the 101 Most Popular
countdown of
Rihanna songs
of the Moment
Published February 20, 2024
Harpsichord’s official song chart that attempts to guestimate which songs released by Rihanna are her most popular globally. Factors in: Reported charting data and/or progression from Spotify, Apple Music, and iTunes live chart updates; online social media discussion — far as Twitter, Tik Tok; relevancy in the news; chatter amongst fans, as far as social media and in person exchanges; reported digital sales; radio airplay; usage in visual media, as far as TV and movies; and artist’s own attention to the song.
These featured songs vividly showcase how hip hop serves as the primary foundation for Rihanna's record-breaking hits. Interestingly, one renowned rapper stands out by making three appearances on this list, underscoring the undeniable chemistry between the two artists during Rihanna's most defining musical creations. Surprisingly, even on the pop tracks where a rapper is absent, her persona exudes an attitude reminiscent of hip hop culture.
With this interactive countdown, you can click on the picture frames to watch the music videos, because we miss MTV and BET as much as you do… But if it’s an album cover? Sorry… no video was released at the time of this countdown’s publishing…
harpsichord’s greatest
Hot 101 Rihanna Songs
Published February 2024
30
FourFiveSeconds
By Rihanna ft Paul McCartney & Kanye West (2015)
The song regarded for its candidness about the feelings of anger and rage, its hook warns “I’m about four, five, seconds from wildin’.” A legendary pairing of sorts: a Bad Gal, a Beatle, and a Production Genius. Working on indie folk, “FourFiveSeconds” became a surprising hit and unexpected sound from all three artists. But it's Rihanna’s commanding performance that steals the show.
29
Cheers (Drink To That)
By Rihanna (2010)
In pub style, this tune celebrates the fun and bliss of drinking with pals. “It’s getting Coyote Ugly up in here, no Tyra,” raps Rihanna in a sturdy voice– making a cheeky reference to a movie about a bar. Suitable for the festivities of the weekend, and celebrating the end of the work week, Rihanna suggests “everybody put your glasses up” and “don’t let the bastards get you down.” Oh yeah: The best part is the “yeah ee yeah” sample from Avril Lavigne’s 2002 hit, “I’m With You.”
28
Man Down
By Rihanna (2010)
Seen as one of her most important songs, “Man Down” accesses Rihanna’s knack for being a femme fatale with her storytelling. In the spirit of Bob Marley’s “I Shot The Sheriff,” Rihanna offers her own spin with this reggae song that’s backdropped by sirens. “Oh Mama, Mama, Mama, I just shot a man down in Central Station” wails Rihanna. She regrets the decision on wax, but it's in the music video where we experience her character seeking vigilante justice after being assaulted.
27
SOS
By Rihanna (2006)
Released on Valentine’s Day, Rihanna briefly abandons the sounds of urban music of the early aughts and dancehall/reggae of the West Indies, to deliver an electropop gem as a means to distinguish herself from her peers. Sampling parts of the instrumental of Soft Cell’s 1981 new wave classic “Tainted Love,” Rihanna discusses an “obsessive” crush that has her “tummy up in knots.”
26
All Of The Lights
By Kanye West ft Rihanna & Kid Cudi (2010)
‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ is considered an opus for Kanye West because of its many tales told through lush production. “All of the Lights” sporadically goes into the perils of fame, and the various lights that can be seen such as cop lights, strobe lights, and paparazzi lights. Only singing the hook– in this song of an all star cast– Rihanna makes it be known to “turn up the lights in here, baby. It’s extra bright. I want y’all to see this.”
25
Love The Way You Lie
By Eminem Ft Rihanna (2010)
In front of a burning house, Eminem and Rihanna created their first entry of pop magic that went No. 1 globally. They each draw on their own experiences of being in abusive relationships. Rihanna sings in the chorus, “just gonna stand there and watch me burn,” before revealing that she’s become adjusted to the pain. The song resonated so much, they made a part two specifically for ‘LOUD,’ where she sings her own verses about being on the receiving end of the abuse. For such a dark topic, it radiated for its honesty.
24
Wild Thoughts
By DJ Khaled Ft Rihanna & bryson Tiller (2017)
A blatant sample of the 1999 hit single "Maria Maria" from Santana got twisted in the best way thanks to Rihanna’s brilliance and knack for delivering feminine conviction. “Know you wanna see me nakey, nakey, naked,” asserted her sexiness. While “kitty kitty baby give that thing some rest, cause you done beat it like the 68 Jetz,” modeled after her overt spark. Radiating beauty, the music video made a splash with an iconic Latin feel that paid homage to “Maria Maria.” It also became the track in the eyes of some critics that revived female pop of the time, which was being labeled as dead.
23
Run This Town
By Jay-Z, Kanye West, & Rihanna (2009)
The dominance of the link up between Kanye, JAY, and Rihanna should never be mistaken. It “pledged allegiance” to their label of Roc Nation, while also serving as the proper music piece for stadiums. Rihanna describes the thrill of “the screams from everywhere,” and being adored by millions of fans. Running on a thunderous beat, it’s Kanye West who has his own shining moment with a verse full of punchlines.
22
Disturbia
By Rihanna (2008)
Every Halloween, this song fits on the rotation of playlists. There is the hook of “Bum-bum-be-dum-bum-bum-be-dum-bum” that captivated audiences. With an instrumental that resembles horror movies, it finds Rihanna anticipating said horror. The song became one of her defining global No. 1 hits and still resonates more than a decade later.
21
Live Your Life
By T.I. ft Rihanna (2008)
Another moment of carpe diem in Rihanna’s catalog, the crowd gets going with the motto of this hook. T.I. goes through the trials and tribulations of rising to the top, even dedicating the song to “all the soldiers over there in Iraq” in the midst of the war. As a motivational anthem, Rihanna sells the message during the extended bridge exclaiming, “I will never lose now.” However what made this song a genuine global No. 1 hit is its sample and interpolation of the 2003 song "Dragostea Din Tei" by O-Zone.
