Who Is Rihannas Love on the Brain About?
With numerous chart-topping hits and an army of fans around the world, the release of ‘Love on the Brain’ was particularly intriguing.
Rihanna’s ‘Love on the Brain’ from her 8th studio album ‘Anti’, was released on September 27, 2016, and peaked at No.5 on the Billboard chart on March 25, 2017. Sources have claimed that the lyrics of the song symbolize her history with domestic abuse by her former partner, Chris Brown.
Rihanna’s ‘Love on the Brain’ not only showcases her vocal skills but also the depth and emotion of her lyrics. Read below to find out how this song has been interpreted.
Domestic Abuse
Between 2008 and 2009, Barbadian singer, Rihanna, was dating singer, Chris Brown, whom she was already friends with for a few years prior.
The night before the 2009 Grammys, the relationship ended abruptly after Rihanna shocked the world with photos of her bruised face. It is understood that the pair got into an argument that escalated, leaving Rihanna with physical injuries on her face and body.
Brown pleaded guilty to assault and was sentenced to five years of probation and six month’s community service. Rihanna was also granted an order of protection against Brown.
Around 2012 however, the couple reportedly got back together with Rihanna opening up in an interview in the Rolling Stone. “It’s different now…he made a mistake, and he’s paid his dues,” she said.
Despite many disagreeing with this move, it is perhaps what inspired Rihanna to later bring out the song, ‘Love on the Brain’. The song, which she co-wrote, was released on September 27, 2016, seven years after the incident.
Many have perceived this song to be about a one-sided, toxic, and destructive relationship, with the narrator losing control of their emotions.
The Lyrics
Throughout the song, there are many references to abuse and addiction to love, some fairly subtle, and others not so.
“You love when I fall apart, so you can put me together and throw me against the wall” is particularly provocative and has been interpreted as the cycle of abuse within a toxic relationship. Similarly, “baby I’m fist-fighting with fire just to get close to you”, suggests the dangers of persisting with a violent lover.
The lyrics later get darker with “It beats me black and blue but it f***s me so good and I can’t get enough”. It’s assumed by many that this relates to her experiences with domestic abuse, being beaten herself (mentally or physically), but quickly feeling pulled in again by love.
Looking at the line that repeats throughout the song, “it must be love on the brain”, many have interpreted this to symbolize Rihanna’s conflict with feeling love both in her heart (the emotional side of her) but also in her brain (the rational side of her), which, arguably, should be telling her to walk away.
Other Collaborations
To the shock of her fans, Rihanna released a song in 2012 from her 7th studio album, Unapologetic, called ‘Nobody’s Business’, which features vocals by Chris Brown.
As with the song name, Rihanna firmly chose not to justify why she teamed up with Chris Brown for this song, arguing “it’s the truth”, in that it’s nobody’s business. The song, written by singer-songwriter, The-Dream, was actually not intended to be a Rihanna/Chris Brown collaboration, but they decided in the end that the duet would sound good.
In that same year, Chris Brown released ‘Turn up the Music’, featuring vocals by Rihanna, whilst Rihanna also released a new version of ‘Birthday Cake’ featuring Chris Brown. It’s clear that the pair, despite criticism from fans and the media, were going to work together nonetheless.
Given that Love on the Brain was not released for quite a few years after the incident, and that Rihanna had already taken steps to forgive Brown in 2012, it is merely speculation that ‘Love on the Brain’ was directed at Brown in a malicious way.
In fact, it could be argued that, although the song was perhaps inspired by her previous relationship with Brown, it is not necessarily about him. The song could instead be about abusive and toxic relationships in general.
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