Kiss It Better

Rihanna released "Kiss It Better" as a dual single alongside "Needed Me" on March 30, 2016, to promote her eighth studio album Anti. The track stands out for its heavy synth production and electronic rock elements that pay homage to 1980s sounds. Jeff Bhasker and Glass John handled the primary production duties, while Rihanna contributed lyrics alongside Teddy Sinclair and Glass John. The song explores the tension of a toxic relationship where the protagonist acknowledges the pain caused by a lover yet remains drawn back to them.

Critical reception highlighted the nostalgic production style and Rihanna's vocal performance, earning the song a nomination for Best R&B Song at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. While it reached number 62 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the track found significant success in dance clubs, securing Rihanna her 26th number one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in July 2016. The Recording Industry Association of America later certified the single four times platinum.

The official music video directed by Craig McDean premiered on April 1, 2016, featuring surreal imagery and stark backdrops that emphasized body confidence. In a notable resurgence over a decade later, the song debuted on the Billboard Global 200 in March 2026, driven partly by a 2021 sample used by rapper Fat Joe on his track "Sunshine (The Light)" which introduced the song to new audiences via TikTok. [edit]