Diamonds
(by:Rihanna)
| "Diamonds" | |||||||||||
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| Single by Rihanna | |||||||||||
| from the album Unapologetic | |||||||||||
| Released | September 27, 2012 | ||||||||||
| Format | CD single, digital download | ||||||||||
| Recorded | 2012 | ||||||||||
| Genre | Electronic, soul, pop | ||||||||||
| Length | 3:45 | ||||||||||
| Label | Def Jam | ||||||||||
| Writer(s) | Sia Furler, Benjamin Levin, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen | ||||||||||
| Producer | Benny Blanco, StarGate | ||||||||||
| Rihanna singles chronology | |||||||||||
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Critics were divided on "Diamonds"; some complimented Rihanna's different musical direction, however, others criticized its production. The single reached number one in eighteen countries including Austria, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom and attained top ten positions in over thirty countries. It also topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and became Rihanna's twelfth number one single on the chart, thus tying her with Madonna and The Supremes for the fifth-most number ones in the chart's history. In addition, "Diamonds" reached number one on the US Hot Dance Club Songs and Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs charts and number two on the US Pop Songs chart.
The song's music video, shot by Rihanna's regular collaborator Anthony Mandler, depicts Rihanna in four environments that represent the elements of earth, air, water and fire. It features "dreamy" and "surreal" scenes of the singer such as her lying alone in open waters, frantically running from a car on a deserted highway, in a desert with horses running free and in-between a street battle. The video received positive response from critics, who praised the used imagery. Reviewers also noted that throughout the video, the scene in which Rihanna's arm is intertwined with a heavily tattooed man resembles that of Chris Brown. "Diamonds" was promoted with live performances across both sides of the Atlantic, including Saturday Night Live and the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in the US and the series nine of The X Factor in the UK. An official remix of "Diamonds", featuring rap verses by Kanye West was released on November 16, 2012.
Conception
Writing and production
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Australian singer Sia Furler (left) wrote the lyrics, while producer Benny Blanco (right) additionally co-wrote and co-produced "Diamonds" together with StarGate.
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Mikkel S. Erisken of StarGate in an interview with The New York Times explained how during the process of creating the song Blanco took a snippet of Eriksen singing, altered the sound electronically and made it "dirtier".[3] Then, he used timbre, operated with audio software for so to create ghostly accompaniment lines. Eriksen further elaborated about Blanco's music style, "His technique is somewhat unorthodox, as he almost never plays the keyboards but throws in weird samples and alters them to the right pitch to go with the song."[3] Australian singer-songwriter Sia Furler later joined them and wrote the lyrics for "Diamonds".[1] After the song was completed, they wanted to play it to Rihanna, however, Blanco was skeptical about the reaction towards the song, having in mind its slower nature. After StarGate played it to her, they called Blanco from London and told him that she liked the song, "She's flippin' out. She played it like seven times in a row. It's her favorite song."[1] He further elaborated that they had to finish the mixing and mastering of the song with Rihanna's vocals within the last days prior to its release, which according to him was "crazy and amazing".[1]
Release and artwork
"I think a lot of people are afraid of being happy because of what
others might think of it. ... They're afraid to embrace that and embrace
themselves and love themselves and do what they love and do what makes
them happy."
The cover artwork for the song was revealed on September 24, 2012, and features Rihanna rolling diamonds in a manner suggestive of making a joint.[8][9] On September 26, 2012, Rihanna posted the full lyrics of the song in PDF format on her official website Rihanna7.com.[10] "Diamonds" premiered the same day on the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show[11] and it was released the following day.[12] In the UK, it was digitally released on September 30 via iTunes Store.[13] Def Jam Recordings solicited the single to contemporary hit radio in the United States on October 2.[14] On November 5, it was released in Germany as a CD single; apart of "Diamonds" it also contains The Bimbo Jones Vocal Remix of the song.[15] On December 18, eight digital remixes of the single were digitally released.[16]
Composition
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A 25-second sample of the chorus of "Diamonds", a mid-tempo ballad which uses electronic and soul music.[2][17][18][19] It features drums, heavy synthesizers, a 1980s backbeat, orchestral sounds and electronic rhythms accompanied with Rihanna's vocal performance.[20][21][22][23]
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The first verse introduces the concept of the song: "Find light in the beautiful sea / I choose to be happy / You and I, you and I / We're like diamonds in the sky." The title is a symbol explained in the hook: "So shine bright, tonight, you and I / We're beautiful like diamonds in the sky / Eye to eye, so alive."[27] According to Glenn Yoder of The Boston Globe, with lyrics like "I choose to be happy" and "We're like diamonds in the sky," the single shows a new side of the singer that the public usually doesn't see.[25] James Montgomery of MTV News commented that she embraces the positivity and fulfillment of a realized relationship which can be seen during the lines, "When you hold me, I'm alive" and admits "I knew that we'd become one right away".[28] Lindsay DiMattina of Hollywood.com concluded that it's as if Rihanna is crying out for her lover when she sings lines such as, "When you hold me, I'm alive," and "At first sight I felt the energy of sun rays / I saw the life inside your eyes."[29] Herald Sun noted that the lyrics were most likely inspired by Rihanna's private life.[30]
Critical reception
"Diamonds" garnered mixed reviews from music critics. Robert Copsey of Digital Spy gave the song a four out of five star rating, praising Rihanna's direction towards a "softer and more prolific edge".[31] Carl Williot of Idolator applauded the song's production as "a pleasing lightness", in addition to Rihanna's vocals as having a "slightly different timbre".[32] Brittany Lewis of GlobalGrind called "Diamonds" a catchy song, and noted its potential to give Rihanna another hit.[33] Glenn Gamboa of Newsday commented that although it did not sound like a "hit-you-over-the-head smash", the lyrical content of the song depicts the singer's "personal shift".[34] According to James Montgomery of MTV News, although "Diamonds" is a mid-tempo song, it is more positive than Rihanna's previous singles including "We Found Love" and "Where Have You Been".[28] Lindsey DiMattina of Hollywood.com praised Rihanna's vocals on the song as stronger than ever.[29] Contactmusic.com described it as a "laid-back track", and suggested that the lyrical content pertained to her former boyfriend Chris Brown.[35] In a track-by-track review of Unapologetic, Andrew Hampp of Billboard commented that the song "finds Rihanna doing one of her throatiest, most impassioned vocals to date, on this inspirational pop ballad."[36]However, Jim Farber of the Daily News felt that the song was "not as haunting as it longs to be", and was unfavorable of its lack of "mystery".[2] Bill Lamb of About.com gave the song three and half out of five stars and concluded that although it sounds different than Rihanna's previous songs and features her "full-throated" vocals, "Diamonds" sounds unfinished and features overdone repetition.[37] Kevin Blair of the Irish Independent regarded it as a "chugging, faintly misty-eyed, middle of the road pop song".[38] He panned it as not being a "muscular dance workout" similar to her previous singles "We Found Love" and "Only Girl (In the World)", or a "smooth" R&B song such as "Take a Bow".[38] Chris Richards of The Washington Post criticized the song as a "power ballad without much power".[39]
Commercial performance
Europe and Oceania
"Diamonds" made its first chart appearance in Ireland on September 27, 2012, where it debuted at number 17.[40] It has since peaked at number two.[40] The single debuted at number one in the UK with over 105,000 copies sold, giving Rihanna her seventh number one single in the country.[41] After nine weeks on the chart, "Diamonds" rose from number ten to three, following Rihanna's performance of the song on The X Factor the previous week.[42] On October 7, 2012, the song entered the UK R&B Chart at number one.[43] The song remained atop the chart for three consecutive weeks before being deposed of the top spot by Labrinth and Emeli Sande's "Beneath Your Beautiful".[44] As of December 2012, "Diamonds" has sold over 672,000 copes in the UK, becoming the eleventh best-selling single of that year in the country.[45]The song debuted at number one in France, becoming Rihanna's fourth number one single in the country. It remained at the top spot for three consecutive weeks.[46] "Diamonds" has peaked at number one in Germany for ten consecutive weeks,[47] becoming Rihanna's fifth number one single in the country and surpassing "Umbrella" (2007) as Rihanna's longest-running chart topper of her career.[48] As a result of that, it was placed at number seven on the German 2012 Year-End singles chart and was certified platinum, denoting sales of 300,000 copies in the country alone.[49] In addition, the song has remained number one in Norway for eleven consecutive weeks,[50] the Czech Republic for seven straight weeks,[51] Denmark for six weeks,[52] Switzerland for five straight weeks,[53] Austria for four non-consecutive weeks,[54] Finland for three straight weeks[55] and Scotland for one week.[56]
"Diamonds" entered the New Zealand Singles Chart at number five on October 8, 2012, giving Rihanna her twenty-third top five single in the country. After eight weeks in the top ten of the chart, the song climbed from number five to two, marking a new peak for the song.[57] "Diamonds" has received a double-platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand, denoting sales of 30,000 copies.[58] "Diamonds" debuted at number eight on the Australian Singles Chart on October 14, 2012, becoming the second-highest debut for the week.[59] It remained at the position for a further two weeks, before gaining a new peak of number six on November 4, 2012.[60] The song has been certified triple-platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association, denoting sales of 210,000 copies.[61]
North America
On the Radio Songs chart, "Diamonds" debuted at number 28. In its fourth week, "Diamonds" climbed to number ten, becoming Rihanna's 19th top ten, breaking a tie with Lil Wayne for the second-best sum in the list's 22-year history; only Mariah Carey (23) has more.[69] For the week ending December 1, 2012, the song climbed from number four to two on the chart with 115 million all-format audience impressions.[70] For the issue dated December 15, the song topped the chart, becoming Rihanna's tenth number one and placing second for female artists with the most chart toppers, only behind Mariah Carey (11).[68] On the Pop Songs chart, "Diamonds" debuted at number 29, extending Rihanna's lead as the artist with the most appearances on the chart.[71] On November 10, 2012, it rose from number 12 to nine, becoming the singer's twenty-second top ten, further extending her lead as the artist with the most such entries on the chart.[72]
On October 11, 2012, Billboard unveiled new methodology for the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, newly factoring digital download sales and streaming data into the 50-position rankings, along with existing radio airplay data monitored by Nielsen BDS. Due to this, "Diamonds" saw a huge leap from number 66 to number one,[73] marking Rihanna's second single as a lead artist to top the chart.[74] It topped the chart for fourteen consecutive weeks.[75] "Diamonds" also became the first number one on Billboard's inaugural R&B Songs chart.[73] "Diamonds" topped the Hot Dance/Club Songs chart, becoming Rihanna's nineteenth number one, tying her with Janet Jackson for the second-most number ones in the chart's 36-year history. Only Madonna has more (43).[76] In Canada, the song debuted at number nine on the Canadian Hot 100 for the issue dated October 13, 2012.[77] The song peaked at number one on the issue dated November 24, 2012, becoming Rihanna's sixth single to reach number one on the chart.[78] It remained atop the chart for four consecutive weeks.[79]
Music video
Background and concept
"With every song it's a different story, so the visuals are very
specific to that story and that world. With 'Diamonds,' it was just a
series of vignettes that we put together to help get the emotion across
throughout the song 'cause the song changes and it builds, and there's
no real way that you could do that."
—Rihanna explaining the concept for the music video.[80]
Synopsis
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