We've already covered Rihanna's Top 10 best songs. And if her Super Bowl performance earlier this year has taught us anything, it's that the Barbadian singer and businesswoman has an incredible number of hits. So for this feature, we're highlighting Rihanna's 8 most underrated songs, in no particular order.
We'll be covering both old and new Rihanna songs we feel deserve more attention and respect. It doesn't necessarily mean these songs are unloved works in Rihanna's catalogue, just that they should have had more recognition when they were first released. They need to be appreciated by more than just die-hard Rihanna fans!
Ready to add more Rihanna songs to your playlists? Let's get to it.
1. "Shut Up and Drive" - Good Girl Gone Bad (2007)
Good Girl Gone Bad had Rihanna classics such as "Umbrella," "Don't Stop the Music," and the steamy Justin Timberlake collab "Rehab." Just one listen to "Shut Up and Drive," and you'll agree it's an absolute banger. But in terms of the commercial response, it felt like the song was stuck in traffic.
Producer Carl Sturken explained the idea for the song came to him just before he was about to cruise to the studio. "Shut Up and Drive" was originally supposed to have “The Glamorous Life” by Sheila E. and "Glamorous" by Fergie vibes. However, Rihanna was more interested in pursuing songs with a rock beat, so the sound was changed to match her desires. The result is a roaring and heated romp about how Rihanna is a much better "drive" than other luxurious cars on the market (wink, wink).
2. "Desperado" - ANTI (2016)
We wouldn't say "Desperado" is an unpopular song, but it certainly hasn't received the recognition or radio airplay it deserves. From Rihanna's most critically-acclaimed album ANTI, "Desperado" has dark, villanous, desert outlaw vibes to it. But there's also something attractive and mysterious about the sound that keeps you hooked on tight.
In the track, Rihanna sings about a “desperado": someone "on the run,” either literally or metaphorically. She struggles in their relationship and wonders whether she can run away with him or if he'll leave her in the dust. The beat on “Desperado” is actually an interpolation of the background vocals on alternative-R&B singer Banks' song “Waiting Game.”
The producer of "Desperado," Mike Schultz, said he wanted the song to sound edgy. "I like to do different things and try to push the envelope on sound," he explained. "If you listen to the record, it’s got an alternative vibe but still has urban undertones but it’s guitar and dirty live bass. I was just trying to do something edgy. I’m into doing dark, edgy stuff that moves you, puts you in a mood."
3. "Skin" - Loud (2010)
Placed towards the end of Loud, "Skin" features a sensual vocal performance from Rihanna and discusses the intimacy of skin-to-skin contact. While this song is more on the raunchy, erotic side, the imagery is top-notch...to the point that the lyrics in "Skin" could work just as well if they were in a poetry book.
As for the music production, "Skin" has that classic electro-pop sound that was very popular during the 2010s. But it doesn't feel cheap in any way. We almost feel like "Skin" is the companion piece to Rihanna's more popular "S&M." While "S&M" is campier, darker, and bolder, "Skin" is more subtle, refined, and deeper.
4. "Wait Your Turn" - Rated R (2009)
While we feel like most of Rated R is musically undercooked, we love the vampy, tough personality Rihanna brought to the album. One of the edgiest tracks on the record is "Wait Your Turn," which sees Rihanna returning to her island roots, rapping over a heavy reggae dub beat.
If this had just a bit more production care put into it, we feel like "Wait Your Turn" could have become a hardcore sports arena anthem. But that's not to say the final version is a mess – Rihanna's vocal power in this is fairly impressive. We also enjoy the music video, which was directed by Anthony Mandler. (He had previously directed the videos for “Take a Bow” and “Rehab.”) We wish we looked as good wearing an eye patch as Rihanna does.
5. "No Love Allowed" - Unapologetic (2012)
The reggae sounds Rihanna brings out on this track are so refreshing. There's also some bubbly popping and a dubbed-out groove within the production. "No Love Allowed" isn't as hard-hitting as other Rihanna songs, but this track feels like it was made for a carefree beach day, and we're surprised it's been so overlooked.
The interesting thing about "No Love Allowed" is that despite the fact it's in a jolly major key, the song actually has a pretty dark story. It's about Rihanna falling for someone who keeps hurting her. It could possibly even be a reference to Chris Brown and his abuse towards Rihanna. Whatever the case may be, this penultimate track on Unapologetic is the perfect climax before the finale that is "Lost In Paradise."
6. "Higher" - ANTI (2016)
Another ANTI tune we feel needs more recognition! "Higher" is short, sweet, vocally astounding, and feels like a raw, drunk voice message to an ex-lover late in the evening. Rihanna told Vogue that the song was actually recorded at four in the morning.
"We just said, ‘You know what? Let’s just drink some whiskey and record this song.’ And when I heard the song, I envisioned a drunk voicemail," RiRi revealed. "You know he’s wrong, and then you get drunk and you’re like, ‘I could forgive him. I could call him. I could make up with him.’ Just, desperate." Rihanna promoted "Higher" by releasing a pair of Instagram previews while drunk on whiskey at 5am. "Higher" is that ultimate backsliding post-breakup song.
7. "Do Ya Thang" - Talk That Talk (2011)
Maybe the most poppy song Rihanna has ever released. It's synthy and sweet sounding, and so different from Rihanna's typical fare. And yet it still sounds amazing. It's a bittersweet bonus track about Rihanna loving someone who may not necessarily be a good choice for her. Some interpret the "I'm missin' that kissin' in the Rover" lyric to be about Chris Brown, but no one can really know for sure.
"Do Ya Thang" most likely got overlooked because it was included on the deluxe edition of Talk That Talk instead of the standard. Should Rihanna have included "Do Ya Thang" on the original version? It's a very debatable question. But there's no denying the song is underrated.
8. "Kiss It Better" - ANTI (2016)
Last but not least, we have a song that got a microscopic nod during Rihanna's Super Bowl performance! Yes, "Kiss It Better" is yet another bop that got overlooked on ANTI. Even though it reached #62 on the Billboard Hot 100, the potential of "Kiss It Better" diminished due to some business decisions, a very immature producer, and just some plain old bad luck.
"Kiss It Better" was supposed to be the first single released for ANTI, but Travis Scott convinced Rihanna to drop "B---- Better Have My Money" first. (A good move, in our opinion.) Because of the decision and ANTI's delays, Glass John, the producer of "Kiss It Better," got angry. He went on a Twitter rant, leaked part of the song, and allegedly said he wanted to beat up Travis Scott. After that fiasco, Rihanna was going to perform "Kiss It Better" at the 2016 Grammys, but she ended up cancelling her performance at the last minute due to health issues.
Despite the sad backstory, we love the steamy mood "Kiss It Better" brings. The guitar riffs are fire, Rihanna's vocals are cool and crisp, and the lyrical story – about make-up sex – is both dramatic and relatable.
READ NEXT: Rihanna's Albums Ranked
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Article Image: Wearing sunglasses and a striped outfit, Rihanna sings during a Rock in Rio performance. (DURAOFOTO via DepositPhotos.)
