Rihanna called in to BET’s 106 & Park explained the story behind her controversial new video for “Man Down.”
The singer said she didn’t set out to create controversy but isn’t surprised that a trio of advocacy groups have attacked the clip, which shows her shooting a man who has sexually assaulted her.
“Rape is, unfortunately, happening all over the world and in our own homes and we continue to cover it up and pretend it doesn’t happen,” Rihanna said. “Boys and girls feel compelled to be embarrassed about it, and they hide it from everyone, including their teachers, their parents, and their friends. That only continues to empower the abusers.”
She pointed out that the song’s lyrics show that her character is remorseful about the killing. However, the lyrics don’t mention a rape, but Rihanna said that part was added to the video to flesh out the story.
“Making that into a mini-movie or video, we needed to go back to why it happened,” she said. “Obviously she’s not a cold-blooded killer. It had to be something so offensive. And we decided to hone in on a very serious matter that people are afraid to address, especially if you’ve been victimized in this scenario.”
Rihanna Man Down Lyrics
Sak pasé
I didn’t mean to end his life, I know it wasn’t right
I can’t even sleep at night, can’t get it off my mind
I need to get out of sight, ‘fore I end up behind bars
What started out as a simple altercation
Turned into a real sticky situation
Me just thinking on the time that I’m facing
Makes me wanna cry
‘Cause I didn’t mean to hurt him (him)
Coulda been somebody’s son
And I took his heart when (when)
I pulled out that gun
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Man down
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Man down
Oh, mama, mama, mama
I just shot a man down
In central station
In front of a big ol’ crowd
Oh, why? Oh, why?
Oh, mama, mama, mama
I just shot a man down
In central station
Little 22, I call her Peggy Sue
When she fits right down in my shoes
Whatchu expect me to do?
If you’re playing me for a fool
I will lose my cool, and reach for my firearm
I didn’t mean to lay him down
But it’s too late to turn back now
Don’t know what I was thinking
Now he’s no longer living
So I’m ’bout to leave town, ayy-uh
‘Cause I didn’t mean to hurt him (him)
Coulda been somebody’s son
And I took his heart when (when)
I pulled out that gun
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Man down
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Man down
Oh, mama, mama, mama
I just shot a man down
In central station
In front of a big ol’ crowd
Oh, why? Oh, why?
Oh, mama, mama, mama
I just shot a man down (well, hear me now)
In central station
Said, I’d never thought I’d do it
Never thought I’d do it, never thought I’d do it
Oh gosh, what ever happened to me?
Ever happened to me, ever happened to me?
Why did I pull di trigger, pull di trigger, pull di trigger? Boom
And end a nigga, end a nigga life so soon
When me pull di trigger, pull di trigger, pull it pon you
Somebody tell me what I’m gonna, what I’m gonna do? Ayy
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Me say one man down, ah wah me say?
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum
When me went downtown
‘Cause now I’m a criminal, criminal, criminal
Oh Lord ah mercy, now I am a criminal, man down
Tell di judge please gimme minimal
Run out a town, none ah dem can see me now, see me now
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Oh, mama, mama, mama
I just shot a man down
In central station
In front of a big ol’ crowd
Oh, why? Oh, why?
Oh, mama, mama, mama
I just shot a man down
In central station
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