FourFiveSeconds

"FourFiveSeconds"
In a monochrome image, Paul McCartney holding a guitar, along with Rihanna in the center, and Kanye West on the right behind Rihanna. A text appears in braille reading "Four Five Seconds".
Single by Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney
ReleasedJanuary 24, 2015 (2015-01-24)
Recorded
Various
Genre
Length3:08
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • West
  • McCartney
Rihanna singles chronology
"Jump"
(2014)
"FourFiveSeconds"
(2015)
"Towards the Sun"
(2015)
Kanye West singles chronology
"Only One"
(2014)
"FourFiveSeconds"
(2015)
"Blessings"
(2015)
Paul McCartney singles chronology
"Only One"
(2014)
"FourFiveSeconds"
(2015)
"All Day"
(2015)
Music video
"FourFiveSeconds" on YouTube

"FourFiveSeconds" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna, American rapper Kanye West, and English musician Paul McCartney. It was written and produced by McCartney, West, Mike Dean, Dave Longstreth and Noah Goldstein with additional writing from Kirby Lauryen, Ty Dolla Sign, Dallas Austin, Elon Rutberg and Rihanna. Previewed by West at the iHeartMedia Music Summit on January 21, 2015, it was digitally released on January 24. "FourFiveSeconds" is a folk-pop and soul song with an instrumentation consisting of an acoustic guitar, organ and bass guitar.

"FourFiveSeconds" received acclaim from music critics who praised Rihanna's vocals on the song. Commercially, it peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In doing so it gave Rihanna her 26th top-ten song on the chart, while McCartney set a record by ending the longest break between top-ten singles on the chart. The song also peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Internationally, "FourFiveSeconds" reached number one in Australia, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden, as well as the top three in Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

To promote the song, an accompanying black-and-white music video was directed by Dutch photographer duo Inez and Vinoodh in New York City. Rihanna, McCartney, and West performed "FourFiveSeconds" for the first time at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards on February 8 held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles; the performance received highly positive reviews. "FourFiveSeconds" has been covered by various recording artists, including Canadian rapper Drake and British singer-songwriter James Bay.