Rihanna, ‘California King Bed’ – Song Review

After topping the charts with the naughty 'S&M,' Rihanna goes in a very different direction on 'California King Bed,' the latest single from her album 'Loud.'

Opening with gentle acoustic strumming, 'California King Bed' tells the heart-wrenching story of the demise of a once-great relationship.

Electric guitars and drums add power as the chorus kicks in and Rihanna sings, "In this California king bed we're ten thousand miles apart / I've been California wishing on these stars for your heart / For me, my California king."

Though 'California King Bed' follows a routine pop ballad arrangement, the song is a nice change of pace for the Barbadian hitmaker. As much as we love Rihanna's dance club hits, it's refreshing to hear a song built around her impressive voice.

Can 'California King Bed' join 'Only Girl (In the World), 'What's My Name' and 'S&M' as the fourth No. 1 single from 'Loud?' Time will tell, but Rihanna is working her butt off to promote the song; she's already performed it live on 'American Idol' and at the Academy of Country Music Awards, where she dueted with Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles.

Rating: 8/10

Listen to Rihanna, 'California King Bed'