Top 10 Rihanna songs RANKEDRanking the ultimate pop bangers churned out by Rihanna over the years isn't an easy task, but somebody has to do it.
by James Freemantle
04-01-2023 13:40
in Music
Rihanna has been selected as the official performer for the 2023 Super Bowl halftime performance. Image via Twitter @PopBase
In a world where even those who pretend to not like Rihanna actually love Rihanna, it's quite clear how much pulling power she possesses.
--
Rihanna's tracks have put up ludicrous numbers on every streaming service you can name and she's collaborated with the best and biggest names in a business that has changed around her.
ICYMI: Angry seal attacks swimmers at Clifton beach in Cape Town (watch)
CAPE TOWN: Five easy breezy hiking routes to explore this summer
--
Rihanna at the Savage X Fenty Vol 2 fashion show on 2 October 2020. Image via Instagram @sheisri_
Top 10 Rihanna songs RANKED 10. Pon de Replay The OG track in the Barbadian's career, released all the way back in 2005. By virtue of that fact alone it deserves its place in this esteemed top 10. If Pon de Replay put Rihanna on the map, then parts of the globe are now owned by her. 17 years ago this song started a billion-dollar revolution, and the wheels just keep on turning.
9. Umbrella You know those viral Instagram posts that ask you to comment the name of a popular song that really annoys you? Mine is Happy by Pharrell, I just hate it and I have no explanation for that. Umbrella might well fall into that territory for reasons that people can't explain, but how can you deny a track that combines Rihanna and Jay-Z? Under my umbrella, ella ella ella, eh eh.
ICYMI: Benni McCarthy should be the Bafana Bafana manager
--
8. Don't Stop The Music If nothing else, just the song title alone resonates with me. Imagine a life without music? I could never. Don't Stop The Music was released 15 years ago, but it's just as catchy now as it was back then. The late, great Michael Jackson was one of its composers too.
Rihanna reportedly stayed in and helped restaurant staff clean up after her girl's night. Images via Twitter @GalerieRihanna. 7. We Found Love Another club banger to put with all the others. Calvin Harris makes a sickening amount of money, more than anybody else in the business probably, and he has a sharp eye for smart industry collaborations. We Found Love is such an evocative track which could, and possibly should, feature in movies when a new couple are exploring a new city. Or something. It's care-free but still so full of feeling. This Is What You Came For would have cracked the nod but why indulge Calvin Harris's ego twice?
YUM: The FIVE best ways to eat potatoes
6. Man Down A throwback to RiRi's Barbadian roots. Rihanna is and always will be a Caribbean artist, and it's cool to see that side of her coming to the surface every now and then. Not since Pon de Replay has a Rihanna chart track so unashamedly indulged the reggae artist in her.
5. Only Girl (In The World) Not really my favourite song but I understand the global appeal, even though I wasn't born a woman and I'll never identify as one. Maybe I want to feel like the only person in the world though?
4. Te Amo Relatively downtempo by her usual club standards, Te Amo shows off Rihanna's underrated vocal range. There's also some Spanish guitar and a nice assortment of keys thrown into the mix. A nice change of pace.
3. Rehab No top 10 of pop music is complete without a little cameo from Justin Timberlake. Rehab is probably the tightest track in this list. From lyrics, to production, to visuals, everything is done in a slick and professional manner. It's also got that deeply relatable key ingredient Who hasn't longed for something or someone that was bad for them? Not I.
2. Disturbia A feast and flurry of weird imagery, characters and costumes form the start of a memorable music video in Disturbia, but in essence it's just as catchy and mainstream as the rest of her fleet of bangers. An unbelievably good pop song from start to finish.
YUM: Five LOAD SHEDDING lunch ideas
1. Diamonds There can only be one number one, and it just has to be Diamonds. A girl's best friend, Rihanna's best song and it's not even up for debate.
Which tracks have I left out? Feel free to attack me in the comments. Also check out my Rihanna playlist on Spotify.
Rihanna wears a bralette, one of 2022's biggest fashion trends Image via Instagram @badgalriri Honourable mentions: Yeah, I Said It, Work, Needed Me, Unfaithful, SOS, Hate That I Love You, S&M, Same Ol' Mistakes, Unfaithful, Needed Me, Stay, Love On The Brain, What's My Name?
Read more from music, food and football lover, James Freemantle.
FYI, Rihanna is also going to headline the Super Bowl halftime show in February 2023.
Follow The South African on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news updates.
How much of a rugby fanatic are you? FIVE easy answers could win you a signed jersey! ENTER HERE
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
10/06/2026
Globecast, a leading provider of broadcast, media, and entertainment managed services, today announced the launch of its Content Exchange platform powered by Or...
10/06/2026
Klvr will showcase how venues, integrators and production teams are rethinking disposable battery usage at InfoComm 2026 (Las Vegas, June 17-19, booth #N6311). ...
10/06/2026
The Video Services Forum (VSF) has further enhanced the Reliable Internet Streaming Transport (RIST) protocol by incorporating a new feature, RIST Satellite-Hyb...
10/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Kiswe announces an expanded long-term partnership with ONE Championship (ONE), t...
09/06/2026
SiriusXM will broadcast FOX Sports' English-language commentary for all 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches from June 11 through July 19, available to subscribe...
09/06/2026
EVS has announced it is changing its corporate name from EVS Broadcast Equipment to EVS, reflecting the company's expanded portfolio beyond broadcast equipm...
09/06/2026
Fox Corporation and the NFL have announced a multi-year agreement to bring NFL c...
09/06/2026
FOX Sports and ReachTV, an airport media network, have announced an agreement to...
09/06/2026
Cosm Atlanta, a 70,000-square-foot, three-level immersive entertainment venue located within Centennial Yards adjacent to State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Sta...
09/06/2026
NESN captured five awards at the 2026 Boston/New England Emmy Awards, including four program honors and one individual award.
These awards reflect the passion...
09/06/2026
Ateme has announced that its support for Apple Immersive Video workflows was referenced by Apple during its 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC26).
Atem...
09/06/2026
Bitmovin has announced that Axel Springer SE has deployed Player Web X, Bitmovin's web video player, to power audio readouts of news articles and an audio-o...
09/06/2026
Grass Valley and Lawo have announced a technology collaboration to validate orch...
09/06/2026
LiveU has announced a deployment with the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) t...
09/06/2026
Globecast has announced the launch of its Content Exchange platform, powered by ...
09/06/2026
NBC Sports will present live coverage of Overtime's OT7 football league Championship Weekend from Sullivan Field at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angel...
09/06/2026
We're in three different locations, three different production teams. Coveri...
09/06/2026
The intro video for Men's Basketball won Outstanding In-Venue Video in the C...
09/06/2026
Today is match day minus two for FIFA and HBS. On Thursday, there will be two ma...
09/06/2026
Since their debut, the clock-and-score graphic has drawn the affinity and ire of...
09/06/2026
Last month, Spotify hosted PURE FLOWERS LIVE, a special event celebrating the re...
09/06/2026
Last month, RADAR U.K. artist Skye Newman took the stage in East London for a sp...
09/06/2026
Company to cease operating on 30 June 2026
Australian loudspeaker and amplifier manufacturer Wayne Jones Audio have announced that after much consideration,...
09/06/2026
Increases low-end weight and character
The latest plug-in release from Sheffield-based fedDSP aims to offer an all-in-one solution for users in search of mo...
09/06/2026
Introduces AI Studio Assistant, Moises Studio integration & more
Fender Studio have just announced the launch a significant update that brings an array of n...
09/06/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is a statutory body mandated to spearhead the equitable growth and development of the South African film and video...
09/06/2026
The BBC has found its Hercule Poirot.
After Deadline revealed last month that t...
09/06/2026
Media buyers and sellers can now compare YouTube reach from computer, mobile, an...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
A project aimed at modernizing scheduling operations across Mediaset's channel portfolio
Mediagenix, a global leader in smart content solutions to profitab...
09/06/2026
tvONE, an ACT Entertainment brand, debuts its most powerful video processor ever built: the 4RU CALICO PRO (C7-PRO-4200), at InfoComm 2026 (Booth N6813). Engine...
09/06/2026
Composer and Conductor Eric Whitacre to Receive Honorary Doctorate at Berklee Va...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Technology collaboration to validate AMPP and Lawo HOME orchestration integration, showcasing Dynamic Media Facility principles in practice.
Grass Valley and ...
09/06/2026
Bitmovin, a leading provider of video streaming solutions, today announced that Axel Springer SE, international media and technology company, has deployed Playe...
09/06/2026
LiveU, the global leader in live IP-video solutions, today announced a landmark deployment with the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) that has brought Video ...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
09/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
Top 10 Rihanna songs RANKEDRanking the ultimate pop bangers churned out by Rihanna over the years isn't an easy task, but somebody has to do it.
