Semiotic Analysis - Stay - Rihanna - Def Jam 2013

Semiotic Analysis - Rihanna - Stay

→Rihanna is a singer, songwriter, actress and businesswomen, who has been recognised for embracing various musical styles and reinventing her image throughout her career 

→'Stay' is a song recorded by Barbadian signer Rihanna for her seventh studio album, Unapologetic. it features guest vocals by Mikky Ekko, and was released as the second single from the album

→This specific has different interpretations and a lot of meaning within the lyrics which which will be covered further down 


→The song's lyrical content speaks of temptation and the inability to resist true love
→Music critics were generally positive in their opinion regarding the balladry (slow, romantic song) with most describing it as a standout track on the album 
→The song title 'Stay' means remaining in the same place which could connote Rihanna's intentions with her true love - not wanting them to leave, wanting them to stay and have a role in her life

Analysis within the song lyrics 

'It's not much of a life you're living, it's not just something you take, it's given' = she is admitting that even though she's still struggling with the fear, her need for him has outweighed that fear of vulnerability 

'All along it was a fever...A cold sweat, hot-headed believer' = when you are in love, you choose to ignore the things you don't want to see or believe, and when you take a step back, you see that person for what they really are 

'I threw my hands in the air, I said show me something' = at the beginning, she seems to accept the situation and how she is at the point where she cannot take it. There has been empty promises so she is reaching out and wanting a reason to believe that their relationship will get better

'Round and around and around we go' = Their relationship keeps going through the same hurdles and problems and it is no longer a surprise. It is almost like a roller coaster of emotions where the same thing keeps happening in circles over and over again 

'Tell me now, tell me now, tell me know' = shows how she wants answers and she wants a resolution out this. She believes he knows the truth and wants to know regardless of the outcome

'Not really sure how to feel about it .... something in the way you move.... makes me feel like I can't live without you... it takes me all the way' = shows how she really loves him; he is different from the others. Just being around him, makes her feel different 

'The reason i hold on... funny you're the broken one but I'm the only one who needed saving' = They are both holding on for different reasons - they are empty and lost 

Music Video 

→A close up of her face and zoomed into half of her face shows her true feelings and emotions. 

→Her eyes look like they are bloodshot - almost as if she had been crying and connecting with the lyrics. 

→The eye bags under her eyes could show how she is tired of the pain and fighting she is enduring. It could be physically damaging her 

→She also makes direct contact with the audience which takes a toll on the viewer as it is as if we are staring into her soul and we are able to see and understand how she is feeling

→This shot shows her having her head in her knees almost in a position of defeat and in a position where she cannot take anymore

→The connotation of her being in bath could indicate her drowning in her own feelings and emotions
→Her hands on the side of the bath could show how she is trying to hold onto this relationship and how it is affecting her and physically draining her

→With this camera shot, she is seen to be deteriorating and not being able to handle anything - she seems more upset as the music video goes on 

→She doesn't follow the convention of lip syncing with the song; this could show how she is rejecting doing anything and just wants to feel again - it could show how she relates to the meaning of the song 
→Her looking down could show how she is not in control and is distraught and has lost control 
→She is also naked which again puts her in a vulnerable position again which demonstrates her vulnerability in this song