Spicing things up in the boudoir is sometimes a desperate effort to reignite the sparks of a relationship gone stagnant.

Coming down from the mildly controversial “S&M” (her record-breaking tenth Billboard Hot 100 chart topper), Rihanna remains in the bedroom for the contemplative “California King Bed.” But thing have cooled considerably upon the extra-wide mattress, as we see in the new music video for the power ballad, one of my favorite tracks off of Loud.

Maybe Rihanna will repeat the success of her “S&M” remix, a release that propelled the song to its penthouse spot by adding some vocals from Britney Spears. I certainly wouldn’t mind having a proper studio version of “California King Bed” featuring her CMA duet partner, Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles.

Purchase Rihanna – “California King Bed” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.