Desperado

"Desperado" explores themes of escape, loneliness, and a complex, codependent relationship. The term "desperado" itself, of Spanish origin meaning 'to despair,' sets the tone for a song about a reckless, outlaw figure. Rihanna positions herself alongside this character, not as a foe, but as a willing partner in his flight. The narrative centers on her decision to leave her current life behind, stating, "There ain't nothing for me here anymore," yet this desire is fueled by a deep-seated fear of being alone. The song delves into the psychological landscape of needing to escape a stagnant situation while simultaneously clinging to a troubled, yet necessary, connection. The 'desperado' is emotionally unavailable, with a 'heart is hollow,' but their shared need for each other creates a powerful, albeit potentially toxic, bond. It's a declaration of allegiance to a fellow outcast, suggesting a relationship built on mutual desperation rather than conventional love. The song's mood is one of dark, cinematic tension, reflecting the uncertainty and danger of their shared path.

The song's narrative unfolds with the protagonist, Rihanna, finding herself entangled with a rebellious, emotionally distant man, a 'desperado.' She is sitting with him in an old Monte Carlo, a classic car that evokes a sense of timelessness and a hint of a rugged past. She senses his emotional emptiness, describing him as 'a man whose heart is hollow.' Despite his guarded nature, she is not there to challenge him or oppose his path; instead, she declares her intention to join him. There's a palpable urgency to their situation, a need to escape their current circumstances. The lyrics convey a sense of shared destiny and mutual need. She insists that he won't leave her behind because they share 'common interests' and he needs her as much as she needs him. This isn't just a physical journey but an emotional one, a flight from a place that no longer offers her anything. She repeats the line, 'There ain't nothing here for me anymore,' emphasizing her own desperation to leave. However, this desire for escape is deeply intertwined with a fear of loneliness. She pleads, 'But I don't wanna be alone,' revealing her vulnerability. The chorus becomes a powerful declaration of their potential escape, a 'running away' that is framed as an act 'out of love.' The protagonist grapples with the duality of her situation. She can be self-sufficient, a 'lone wolf,' but the crack in her voice as she sings this line betrays her underlying need for connection. The song paints a picture of two solitary souls finding a strange companionship in their shared desire to flee. They are both running from something, and in each other, they find a reason to run together rather than apart. The narrative doesn't offer a clear resolution or a happy ending. Instead, it captures a moment of suspense and emotional complexity. It's about the decision to embrace a dangerous and uncertain future with someone, simply because the alternative of staying put and being alone is unbearable. The recurring theme is one of a fraught, yet compelling, codependency, a dark romance set against a backdrop of imminent departure.

"Desperado" was recorded for Rihanna's eighth studio album, Anti, released in 2016. The song was primarily written by Krystin "Rook Monroe" Watkins and Mick Schultz, with additional writing contributions from Rihanna (credited as Robyn Fenty), James Fauntleroy, and Derrus Rachel. The creation process was somewhat unconventional. Mick Schultz had the instrumental track, and his friend Rook Monroe, who was working at a house Rihanna had rented in Malibu for a months-long creative session, started writing to it. Schultz visited the house but didn't directly pitch the track to Rihanna. Instead, Monroe worked on the lyrics, and about a week later, Schultz was informed that Rihanna loved the record. The song was then further developed with contributions from Rihanna and Fauntleroy. Recording took place at Westlake Beverly Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Kuk Harrell, a longtime collaborator, handled the vocal production. The song also features an interpolation of the background vocals from Banks' 2013 song "Waiting Game". A dance remix EP of "Desperado" was released on June 9, 2017.

"Desperado" is built on a mid-tempo, steady rhythm that contributes significantly to its tense and brooding atmosphere. The beat is persistent and somewhat hypnotic, creating a feeling of a continuous, deliberate journey. The tempo is approximately 189 BPM, though it feels slower due to the atmospheric production. The song's rhythmic structure is more aligned with a free verse feel in its lyrical delivery, which often flows across the beat rather than adhering to a rigid, predictable pattern. The rhyme scheme is not strictly consistent, favoring slant rhymes and a more conversational flow. For instance, in the first verse, 'Carlo' and 'hollow' create a near rhyme that establishes the mood. The pre-chorus and chorus sections use repetition of phrases like 'get up out of here' and 'running away' to create a rhythmic and thematic anchor. The interplay between Rihanna's fluid vocal rhythm and the steady, driving musical rhythm is a key element, creating a sense of both urgency and weary resignation.

Musically, "Desperado" employs a distinctive blend of genres, primarily alternative R&B and indie rock, creating a dark, atmospheric soundscape. The production, handled by Mick Schultz, is characterized by its mid-tempo groove, deep, 'buzzy' bassline, 'ghostly' background vocals, and shuddering drums. A key musical technique is the interpolation of the background vocals from Banks' song "Waiting Game," which adds an ethereal, moody texture to the track. Rihanna's vocal delivery is crucial; it's often described as smooth and relaxed, yet it conveys a sense of vulnerability and tension. A notable moment is the vocal crack on the line 'I can be a lone wolf,' a stylistic choice that adds a layer of raw emotion and contradicts the lyrical assertion of independence. The song's structure maintains a consistent 'simmer,' avoiding a big explosive chorus and instead relying on its brooding, hypnotic quality to draw the listener in.

"Desperado" is a standout track from Rihanna's critically acclaimed album Anti (2016), an album that marked a significant artistic shift for her, moving away from radio-friendly pop towards a more experimental, alternative R&B sound. While not released as a commercial single in the traditional sense, the song became a fan favorite and received positive reviews for its moody atmosphere and Western themes. Its influence is seen in how it contributed to the overall critical success and legacy of Anti as a more artistically driven and authentic project for Rihanna. In 2017, a remix EP of the song was released, and it went on to top the US Dance Club Songs chart, becoming Rihanna's fifth number one on that chart in 2017 alone. This achievement made her the only artist to score that many number ones on the chart within a single year. The song has also been covered by the indie rock band The Kills, who released an acoustic version in 2016.

The central metaphor of "Desperado" is the figure of the outlaw, which symbolizes a desire for escape and a life outside of conventional norms. This is reinforced by subtle Western-themed imagery and phrases like 'saddle up.' The 'old Monte Carlo' in the opening line serves as a symbol of their journey; it's a classic, slightly worn vehicle that suggests a long, storied past and an uncertain road ahead. The description of the man's heart as 'hollow' is a direct metaphor for his emotional unavailability and the void that Rihanna's character is drawn to, perhaps seeing a reflection of her own emptiness. The act of 'running away' is both literal and metaphorical, representing an escape from a place or situation, but also an escape from loneliness and a past that holds no future. The phrase 'I can be a lone wolf' is immediately contrasted by her plea not to be left behind, symbolizing the internal conflict between independence and the deep-seated need for companionship, however flawed.

The most significant recurring phrase in "Desperado" is the plea, 'But I don't wanna be alone,' which acts as the emotional core of the song. Its repetition underscores the protagonist's primary motivation for joining the 'desperado,' revealing that her desire for escape is deeply connected to her fear of solitude. The phrase 'running away' is another central motif, repeated throughout the chorus, solidifying the theme of escape as the song's main action and narrative drive. The title word, 'Desperado,' itself is a recurring motif, defining the male character and setting the song's outlaw tone. The image of the 'old Monte Carlo' appears at the beginning, establishing a cinematic setting that lingers throughout the track. Musically, the song is built around a recurring, moody synth and bass line that establishes its signature dark and atmospheric feel from the very beginning.