In today’s society, the issue about relationships and commitment has seemed to change drastically. When I was growing up, a “player” was aimed at trying to “get some” whenever he could. If you noticed, I said “he”, with clear intentions of not including any “she”.
Back in my day, a “player” was mostly of the male species. To many angry women, they would say they are related to the dog species. To clarify, this was usually meant in the most negative way. Yes, ma’am… no love for the puppy-lookin’ cutie-cuteness. This was all about play and be played or chase and be chased.
Rihanna’s "Needed Me" describes just how it is in a woman’s point-of-view when a player tries to play but gets caught in his own mess. It happens when during the gameplay the player gets played because he realizes that he may want more than just a one-night’s game of physical satisfaction. In some cases, the guy doesn’t have to be a player but a guy who does want commitment from the get-go.
The problem is this type of woman wants no attachments or any commitments. To her, the play of physical pleasure is fine by her but he better not expect anything more, leaving the latter in ambiguity. It’s an agreement that she feels they both can benefit from as long as he doesn’t make anything more out of it. In this case, the man does want more but she doesn’t want it. That “it” is a relationship and obviously involving commitment. Nevertheless, we get an awesome song created by none other than the badass Rihanna.
Nowadays, the term “player” has not only found its way to describe an eagerly advantageously-seeking man in physically satisfying activities but in this disappointment… has found its way to a woman, a woman who is tired of all the games. Yes, these days, women can be players.
When a woman is a player in the game it can be played differently with needs and wants being more materialistic. In these present day instances though, that too has changed. Ladies seem to be more open to an open relationship, even a more sexual relationship with no attachments but with all its benefits.
Women have learned to play the game and have a mentality like men do. In that sense, men are the ones being affected emotionally and seeking commitment but no women are there willing to give it. Furthermore, women have become numb because men have played so much throughout the years that women have started to feel that there are no more “good” men out there. Basically, men who are players created this new breed of women---the numb and “I don’t give a f*ck” woman. The game goes on and on from here on out. In my opinion, that don’t sound too good.
Interesting enough, in an article I read, Rihanna is entirely opposite of the persona presented in this song. Through struggles and experiences she has already went through, it is only understandable why she does not agree with this type of relationship or lifestyle of philandering. Furthermore, she does not support the mentality behind it.
You’re probably thinking, why would she produce this song if she isn’t even like that? Well, in her own art and style, this could very well be the way she wants to tell society and all the women in it. She addresses what women are settling for and they shouldn’t have to. She has stated that she would rather wait, even if it’s forever, for the right man. Until then, she’s fine being single.
Rihanna’s Audio Video of “Needed Me”:
