Rihanna And Kanye West And Paul McCartney

About This Collection

Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney came together in late 2014 for the single "FourFiveSeconds," released in January 2015. This unlikely collaboration brought together a pop megastar, a boundary-pushing hip-hop producer, and a living legend of rock guitar and songwriting. The track itself stripped away the heavy production listeners might expect from any of these three artists and delivered something raw, acoustic, and emotionally direct. For guitarists, this collaboration is significant precisely because it puts acoustic guitar front and center in a mainstream pop context, proving that a simple strummed progression can carry a massive hit when the feel and dynamics are right. The guitar work on "FourFiveSeconds" is largely attributed to Paul McCartney, one of the most important songwriters and multi-instrumentalists in music history. While McCartney is best known as a bassist and vocalist from The Beatles and Wings, his acoustic guitar skills are deeply underrated. His approach to guitar has always been about serving the song rather than showing off technical chops. On this track, the acoustic guitar acts as the sole harmonic foundation, making it essential listening for any guitarist who wants to understand how to accompany vocalists with taste and restraint. From a difficulty standpoint, "FourFiveSeconds" is highly accessible for beginner and intermediate guitarists. The chord shapes are standard open and barre chord voicings, the strumming pattern is rhythmically intuitive, and there are no solos or complex embellishments to worry about. That said, do not mistake simplicity for lack of depth. Playing this song well means nailing the dynamics, locking in with the vocal phrasing, and making every strum count. It is a fantastic exercise in learning how less can be more, and it is the kind of song that teaches you how to be a great rhythm guitarist in a band or singer-songwriter setting.