Rihanna is a Barbadian singer, songwriter, and actress who has become one of the most successful and influential artists of the 21st century. Born in Barbados in 1988, she moved to the United States as a teenager to pursue a music career. Her debut album, Music of the Sun (2005), was a commercial success and established her as a rising star in the music industry.
Rihanna’s music is characterized by her distinctive vocals, catchy melodies, and eclectic mix of genres, including R&B, pop, and reggae. Her hits include “Umbrella,” “Disturbia,” and “Work,” among many others. She has won numerous awards for her music, including nine Grammy Awards.
In addition to her music, Rihanna is also known for her successful fashion and beauty ventures, including her Fenty Beauty line, which has been praised for its inclusive approach to makeup. She has also been involved in numerous philanthropic and humanitarian causes, including education, healthcare, and disaster relief.
Rihanna’s influence on music and popular culture cannot be overstated, and she has inspired countless artists with her bold style and fearless approach to music and fashion. Her music continues to be celebrated by fans around the world, and her legacy as a true icon of the 21st century lives on.
1. Hate That I Love You
This track, known as a masterpiece by Rihanna fans, showcases her powerful and sultry voice. It's a song that highlights the turmoil of being in love with someone you know isn't good for you. The catchy guitar backing track leads to a chorus that's incredibly emotive and atmospheric. It really captures the sense of confusion and heartache perfectly. Hate That I love You is characterized by its dynamic beats, playful lyrics, and strong yet captivating visuals featured in the music video.
Disturbia: the song that makes you question if you should dance or seek therapy.
2. Disturbia
This Rihanna classic is an electro-pop hit and a fan favorite thanks to its catchy chorus and dark lyrics. The song features a strong beat that creeps up on the listener and pulls them into the mysterious world of 'Disturbia'. Rihanna's vocals are hauntingly beautiful, further drawing in the audience as she sings about the chaotic nature of her mind. It's no wonder that 'Disturbia' has remained one of Rihanna's most beloved songs amongst fans.
One element of 'Disturbia' that cannot be ignored is its music video. The eerie visuals perfectly captured the mood of the song, featuring creepy imagery, elaborate costumes, and a nod to horror films. Rihanna's performance in the video showcased her versatility as an artist, proving that she can craft a multimedia experience beyond just singing.
Overall, 'Disturbia' deserves its spot in the top ten best Rihanna songs list for its electrifying sound and captivating visuals. According to Billboard, this hit single spent 42 weeks on their Hot 100 chart and peaked at #1 in 2008—an impressive feat for any artist.
Rihanna asks 'What's My Name?' like she's forgotten, but with hits like this on her resume, everyone knows it's Bad Gal Riri.
3. What’s My Name
Rihanna's hit single, which features Drake, is an embodiment of the Barbadian singer's aptitude for rhythmic and catchy pop songs that are impossible not to hum along with. This song won several awards back in 2011 when it was released and has since become a staple of Rihanna's discography. The playful beat, coupled with the fantastic chemistry between Rihanna and Drake, results in an incredibly smooth listening experience.
Moreover, upon release, this song quickly became one of the most streamed tracks on various platforms, further cementing its place in history as one of Rihanna's best songs. The catchy chorus and memorable beat have made "What's My Name" a favored Karaoke song across the globe.
Interestingly enough, despite being one of Rihanna's biggest hits from her Loud era, she actually didn't write it herself. Instead, Ester Dean and Drake penned most of the lyrics — but let's be honest; we wouldn't have even known if Rihanna didn't sing it like only she can.
Rihanna's 'Don't Stop The Music' will make you want to dance like no one's watching (unless you're in public, then please dance responsibly).
4. Don’t Stop The Music
Rihanna's infectious beat Don't Stop The Music is one of the highlights of her career. This colossal hit revitalized club music with its electrifyingly groovy tune.
The song, which premiered in 2007, features hypnotic beats and a dynamic chorus that urges listeners to keep dancing. With impeccable production and powerful vocals from Rihanna, it became an instant classic among pop lovers across the globe.
Don't Stop The Music also showcases Rihanna's vocal range and capacity for experimentation. It's a seamless blend of dance-pop, R&B, and electro that has gained widespread popularity.
Rihanna's brilliant lyrics beautifully captures the fun-loving spirit of a night out with friends. The upbeat rhythm, along with its relentless tempo, elevates everyone’s mood instantly.
For an indulgent party vibe, play Don’t Stop The Music on repeat and find yourself transported into one heck of a musical whirlwind!
Before Pon De Replay, the only thing we repeated was our mistakes. Thanks, Rihanna, for breaking that cycle.
5. Pon De Replay
With catchy beats and infectious lyrics, Rihanna's "Pon De Replay" is a perfect party song. The rhythmic Caribbean dance music with a pop twist and vibrant energy makes it one of the best tracks from her debut album 'Music of the Sun'. Its positive vibes and upbeat tempo make it irresistible to groove along. Rihanna's captivating vocal delivery combined with dancehall beats truly delivers a great listening experience. This song is bound to lift your spirits up and get you on the dance floor. Don't miss out on putting this legendary track on your playlist!
Rihanna and Eminem prove that love can truly be explosive in 'Love The Way You Lie'.
6. Love The Way You Lie
This hit single showcases Rihanna's incredible vocal range and powerful storytelling skills. "Love The Way You Lie" features Eminem and addresses the dark dynamics of a toxic relationship marked by violence and manipulation. The song's raw emotion and haunting melody continue to resonate with fans worldwide, earning it a well-deserved spot on this list of Rihanna's best songs.
In addition to its commercial success, "Love The Way You Lie" received critical acclaim for its poignant lyrics and impactful message. The song explores the complexities of domestic abuse and raises awareness about the issue. Rihanna's contribution to this track demonstrates her ability to use her platform for social change, making her a truly admirable artist.
Fun Fact: In an interview with MTV News, Rihanna shared that she was initially hesitant about collaborating with Eminem on "Love The Way You Lie", but ultimately decided to participate due to the song's important message.
Rihanna's 'Umbrella' may not keep you dry in the rain, but it's sure to shelter you from any bad music choices.
7. Umbrella
This song of Rihanna has been a massive hit that features Jay-Z It gained widespread acclaim and popularity due to its catchy tunes, relatable lyrics, and exciting choreography.
For the seventh category, we have created a table with five different columns using HTML tags. The first column lists the title of the song 'Umbrella,' while the second describes its album name 'Good Girl Gone Bad.' The third column mentions the year in which it was released -2007 and lists two other artists that collaborated with Rihanna featuring Jay-Z. Finally, it highlights the genre of music this song belongs to- Pop/R&B.
| Title of the Song | Album Name | Year of Release | Collaborating Artists | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umbrella | Good Girl Gone Bad | 2007 | Jay-Z, The-Dream | Pop/R&B |
In addition to discussing her iconic collaborations with influential musicians like Jay-Z, Rihanna's distinctiveness as an artist known for consistently experimenting with various musical genres sets her apart. Her versatility continually impresses music lovers by bringing new sounds and styles to her repertoire.
One way to enjoy this popular track is by taking note of the underlying rhythms in each section or instrument individually. Another way would be to listen carefully to how Rihanna uses her vocal inflection throughout the song. Doing so helps one understand what makes this song stand out from others on its debut album.
To summarize, Rihanna's groundbreaking talents as a prominent musician shine through in every one of these songs mentioned on our list. Her influence spans beyond just pop music but also into fashion lines, acting careers while having impacting charitable work. Overall, she remains one of today's most significant musical icons, even years after releasing these hits.
Rihanna's voice shines bright like a diamond in this hit, making us all wonder if we too can shine just as bright (with a little help from some bling).
8. Diamonds
This section dives into one of Rihanna's most popular songs, the dazzling and fiery 'Precious Stones'. In this track, Rihanna showcases her impressive vocal range amidst stunningly produced beats. To further immerse oneself in the world of 'Precious Stones', a table has been crafted below that highlights key information about this iconic track:
| Album | Unapologetic |
| Release | September 26, 2012 |
| Genre | Pop |
| Producers | Benny Blanco, Stargate |
Rihanna's soaring vocals and evocative lyrics are complemented by strong instrumental backing in 'Precious Stones', creating an indelible listening experience. Notably, this hit song was praised for its global success and was certified as Diamond by RIAA due to its extreme popularity.
A true fact about 'Precious Stones': According to Billboard, the "song spent three peak-season months among the top ten of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart."
Rihanna doesn't need to work, but we sure do need to listen to her catchy hit 'Work' on repeat.
9. Work
This Rihanna hit showcases her capability to merge various genres in a single track. 'Work' offers an infectious blend of dancehall and R&B that invigorates listeners to get up and move. The reggae-inspired beats are accompanied by the singer's sultry voice and Drake's rap flows, making it an easy favourite for party playlists.
The youthful and energetic vibe adds to its appeal, resulting in a fun-filled listening experience. The song was an instant hit upon its release, topping the charts in several countries. The music video is equally compelling with bold colours and island-themed aesthetics.
Notably, the tune incorporates Jamaican patois in both Rihanna's verses and its catchy hook. This authenticity accentuates her talent for creating innovative music while appreciating her roots. The track also challenges language barriers, as international fans sing along regardless of their familiarity with patois.
According to Rolling Stone Magazine, 'Work' sustains a laid-back vibe through Rihanna's "breathy delivery" while keeping the energy levels high with elements like steel drums and horns.
Rihanna found love in a hopeless place, while I'm still looking for my phone charger.
10. We Found Love
Rihanna's hit song 'We Found Love' showcases her versatility and evolution as an artist, earning its spot on the list of her top 10 tracks. The song's infectious beat combined with lyrics about a passionate relationship creates a relatable experience for listeners. Rihanna's emotive delivery and Calvin Harris' production complement the track, making it one of her most successful chart-topping hits.
Furthermore, 'We Found Love' features in her album "Talk That Talk" and also won multiple awards including MTV Europe Music Awards for Best Song and Best Video. Its music video set against a grimy backdrop of drug addiction further highlights Rihanna's willingness to address pressing societal issues through her music.
Her unconventional approach to creating music has garnered immense success throughout her career, but this particular track stands out due to its unique blend of emotion and energy.
With so many memorable hits in Rihanna's discography, fans must not miss out on experiencing the magic of 'We Found Love'.
Edward Tomlin is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
