Watch n' Learn

Album: Talk That Talk (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This instructional tune was produced by Hit-Boy, who has also worked on tracks by the likes of Eminem, Jennifer Lopez, Lil Wayne and The Throne. He wrote the song with the American singer-songwriter Priscilla Renea, who also worked on Rihanna's Loud track "California King Bed." Renea later started recording as Muni Long and broke through with her 2022 album Public Displays of Affection.
  • The track wasn't originally earmarked for any artist in particular when Hit-Boy started working on it. "I kind of went into the situation blind, but I had this track I actually started at home, and the one day I was at the studio with this amazing Priscilla Renea, and I was going to tell her to go home, but I was like, 'Stay here and see if you could come up with an idea for this,'" he recalled to MTV News of the song's origin. "And by the time I got back to the house she sent me the idea through iChat, and I was like, 'Man, this is crazy.' So we got it to [Rihanna], and they went crazy, and she cut it, and that's what it is!"
  • The song finds sexpert Rihanna giving her men instructions. Its one of a number of tracks on Talk That Talk that focuses on the Bajan singer getting frisky with different guys. Hit-Boy told MTV News why Ri-Ri is so intent on satisfying her carnal desires on the album. "I mean it's called Talk That Talk and she's definitely talking that talk — especially, I know, from my record," he said. "It's called 'Watch n' Learn,' and people will understand what it's about once it comes out. It's a very sexy record, but it's fun. It's [got] great melodies; it's catchy; the beat knocks. It's so many different elements to it."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tony Joe White

Tony Joe WhiteSongwriter Interviews

The writer of "Rainy Night in Georgia" and "Polk Salad Annie" explains how he cooks up his Louisiana swamp rock.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.