Rihanna - Diamonds

Rihanna - Diamonds

"Diamonds" is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna, released on September 27, 2012 as the lead single from her seventh studio album Unapologetic (2012). It was composed by Sia Furler, Benjamin "Benny Blanco" Levin, Mikkel S. Eriksen and Tor Erik Hermansen. It was produced by Blanco, as well as Eriksen and Hermansen under their production name StarGate. "Diamonds" premiered on September 26, 2012, during the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show and was released as a digital download the following day. Def Jam Recordings serviced the single to contemporary hit radio in the United States on October 2. Musically, "Diamonds" is a mid-tempo pop ballad with influences of electronic and soul music. The song is a departure from the theme of "unhealthy relationships" that are evident in several of Rihanna's previous singles.

Music critics were divided on "Diamonds"; some reviewers complimented Rihanna's different musical direction, while others criticized its production. "Diamonds" has reached number one in twelve countries including Austria, Canada, France, Finland, Germany, Norway, and the United Kingdom and attained top ten positions in almost thirty countries. It also topped the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Rihanna's twelfth number one single on the chart and tying her with Madonna and The Supremes for the fifth-most number ones in the chart's history. In addition, "Diamonds" has reached number two on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart and number eight 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 responses from critics, who praised the imagery used. Reviewers also noted that throughout the video, the scene in which Rihanna's arm is intertwined with a heavily tattooed man resembles that of the singer's ex-boyfriend Chris Brown. Rihanna performed the song at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and onSaturday Night Live in the United States, and on The X Factor in the United Kingdom. An official remix of "Diamonds", featuring rap verses by Kanye West was released on November 16, 2012.

click here to album page