The Meaning Behind The Song: Birthday Cake by Rihanna
Introduction
“Birthday Cake” is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her sixth studio album, “Talk That Talk” (2011). The song was written by Rihanna, The-Dream and Da Internz, with production by Da Internz. It features a guest verse from American rapper Chris Brown.
The song despite controversial lyrics was a commercial success for Rihanna as it charted in several countries. Many critics also praised the song’s production and Rihanna’s vocal performance. However, the lyrics of the song caused considerable attention as it alluded to a sexual encounter.
In this article, we will explore the meaning behind “Birthday Cake” and delve into the controversies surrounding the song.
The Meaning Behind The Song
At the surface level, “Birthday Cake” is about the celebration of someone’s birthday. However, the song’s lyrics are sexual in nature, and its true meaning remains open to interpretation. The song uses a metaphor of a “birthday cake” to represent sexual gratification.
Throughout the song, Rihanna sings lines such as “I know you wanna bite this, it’s so enticin'”, “It’s not even my birthday (my birthday), but he wanna lick the icing off” and “You’re gonna need a bite. Welcome to the bright, white, ice life”.
One interpretation of the song is that it is about a sexual encounter with a partner. The lyrics suggest that the speaker is being seduced by someone who wants to indulge in sexual acts with them, even if it’s not their birthday.
Another interpretation is that the song could be about performing oral sex. The lyrics “he wanna lick the icing off” suggest that the person is trying to remove the icing from the “cake,” which could be interpreted as referring to oral sex.
Controversies Surrounding The Song
The song’s lyrics generated a lot of controversy due to their explicit nature. Some critics accused Rihanna of promoting unhealthy sexual behavior and being a bad influence on her young fans. The song also sparked a new series of discussions around consent and sexual liberation.
The controversy was largely fueled by the fact that Chris Brown, who was convicted of domestic violence against Rihanna in 2009, featured on a remix of the song. Many saw this as Rihanna condoning his behavior and sending a dangerous message to her fans.
In a 2012 interview with Ryan Seacrest, Rihanna defended her decision to collaborate with Chris Brown, saying: “The way I look at it is, I am 24, and live my life like I want to. Sometimes we cross paths with people you don’t necessarily get along with at the time, but I didn’t do it just to do a song with him.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the inspiration for “Birthday Cake”?
The inspiration for “Birthday Cake” is believed to be the idea of celebrating someone’s birthday and the sexual undertones that could accompany this.
2. Who wrote “Birthday Cake”?
The song was written by Rihanna, The-Dream, and Da Internz.
3. Why did Rihanna choose to collaborate with Chris Brown on the remix of “Birthday Cake”?
Rihanna chose to collaborate with Chris Brown on the “Birthday Cake” remix despite his history of violence against her. She saw it as a way to put the past behind her and move on.
4. Why did “Birthday Cake” generate controversy?
The lyrics of “Birthday Cake” generated controversy due to their explicit and sexual nature, and the fact that Chris Brown featured on the remix, which many saw as condoning his abusive behavior.
5. What was the public reaction to “Birthday Cake”?
The public reaction to “Birthday Cake” was mixed, with some fans praising Rihanna’s sexual liberation, while others criticized her for promoting unhealthy behavior.
6. What is the metaphor behind “Birthday Cake”?
The metaphor behind “Birthday Cake” is that of sexual gratification, with the “cake” representing the female genitalia.
7. Did “Birthday Cake” chart?
Yes, “Birthday Cake” charted in several countries, including the US and the UK.
8. How did Rihanna respond to the controversy surrounding “Birthday Cake”?
Rihanna defended her decision to collaborate with Chris Brown on the remix, saying she did it because she wanted to and saw it as a way to move past their troubled history.
9. Was “Birthday Cake” a commercial success?
Despite the controversies surrounding the song, “Birthday Cake” was a commercial success for Rihanna, charting in several countries.
10. What is the message behind “Birthday Cake”?
The message behind “Birthday Cake” is open to interpretation, but some argue that it promotes sexual liberation and the celebration of female sexuality.
11. What does the lyric “he wanna lick the icing off” mean?
The lyric “he wanna lick the icing off” is a metaphor for performing oral sex.
12. What was the critical reception to “Birthday Cake”?
The critical reception to “Birthday Cake” was mixed, with some praising its production and Rihanna’s vocal performance, while others criticized its explicit lyrics.
