 " Unfaithful " is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her second studio album A Girl like Me ( 2006 ) . It was written by Shaffer " Ne @-@ Yo " Smith with the song 's producers StarGate . The song was released by Def Jam Recordings on May 2 , 2006 , as the second single from the album . " Unfaithful " is a pop and R & B ballad and was inspired by the works of American rock band Evanescence . Originally titled " Murderer " , the single speaks about a woman who regrets cheating on her partner . 
