“Goodnight Gotham” is a short but poignant track on Rihanna's album, Anti. The song's title is a reference to Gotham City, the home of Batman, and the lyrics reflect a sense of urgency and darkness reminiscent of the iconic comic book city. The song opens with a sample of Florence Welch's voice singing the melody from her song “Only If for a Night.” Rihanna then comes in repeating that refrain, with lyrics that are sparse yet impactful, all while conveying a sense of fleeting passion and desperation.


The concept of the song is about surrendering oneself to the moment, living life to the fullest, and seizing the opportunity. It's a romantic and somewhat reckless sentiment that captures the essence of the song. The emotional dimension of the song is complex, with lyrics that suggest both passion and desperation. The refrain, “Only if for a night,” speaks to the intense desire to live in the moment and embrace the fleeting nature of life. The song's title is a nod to Gotham City, a symbol of darkness and danger, which adds to the sense of urgency and desperation. The mood of the song is one of introspection and melancholy.

When expressing the story and emotions of "Goodnight Gotham" I chose an aesthetic that is both dreamy and moody, with a hint of darkness. They capture the fleeting nature of life and the sense of urgency and desperation conveyed in the song's lyrics. I used red colors to create a dreamlike quality that is both romantic and melancholic. I also incorporated shadows and darkness to add a sense of danger and unpredictability, echoing the song's reference to Gotham City. Overall, the aesthetic choices I made for the photographs reflect the emotions and story of "Goodnight Gotham" by Rihanna, creating a visual narrative that captures the song's complex themes and mood. I especially see this when thinking about deciding to go out into the city for an evening, which is the story I tell here.