Ranking Rihanna's Best Songs, While We Wait for New Music

"Where Have You Been", RiRi?

By Julia Hays Nov 05, 2015 9:48 PMTags
Kanye West, RihannaKevin Mazur/Getty Images for DirecTV

It's been more than "FourFiveSeconds" since we got a new hit single from Rihanna.

RiRi has pulled out of performing at the 2015 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show to focus on her new music.

While we want to be patient, we are so amped for new songs. Our ladies' night playlist has been getting a little stale, you know?

The Grammy Award-winning singer has already dropped three songs from her eighth studio album, ANTI, which still does not have a scheduled release date.

Instead of compulsively checking our iTunes, like we're waiting on a surprise album drop, let's gear up for new RiRi joints with a look at her definitive singles.

These are the songs that are essential Rihanna, the tunes that "shine bright like a diamond."

24. "FourFiveSeconds"

This collaboration with Kanye West and Paul McCartney gives us a little peek at what we can expect of Rihanna's new sound when we finally hear ANTI. It's different from the throwback dance beats we typically associate with RiRi, but we're loving her mature, stripped-down new sound.

23. "Take a Bow

Breakup ballad Rihanna is one of our favorite Rihannas. The "don't F with me" attitude in this song is perfect for anyone going through a sh--ty split.

22. "You da One"

The Barbadian star throws in some reggae sound and slays, per usual.

21. "Shut Up and Drive"

Look, there's not a lot to this song, but for a generation of young people, it was their learner's permit celebration anthem.

20. "Break It Off"

That Sean Paul sound is taking us way back.

19. "Unfaithful"

Another heartbreak ballad, this RiRi joint is about a woman cheating on her man. Who cares if it's a little melodramatic? It's fun to sing it at karaoke like we think we can pull it off.

18. "Hard"

Badass Rihanna is gym playlist perfection.

17. "S&M"

Before Fifty Shades of Grey, this is where we got our "S&M" fix. "Sex in the air, I don't care, I love the smell of it." Nothing about this song is understated.

16. "Run This Town"

Sure Jay Z and Kanye West are on the track, but Rihanna sings the "Run This Town" hook. So, we all really know who runs it.

15. "Rude Boy"

Another addictive dance tune, this song basically taught us how to have game in the club.

14. "Disturbia"

This is like RiRi's own "Thriller," and it's scary good.

13. "Pour It Up"

If we hadn't already experienced our sexual awakening, this song would have been our sexual awakening.

12. "Take Care"

This Drake song, which features Rihanna, is both a dance song and an emotional journey about moving on from a crappy relationship. Oh, Drizzy and RiRi, we shall ship you forever.

11. "Only Girl (In The World)

The singer straight-up demands your attention in this song. Also, we're loving the hair throwbacks in these music videos—we miss red RiRi.

10. "Don't Stop the Music"

Rihanna has so many songs where she's responsible for being the one to talk to the DJ, and we respect that. Someone has to be that girl at the bar.

9. "Love the Way You Lie"

This heartwrenching Eminem collab features a raw, emotional Rihanna singing about troubled relationships. It's powerful and deeply personal.

8. "Diamonds"

It's impossible for this to come on the radio without everyone belting it out loud. That's a scientific fact.

7. "We Found Love"

Want to see us hop up and down while fist pumping for 4 minutes and 35 seconds? Put this song on. Together, Calvin Harris and Rihanna are unstoppable.

6. "What's My Name"

Aw yeah, you knew Drake would make the list more than once. We all know Rihanna's name, clearly, but she's the queen and she'll make you repeat it if she damn pleases.

5. "SOS"

This song makes us want to strut slow motion into a dance club, flanked by our closest girl friends, as we strike a sassy pose. That's everyone's fantasy, right?

4. "Pon de Replay"

When Rihanna asks you to turn the music up, you turn the damn music up.

3. "Stay"

Emotional Rihanna singing in a bathtub is beautiful and perfect and reminds us of the captivating vocals that can often get swallowed up by dance beats.

2. "Bitch Better Have My Money"

This song is the definition of "badass bitch." Never has it been more fun to ask our roommates for rent.

1. "Umbrella"

The song that inspired a million remixes... Someday, when we've forgotten every other song lyric, we will still hear echoes of "ella, ella" in the deep recesses of our minds.

"Umbrella" is truly definitive Rihanna.

Speaking of our girl RiRi, watch the video below to find out why the singer isn't planning to join Taylor Swift's squad anytime soon.