Rihanna’s swagger anthem found the singer turning up the dial on her Barbadian accent to match the street-wise growls of Atlanta’s Jeezy - and it worked. The intoxicating Rihanna song confirmed the singer’s status as the pop chameleon to beat - R&B chops over a retro, synthpop beat, combined to create a dance track ripe for international success. Taking the best part of “Tainted Love” and putting a modern spin on its theme of crazy-making affection, “SOS” was Rihanna’s first Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper. She approaches the taboo with a radio-friendly wink, making it impossible (no matter your own preferences) not to sing along. The thematic sequel to 2009’s “Rude Boy,” the single was a (still irresistible) walk on the wild side for Rihanna. “Na-na-na, come on,” is RiRi’s unflinching invitation on this sexual provacateur’s refrain. With help from Sia, Benny Blanco and StarGate, Rihanna created an evocative pop smash that didn’t need nightclub appeal to hit the top of the charts.
The seventh-highest-charting single of her career, Rihanna’s foray into power balladry featured one of her most memorable vocal performances to date (it formed a neat companion to “Stay,” her next single off Unapologetic). “Diamonds” found the singer embracing dancefloor inflections in new way.
Here are the 10 best Rihanna songs so far, NOT including tracks on Anti - since that album just dropped, we’re letting it sit with us for a bit before we start considering it in the context of her full career.