"Russian Roulette" is a pop and R&B ballad that contains dark, morbid, and tense atmospheric elements in its composition.
Lyrically, the single is about an abusive romantic relationship that ended abruptly.
Music critics noted the lyrical theme as a response to the domestic violence case between Rihanna and her then-boyfriend, singer Chris Brown.
It reached the top-ten in over twenty countries worldwide including number one in Czech Republic, Israel, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, and Switzerland.
The song reached number two on the UK Singles Chart and number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.