Rihanna, also known as Robyn Rihanna Fenty, is one of the most successful and iconic musicians of our generation. With over 15 years in the music industry, she has created a vast discography that has captivated audiences worldwide. From her debut single "Pon de Replay" to her most recent songs for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Rihanna has proven to be a versatile and talented artist. In this article, we will be highlighting her 10 greatest songs to date.
10. Take a Bow
"Take a Bow" is one of Rihanna's most successful and enduring songs. The emotional ballad showcases her incredible vocal range and depth, making it one of her greatest ballads. The song was released in 2008 as the leadoff single from Rihanna's re-released album "Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded". The album was an enormous success, propelled by the popularity of hits like "Umbrella", "Shut Up and Drive", and "Don’t Stop The Music". "Take a Bow" was written by the Norwegian duo Stargate and Ne-Yo, the same team behind Beyoncé's hit "Irreplaceable".
The song topped the charts in several countries, including the UK and the US, and was certified Platinum or higher in multiple countries. The song is about a girl who refuses to take back her cheating ex-boyfriend and tells him he's only sorry he got caught. "Take a Bow" was a massive commercial success, making Billboard history by leaping from number 53 to number one in a single week. At the time of its release, Rihanna was 20 years old and had already established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
9. SOS
"SOS" is a dance track by Rihanna that was released in 2006 and was a huge commercial success, marking her second number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song features a sample from the 1981 hit "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell, which was originally recorded by soul singer Gloria Jones in 1964. The "SOS" signal is a Morse code signal for distress and the song reflects the confusion Rihanna is feeling over her feelings for a boy. The song was written by J.R. Rotem and Evan Bogart and was the first of 14 US number-one hits for Rihanna.
Rihanna was still a young pop star when she released "SOS". The song has two music videos, one being a Nike promotional video and the other being an official video, both directed by Chris Applebaum. The Nike video showcased Rihanna's dance moves and was an early indication of her marketing appeal, leading to later partnerships with fashion brands.
8. Man Down
"Man Down" by Rihanna is a reggae-infused track from her fifth studio album, Loud (2010). The song was co-written by Rihanna, fellow Barbadian singer Shontelle, and production duo R. City, with the main production from Sham. The song was created during a writing camp held by Rihanna's record label in Los Angeles in March 2010. The song was inspired by Bob Marley's 1973 hit "I Shot the Sheriff" and was written to provide a female perspective on the same kind of feel. "Man Down" features elements of ragga and electronic music and features Rihanna singing in a prominent West Indian accent. The lyrics of the song depict Rihanna as a fugitive who shoots a man and later regrets the action.
The song was released on May 3, 2011, as the fifth single from Loud and received positive reviews from music critics
7. Pon de Replay
"Pon de Replay" is a classic song by Rihanna. Released in 2005, it served as the lead single from her debut album "Music of the Sun". The track was a significant commercial success, hitting the top ten in several countries and establishing Rihanna as a rising pop star. The song is heavily influenced by Caribbean dance rhythms, showcasing Rihanna's heritage and reflecting the vibrant club scene of her native Barbados. The lyrics of the song take place in a dance club, with the singer expressing her desire for more of her favorite song to be played and for it to be played louder.
Rihanna was discovered in 2003 by producer Evan Rogers and was later signed by Jay-Z after he was impressed with her audition. The song was co-written by Vada Nobles, Alisha "M'Jestie" Brooks, Carl Sturken, and Evan Rogers and was influenced by the 1993 track "Hey Mr. D.J." by Zhané. Although "Pon de Replay" was held back from reaching the top spot on the charts in the US by Mariah Carey's hit "We Belong Together", it still managed to reach number one in New Zealand and Portugal. The video for the song was directed by Director X and remains popular today, especially on dance competition shows and in dance video games. Despite a slow start, Rihanna went on to become one of the biggest pop stars of the next two decades, with a legacy that continues to influence the music world today.
6. Love on the Brain
"Love on the Brain" is a soulful and melancholic ballad by Rihanna, that features a retro doo-wop-inspired sound. The song deals with a complex and tumultuous relationship that Rihanna has with a partner who is physically abusive to her, yet she finds herself unable to resist his love and keep away from him. The lyrics of the song have led fans to speculate whether the singer is referencing her own history with Chris Brown, who assaulted her on February 8, 2009.
The song was co-written by Fred Ball, a Norwegian-born producer living in London who has worked with Little Boots and Little Mix, and J Angel, a singer-songwriter with credits on songs recorded by Jennifer Lopez and Demi Lovato. Ball and Angel wrote the song in early 2014 and described their aim as creating an old-school, soulful sound that would blend elements of Prince and Al Green with modern lyrics. Although they didn't write the song with Rihanna in mind, the song was eventually sent to her by Jay Brown, Ball's manager at Roc Nation, and she loved it. "Love on the Brain" was the first song that was commissioned for Rihanna's album "Anti".
5. We Found Love
"We Found Love" is an electrifying dance song that was produced by Scottish DJ Calvin Harris and features Rihanna's vocals. The song was released in 2011 and became an international hit due to its upbeat electro-house sound and catchy chorus. Although the lyrics of the song are relatively simple, the repeated phrase "We found love in a hopeless place" adds an increasing emphasis on the possibility of love, creating an ambiguous and relatable romantic success story for any listener.
The song was a massive commercial success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks and charting in 25 other countries. Its music video, directed by Melina Matsoukas, won a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video. However, the video was deemed controversial by some activist groups for its portrayal of drug use.
At the time of the song's release, social media was maturing, and Rihanna was dominating it, particularly on Facebook and Twitter. The music video is a visceral interpretation of the song that portrays Rihanna as addicted to both her lover and drugs, causing some anti-rape campaigners to criticize its message. However, most fans found the video artistic and visually stunning.
4. Stay
Rihanna’s song, “Stay,” a piano-driven ballad about two people fighting to keep their relationship alive, is a deeply emotional and memorable performance. Co-written by Nashville-based singer-songwriter Mikky Ekko and producer Elof Loelv, the track also finds success in its simplicity. The song became Rihanna’s tenth No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Songs chart, and her first release to enter the Top 10 of the Adult Contemporary listing. The song’s breadth of lyrics elicits an emotional response from listeners and a sense of empathy. When read in context with Rihanna’s turbulent relationship with Chris Brown, the lyrics take on a much darker tone. The music video was directed by Sophie Muller and features Ekko alongside Rihanna in a bathtub. The song's single-camera shot, tight and close, emphasizes the personal and emotional message of the track. Rihanna’s performance at the 2013 Grammy Awards with Ekko earned Chris Brown, her on-and-off partner, a standing ovation.
3. Work
Rihanna took a break from the spotlight after her 2012 album "Unapologetic" and its hit single "Diamonds" to reflect on her next move. In 2015, she released a series of non-album singles, including "FourFiveSeconds," "B_tch Better Have My Money," and "American Oxygen," which all became hits. When it came time to introduce her next album, she knew she needed a strong single to set the tone. The result was "Work," a collaboration with Jamaican-Canadian rapper Drake. The song was created during a beat session at Drake's house. "Work" became one of Rihanna's most celebrated hits, receiving critical and commercial success, including two Grammy nominations and reaching No.1 on the Hot 100 chart, becoming her 14th No.1 single globally.
In 2016, Rihanna's and Drake's "Work" became one of the defining tracks of the year, and audiences fell in love with Caribbean music again. Rihanna's imaginative use of vocalese in the chorus adds a twist to the song's representation of her culture. Although "Work" has a hypnotic and seductive sound, the lyrics actually depict a woman who is exhausted from investing effort into a relationship. Although the song was initially thought of as a party anthem, Partynextdoor, the lyricist, characterized it as a bluesy tune about a breakup.
2. Diamonds
In 2012, Sia wrote the hit song "Diamonds" in just 14 minutes after hearing the track that Benny Blanco intended to be a hip-hop song. The song was not originally intended to be a pop hit, but Sia's lyrics transformed it into one. Rihanna has described "Diamonds" as her favorite song, with its hopeful and positive lyrics about love. In an interview with MTV News, Rihanna explained that the song's metaphors were about embracing happiness and loving oneself. "Diamonds" became Rihanna's twelfth number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned several certifications, including 5 times Platinum in the US and Double Platinum in the UK. The song topped the charts in several countries and demonstrated Rihanna's vocal abilities outside of club hits. With its luscious, opulent power ballad style, "Diamonds" remains one of Rihanna's most uplifting hits and showcases her adaptability as an artist.
1. Umbrella
The making of Rihanna's hit song "Umbrella" started with a royalty-free GarageBand drum loop called "Vintage Funk Kit 03". The Dream recognized the potential of the beat right away and began singing in the vocal booth while Tricky added chords to it. The lyrics and melody quickly followed, and in less than an hour, the first verse and hook of the song were written. The track was initially intended for Britney Spears and later for Mary J. Blige, but it wasn't until Rihanna sang the "ella, ella, eh, eh, eh" portion of the chorus that Tricky knew the song would be a hit. "Umbrella" won a Grammy, sold millions of copies, reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and earned a spot on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time", turning Rihanna into a household name.
Interestingly, the song was first written for Britney Spears, but her management declined to use it because of her personal difficulties at the time. Mary J. Blige also missed the opportunity to record the song due to her Grammy obligations. The song ended up being Rihanna's first Grammy win and a Number One hit in many countries. However, the success of the song was accompanied by an alleged "Rihanna curse" as heavy storms hit the U.K., New Zealand, and Romania as soon as the single topped the charts in each country. Despite this, Rihanna was grateful for the success of the song, calling it a gift from a higher power.
In conclusion, Rihanna's 10 greatest songs to date demonstrate her exceptional talent as an artist. From her debut song "Pon de Replay" to the most recent song, the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Rihanna has continuously captivated audiences worldwide with her versatile music style, emotive ballads, and catchy dance tracks. Her musical career spans over 15 years, and her vast discography has a unique blend of R&B, reggae, pop, and dance rhythms, showcasing her heritage and versatility as an artist. Rihanna's iconic status is reflected in the commercial success of her songs, topping charts in multiple countries and receiving critical acclaim. Her 10 greatest songs mentioned in this article are timeless, and her legacy as a pop icon continues to influence the music world today.