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This emotive ballad about a relationship was penned by Nashville-based singer songwriter Mikky Ekko (born John Sudduth), Lana Del Rey's frequent songwriting partner Justin Parker, and producer, songwriter and mixer Elof Loelv, who has also worked with Niki & The Dove, Erik Hassle and Pixie Lott. Ekko also trades vocals with Rihanna on the track. Rihanna performed the song without Ekko on Saturday Night Live, November 10, 2012.

This simple piano balled landed in the Top 5 on 28 charts, which alone is testament to its universal appeal. Why is the song so memorable? The intimacy of the piano and the simple, repetitive melody help, but the real clincher is Rihanna's vocal, the inflections of which help the listener discern the intense emotion behind each lyric. Note, for example, the third and fourth line of the first verse, which quickly switch between gutsy confidence and vulnerability simply through Rihanna's momentary falsetto and fragile vibrato.

Speaking with Gigwise, Ekko admitted that he was initially "a little freaking out" when he heard that Rihanna had recorded the track as it had a personal meaning to himself. "The track had become so special to me as well, and knowing what the track means to me and what I think it means to her too, it really worked," he said. "It speaks to such an intimate side of her that is so rare and so far removed from what people think of her."
He added: "I met up with some of her people in LA. She came out, we met, we hugged and talked for a minute about the song, she said, 'Oh, just so you know, I've cut the vocal', and I was like, 'WHOA!' and of course I said, 'That's no problem' - even though I was a little freaking out."