"Take a Bow" is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna taken from Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded (2008), a re-release of her third studio album Good Girl Gone Bad (2007). The song was written and produced by Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen, and Shaffer Smith under their stage names Stargate and Ne-Yo. "Take a Bow" was released as the first single from the re-release and the fifth single overall from the two releases. It is an R&B song that contains elements of dance-pop. Critical reception of "Take a Bow" was mixed, with some critics praising the song's lyrics and powerful balladry impact, while others criticized the lack of originality with regard to Stargate's production.
In the United States, the song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, Rihanna's third song to do so. "Take a Bow" also peaked at number one on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and US Pop Songs chart, and has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The song reached number one in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Slovakia and the United Kingdom, and attained top five positions in Australia, New Zealand and Norway. The song's accompanying music video was directed by Anthony Mandler and presents Rihanna as the female protagonist who has left her boyfriend because of his infidelity. "Take a Bow" has been performed on "AOL Music Sessions" and was included in the set lists of the Good Girl Gone Bad Tour (2008), Last Girl on Earth Tour (2010–11) and Loud Tour (2011). A minimal version of the song was included in a medley on the Diamonds World Tour (2013).
Music Video
Main article: Take a Bow (music video)
Lyrics
[Intro]
Oh, how bout a round of applause
Yeah, a standing ovation
Ooh, woah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
[Verse 1]
You look so dumb right now
Standing outside my house
Trying to apologize
You're so ugly when you cry
Please! Just cut it out
[Pre-Chorus]
And don't tell me you're sorry, cause you're not
Baby, when I know you're only sorry you got caught
[Chorus]
But you put on quite a show (Ooh, woah)
Really had me going
But now it's time to go (Ooh, woah)
Curtains finally closing
That was quite a show (Ooh, woah)
Very entertaining
But it's over now (But it's over now)
Go on and take a bow, oh-oh
[Verse 2]
Grab your clothes and get gone (Get gone)
You better hurry up (You better hurry up)
Before the sprinklers come on (Come on)
Talking bout "Girl, I love you, you're the one"
This just looks like the re-run
Please! What else is on? (Oh, woah)
[Pre-Chorus]
And don't tell me you're sorry, cause you're not (Mmmm)
Baby, when I know you're only sorry you got caught (Oooh)
[Chorus]
But you put on quite a show (Ooh, woah)
Really had me going
But now it's time to go (Ooh, woah)
Curtains finally closing
That was quite a show (Ooh, woah)
Very entertaining
But it's over now (But it's over now)
Go on and take a bow
[Bridge]
Oh, and the award for the best liar goes to you (Goes to you)
For making me (For making me) believe that you (That you) could be faithful (Faithful) to me
Let's hear your speech, oh
How bout a round of applause, ha-ha ah
A standing ovation
[Chorus]
But you put on quite a show (Ooh, woah)
Really had me going
Now it's time to go (Ooh, woah)
Curtains finally closing
That was quite a show (Ooh, woah)
Very entertaining, hey, yeah
But it's over now (But it's over now)
Go on and take a bow
[Outro]
But it's over now