"Kiss It Better" | ||||
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Single by Rihanna | ||||
from the album Anti | ||||
Released | March 30, 2016 | |||
Recorded | 2014 Jungle City Studios, (New York City) | |||
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Length | 4:13 | |||
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Rihanna singles chronology | ||||
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"Kiss It Better" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her eighth studio album, Anti (2016). It was written by Jeff Bhasker, John Glass, Teddy Sinclair and Rihanna. The song was produced by Bhasker, while Glass was responsible for additional production and Kuk Harrell for vocal production. It was serviced the radio stations in the United States on March 30, 2016 together with "Needed Me". "Kiss It Better" is a pop, synth rock and R&B power ballad, which features in its instrumentation "deep snaking synths", drums and an electric guitar riff, which takes influence from 1980s and 1990s-pop power ballads. The song's lyrics focus on a destructive relationship that the singer knows is wrong for her, but one she finds irresistible. It also deals with themes of mending broken fences and getting back together with a lover.
The single received critical acclaim, with critics praising its '80s throwback, lyrics, and Rihanna's vocals. The song also received a Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Song at the 59th ceremony. "Kiss It Better" peaked at number sixty-two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and within the top fifty of the Australian and British charts. The song's music video was directed by photographer Craig McDean and premiered on March 31, 2016. The video was inspired by dadaism and surrealism, and depicts Rihanna against a dark background. The song was included on the Anti World Tour as the closing song of each show.
On December 8, 2014, "Kiss It Better" was registered through Harry Fox Agency, an agency "who handles publishing rights for physical and digital music formats." In the same day, Australian FM radio station 2Day FM and other websites reported that the song was allegedly going to be released as the lead-single of her then-upcoming eight studio album. A day later, Rihanna teased a snippet of the track on her Instagram account, featuring Extreme's guitarist Nuno Bettencourt working on a solo electric melody. Bettencourt previously worked with Rihanna touring with her and playing guitar in some songs of her albums Loud (2010) and Talk That Talk (2011). On July 7, 2015, English singer Teddy Sinclair confirmed she was one of the songwriters of the song.