"We just wanted to do something entertaining," explained singer/songwriter Ne-Yo, who penned the track. "It's definitely dark, but if you think about it, 'Thriller' was dark, but it was one of the biggest selling records of all time. Our main thing was the entertainment factor of the whole thing. Nobody is really going out and playing Russian roulette or thinking about killing themselves or nothing like that. It was just an interesting topic over a crazy beat and who else to pull that off than somebody like Rihanna?"
Unlike their previous work together, 'Take a Bow,' and 'Hate That I Love You,' it seems that as the singer, Rihanna is no longer interested in pondering a broken relationship. This time, she's going straight for the gun and pulling the trigger to prove herself. "You can see my heart beating, you can see it through my chest/ I'm terrified, but I'm not leaving/ I know that I must pass this test," she sings in the song.
Ne-Yo says he heard the track and began to visualize the song's concept. "I'm listening to the track, and all I can see is Rihanna and some random person sitting across from each other at the table with a gun sitting in the middle of the table and playing Russian roulette," he said.
"And I just started thinking, 'What would go through your mind if you was in that situation?' It just all started coming together, and Rihanna has never been one to be afraid to take a chance, especially with me. She's always game to do something a little different. I played it for her, and she loved it [we] went in and knocked it out. The rest is history."
'Russian Roulette' will be featured on Rihanna's fourth album, 'Rated R,' which is due November 23.
Ne-Yo's current outlook is not entirely dark. The singer recently wrote and recorded the song 'Never Knew I Needed' for the forthcoming animated Disney film, 'The Princess and the Frog.'
Can You Guess This Famous Face?
Katy Perry Divorce: With No Prenup How Much Will Russell Walk Away With?
It's Pink!
Randy Travis Apologizes for Public Intoxication
M.I.A., Fiance Benjamin Bronfman Split, Singer Rarely Sees Son -- Report
Josh Powell's Last Words: 'I Am Not Able To Go On Anymore': Report
Alori Joh Dead: Singer and Kendrick Lamar Affiliate Dies at 25
American Heart Month: 17 Celebrities Who Faced Heart Problems
Can You Guess This Famous Face?
Powell 911 Call Released: Cops Declare Investigation Of Missing Mom A Murder Case
It's Madonna!
PHOTOS: Anti-Gay Protesters Getting Pwned
Thudda Boy Dead: Rapper Brondon McDaniel Dies From Gunshot Wound
PHOTO: Miley Cyrus Wears Racy Garter Tights
Chi Cheng Improving: Deftones Bassist Raises Leg After Three Years in Coma
Mia Farrow's Low-Key, Philanthropic Style
The Best And Worst Burgers
PHOTOS: Massive Whale Shark Reeled Into Harbor
Post 50 Celebrity Dream Homes on the Market (PHOTOS)
Is Social Media Causing The Mystery Illness?
Lacrosse Player Accused Of Killing Ex-Girlfriend Emailed Her 'I Should Have Killed You'
Powell Boys Suffered 'Chop Injuries' Before Explosion
Prop 8, California's Same-Sex Marriage Ban, Declared Unconstitutional
Staten Island Mother Suing City For $900 Trillion
Freakish Fossil Upends Ideas About Origins Of Animal Life
Werewolf Sisters Are Coated In Hair (PICTURES)
Obama's Favorite Day As President?
The 10 Biggest Sources Of Salt In Our Diets
WATCH: Rose McGowan, Christie Brinkley & Minka Kelly Stumble On Runway
Woolly Mammoth Allegedly Caught On Video In Siberia
'Dancing With The Stars' Season 14 Dream Casting
PHOTOS: She's Back!
Syrian President's Wife Speaks Out
14 Comments