What Now

"What Now" is a deeply introspective and emotionally raw power ballad that explores themes of confusion, loneliness, and emotional numbness following a period of turmoil. The song captures the disorienting feeling of being at a crossroads, uncertain of where to go or what to feel next. Lyrically, Rihanna expresses a profound internal conflict; she recognizes she should be strong and has supposedly moved past her 'weaker days,' yet she feels an aching void and a sense of being lost. The central question, "What now?", serves as the song's anchor, representing a desperate plea for direction in the aftermath of a significant life event or relationship change. It delves into the paradox of being surrounded by people but feeling utterly alone, going through the motions of happiness without any genuine emotion. Many interpretations suggest the song reflects a state of depression or deep anxiety, where one feels disconnected from their own feelings, even love, and is left feeling 'numb again'.

The song opens with an admission of suppressed emotional pain, a conscious effort to ignore a 'big lump in my throat.' The narrator tells herself that crying is a sign of weakness, a relic of 'weaker days,' and that she is stronger now. However, despite this self-assurance, there's an undeniable feeling that 'something's missing.' This unnamed void feels sentient and mocking, as if it's 'laughing at me through the glass of a two-sided mirror.' The feeling is so overwhelming and taunting that it builds a desire to just scream out in frustration. The central, recurring question, 'What now?', encapsulates this profound sense of being lost and directionless. The narrator simply cannot figure out the next step and feels resigned to just 'wait it out,' pleading for someone to provide an answer.

In the second verse, a layer of romantic conflict is introduced. The narrator acknowledges finding a significant person who 'changed my life.' Yet, this realization is immediately met with self-doubt. She questions whether she was the one who actually changed and if her partner 'just happened to come at the right time.' This uncertainty bleeds into her current emotional state; she is 'supposed to be in love,' but instead feels completely 'numb again.' This numbness brings back the haunting feeling of being mocked by an invisible force, leading once more to the desperate urge to scream and the helpless cry of 'What now?'.

The bridge reveals a deeper layer of isolation. The narrator feels there's 'no one to call,' admitting that her interactions with others are superficial, like 'playing games with them all.' This creates a painful paradox: 'The more I swear I'm happy, the more that I'm feeling alone.' She is trapped in a cycle of 'going through the motions,' unable to connect with or even express her own feelings. Her emotional well has run dry, leaving her feeling 'dry as a bone,' but the internal pressure remains, making her want to shout. The final outro descends into a litany of confusion, a rapid-fire confession of not knowing where to go, what to feel, how to cry, or even why she feels this way. It's a raw and unfiltered expression of being utterly lost and emotionally paralyzed.

"What Now" was recorded in 2012 for Rihanna's seventh studio album, Unapologetic. The song was written by British singer-songwriter Olivia Waithe (also known as Livvi Franc), Rihanna (credited as Robyn Fenty), Parker Ighile, and Nathan Cassells. The production was handled by Parker Ighile and Nathan Cassells, with vocal production overseen by Kuk Harrell. The music was recorded at Metropolis Studios in London, while Rihanna's vocals were recorded at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California. "What Now" was released as the fifth official single from the album, serviced to US radio in late September and early October 2013. Before its single release, several remix collections were issued to promote the track in dance clubs.

The rhyme scheme in "What Now" is relatively straightforward, often using AABB or ABCB patterns within its verses to maintain a cohesive, ballad-like structure. For instance, in the first verse, 'throat' is paired with the implied rhyme of 'weaker days' and 'so I say', focusing more on thematic connection than perfect rhyme. The song's rhythm is one of its most defining features. It operates at a mid-tempo pace during the verses, driven by the piano melody. This creates a contemplative and somber mood. The pre-chorus builds tension before the chorus erupts with a powerful, driving beat, shifting the song's energy dramatically. This rhythmic contrast between the subdued verses and the explosive, heavily percussive chorus effectively mirrors the singer's internal emotional state—from quiet despair to an outright cry for help.

Musically, "What Now" is structured as a power ballad that builds in intensity. It begins with a sparse piano arrangement, creating a sense of vulnerability and introspection in the verses. This quietness dramatically contrasts with the chorus, which explodes with what critics describe as "sonic bombs" and "crashing" drums, mirroring the lyrical shift from quiet confusion to a screaming plea. This dynamic shift from a mid-tempo piano ballad to a powerful, almost overwhelming chorus is a key stylistic choice that amplifies the song's emotional turmoil. Rihanna's vocal delivery is a significant technique; she moves from a restrained, melancholic tone in the verses to a full-throated, impassioned wail in the chorus, showcasing her vocal range and emotional expressiveness. Lyrically, the song heavily relies on rhetorical questions, most notably the recurring "What now?", which reinforces the central theme of uncertainty and desperation.

"What Now" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics, who often highlighted it as a standout track on the album Unapologetic for its emotional depth and praised Rihanna's powerful vocal performance. Commercially, after being released as a single, the song achieved moderate success, reaching number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. It was particularly successful in the dance music scene, with its remixes helping it top the US Dance Club Songs chart. The accompanying music video, directed by Jeff Nicholas, Jonathan Craven, and Darren Craig, garnered significant attention. The video features a goth-inspired Rihanna in what she described as an "eerie" and "creepy" visual, performing exorcism-like dance moves. Critics noted its dark, supernatural vibe and drew comparisons to her earlier video for "Disturbia". The song was also included in the setlist for her Diamonds World Tour (2013).

The lyrics of "What Now" employ several powerful metaphors to convey its emotional weight.

• The 'big lump in my throat': This is a direct physical metaphor for suppressed emotions, particularly sadness and the urge to cry, which the narrator is actively trying to ignore.
• The 'two-sided mirror': This image symbolizes a fractured sense of self and internal conflict. The feeling that something is 'laughing at me through the glass' represents self-doubt, anxiety, or perhaps an external judgment that has been internalized. It suggests a disconnect between how she sees herself and a truer, more chaotic inner reality that mocks her attempts to appear strong.
• Being 'dry as a bone': This metaphor vividly describes a state of emotional depletion. Despite the internal turmoil and the desire to 'shout,' she is unable to produce tears or any other emotional release, highlighting the feeling of numbness and being emotionally drained.

The most significant recurring phrase is the song's title, "What now?". This question is repeated throughout the choruses and the outro, acting as the central motif of the entire track. Its repetition emphasizes the feeling of being completely lost, directionless, and desperate for an answer or guidance. It's not just a question; it's a plea born of frustration and hopelessness. Another recurring lyrical motif is the idea of a mocking presence, expressed in the lines, "Whatever it is, it feels like it's laughing at me." This phrase appears in both pre-choruses, reinforcing the theme of internal conflict and paranoia. It suggests that the source of her pain is not just an absence of feeling, but an active, taunting force within her, which amplifies her desire to scream.