifth number-one single on the Hot 100. "S&M" became Rihanna's eighth number-one song on the Mainstream Top 40 chart and she became the artist with the most number one songs in the chart's nineteen-year history.{{cite magazine|last=Trust|first=Gary|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/472124/rihanna-reclaims-pop-songs-no-1-record-britney-spears-joins-sm|title=Rihanna Reclaims Pop Songs No. 1 Record; Britney Spears Joins 'S&M' 'Rih-Mix'|magazine=Billboard|date=2009-09-14|access-date=2011-04-11|archive-date=August 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825120351/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/472124/rihanna-reclaims-pop-songs-no-1-record-britney-spears-joins-sm|url-status=live}} The song was number one on the Dance Club Songs chart and number 33 on the Hot Latin Songs chart. It debuted at number 80 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs in the February 26, 2011 issue of Billboard, and peaked at number 59.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/2011-02-26/r-b-hip-hop-songs?order=gainer|title=Top Hip-Hop and R&B songs – Week of February 26, 2011|magazine=Billboard|date=2011-02-26|access-date=2012-05-06}} "S&M" peaked at number 24 on the Adult Pop Airplay chart, and at number 14 on the Latin Pop Songs chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/rihanna/chart-history/latin-pop-songs-c|title=Rihanna Chart History – Latin Pop Songs – S&M|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2012-07-08|archive-date=November 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121103038/https://www.billboard.com/artist/rihanna/chart-history/latin-pop-songs-c/|url-status=live}} The song has been certified quintuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and has sold 3,837,000 digital copies in the US {{as of|2015|06|lc=y}}.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6605708/ask-billboard-rihannas-best-selling-songs-albums |title=Ask Billboard: Rihanna's Best-Selling Songs & Albums |last=Trust |first=Gary |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=June 23, 2015 |access-date=June 23, 2015 |archive-date=July 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728003601/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6605708/ask-billboard-rihannas-best-selling-songs-albums |url-status=live }} "S&M" ranked at number two on Billboard{{'}}s Dance Club Songs year-end chart, and number 15 on its Mainstream Top 40 year-end chart.{{Cite magazine|year=2011|title=Dance/Club Songs - Year-End 2011 {{!}} Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2011/dance-club-songs|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171103172212/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2011/dance-club-songs|archive-date=November 3, 2017|access-date=July 28, 2022}}{{Cite magazine|year=2011|title=Pop Songs - Year-End 2011 {{!}} Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2011/pop-songs/|url-status=live|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031085553/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2011/pop-songs/|archive-date=October 31, 2017|access-date=July 28, 2022}} In Canada, the song peaked at number one for the week of April 21, 2011.

{{Clear}}

The director Melina Matsoukas filmed the music video for "S&M" in Los Angeles on January 15 and 16, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2011/01/17/new-music-rihanna-f-j-cole-sm-remix/|title=New Music: Rihanna f/ J.Cole – 'S&M (Remix)'|work=Rap-Up|date=2010-01-17|access-date=2011-01-18|archive-date=May 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510163011/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/01/17/new-music-rihanna-f-j-cole-sm-remix/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Sadao|url=http://ryanseacrest.com/2011/01/24/exclusive-sneak-peek-at-rihannas-new-sm-video-photos|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127171953/http://ryanseacrest.com/2011/01/24/exclusive-sneak-peek-at-rihannas-new-sm-video-photos|archive-date=2011-01-27|title=Exclusive: Sneak Peek at Rihanna's New 'S&M' Video (photos)|publisher=Ryan Seacrest Productions|date=2011-01-24|access-date=2011-01-29}} Matsoukas explained Billboard that the video was inspired by Rihanna's "sadomasochist relationship with the press ... it isn't just about a bunch of whips and chains."{{cite magazine|last=Concepcion|first=Mariel|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/viral-videos/473302/rihanna-sm-video-brings-the-kink-puts-perez-hilton-on-a-leash|title=Watch: Sneak Peek of Rihanna's 'S&M' Video|magazine=Billboard|date=2011-01-28|access-date=2011-02-02|archive-date=October 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004210850/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/viral-videos/473302/rihanna-sm-video-brings-the-kink-puts-perez-hilton-on-a-leash|url-status=live}} On January 27, 2011, a behind-the-scenes clip was posted on Rihanna's YouTube channel,{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2011/01/28/behind-the-video-rihanna-sm/|title=Behind the Video: Rihanna – 'S&M'|work=Rap-Up|date=2011-01-28|access-date=2011-01-29|archive-date=January 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119235932/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/01/28/behind-the-video-rihanna-sm/|url-status=live}} and the full music video premiered on Vevo on February 1, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2011/02/01/video-rihanna-sm/|title=Video: Rihanna – 'S&M'|work=Rap-Up|date=2011-02-01|access-date=2011-02-01|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304205500/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/02/01/video-rihanna-sm/|url-status=live}}

As the video opens, Rihanna is arrested into a press conference, where she is covered with plastic wrap and taped to a wall. Microphones and gagged reporters surround her. In an outdoor scene, she wears a beige latex dress and leads a spoofed Perez Hilton around by a dog leash. Rihanna is then shown seated and surrounded by CCTV surveillance cameras; her chair begins to rotate, and she stands and begins to whip reporters, who are taped to the wall of the room. She then rolls on the floor, her hands and feet bound with rope. As the bridge of the song approaches, Rihanna wears a white two-piece latex and rabbit ears, while images of headlines are projected against her body where the wall behind her and eating pink popcorn. After the chorus, she appears in a newsroom. Reporters take photographs of her while she sprawls across a desk wearing a pink latex dress. Scenes of Rihanna and others in bondage gear are interspersed with images of Rihanna with frizzy curls while wearing a feather boa and a midriff-baring tube top with "censored" printed across it. The video then alternates between past scenes and images in which Rihanna eats fruits and cream, and jeweled ice cream while wearing a heart-shaped eye patch. In the last scene, she lays on a newsroom desk, with a smiley face emblem over one eye and a Rolling Stones tongue logo over her mouth, along with a woman's orgasm sound.{{cite web|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657302/rihanna-s-m-video-director.jhtml|title=Rihanna's 'S&M' Director Explains Video, Frame By Frame – Music, Celebrity, Artist News|publisher=MTV News|date=2011-02-04|access-date=2011-05-30|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202204158/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657302/rihanna-s-m-video-director.jhtml|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657066/rihanna-s-m-video.jhtml|last=Anderson|first=Kyle|title=Rihanna's 'S&M' Video: A Pop-Culture Cheat Sheet|publisher=MTV|access-date=2013-07-30|date=2012-02-01|archive-date=January 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112131038/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657066/rihanna-s-m-video.jhtml|url-status=dead}} Drag queens Willam Belli, Detox Icunt, and Morgan McMichaels appear in the video.{{cite magazine |last1=Rodulfo |first1=Kristina |title=Everything We Know About Beauty We Learned From Drag Queens |url=https://www.elle.com/beauty/makeup-skin-care/a25426378/drag-influence-beauty-industry/ |access-date=22 January 2019 |magazine=Elle |date=December 11, 2018 |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110221553/https://www.elle.com/beauty/makeup-skin-care/a25426378/drag-influence-beauty-industry/ |url-status=live }}

The music video was generally well received. A journalist for The Huffington Post wrote, "Rihanna is perfectly good at being bad – and this video proves it",{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/01/rihannas-sm-video-chains-whips-skin-video_n_816746.html|title=Rihanna 'S&M' Video: Chains, Whips, Skin (Video)|work=The Huffington Post|date=2011-03-26|access-date=2011-05-30|archive-date=September 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925234100/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/01/rihannas-sm-video-chains-whips-skin-video_n_816746.html|url-status=live}} while a reviewer for OK! called the video "red-hot, kinky and totally tongue-in-cheek".{{cite web|url=http://www.ok.co.uk/celebnews/view/31703/Rihanna-s-S-M-video-is-complete-with-PVC-whipping-oh-and-Perez-Hilton-on-a-dog-lead/|title=Rihanna's S&M video is complete with PVC, whipping, oh and Perez Hilton on a dog lead|work=OK!|date=2011-02-01|access-date=2011-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204193810/http://www.ok.co.uk/celebnews/view/31703/Rihanna-s-S-M-video-is-complete-with-PVC-whipping-oh-and-Perez-Hilton-on-a-dog-lead|archive-date=2011-02-04|url-status=dead}} Willa Paskin of New York similarly described it as a "goofy" take on the S&M-themed music videos typical of Madonna and Lady Gaga,{{cite web|last=Paskin|first=Willa|url=https://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/02/rihanna.html|title=Rihanna Gets Tied Up in Technicolor for 'S&M' Video|work=New York|date=2011-02-01|access-date=2011-02-02|archive-date=February 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205042631/http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/02/rihanna.html|url-status=live}} while Matthew Perpetua of Rolling Stone described the video as a "visual onslaught of candy-colored kinkiness" that viewers would enjoy despite its bright colors and sexually suggestive activities.{{cite magazine|last=Perpetua|first=Matthew|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/blogs/rolling-stone-video-blog/rihannas-video-for-s-m-is-full-of-candy-colored-kink-20110201|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205104219/http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/blogs/rolling-stone-video-blog/rihannas-video-for-s-m-is-full-of-candy-colored-kink-20110201|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 5, 2011|title=Rihanna's Video For 'S&M' is Full of Candy-Coloured Kink|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=2011-02-01|access-date=2011-02-02}} Brad Wete of Entertainment Weekly stated that Rihanna delivered the risque video he was expecting based on the song's lyrical content,{{cite magazine|last=Wete|first=Brad|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/02/01/rihanna-sm-video/|title=Rihanna and her leashed pet Perez Hilton get naughty in 'S&M' video|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=2011-02-01|access-date=2011-01-02|archive-date=June 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604200023/http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/02/01/rihanna-sm-video/|url-status=live}} and Jason Lipshutz of Billboard praised the video's "exquisite set pieces that offer a twisted take on hardcore sexuality".

The video was immediately banned in eleven countries due to its overtly sexual content.{{cite web|last=Rainbird|first=Ashleigh|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2011/02/02/rihanna-causes-controversy-with-s-m-video-115875-22892349/|title=Rihanna causes controversy with S&M video|work=Daily Mirror|date=2011-02-02|access-date=2011-02-02|archive-date=January 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106153325/http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2011/02/02/rihanna-causes-controversy-with-s-m-video-115875-22892349/|url-status=live}} It was flagged and age-restricted on YouTube for having mature content, although this restriction has since been lifted.{{cite web|last=Copsey|first=Robert|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a301523/rihanna-video-labelled-inappropriate.html|title=Rihanna video labelled 'inappropriate'|work=Digital Spy|date=2011-02-01|access-date=2011-02-02|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402115038/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a301523/rihanna-video-labelled-inappropriate.html|url-status=live}} Rihanna responded to the news via Twitter, writing, "They watched 'Umbrella' ... I was full nude". An unrestricted version of the video was later uploaded to Rihanna's official website.{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/music/2011/02/02/17121626-wenn-story.html|title=Rihanna frees 'S&M' from YouTube|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=2011-02-02|access-date=2011-02-02|archive-date=February 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205034950/http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/music/2011/02/02/17121626-wenn-story.html|url-status=dead}} Melina Matsoukas responded to the news in an interview with MTV News, stating: "When I go out to make something, I kind of go out with the intention to get it banned – [well] not to get it banned ... but to make something provocative ... it's making an effect and people are having a dialogue about it, so, to me, that's successful."{{cite web|last=Elias|first=Matt|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657250/rihannas-sm-video-director-responds-controversy.jhtml|title=Rihanna's 'S&M' Video Director Responds To Controversy|publisher=MTV News|date=2011-02-03|access-date=2011-02-04|archive-date=December 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212142453/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657250/rihannas-sm-video-director-responds-controversy.jhtml|url-status=dead}}

File:Rihanna – S&M screenshot.jpg

The video was involved in further controversy when photographer David LaChapelle sued Rihanna, Island Def Jam and related parties for copyright infringement. The lawsuit included claims of trade dress infringement under the Lanham Act, unfair competition under New York state law and unjust enrichment, all of which were later dismissed.Federal Judge Shira A. Scheindlin of the Southern District of New York denied Rihanna's motion to dismiss the copyright violation allegations, noting similarities between the works that a trier of fact such as a jury should decide whether they were substantial enough to be infringing:{{cite court|litigants=LaChappelle v. Fenty|vol=812|reporter=F.2d|opinion=434|pinpoint=445|court=S.D.N.Y.|date=2011|url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=12525000946006613068#p445}}

{{blockquote|1=Both works feature: hot-pink and white striped walls; two single-hung windows in the middle of the back wall; windows with glossy hot-pink casings and interior framework, with opaque panes exhibiting a half-vector pattern of stripes against a yellow background; a solid hot-pink ceiling; hot-pink baseboards; a hot-pink couch under the windows; women wearing frizzy red wigs; a woman posed on top of a piece of furniture; black tape wrapped around a man; and a generally frantic mood ... [Both works are] well-lit and intensely saturated, with all of the details in sharp focus and almost no shadows.}}

Rihanna and LaChapelle settled the case out of court for an undisclosed sum.{{cite news|last=White|first=Belinda|url=http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/belinda-white/TMG8836353/Rihanna-and-David-LaChapelle-settle-their-SandM-dispute.html|title=Rihanna and David LaChapelle settle their S&M dispute|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=2011-10-19|access-date=2011-10-19|archive-date=October 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020011729/http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/columns/belinda-white/TMG8836353/Rihanna-and-David-LaChapelle-settle-their-SandM-dispute.html|url-status=dead}} Afterwards, he said the lawsuit was "not personal, it's strictly business", and that "musicians commonly pay to sample music or use someone's beats and there should be no difference when sampling an artist's visuals." In June 2011, German photographer Philipp Paulus sued Rihanna and her record labels, alleging further copyright violations with regard to a scene in the music video where Rihanna wears an expansive dress and is taped to the wall with a plastic sheet in front of her. According to Paulus, Rihanna and Matsoukas appropriated the image from his photographic series Paperworld.{{cite magazine|last=Gardner|first=Eriq|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/legal-and-management/rihanna-s-s-m-video-elicits-photographer-1005256862.story|title=Rihanna's 'S&M' Video Elicits Photographer's Copyright Infringement Lawsuit, Again|magazine=Billboard|date=2011-06-29|access-date=2011-07-22|archive-date=January 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126125812/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/legal-and-management/rihanna-s-s-m-video-elicits-photographer-1005256862.story|url-status=live}}

Rihanna first performed "S&M" at the Brit Awards on February 15, 2011,{{cite web|title=Rihanna's Top Ten Moments In 2011|url=http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/rihanna/photos/top-10-2011/brits/|publisher=Capital|access-date=2013-07-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515014643/http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/rihanna/photos/top-10-2011/brits/|archive-date=2014-05-15|url-status=dead}} as part of a medley which incorporated two of her previous singles from Loud, "Only Girl (In the World)" and "What's My Name?".{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/rihanna/54993|title=Rihanna and Cee Lo Green triumph at the Brit Awards|work=NME|date=2009-07-24|access-date=2011-02-16|archive-date=February 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218181655/http://www.nme.com/news/rihanna/54993|url-status=live}} Rihanna had planned to perform "S&M" only, to coincide with its release as a single in the United Kingdom, but she was instructed by the Brit Awards corporation to "tone down the sexual references in the song's lyrics".{{cite news|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/music/855352-rihanna-fuming-about-s-m-request-from-brits-organisers|title=Rihanna 'fuming' about S&M request from Brits organisers|work=Metro|date=2011-02-13|access-date=2012-07-26|archive-date=June 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625092320/http://www.metro.co.uk/music/855352-rihanna-fuming-about-s-m-request-from-brits-organisers|url-status=dead}} The singer was reported to be angered at being requested to change her act and that she was asked to consider performing a different song instead. She changed the arrangement because the Brit Awards corporation wanted to avoid complaints similar to those received following the finale of the seventh series of The X Factor, on December 11, 2010.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

File:Rihanna, LOUD Tour, Oakland 1.jpg in summer 2011, a performance similar to the one from the 2011 Billboard Music Awards]]

Rihanna opened the 2011 Billboard Music Awards with a performance of the "S&M" remix with Spears on May 22, 2011, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.{{cite web|last=Herrera|first=Monica|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/billboard-music-awards-watch-britney-191032|title=Billboard Music Awards: Watch Britney Spears, Rihanna Perform 'S&M'|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=2011-05-22|access-date=2012-05-07|archive-date=March 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330233258/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/billboard-music-awards-watch-britney-191032|url-status=live}} Billboard magazine declared the performance as one of the 15 Awesome Performances at the Billboard Music Awards.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/bbma/1559052/billboard-music-awards-15-awesome-performances|title=15 Awesome Billboard Music Award Performances|magazine=Billboard|date=April 22, 2014|access-date=May 10, 2015|archive-date=May 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521153205/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/bbma/1559052/billboard-music-awards-15-awesome-performances|url-status=live}} Rihanna performed "S&M" on May 27, 2011, on NBC's Today show's "Summer Concert Series", along with "Only Girl (in the World)", "What's My Name?" and "California King Bed".{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} She gave an interview about the album and about her controversial performance at the Billboard Music Awards with Spears.{{cite web|url=http://hellobeautiful.com/1847745/rihanna-today-show-2011/|title=Rihanna Goes Retro Pin-Up For 'Today Show' Performance|publisher=Hello Beautiful!|date=2011-05-27|access-date=2012-07-28|format=video|archive-date=May 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529130324/https://hellobeautiful.com/1847745/rihanna-today-show-2011/|url-status=live}} When Rihanna was asked if she was surprised at the controversial reaction the performance prompted, she responded:

{{blockquote|1=It was cool. Nothing popped out. We didn't make out. I mean, I didn't really hear [that it was controversial], but I went up to Twitter to see what my fans thought about it and they were really enjoyed seeing [me and Britney Spears] up there together, so I mean, there will be some people who will think that that was too sexy but you're always gonna find that, you know. People will always talk whether you're doing bad or good. You just have to do you."}}

The song was included on the set list of the Loud Tour, which began with the stage decorated as a stylized S&M set. The singer performed Prince's "Darling Nikki" with three semi-nude female dancers whom she spanked, groped and pretended to smack with a cane. "Darling Nikki" then transitioned into "S&M" and she took off her white tuxedo, revealing a white bondage corset and handcuffs.{{cite magazine|last=Serpick|first=Evan|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rihanna-performs-high-energy-hit-filled-tour-kickoff-20110605|title=Bikinis, Handcuffs and a Prince Cover: Rihanna Kicks Off Over-the-Top Summer Tour|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=2011-06-05|access-date=2011-06-06|archive-date=May 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514071632/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rihanna-performs-high-energy-hit-filled-tour-kickoff-20110605|url-status=dead}} "S&M" was featured on the set list of Spears' Femme Fatale Tour (2011), as part of a medley with "...Baby One More Time".{{cite news|last=Masley|first=Ed|url=https://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/music/articles/2011/06/23/20110623britney-spears-tour-review-phoenix.html|title=Britney Spears 'Femme Fatale' tour a giddy pop spectacle|work=The Arizona Republic|date=2011-06-23|access-date=2011-06-25|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502012331/https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/gpt/pubads_impl_2021042701.js|url-status=dead}} Rihanna performed "S&M" at Radio 1's Hackney Weekend on May 24, 2012, as the third song on the set list.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/events/e9wmxj/acts/adjc6q|title=Rihanna - Set list|publisher=BBC|date=2012-06-24|access-date=2012-07-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616131500/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/events/e9wmxj/acts/adjc6q|archive-date=2012-06-16}} The song was included on most of Rihanna's 777 Tour in November 2012; a seven-date and seven-day-long promotional tour in support of the release of her seventh studio album, Unapologetic.{{cite magazine|last=Ramirez|first=Erika|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/474107/rihannas-777-tour-diary-day-four-paris|title=Rihanna's 777 Tour Diary: Day Four, Paris|magazine=Billboard|date=2012-11-18|access-date=2012-11-22|archive-date=July 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718114441/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/474107/rihannas-777-tour-diary-day-four-paris|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Leah|url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/celebrity/Rihanna+clearly+Unapologetic+about+Tour+stop/7560994/story.html|title=Rihanna clearly Unapologetic about 777 Tour stop in Toronto|work=The Vancouver Sun|date=2012-11-16|access-date=2012-11-22|archive-date=November 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119041741/http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/celebrity/Rihanna%2Bclearly%2BUnapologetic%2Babout%2BTour%2Bstop/7560994/story.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine|last=Ramirez|first=Erika|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/474088/rihannas-777-tour-diary-day-five-bedlam-in-berlin|title=Rihanna's 777 Tour Diary: Day Five, Berlin|magazine=Billboard|date=2012-11-19|access-date=2012-11-22|archive-date=June 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621235528/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/474088/rihannas-777-tour-diary-day-five-bedlam-in-berlin|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Ramirez|first=Erika|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/474067/rihannas-777-tour-diary-day-six-london|title=Rihanna's 777 Tour Diary: Day Six, London|magazine=Billboard|date=2012-11-20|access-date=2012-11-22|archive-date=July 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718132028/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/474067/rihannas-777-tour-diary-day-six-london|url-status=live}}

In 2011, "S&M" was featured at the beginning of the seventeenth episode of the American police procedural drama TV series, Hawaii Five-0.{{cite video |people=Alex O'Loughlin, Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim, Grace Park |date=February 14, 2011|title=Hawaii Five-0 |medium=Television production |publisher=CBS |location=United States}} Lee Latchford-Evans of the British group Steps covered the song as part of a medley with Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera's song "Moves like Jagger" in his solo section of The Ultimate Tour (2012).{{cite web|last=Barr|first=Gordan|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/entertainment-in-newcastle/music/2012/04/09/review-steps-at-metro-radio-arena-newcastle-72703-30724495/|title=Review: Steps at Metro Radio Arena|work=Chronicle Live|date=2012-04-09|access-date=2012-05-05|archive-date=June 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604144825/http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/entertainment-in-newcastle/music/2012/04/09/review-steps-at-metro-radio-arena-newcastle-72703-30724495/|url-status=live}} In the 2012 musical comedy film Pitch Perfect, "S&M" was sung a cappella by the song's co-writer Ester Dean, accompanied by Alexis Knapp, Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp and Brittany Snow. The ensemble's performance of the song appears on the film's soundtrack as part of a medley, "Riff Off". "Riff Off" was released as a single in 2012 and reached number 86 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.{{cite magazine|title=The Billboard Hot 100 Week of January 19, 2013|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100#/charts/hot-100?order=gainer|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2013-01-10|archive-date=October 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027024922/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100#/charts/hot-100?order=gainer|url-status=live}} The soundtrack also became the number one album on the US Top Soundtracks.{{cite web|url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-jan-20-2013-albums-hit-1-162916325.html#more-4120|title=Pitch Perfect Soundtrack|publisher=Chart Watch. Yahoo!!! Music|access-date=2013-01-10|archive-date=August 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812193803/https://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-jan-20-2013-albums-hit-1-162916325.html#more-4120|url-status=live}}

• ;Digital download

1. "S&M" – 4:04

• ;Digital download (EP)

1. "S&M" – 4:03
2. "S&M" (Dave Audé club) – 7:27
3. "S&M" (Sidney Samson club) – 6:49

• ;Digital download (remixes)

1. "S&M" (Dave Audé radio) – 3:50
2. "S&M" (Joe Bermudez chico radio) – 3:49
3. "S&M" (Sidney Samson radio) – 3:19
4. "S&M" (Dave Audé club) – 7:27
5. "S&M" (Joe Bermudez chico club) – 5:17
6. "S&M" (Sidney Samson club) – 6:49
7. "S&M" (Dave Audé dub) – 6:29
8. "S&M" (Joe Bermudez chico dub) – 5:17
9. "S&M" (Sidney Samson dub) – 6:50

• ;CD

1. "S&M" – 4:04
2. "S&M" (Sidney Samson radio remix) – 3:18

• ;Digital download (remix)

1. "S&M" (remix; featuring Britney Spears) – 4:17

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Loud, Def Jam Recordings, SRP Records.{{cite AV media notes|title=Loud|date=November 12, 2010|others=Rihanna|type=Inlay cover|work=Def Jam Recordings, SRP Records}}

Management

• ASCAP/BMI
• Stargate and Miles Walker both appear on behalf of 45th & 3rd Music LLC
• Stargate's management: Tim Blacksmith and Danny D.
• Sandy Vee appears on behalf of Empire Artist Management
• Kuk Harrell appears on behalf of Suga Wuga Music, Inc.

Recording locations

• Music recording – Roc the Mic Studios (New York); Westlake Recording Studios (Los Angeles); The Bunker Studios (Paris)
• Mixing – The Bunker Studios (Paris); The Ninja Beat Club (Atlanta)

Personnel

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• Songwriting – Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Sandy Wilhelm, Ester Dean, Britney Spears (remix only)
• Production – Stargate, Sandy Vee
• Vocal production and recording – Kuk Harrell, Josh Gudwin, Marcos Tovar
• Assistant recording – Bobby Campbell
• Additional vocal production – Veronika Bozeman
• Instruments – Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Sandy Vee
• Music recording – Mikkel S. Eriksen, Miles Walker, Sandy Vee
• Mixing – Sandy Vee, Phil Tan
• Additional engineering – Damien Lewis

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "S&M"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|certyear=2015|relyear=2011|artist=Rihanna|title=S&M|award=Platinum|number=6|type=single|access-date=April 23, 2015|refname="ARIA"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=single|award=Platinum|artist=Rihanna|title=S&M|relyear=2011|certyear=2013|certmonth=10|access-date=October 11, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Rihanna|title=S&M|award=Diamond|type=single|relyear=2011|certyear=2024|access-date=July 12, 2024}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Denmark|artist=Rihanna|title=S&M|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2024|certmonth=2|relyear=2011|relmonth=1|relday=21|id=13540|access-date=February 21, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Finland|type=single|award=Gold|artist=Rihanna|title=S&M|relyear=2011|digital=true|access-date=March 29, 2014|certyear=2011|salesamount=5,000}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Germany|artist=Rihanna|title=S&M|award=Gold|number=3|relyear=2011|certyear=2025|access-date=January 10, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|relyear=2011|artist=Rihanna|title=S&M|award=Platinum|type=single|certyear=2012|access-date=April 23, 2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|title=S&M|artist=Rihanna|type=single|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2010|certyear=2024|source=radioscope|access-date=2024-12-17}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=single|region=South Korea (Gaon)|artist=Rihanna|title=S&M|certyear=2011|relyear=2011|nocert=true|salesamount=116,783|salesref={{cite web |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?pageno=2&serviceGbn=S1020&termGbn=year&hitYear=2011&targetTime=11&nationGbn=E |title=Gaon - 2011 Year-end International Download Chart |work=Gaon Chart |publisher=Korea Music Content Industry Association |access-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816150136/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?pageno=2&serviceGbn=S1020&termGbn=year&hitYear=2011&targetTime=11&nationGbn=E |archive-date=August 16, 2016 |url-status=dead}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Rihanna|title=S&M|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2010|certyear=2024|id=rihanna-sm|access-date=April 17, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|artist=Rihanna|relyear=2011|title=S&M|award=Platinum|type=single|certyear=2011|access-date=April 23, 2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|relyear=2011|certyear=2024|artist=Rihanna|title=S&M|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|id=8728-1629-1|access-date=19 January 2024|refname="bpi"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Rihanna|title=S&M|award=Platinum|number=6|relyear=2011|certyear=2018|access-date=August 14, 2018|refname=RIAA}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

{{col-2}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "S&M" (remix)}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Rihanna|title=S&M Remix|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2011|certyear=2024|access-date=July 11, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=South Korea{{efn|Sales from 2011 and 2012}}|artist=Rihanna feat. Britney Spears |title=title=S&M; Remix|salesamount=593,867|nocert=true|certyear=0|award={{n/a}}|salesref=Year-end Download Charts 2011-2012

2011:

• {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015183035/http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/download.php?nationGbn=E¤t_year=2011&chart_Time=year|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?pageno=2&serviceGbn=S1020&termGbn=year&hitYear=2011&targetTime=11&nationGbn=E|title=Gaon - 2011 Year-end International Download Chart (see #24)|publisher=Gaon Chart|archive-date=October 15, 2013|access-date=November 3, 2023|language=ko}}

2012:

• {{cite web |url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/download.php?nationGbn=E¤t_year=2012&chart_Time=year |title=Annual South Korea International Download Chart (see #177)|publisher=Gaon Chart |access-date=November 3, 2023 |language=ko |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014202328/http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/download.php?nationGbn=E¤t_year=2012&chart_Time=year |url-status=live }}

}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|relyear=2011|certyear=2011|title=S&M|artist=Rihanna|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|certref={{cite web|title=Rihanna feat. Britney Spears - S&M; Remix |url=http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/artdata?110412&sart=916930 |publisher=Sverigetopplistan |access-date=October 31, 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114185157/http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/artdata?110412&sart=916930 |archive-date=January 14, 2014 }}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Rihanna|title=S&M Remix|award=Gold|relyear=2011|certyear=2021|access-date=November 6, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true|nosales=true}}

{{col-end}}

{{div col|colwidth=35em}}

• List of number-one singles of 2011 (Australia)
• List of Canadian Hot 100 number-one singles of 2011
• List of number-one singles of 2011 (Poland)
• List of UK R&B Singles Chart number ones of 2011
• List of Billboard Hot 100 number ones of 2011
• List of Radio Songs number ones of the 2010s
• List of number-one dance airplay hits of 2011 (U.S.)
• List of Billboard Dance Club Songs number ones of 2011
• List of number-one digital songs of 2011 (U.S.)
• List of Billboard Mainstream Top 40 number-one songs of 2011
• List of Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles in 2011

{{div col end}}

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{Rihanna songs}}

{{Britney Spears songs}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:SandM (Song)}}

Category:2010 songs

Category:2011 singles

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Britney Spears songs

Category:Canadian Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Dance-pop songs

Category:Eurodance songs

Category:Hi-NRG songs

Category:Music videos directed by Melina Matsoukas

Category:Number-one singles in Australia

Category:Number-one singles in Denmark

Category:Number-one singles in Hungary

Category:Number-one singles in Israel

Category:Number-one singles in Norway

Category:Number-one singles in Poland

Category:Number-one singles in Sweden

Category:Number-one singles in Switzerland

Category:Music video controversies

Category:Obscenity controversies in music

Category:Rihanna songs

Category:Song recordings produced by Kuk Harrell

Category:Song recordings produced by Sandy Vee

Category:Song recordings produced by Stargate (record producers)

Category:Songs about BDSM

Category:Songs written by Ester Dean

Category:Songs written by Mikkel Storleer Eriksen

Category:Songs written by Tor Erik Hermansen

Category:Songs written by Sandy Vee

Category:Songs written by Britney Spears

Category:Songs involved in plagiarism controversies

Category:Def Jam Recordings singles

Category:Works subject to expurgation