Hear The Song Sia & Kanye West Wrote For Rihanna

On Thursday, fame-phobic pop singer Sia Furler premiered "Reaper," the fifth and final promotional single to be lifted from her upcoming new album, This Is Acting (due out Jan. 29). Like most of the songs on the LP, "Reaper" was originally intended for another artist — in this case, Rihanna. Yes, as Sia revealed to Rolling Stone in December 2015, she penned "Reaper" (with "notes" from the track's producer, Kanye West) for Rihanna's long-awaited ANTI project. But, alas, it didn't make the cut. Fortunately, however, the 40-year-old Australian songwriter doesn't seem too broken up about it. In fact, she remarked during her aforementioned Rolling Stone interview that she never expected "Reaper" to "see the light of day."

"I don't care about the song," Sia said. "I know in print that will look bad, but what I mean is I'm not emotionally attached to it. I thought it was a fun song. I think it's a good, fun song, but I didn't anticipate it being on the record. But my manager really likes it so I put it on for him." Well, you have to admire her honesty!

After hearing "Reaper" — a mid-tempo, sunshine-y anthem about... cheating death? — it's easy to understand Sia's indifference. It's a catchy tune, sure — but it doesn't make much of an impact. I'm not at all surprised Rihanna passed on it. (It's not a bad song, by any means, but it's just kinda... there.) In the first verse and pre-chorus, Sia sings:

Broke down, thought that I would drown

Hoped that I'd be found, 'fore I hit the ground

Sun rays out the corner of my eye, yeah, hey

Saw you weeping, saw you creeping

Saw you sneaking in the shadow's dawn

I feel so strong

Saw you out the corner of my eye, yeah

Don't come for me today

I'm feeling good

I'mma savor it

Don't come for me today

I'm feeling good

I remember when

(Reaper)

"Reaper's" feel-good hook is definitely its strongest asset:

You came to take me away

So close I was to Heaven's gates

But no baby, no baby, not today

Oh, you tried to track me down

You followed me like the darkest cloud

But no baby, no baby, not today

(Reaper) Oh, Reaper

(Reaper) Oh, no baby, no baby, not today

(Reaper) Oh, Reaper

(Reaper) Oh, no baby, no baby, not today

Believer it or not, "Reaper" isn't the only song on This Is Acting that was once rejected by Rihanna: both "Bird Set Free" and "Cheap Thrills" were offered to the 27-year-old Barbadian superstar, as well. (Fun fact: "Bird Set Free" was also rejected by Adele and the producers of Pitch Perfect 2. That poor track just couldn't find a home!)

This Is Acting is available for pre-order on iTunes now.