Critics hated it, but it became a decade-defining anthem
In short: When Rihanna and Calvin Harris released 'We Found Love' in 2011, reviewers were divided. Some called it an insipid tune, while others hailed it as a pop masterpiece. Despite the polarized reception, the track eventually became a global phenomenon, defining the EDM era and topping charts worldwide.
Acting as the primary single for Rihanna's sixth studio album, this track achieved huge commercial success following its September 22, 2011, debut. It spent ten non-consecutive weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it the longest-running number-one single of 2011. Beyond the US, it reached the top of the charts in 25 other countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany. By 2015, the single had sold approximately 10.5 million copies worldwide.
The track's success was not without controversy or competition. While some critics, such as Jody Rosen of *Rolling Stone*, dismissed it as 'insipid,' others praised its 'triumphant mantra' quality. Interestingly, the song's path to Rihanna was contested; Leona Lewis claimed she was originally chosen for the track but lost out to Rihanna, while Nicole Scherzinger stated she had rejected the demo because she wanted a break from dance music.
Musically, the song is an uptempo blend of EDM, electro house, and dance-pop, set at 128 beats per minute in the key of G flat major. The accompanying music video, directed by Melina Matsoukas, took a darker turn than the song's party reputation, depicting a relationship spiraling into addiction and domestic violence. This visual intensity helped the video secure both a Grammy Award for Best Music Video and an MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year in 2012.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: We Found Love
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