It was expected to be on her eighth album ANTI, but was not included. The album art for the single reads “Four Five Seconds” in Braille.
In an interview with V Magazine, Rihanna said she was attracted to the song because of the tension between its sound and its lyrical content:
"When you read the lyrics it’s a completely different song than what you are hearing. The music is easygoing, but the lyrical content is very loud and in your face."
Kanye has compared Rihanna’s vocals on the track to those of Scottish singer Annie Lennox (“the greatest white soul singer alive,” according to VH1).
The song peaked at number four on the Hot 100, becoming Rihanna’s 26th top ten song, McCartney’s 23rd (not counting his 34 with the Beatles), and West’s 15th. McCartney now holds the record for longest time between top ten hits, with 29 years between “FourFiveSeconds” and “Spies Like Us”, which charted on February 8th, 1986.
Paul McCartney’s vocals are in the background on the second verse. The original backing guitar was created on a whim, and his vocals were sped up when they were added in.
These are what the artists said about the song:
"I had the amazing opportunity to work with Paul McCartney and, you know, we just went in and vibed out. As you can see I am a little bit more angst than Paul. And remember the last time when Paul had somebody really angst workin’ with him, and the type of music they made? And I’m not, hey everyone America, I’m not comparing myself to John Lennon, I’m just saying I’m angst a bit like John Lennon. And the tension creates a new magic, the pressure creates the diamonds from the coal, and he came with the best vibes ever. And I said “Four, five seconds from wildin’!”, he said “this is great everyone!”, and we just had that.
And then Rihanna, she heard it and, literally, she would not gonna be satisfied until she had this record. I didn’t feel like I was projecting, I feel like she…it’s like, excuse me if I compare Rihanna to Annie Lennox, but I feel like she has this type of energy in her vocals, and she even brought it to another level of soul and heart and artistry.
And I said “ok cool, I’ll give you this song and next day I woke up on the Grammy and I said “I guess it worked out”.
– Kanye West, On Air With Ryan Seacrest
"The thing that made me fall in love with FourFiveSeconds is the juxtaposition of the music and the lyrics. When you read the lyrics it’s a completely different song than what you are hearing. The music is easygoing, but the lyrical content is very loud and in your face. In performing this, the key was to make sure the aggression wasn’t lost."
– Rihanna, V Magazine
"We had two or three afternoons where we just hung out together in a Beverly Hills hotel in the bungalows out the back, and he had his engineer and was set up with a couple of microphones in case anything happened. I was tootling around on guitar, and Kanye spent a lot of time just looking at pictures of Kim (Kardashian) on his computer. I’m thinking, “are we ever gonna get around to writing?!” But it turns out he was writing. That’s his muse. He was listening to this riff I was doing and obviously he knew in his mind that he could use that, so he took it, sped it up and then somehow he got Rihanna to sing on it. She’s a big favourite of mine anyway, so that just came without me lifting a finger."
– Paul McCartney, DIY Magazine
FourFiveSeconds
Rihanna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I might get a little drunk
I say what's on my mind
I might do a little time
'Cause all of my kindness
Is taken for weakness
Now I'm four, five seconds from wildin'
I'm just tryna make it back home by Monday mornin'
I swear, I wish somebody would tell me
Ooh, that's all I want
Woke up an optimist
Sun was shinin', I'm positive (we can run, run)
Then I heard you was talkin' trash (I'm on a mystery)
Hold me back, I'm 'bout to spaz
Yeah, I'm 'bout four, five seconds from wildin'
And we got three more days 'til Friday
I'm tryna make it back home by Monday mornin'
I swear, I wish somebody would try me
Ooh, that's all I want
And I know that you're up tonight
Thinkin', "How could I be so selfish?"
But you called 'bout a thousand times
Wondering where I've been
Now I know that you're up tonight
Thinkin', "How could I be so reckless?"
But I just can't apologize
I hope you can understand, yeah
If I go to jail tonight
Promise you'll pay my bail
See, they wanna buy my pride
But that just ain't up for sale
See, all of my kindness, mm-hm
Is taken for weakness
Now I'm four, five seconds from wildin'
And we got three more days 'til Friday
I'm tryna make it back home by Monday mornin'
I swear, I wish somebody would tell me
Ooh, that's all I want
Four, five seconds from wildin'
And we got three more days 'til Friday
Just tryna make it back home by Monday mornin'
I swear, I wish somebody would tell me
'Cause that's all I want
The song FourFiveSeconds by Rihanna featuring Kanye West and Paul McCartney, is a reflection on the frustrations and complexities of modern relationships. The first verse suggests that the singer has had enough of someone or something, and that she might get drunk and say or do something regrettable. The following lines express that this behavior may lead to trouble and that the singer feels taken for granted.
The chorus repeats the idea that the singer is four or five seconds away from losing her composure and behaving recklessly. The reference to the days left before Friday creates a sense of urgency and tension, and the desire to make it back home by Monday morning suggests that the singer wants to get out of the situation she is in. Throughout the song, there is a conflict between the singer's desire for freedom and self-expression and her need for stability and acceptance.
The second verse continues with the theme of conflict, as the singer wakes up feeling optimistic but then hears that someone is talking trash about her. The line "Hold me back, I'm about to spaz" expresses the tension between the desire to lash out and the need to stay in control. The bridge introduces a different perspective, as the singer acknowledges that the other person is also hurting and struggling with their own emotions. However, instead of apologizing, the singer asserts their own needs and values.
Overall, FourFiveSeconds is a powerful and emotional song about the complexities of relationships and the struggle to balance individual expression with the need for connection and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I've had enough
I have reached my limit and cannot tolerate anymore.
I might get a little drunk
I may consume alcohol until I am intoxicated.
I say what's on my mind
I speak the thoughts that are in my head without hesitation.
I might do a little time
I may end up in jail for my actions.
'Cause all of my kindness
Because people often take advantage of my good nature.
Is taken for weakness
My kindness is often mistaken for a lack of strength or vulnerability.
Now I'm four, five seconds from wildin'
I am feeling extremely close to losing control.
And we got three more days 'til Friday
There are still three days until the weekend arrives.
I'm just tryna make it back home by Monday mornin'
I am attempting to return to my place of residence before Monday morning arrives.
I swear, I wish somebody would tell me
I wish someone would give me advice or guidance.
Ooh, that's all I want
That is my only desire at the moment.
Woke up an optimist
I began the day with a positive outlook on life.
Sun was shinin', I'm positive (we can run, run)
The weather was pleasant and I felt hopeful that we could do anything.
Then I heard you was talkin' trash (I'm on a mystery)
I was informed that you were speaking negatively about me (I am unsure of the details).
Hold me back, I'm 'bout to spaz
Someone needs to physically restrain me because I am about to lose control of my emotions.
And I know that you're up tonight
I am aware that you are awake during this time of the night.
Thinkin', 'How could I be so selfish?'
You are currently reflecting on your behavior, questioning if you have only thought of yourself.
But you called 'bout a thousand times
Despite feeling remorseful, you have called me numerous times.
Wonderin' where I've been
You are curious about my whereabouts.
Now I know that you're up tonight
I understand that you are also awake at this time.
Thinkin', 'How could I be so reckless?'
You are now realizing that your actions were careless and could have consequences.
But I just can't apologize
I do not feel the need to apologize at this time.
I hope you can understand, yeah
I am trying to convey that I hope you can comprehend my reasoning or mindset.
If I go to jail tonight
In the event that I am arrested this evening.
Promise you'll pay my bail
Can you pledge to bail me out of jail?
See, they wanna buy my pride
Others are attempting to manipulate or influence me by offering something that would go against my values or beliefs.
But that just ain't up for sale
However, my principles and pride are not negotiable.
And we got three more days 'til Friday
The weekend is still three days away.
Just tryna make it back home by Monday mornin'
My goal is to return home before Monday morning arrives.
I swear, I wish somebody would tell me
I still desire someone to provide me with assistance or guidance.
'Cause that's all I want
This is my only request or desire at this time.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cydel Charles Young, Mike G. Dean, David Donnell Longstreth, Paul James McCartney, Kanye Omari West, Kirby Lauren Dockery, Robyn Fenty, Noah D. Goldstein, Tyrone William Griffin, Dallas L. Austin, Elon Rutberg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thequintessential5503
I think i had enough
I might sound a little dumb
I say what's on my mind
I might not study tonight
Cause all of my homework
Is due on the weekends
Now i'm Four Five seconds from wildin
And we got 3 more days til Friday
I'm just trynna get it all done by Monday morning
I swear I wish my teacher would try me
Ooh that's all I Want
@rebeccabekele
Rihanna and Kanye: Punching the air
Paul: Aggressively Plays Guitar
@melharis4451
it rly be like that sumtimes
@muffinzbby
Fuck this is funny 😂
@MrGutoAr
shitty comment
@VVV-qx9mb
@@MrGutoAr same as your life
@MrGutoAr
@@VVV-qx9mb no i would say same as yours
@shush7362
Kanye: “suns shining im positive”
Also kanye: 😐😐😐
@niveditagupta8968
😂😂 true af
@cole8377
lmfaooo🤣🤣
@swag1650
2:09