"I'm terrified, but I'm not leaving / I know that I must pass this test / So just pull the trigger".

In this dark ballad from her album Rated R , Rihanna uses the metaphor of a lethal game of chance to describe an abusive or dangerous relationship.

The lyrics explore the immediate regret and psychological impact of a desperate act of violence.

The song reflects on feeling trapped and the high stakes of a toxic romance, often interpreted as a response to her 2009 domestic violence case.

The phrase "pull the trigger" appears in two prominent Rihanna songs: and "Man Down" . Russian Roulette (2009)

Popular lyric versions of this song are available on YouTube, such as this Man Down lyrics video .