 " S & M " is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her fifth studio album , Loud ( 2010 ) . The song was released on January 21 , 2011 , as the fourth single from the album . The American songwriter Ester Dean wrote " S & M " in collaboration with the producers Stargate and Sandy Vee . Backed by bass beats , a keyboard and guitars , it is an uptempo hi @-@ NRG @-@ Eurodance track with lyrics that revolve around sexual intercourse , sadomasochism , bondage , and fetishes . 
