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20 of the Best Rihanna Songs

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When it comes to the best Rihanna songs, there are plenty to choose from. So when it came to putting this piece together, the difficulty came from Rihanna having too many good songs rather than too few, which would be the case for many other artists. Rihanna is a "needle in a haystack" type of artist, a type that rarely comes along in each generation. Since her start in the early 2000's, Rihanna has topped success after success with even more victories. Song by song, she's built an empire that spans multiple industries at the current point in time. Rihanna's never been one to play around about her business, and the music came before anything else. Here's the legendary foundation to her incomparable career.

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From her early career on, Rihanna has never missed when it came to making classics. Let's take a look at some of the best songs from her iconic catalog of music - in no particular order. After reading this list, you'll be fully caught-up on everything you need to know about the best Rihanna songs.

20. Kendrick Lamar - "LOYALTY. (feat. Rihanna)" (2017)

Kendrick Lamar unveiled quite the memorable project back in 2017 with his DAMN. album, which featured Rihanna on the song "LOYALTY." This song proved the duo to be perfect collaborators, and remains a classic to this day.

19. Rihanna - "Hate That I Love You (feat. Ne-Yo)" (2007)

Rihanna and Ne-Yo are a dangerously fire duo, as made obvious in their 2007 collab, "Hate That I Love You." This song has landed the number 19 spot on our list thanks to its addicting nature.

18. Rihanna - "Where Have You Been" (2011)

This song was a middle school and high school dance anthem. Nobody can forget their first time hearing this timeless track. "Where Have You Been" was yet another notch in Rihanna's belt of classic hits.

17. Rihanna - "Only Girl (In The World)" (2010)

Rihanna took over the club scene time and time again with her dance-worthy hits, just like "Only Girl (In The World)." This particular hit has served as a DJ's best friend ever since its release in 2010.

16. Rihanna - Pon De Replay (2005)

"Pon De Replay" is another one of Rihanna's most memorable songs, and that's saying a lot, considering how notable her entire portfolio of music is. It's yet another song that makes trying not to dance a challenge.

15. Rihanna - "SOS" (2006)

As the second-oldest song on this list, "SOS" sounds as fresh as the youngest song on this list, which is no easy feat. This is a third-consecutive dance classic on our list today.

14. DJ Khaled - "Wild Thoughts (feat. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller)" (2017)

When DJ Khaled puts Rihanna on a song, you know he's not playing around. Such was the case for their 2017 classic, "Wild Thoughts," which added Bryson Tiller into the mix for even more timeless qualities. This is yet another one of the best Rihanna songs, without a doubt.

13. Rihanna - "Don't Stop The Music" (2007)

Once again, we highlight another Rihanna dance classic with the number 13 spot on our list. "Don't Stop The Music" has to be on your dance party playlist, and for good reason. Everyone knows the words (well, most of them) and it's toxically dance-worthy.

12. Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Kanye West - "Run This Town" (2009)

"Run This Town" was on one of Jay-Z's most highly regarded albums, which is enough of a flex on its own, yet this song was a huge success for other reasons. Turns out, when you combine Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Kanye West, you get a certified hit. While it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, it's number one in the books of many.

11. Rihanna - "What's My Name (feat. Drake)" (2010)

Just know that if Rihanna and Drake are on a song together, you're going to love it. Period. There's no other option. That's how the story's gone through both of their storied careers, and proved to be no different back in 2010 with the release of their classic, "What's My Name."

10. Eminem - "The Monster (feat. Rihanna)" (2013)

As we mention again in this article, Eminem and Rihanna can't help but make timeless music when they connect on a collaboration. "The Monster" was yet another seamless display of this notion. A true 2013 banger, this song was on repeat everywhere at the time.

9. Rihanna - "Diamonds" (2012)

"Diamonds" was a Rihanna song that was perfect for the time it was released. It was a slight change of pace for Rihanna, yet it continued to show off just how versatile of an artist she truly is.

8. Rihanna - "Disturbia" (2008)

"Disturbia" was one of many noteworthy classics from Rihanna's explosive 2008. This was yet another song that was an absolute must for DJ's to play when they went to work. It charted at the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks back in 2008.

7. Rihanna - "We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)" (2011)

We've spoken about plenty of Rihanna dance floor classics, and "We Found Love" probably takes the cake for the most well-known one, which is quite a statement. You're not likely to find a single human being in your entire existence who doesn't know this particular Rihanna song. If you do, they might be lying.

6. Rihanna - "Rude Boy" (2009)

This Rihanna hit stayed at the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for five consecutive weeks, back in 2010, a year after Rihanna had released the song. That goes to show just how addicting this particular track was, and still is, for that matter.

5. Eminem - "Love The Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna)" (2010)

Anytime Eminem and Rihanna link up on a song, you know that the radio is gonna be playing it on loop for years to come. This particular classic, "Love The Way You Lie" was no exception to the rule.

4. Rihanna - "Work (feat. Drake)" (2016)

Rihanna linked with Drake in 2016 to drop off a timeless song, "Work," which still remains a weapon in many DJs' arsenals. This is one of those Rihanna songs that just can't be forgotten.

3. Rihanna - "Umbrella (feat. Jay-Z)" (2007)

"Ella... Ella... Aye... Aye... Aye..." This was the first time a Hov and Rihanna collab graced listeners ears, and it's rightfully become one for the books. This was on repeat on every iPod back in the good ol' days of 2007.

2. Rihanna - "Take A Bow" (2008)

"Take A Bow" is not your average Rihanna classic. It's one of those Rihanna songs that the majority of the world population probably knows the words to. Every single one. There's not many songs out there that you can say that for.

1. T.I. - "Live Your Life (feat. Rihanna)" (2008)

"So live ya life! Ayayayayayyyy" Rihanna graced the hook of this unforgettable T.I. song from the golden days of 2008, shortly after her attention-grabbing entrance into the limelight. Songs like this are exactly why Rihanna has cemented herself as a legend in the music game.

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