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 unconventional song selections exemplify how the superstar effectively communicated her intentions through her pop music, whether it was to excel in her career or captivate her love interest with irresistible allure.
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
80
Never Ending
By Rihanna (2016)
Sampling the composition of Dido’s “Thank You,” this soft rock ballad sounds as if it were meant for a romcom like ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.’
79
Wait Your Turn
By Rihanna (2009)
Making analogies to American football and baseball, Rihanna promo-ed her ‘Rated R’ era with a darker sound than ‘Good Girl Gone Bad.’ Rapping “I’m such a phuckin’ lady” defined for the superstar the next stage of her life– one that was unafraid of being vulgar in what she said. “It’s getting crowded over here, but babe the wait is ova,” she informed audiences over a reggae dubstep groove fit enough for stadiums.
78
Yeah I Said It
By Rihanna (2016)
A slinky, smooth quiet storm interlude that claims “I want you to homicide it,” while repeating the title in the hook. The perfect song for velfie thirst traps on social media.
77
American Oxygen
By Rihanna (2015)
“Young girl, hustlin' on the other side of the ocean,” she declares over a warbling dubstep midtempo that works as her version of an anti-national anthem. “Oh say can you see, this is the American dream,” worked as one of the prominent moments of Rihanna discussing her deeper drive after becoming an immigrant in the US- the first being “Mother Mary” from 2012’s ‘Unapologetic.’
76
Fly
By Nicki Minaj ft Rihanna (2010)
Working as a motivational anthem for Nicki Minaj’s debut album, ‘Pink Friday,’ Rihanna’s connection to the theme of the song can be heard in the chorus. “I came to win, to fight, to conquer, to thrive,” she confidently sings. Just as the rapper, both women from the West Indies promise “to fly” over the criticisms as they were placing their footing on changing the landscape of 2010’s pop music.
75
Break It Off
By Rihanna & Sean Paul (2006)
A top 10 hit that sees exhilarating temptation being explored between the Caribbean's two hottest American imports– over hypnotic electro-reggae production.
74
Rockstar 101
By Rihanna ft Slash (2009)
“Six inch walker, big sh!t talker!” Bold. Brash. Sexy. It had not been lost on ‘Rated R’ that Rihanna viewed herself as more of a Rockstar. Blending hip hop with glam metal, “Rockstar 101” had been the 2010’s early answer to the revitalization of nu-metal. Dressed as one of her idols (and the song’s guitarist), Slash, Rihanna channels his wild nights. “To be who you is you, gotta be who you are; the only thing I’m missing is a black guitar!” she finishes out the pre-hook. This leads to an arena worthy bridge.
73
Skin
By Rihanna (2010)
At the time of its release, this deep cut had been the most candid about how the superstar takes control of the bedroom– with an orgasmic hook and an electric guitar solo similar to the work of Prince, that contained a quiet storm twinkle.
72
Numba 1 (Tide Is High)
By Kardinal Offishall ft Rihanna (2008)
Interpolating the 1967 rocksteady classic “The Tide Is High,” Kardinall raps over a hyper dancehall beat as Rihanna sings the title in the hook and delivers a sassy.
71
Fire Bomb
By Rihanna (2009)
Wanting her ex to feel the pain she felt after “microwaving our metal tragedy,” the breakthrough happens during the autobiographical bridge where she alludes to rescue personnel and the world watching the demise of the relationship.