Sledgehammer (Rihanna song)

Last updated

"Sledgehammer"
Sledgehammer (Rihanna single).png
Single by Rihanna
Written2014
ReleasedJune 27, 2016 (2016-06-27)
Genre
Length3:31
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Rihanna singles chronology
"Nothing Is Promised"
(2016)		"Sledgehammer"
(2016)		"Too Good"
(2016)
Music video
"Sledgehammer" on YouTube

"Sledgehammer" [lower-alpha 1] is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was released on June 27, 2016, through Westbury Road Entertainment and Roc Nation as a single to promote Star Trek Beyond (2016). It plays during the film's closing credits but is not included on the film's soundtrack. Rihanna wrote the song with Sia Furler and Jesse Shatkin, who produced it with Kuk Harrell. A music video for the song was released on June 30, 2016, and shows Rihanna performing magical acts on a foreign planet. The video was shot entirely on IMAX cameras. Musically, "Sledgehammer" is a mid-tempo electropop ballad, featuring an anthemic chorus, heavy synthesizers and electronic rhythms.

Contents

Background and release

On June 26, 2016, Rihanna hinted that she would release a new song, stating on Instagram, "Got something for y'all tomorrow". [1] Over two years prior, Rihanna tweeted, "You're just another brick and I'm a sledgehammer", hinting that she had been working on the song since 2014. [2] The song was written collaboratively by Rihanna, Sia and Jesse Shatkin. [3] Rihanna and Sia had previously worked together on the former's 2012 song, "Diamonds". [4]

A new trailer for Star Trek Beyond featuring "Sledgehammer", was released on June 27, 2016, the same day that the song was released. [5] Rihanna subsequently said that she had been a fan of the Star Trek franchise since she was a child, after being introduced to it by her father. She explained that "This is something that's been a part of me since my childhood, it's never left me, I love Star Trek. It was automatic. I would do anything in terms of music. It's such a big deal not only as a fan, as a musician... because Star Trek is such a big deal across the globe." [3]

Composition

The song is a piano ballad [6] written in the key of D major with a slow tempo of 65.5 beats per minute in common time. It follows a chord progression of D – B♭ (B♭/C in the coda) – Gm, and Rihanna's vocals span from G3 to F♯5. [7]

Critical reception

Camila Cassidy of The Edge gave the song a generally positive review stating, "She pretty much nailed it – it feels tone perfect. It's a little orchestral, swooping, but with a strong enough chorus and verse pattern to be commercially successful." However she also stated, "As a dramatic theatrical piece? It's a little weak, too much fuss with the lyrics while instrumentation takes a back seat. As a radio hit? The vocals aren't prominent enough...Both are excellent, but both just need to be more." [8] Daniel Kreps from Rolling Stone wrote, "Rihanna sings on the aching chorus, which sports a monster hook typical of Sia's work." [6] Rachel Sonis from Idolator gave the song a 7/10, stating, "The Aussie singer-songwriter knows exactly how vast Rih[anna]’s vocal abilities are and isn't afraid to push them. No doubt, this probably came in handy, since “Sledgehammer” — from Rihanna's haunting drones to the song's thunderous melody — is a monster of a track." [9] A Bit of Pop Music wrote, "‘Sledgehammer’ is a powerful pop ballad with a huge chorus, that should do well in combination with the probable success of its movie...but it might be time for Sia to shake up her formula a bit, as ‘Sledgehammer’ is in no way a surprising composition." [10]

Music video

A music video for the song premiered June 30, 2016 in IMAX theaters at 9:00am EST. The video was then released onto Vevo and Tidal an hour later. The music video was the first to be shot entirely with IMAX cameras. [11] The music video features Rihanna dressed in a sci-fi costume performing magical acts, with Swarm Ships from Star Trek Beyond flying around her. At the video's ending, Rihanna turns into a celestial god, face to "face" with the USS Enterprise.

The video was shot at the Trona Pinnacles by director Floria Sigismondi. [12]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2016)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [13] 69
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [14] 40
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [15] 72
France (SNEP) [16] 60
New Zealand Heatseekers (Recorded Music NZ) [17] 6
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan) [18] 5
UK Singles (OCC) [19] 69
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard ) [20] 2
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [21] 16
US Adult Top 40 ( Billboard ) [22] 40
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [23] 36

Year-end charts

Chart (2016)Position
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) [24] 48

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Sledgehammer"
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
VariousJune 27, 2016
 [25]
United States
 [26]
United KingdomJuly 29, 2016 CD single
[27]
New Zealand Contemporary hit radio Universal [28]

Notes

  1. ↑ Subtitled "(From The Motion Picture "Star Trek Beyond")".

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sia</span> Australian singer and songwriter (born 1975)

Sia Kate Isobelle Furler is an Australian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Adelaide, she started her career as a singer in the acid jazz band Crisp in the mid-1990s. When Crisp disbanded in 1997, she released her debut studio album, OnlySee, in Australia. She moved to London and provided vocals for the British duo Zero 7. Sia released her second studio album, Healing Is Difficult, in 2001, and her third, Colour the Small One, in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rihanna</span> Barbadian singer and actress (born 1988)

Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a Barbadian singer, songwriter, businesswoman, and actress. She is widely regarded as one of the most prominent singers of the 21st century. After signing with Def Jam in 2005, Rihanna soon gained recognition with the release of her first two studio albums, Music of the Sun (2005) and A Girl Like Me (2006), both of which were influenced by Caribbean music and peaked within the top ten on the US Billboard 200 chart. Her third album, Good Girl Gone Bad (2007), incorporated elements of dance-pop and established her status as a major icon in the music industry. The chart-topping single "Umbrella" earned Rihanna her first Grammy Award and catapulted her to global stardom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unfaithful (song)</span> 2006 song by Rihanna

"Unfaithful" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her second studio album A Girl like Me (2006). It was written by Shaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith with the song's producers Stargate. The song was released by Def Jam Recordings on May 1, 2006, as the second single from the album. "Unfaithful" is a pop and R&B ballad and was inspired by the music of American rock band Evanescence. Originally titled "Murderer", the single speaks about a woman who regrets cheating on her partner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disturbia (song)</span> 2008 single by Rihanna

"Disturbia" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded (2008), a re-release of her third studio album Good Girl Gone Bad (2007). It was written by Andre Merritt, Chris Brown, Brian Kennedy and Rob. A!, with the production of the song helmed by Kennedy. The song was released as the third single from the reloaded edition of the album, and seventh overall. "Disturbia" was sent to US contemporary hit radio on June 17, 2008, and was released as a CD single in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California King Bed</span> 2011 single by Rihanna

"California King Bed" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her fifth studio album, Loud (2010). The song was written and produced by Andrew Harr and Jermaine Jackson, of the American production duo the Runners, with Priscilla Renea, Alex Delicata and Rihanna. The song was chosen to be a single from the album through Twitter, and it was released as the album's sixth single on May 13, 2011, by Def Jam. "California King Bed" is a rock and R&B power ballad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamonds (Rihanna song)</span> 2012 single by Rihanna

"Diamonds" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her seventh studio album, Unapologetic (2012). It was written by Sia together with its producers, Benny Blanco and Stargate. The song premiered on September 26, 2012, during the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show and was digitally released the following day as the lead single from Unapologetic. "Diamonds" is a mid-tempo pop, electronic and R&B ballad that features heavy synthesizers, orchestral sounds and electronic rhythms. The song's lyrics serve as a departure from the themes of unhealthy relationships that were on Rihanna's previous singles contrasted to the song's portrayal of lovers as "diamonds in the sky".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What Now (song)</span> 2013 single by Rihanna

"What Now" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her seventh studio album, Unapologetic (2012). It was written by Olivia Waithe, Parker Ighile, Maestro The Baker and Nathan Cassells alongside Rihanna, with production handled by Maestro The Baker, Ighile and Cassells. A remix collection was released exclusively to Beatport on August 29, 2013 and later via iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play on September 17, 2013. The single was serviced to US rhythmic radio on September 24, 2013, before impacting mainstream radio on October 1, 2013 as the fifth single from Unapologetic. Another remix collection was released to Beatport on October 29, 2013. The song is a mid-tempo piano ballad which incorporates sounds which resemble "sonic bombs" during the chorus and "crashing" drums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chandelier (song)</span> 2014 single by Sia

"Chandelier" is a song by Australian singer and songwriter Sia, from her sixth studio album, 1000 Forms of Fear (2014). Written by Sia and Jesse Shatkin and produced by Shatkin and Greg Kurstin, the song was released on 17 March 2014 as the lead single from the album. It is an electropop song, featuring electronica, R&B and reggae influences. Lyrically, the song has a melancholic theme, detailing the demoralisation and rationalisation of alcoholism through the thought process of a "party girl". More broadly, the song speaks to the fleeting feelings of release and abandon that come with intoxication, as well as the pain, guilt and emptiness that accompany addiction, alcoholism and hedonistic excess.

<i>1000 Forms of Fear</i> 2014 studio album by Sia

1000 Forms of Fear is the sixth studio album by Australian singer Sia. It was released on 4 July 2014 by Monkey Puzzle and RCA Records worldwide, and Inertia Records in Australia. Primarily an electropop album, the record also incorporates influences from reggae and hip hop. Lyrically, the record is focused on Sia struggling to deal with drug addiction and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder at the time, rediagnosed as complex PTSD in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Era Istrefi</span> Kosovo-Albanian singer and songwriter (born 1994)

Era Istrefi is a Kosovo-Albanian singer. Born and raised in Pristina, Istrefi rose to significant international recognition with the breakthrough single "BonBon", which experienced commercial success worldwide and received various certifications. She later signed contracts with record labels Sony Music and Ultra Music. In 2018, Istrefi performed the official song for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, alongside Nicky Jam and Will Smith, at the closing ceremony of the grand final in Moscow. Her discography includes works in Albanian and English, among others "Shumë Pis", "Redrum", "Nuk E Di" and "Live It Up". Istrefi has received a number of awards and nominations, including the European Border Breakers Award and Top Music Award.

<i>This Is Acting</i> 2016 studio album by Sia

This Is Acting is the seventh studio album by Australian singer and songwriter Sia. It was released on 29 January 2016 by Inertia, Monkey Puzzle and RCA Records. The album is mostly composed of songs written by Sia for other pop artists that were not included on their albums. Sia described songwriting for others as "play-acting," hence the title This Is Acting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Invincible (Kelly Clarkson song)</span> 2015 single by Kelly Clarkson

"Invincible" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson from her seventh studio album, Piece by Piece (2015). It was written by Sia, Jesse Shatkin, Steve Mostyn, and Warren "Oak" Felder. Produced by Shatkin, the track is an anthem about self-empowerment. "Invincible" features uncredited vocals from Sia, as well as string arrangements by Oliver Kraus. It was first released as the first promotional single from Piece by Piece on February 23, 2015, but then issued as the album's second single to Hot Adult Contemporary radio stations on May 18, 2015 through RCA Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alive (Sia song)</span> 2015 single by Sia

"Alive" is the lead single from Australian singer and songwriter Sia's seventh studio album This Is Acting (2016). It was co-written by Sia, Adele, and Tobias Jesso Jr. The song was produced by Jesse Shatkin. "Alive" was released on 25 September 2015. The song was originally intended for Adele's third studio album, 25, along with "Bird Set Free". However, since Adele decided not to use the songs, she let Sia use them for her seventh studio album. Musically, it is a midtempo pop and synth-pop song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reaper (song)</span> 2016 song by Sia

"Reaper" is a song by Australian singer and songwriter Sia which features on her seventh studio album, This Is Acting (2016). It was released as the fourth promotional single from This Is Acting on 7 January 2016, before being released as an official single, the fifth from the album, in Australia, on 29 May 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unstoppable (Sia song)</span> 2016 single by Sia

"Unstoppable" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Sia, taken from her seventh studio album This Is Acting (2016). The song was written by Sia and Christopher Braide, and produced by Jesse Shatkin. It was released as the album's final promotional single on 21 January 2016. In July 2016, a new version of the song was made for Gillette's 2016 Olympic ad campaign, "Pretty Isn't Perfect", which features a verse from American rapper Pusha T.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Work (Rihanna song)</span> 2016 single by Rihanna featuring Drake

"Work" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her eighth studio album Anti (2016), featuring Canadian rapper Drake. The song was released as the lead single on January 27, 2016, through Westbury Road and Roc Nation. The song was written by the artists, PartyNextDoor, Monte Moir, Rupert "Sevn" Thomas, Allen Ritter, and producer Matthew "Boi-1da" Samuels, with additional production from Kuk Harrell and Noah "40" Shebib. The dancehall, reggae-pop, and R&B song, contains an interpolation of "If You Were Here Tonight" (1985) performed by Alexander O'Neal. Lyrically, the song incorporates themes of working for money, as well as discussing fragile relationships. The song is written in Jamaican Patois and Bajan Creole. Three of its writer-producers: Rupert "Sevn" Thomas, Matthew "Boi-1da" Samuels, and Jahron "PartyNextDoor" Brathwaite, are Jamaican-Canadians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiss It Better</span> 2016 single by Rihanna

"Kiss It Better" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her eighth studio album, Anti (2016). It was written and produced by Jeff Bhasker and Glass John, with additional writing by Teddy Sinclair and Rihanna. The song was serviced to radio stations in the United States on March 30, 2016, together with "Needed Me". "Kiss It Better" is a pop, synth-rock and electro-R&B ballad, which features influences from the 1980s and 1990s-music ballads. The song's lyrics focus on a destructive relationship that the singer finds irresistible. It also deals with themes of mending broken fences and getting back together with a lover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Champion (Fall Out Boy song)</span> 2017 single by Fall Out Boy

"Champion" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy, released on June 22, 2017 in the US and on June 23 worldwide through Island Records and DCD2. It was released as the second single from their seventh studio album, Mania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Together (Sia song)</span> 2020 single by Sia

"Together" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Sia from the motion picture soundtrack of the musical film Music, co-written and directed by herself. It was released on 20 May 2020, by Atlantic Records. It is also the lead single from Sia's ninth studio album, Music – Songs from and Inspired by the Motion Picture, released in February 2021.

<i>Music – Songs from and Inspired by the Motion Picture</i> 2021 studio album by Sia

Music – Songs from and Inspired by the Motion Picture is the ninth studio album by Australian singer-songwriter Sia. It was released on 12 February 2021 by Monkey Puzzle and Atlantic, in connection with the release of the musical film Music, which was directed and co-written by Sia.

References

  1. ↑ Rebello, Lara (June 27, 2016). "Rihanna teases new Star Trek Beyond single Sledgehammer". International Business Times . Manhattan, New York City. Archived from the original on June 28, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2016. The video for the new track will be released on 27 June at 12pm GMT.
  2. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (June 27, 2016). "Hear Rihanna's Aching 'Star Trek Beyond' Ballad 'Sledgehammer'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved July 5, 2016. Singer's Sia-penned track appears in new trailer for upcoming sci-fi epic
  3. 1 2 Kaufman, Gil (June 30, 2016). "Rihanna Cops to Being Lifelong 'Star Trek' Fan: Watch". Billboard . Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  4. ↑ Smith, Nigel M. (June 7, 2016). "Rihanna returns with Star Trek Beyond theme Sledgehammer". The Guardian . Retrieved July 5, 2016. The self-professed Star Trek fan falls short in her single for the third entry in the revamped film franchise, with a generic-sounding ballad co-written by Sia
  5. ↑ Sotteck, T.C. (June 26, 2016). "Rihanna teases Monday release for new Star Trek Beyond song". The Verge. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Hear Rihanna's Aching 'Star Trek Beyond' Ballad 'Sledgehammer'". Rolling Stone. June 27, 2016.
  7. ↑ Fenty, Robyn (July 2016). "Rihanna "Sledgehammer" Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Review: Rihanna – 'Sledgehammer'". The Edge. July 2, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Pop Perspective: Rihanna's "Sledgehammer" Rated & Reviewed". Idolator. June 27, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Single Review: Rihanna – Sledgehamme". A bit of Pop Music. June 27, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Rihanna and the Starship Enterprise costar in the trippy video for Sledgehammer". The Verge. June 30, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  12. ↑ "'Sledgehammer' video director explains Rihanna's space witch character". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  13. ↑ "CHART WATCH #376". auspOp. July 9, 2016. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Rihanna – Sledgehammer" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Rihanna Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés - SNEP (Week 26, 2016)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  17. ↑ "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 11, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 27, 2016" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Rihanna Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Rihanna Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Rihanna Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Rihanna Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Adult Contemporary Songs: Year End 2016". Billboard . Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  25. ↑
  26. ↑ "Rihanna's "Sledgehammer" impacting Hot AC and Pop radio this week". Headline Planet. June 27, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Rihanna – Sledgehammer (From The Motion Picture Star Trek Beyond)". Discogs . July 29, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Saturday Morning 30th July 2016 on ABC". ABC . July 29, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.