BELIEVE IT

"BELIEVE IT" is a conversational duet that explores the intricate dynamics of trust and vulnerability within a romantic relationship strained by past mistakes. The song serves as a dialogue between two lovers at a crossroads. PARTYNEXTDOOR's verses represent a plea for forgiveness and a second chance, where he acknowledges his past wrongdoings and seeks reassurance that his partner will stand by him. He questions the foundation of their future, asking if she would still accept a marriage proposal despite his history. Rihanna's chorus acts as the cautious and demanding response. She insists on tangible proof of his commitment, singing "Best make me believe it / Believe you won't deceive me," placing the onus on him to earn back her trust. The song captures the raw and often difficult process of healing after betrayal, highlighting the tension between the desire to forgive and the fear of being hurt again. It's a narrative about seeking redemption and the conditions required for a partner to grant it, emphasizing that belief and trust are actions that must be proven, not just words to be spoken.

The narrative unfolds as a candid conversation between two lovers grappling with the ghosts of past indiscretions. The male protagonist, voiced by PARTYNEXTDOOR, initiates the dialogue, laying his vulnerability bare. He is not just asking for forgiveness for past mistakes but is also desperately seeking reassurance about their future. His words paint a picture of deep anxiety; he questions whether his partner would still accept him if he confessed every single wrongdoing. This fear extends to a pivotal moment of commitment, as he wonders aloud if a marriage proposal would be met with rejection and public humiliation. He acknowledges the immense power his partner holds over his emotional well-being, admitting that her leaving would reduce him to "skull and bones." He emphasizes that her love and validation are paramount, more so than the opinions of his friends or even family, who already seem to adore her. His plea is a raw mix of repentance and a deep-seated need for her belief in him, even when his past actions have proven him untrustworthy.

The female counterpart, brought to life by Rihanna, responds primarily through a powerful and repetitive chorus. Her part is not an immediate absolution but a firm demand for genuine proof of his changed ways. The repeated line, "Best make me believe it, believe you won't deceive me," serves as both a challenge and a standard he must meet. It’s the voice of someone who has been hurt before and is now guarding her heart, requiring more than just words to rebuild trust. Her perspective implies that the burden of proof lies entirely on him. She is willing to consider a future, but only if his actions align with his promises. Her vocals, though mainly on the hook, anchor the song's central conflict: the tension between a desire to forgive and the fear of being betrayed once more.

PARTYNEXTDOOR’s second verse delves deeper into the complexities of the situation, acknowledging that there are "two sides to every story." He hints that his ex-partner, perhaps the source of the current conflict, has good "PR," suggesting she might be skilled at manipulating narratives. This introduces a layer of ambiguity, questioning whether he is a true villain or a victim of slander. He contrasts the public's perception with his private devotion, stating he’d choose his current partner over anyone else, highlighting her unique importance. He speaks of a future where they could be free and unburdened by outside opinions, reinforcing his commitment. The song concludes without a definitive resolution, mirroring the ongoing nature of rebuilding trust in a relationship. It's a snapshot of a crucial moment where the future hangs in the balance, dependent on one partner's ability to prove his sincerity and the other's capacity to believe in it.

"BELIEVE IT" was released on March 27, 2020, as a single from PARTYNEXTDOOR's third studio album, PARTYMOBILE. The creation of the song involved a collaborative effort among producers Bizness Boi, Cardiak, and Ninetyfour. The process began with an instrumental track created by Cardiak, which featured a distinct pitched-up vocal sample and intertwining guitar melodies. The instrumental was then passed to Bizness Boi during a writing camp in Paris and subsequently developed further by Ninetyfour, who then sent it to PARTYNEXTDOOR.

A notable aspect of the song's development is that before Rihanna recorded her part, PARTYNEXTDOOR used placeholder vocals recorded by his girlfriend at the time. Rihanna's involvement was a last-minute addition; she recorded and sent her vocals just in the final week before the album's release, on March 23, 2020. The producers themselves did not hear the final version with Rihanna's vocals until the song was officially released. This collaboration marked Rihanna's first musical appearance on a single in three years, following her feature on N.E.R.D.'s "Lemon" in 2017, making it a highly anticipated return for her fans.

The rhyme and rhythm of "BELIEVE IT" are characteristic of contemporary R&B, prioritizing a smooth, conversational flow over strict, traditional poetic structures.

Rhythm: The song maintains a steady, mid-tempo rhythm, creating a laid-back and intimate atmosphere. PARTYNEXTDOOR's vocal delivery is rhythmically complex; he varies his cadence, shifting between longer, sung phrases and shorter, more percussive lines that syncopate with the underlying beat. This dynamic delivery adds texture and prevents the verses from feeling monotonous. Rihanna's chorus, in contrast, is rhythmically straightforward and repetitive, giving it an anthemic quality that is easy to latch onto. This rhythmic stability in the chorus grounds the song and reinforces its central message.

Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme is loose and often relies on internal rhymes, assonance, and slant rhymes rather than perfect end rhymes, which contributes to its natural, prose-like feel. For example, in the lines "First you gotta forgive me / Let me know everything gon' be okay / Even if I come out with everything I did / Would you still punish me?" the rhymes are imperfect and staggered. This avoidance of a rigid AABB or ABAB scheme makes the lyrics sound more like authentic speech, enhancing the song's conversational and confessional tone.

"BELIEVE IT" employs several stylistic techniques to create its smooth, conversational, and emotionally resonant R&B feel.

• Musical Style: The song is built on a relaxed, mid-tempo R&B instrumental featuring a prominent, looping guitar riff and modulated, pitched-up vocal samples that create a hazy, atmospheric backdrop. The production, handled by Bizness Boi, Cardiak, and Ninetyfour, is clean and allows the vocals to be the central focus.
• Vocal Delivery: The track is structured as a duet, creating a call-and-response dynamic. PARTYNEXTDOOR's verses are delivered with a fluid, melodic flow that transitions seamlessly between singing and a more rhythmic, rap-like cadence. Rihanna's contribution, primarily in the chorus and harmonies, is delivered with a distinctive raspy, low-register vocal tone that conveys a sense of world-weary caution and firmness without overt tension.
• Lyrical Technique: The lyrics utilize direct address and rhetorical questions to create a sense of intimacy and immediacy (e.g., "Would you still punish me?," "If I propose, would you say no?"). This makes the listener feel as though they are eavesdropping on a private, heartfelt conversation between the two artists.
• Structural Repetition: Rihanna’s chorus acts as a recurring motif. Its repetition emphasizes the central theme—the non-negotiable need for trust. This structural choice makes her message the song's anchor and core demand, reinforcing her position in the relationship's power dynamic.

"BELIEVE IT" garnered significant cultural attention primarily due to it being Rihanna's first musical release in over three years, ending a long-awaited hiatus for her massive fanbase. Upon its release, the song debuted at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 12 on the UK Singles Chart, marking a successful commercial return for both artists. It became one of PARTYNEXTDOOR's highest-charting singles.

The track was featured on his third studio album, PARTYMOBILE, and solidified the existing creative partnership between the two artists, as PARTYNEXTDOOR had previously penned major hits for Rihanna, including "Work" and "Wild Thoughts." While the song itself didn't spark a major social movement or become a soundtrack staple in films, its primary impact was within the music industry and fan culture. It generated immense online discussion and media coverage, momentarily satisfying the global demand for new music from Rihanna while also boosting the profile of PARTYNEXTDOOR's album. The critical reception was generally positive, with many praising the smooth production and the chemistry between the two vocalists, although some fans expressed mild disappointment that Rihanna's feature was limited to the chorus.

While "BELIEVE IT" is largely direct in its lyrical approach, it employs some subtle metaphors related to power and life-or-death stakes within the relationship.

• Emotional Life and Death: PARTYNEXTDOOR uses the dramatic imagery of "skull and bones and dead, baby" to describe his state if his partner were to leave him. This hyperbole isn't meant literally but serves as a metaphor for complete emotional devastation. It elevates the relationship's importance to a matter of existential significance for him, symbolizing that his emotional life is entirely dependent on her presence and belief in him.
• Positional Power: The line "You got the power, pussy power" is a direct acknowledgment of the emotional leverage his partner holds. While explicit, it functions as a metaphor for the control she has over the relationship's future and his happiness. He concedes that the ultimate decision to trust and move forward rests with her, placing the power dynamic squarely in her hands.
• The "Proposal" as a Test: His hypothetical question, "If I propose, would you say no?" serves as a symbolic litmus test for their relationship's viability. The proposal here represents the ultimate act of commitment and trust. Her potential rejection symbolizes not just a refusal of marriage, but a final verdict on her ability to believe in him, making it a powerful metaphor for the ultimate judgment he fears.

The most significant recurring element in "BELIEVE IT" is the chorus sung by Rihanna, which functions as the song's central lyrical and thematic motif.

• The Chorus Hook: The lines, "Best make me believe it / Best make me believe it / Believe you won't deceive me," are repeated throughout the song. This repetition is crucial as it drills home the core conflict and the primary condition for the relationship's survival: his actions must generate her belief and trust. It's not just a catchy hook; it's an ultimatum and a constant reminder of what is at stake. Each time it recurs after PARTYNEXTDOOR's vulnerable verses, it reinforces her stance and the power she holds in the dynamic.
• The Concept of "Belief": The word "believe" itself is a recurring motif. It appears in the title and is the keyword in the chorus. PARTYNEXTDOOR also uses it when he asks, "Hey, you believe it or you don't?" This focus on "belief" frames the entire song around the theme of faith in a partner, moving beyond simple love to the more complex territory of trust after it has been broken.
• "Pussy Power": The phrase "You got the power, pussy power" is repeated twice in the first verse. While explicit, its recurrence serves to underscore a key motif of the song: the transference of power to the female partner. PARTYNEXTDOOR is acknowledging her control over their future, and the repetition ensures this point is not missed by the listener.