Released: 2016
Shifting gears, we slide into “Woo” by Rihanna, a track rich in emotional conflict, scorned love, and explicit defiance. Stinging with the raw sting of a love gone sour, Rihanna sets the scene weaving the tale of a past lover unable to move on from her, despite being with someone else.
In the opening verse, Rihanna states, “I bet she could never make you cry ‘Cause the scars on your heart are still mine.” The metaphorical scars that Rihanna left on her ex’s heart highlight her lasting influence on him, suggesting that his current lover can’t evoke the same deep emotions or pain. Thus, Rihanna establishes herself as an unforgettable love interest.
When she belts out, “Too bad she’s just eating off your dreams,” she’s essentially saying that the new girl is just living off her ex’s aspirations, perhaps without contributing any value of her own. This could also imply that the new girl is merely enjoying the fruits of Rihanna’s labors, or benefiting from what Rihanna built with her ex in terms of emotional maturity or financial stability.
Throughout the chorus, Rihanna’s hook, “Send for me,” is a bold and irresistible invitation for her ex to reach out to her when he’s ready to experience the depth of emotion and intimacy they once shared. However, the assertiveness of her message leaves room for interpretation – Rihanna could be expressing genuine desire, or she could be manipulatively playing with his emotions.
The next verse, “I’ve been thinking ’bout you late at night” shows Rihanna’s vulnerability, suggesting that she too still thinks of their past relationship. Yet, it’s tinged with a sense of control, as she demands to know what her ex wants to do, indicating that she’s unwilling to be the one making moves.
The repetitive refrain, “I don’t mean to really love you / I don’t even really care about you, no more,” is a powerful assertion of Rihanna’s detached and hardened stance. She bluntly refutes any notion of lingering love and insists she no longer cares for her former flame, reinforcing her image of strength and independence.
Overall, “Woo” is a hypnotic and invigorating exploration into the dynamics of a love that has combusted, offering listeners a raw prism through which to examine the entanglements of romance and ego. Rihanna, through her lyrics, epitomizes the struggle of moving on, while still holding a certain claim over a past love.
