Lyrically, "Take a Bow" tells of how the female protagonist expresses disinterest in rekindling her relationship with an dishonorable and unfaithful ex-boyfriend.
It is an R&B song that contains elements of dance-pop.
In the US, the song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became Rihanna's third song to do so.
"Take a Bow" peaked at number one on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and US Pop Songs chart.
The track has been certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.