“We Found Love,” is the sonic equivalent of comfort food. It’s warm, uncomplicated, and a staple in almost every household.
The song, released in the fall of 2011, was written and produced by Scottish DJ Calvin Harris with Rihanna singing on the track. “We Found Love” quickly became an international success as its chorus and upbeat electro-house sound endeared the song to millions.
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Despite being known for its relatively simple lyrics, is there a deeper meaning behind the song lyrics? Let’s find out.
The meaning behind the song lyrics
The lyric, We found love in a hopeless place, repeats itself an impressive 16 times in “We Found Love.” The repetition of this lyric adds an increasing emphasis on possibility, which is matched by Rihanna’s airy vocals. The meaning essentially equates to a romantic success story and one that’s ambiguous enough to be relatable or desirable to any listener. We found love in a hopeless place.
Each verse builds out the rest of the scene as Rihanna reveals that her lover is also physically present.
Yellow diamonds in the light
Now we’re standing side by side
As your shadow crosses mine
What it takes to come alive.
So, is there a deeper meaning to “We Found Love”? Perhaps not, and perhaps that is the beauty in it.
Wild Success
To (continue) to put it simply, “We Found Love” was an absolute monster release. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 non-consecutive weeks, surpassing Rihanna’s commercial success with “Umbrella,” and charted in 25 other countries.
The music video for the song also saw widespread success. The video, directed by Melina Matsoukas, won a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video as well as a VMA for Video of the Year. Despite its success, however, the “We Found Love” music video was deemed controversial by some activist groups for its portrayal of drug usage.
Check out the music video for “We Found Love” below, and let us know what you think of the track. (Comment below)
Photo by Randy Brooks/AFP via Getty Images
More Behind The Song
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Left to right: Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page, of British heavy rock group Led Zeppelin, performing at Earl's Court, London, May 1975. The band were initially booked to play three nights at the venue, from 23rd to 25th May, but due to public demand, two more concerts were later added, for 17th and 18th May. Total ticket sales were 85,000. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) -
Portrait of country singer Eddie Rabbitt in Memphis, Tennessee, May 31, 1981. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES – FEBRUARY 22: 31st Annual Grammy Awards. Broadcast February 22, 1989. Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California. Pictured accepting award is Bobby McFerrin. His song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" won Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male. Also Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Male. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images) -
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 03: Singers Mike McGuire (L) and Marty Raybon of Shenandoah attend the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rick Diamond/ACM2016/Getty Images for dcp) -
Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images -
The three founding members of Talking Heads on a Manhattan rooftop, US, 1976. (Jerry Harrison would join the group at the beginning of 1977.) (L-R) Bassist Tina Weymouth, singer-guitarist David Byrne and drummer Chris Frantz. (Photo by Linda D. Robbins/Getty Images) -
Patty Smyth of Scandal at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, June 3, 1983. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) -
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images