She has attained fourteen Billboard Hot 100 number ones thus far and is the second Barbadian artist to win a Grammy Award. She is also a cultural ambassador for Barbados. In 2021 Rihanna was named a "National Hero" in her home country, earning her the title "The Right Excellent."
Rihanna was born in Saint Michael, Barbados to Ronald Fenty, a warehouse supervisor, and Monica Fenty, an accountant. Her mother, a native of Guyana, is Afro-Guyanese and her father is Bajan and Irish. She is the oldest of three siblings; two younger brothers, Rorrey and Rajad Fenty. She began singing at around the age of seven. Her childhood was deeply affected by her father's addiction to crack cocaine and parent's rocky marriage, which ended when she was fourteen years old. Rihanna attended Charles F. Broome Memorial School, a primary school in Barbados, and then the Combermere School, where she formed a musical trio with two of her classmates at the age of fifteen. In 2004 she won the Miss Combermere Beauty Pageant. She was an army cadet in a sub-military programme that trained with the military of Barbados and Shontelle was her drill sergeant.
At the age of 15, she formed a girl group with two of her classmates. In 2003, friends introduced Rihanna and her two bandmates to record producer Evan Rogers, who was vacationing in Barbados with his wife. The group auditioned for Rogers, who said that "the minute Rihanna walked into the room, it was like the other two girls didn't exist." While auditioning for Rogers, Rihanna sang Destiny's Child's cover of "Emotion". Over the next year, Rihanna and her mom shuttled back and forth to Rogers home in Stamford, Connecticut. Then, shortly after turning 16, she relocated in the United States and moved in with Rogers and his wife. Carl Sturken helped Rihanna record a four-song demo, which included the ballad "The Last Time," a cover of Whitney Houston’s hit "For the Love of You" and what would become her first hit, "Pon de Replay" to send to various recording companies. It took a year to record the demos, because she was going to school and would only record during summer and Christmas school breaks. Rihanna's demo made its way to Def Jam, which invited her to audition for the label's then-president, Jay-Z, who quickly signed her.
Rihanna broke into the recording industry in 2005 with the release of her debut album Music of the Sun, which features the number 2 hit single "Pon de Replay". Less than a year later, Rihanna released album artist=Rihanna]A Girl Like Me and earned her first number-one single, "SOS, which sampled the popular 80s track "Tainted Love". "Unfaithful" was also released and was fairly successful.
Rihanna released her third album Good Girl Gone Bad in June 2007. Prior to the release of the album, she spent the week of the Grammys writing songs for the album with Ne-Yo. She adopted a more sexual image while recording the album, eventually dying her hair black and cutting it short. Rihanna worked with Timbaland and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, as well as previous musical collaborators such as Stargate, Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers to re-imagine her album compositions with uptempo dance tracks. Rihanna commented, "I want to keep people dancing but still be soulful at the same time. You feel different every album, and [at] this stage I feel like I want to do a lot of uptempo [songs]."
The album topped the charts in countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Russia and Ireland, and peaked at number two in the United States and Australia. Unlike previous work, the album featured a more dance-pop sound instead of the dancehall, reggae and ballad styles. The album received positive reviews by critics, becoming her most critically acclaimed album at that time compared to her previous efforts.
It yielded eight hit singles - "Umbrella" "Shut Up and Drive", "Don't Stop The Music" "Hate That I Love You" "Rehab" "Disturbia" "Take A Bow" "If I Never See Your Face Again" - all singles reaching the top twenty on the Billboard Hot 100 — including the worldwide number-one hit "Umbrella," featuring Jay-Z.
In addition to reaching number one in various countries, "Umbrella" was the number one single in the United Kingdom for ten consecutive weeks, making it the longest-running number-one single since Wet Wet Wet's single "Love Is All Around" spent fifteen weeks at the top in 1994. The song is listed number three on the 100 Best Songs of 2007 published by Rolling Stone magazine. In 2008, "Umbrella" earned Rihanna and Jay-Z a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in addition to receiving nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. It managed to stay at number one in the United Kingdom for 10 weeks, the longest time spent by a female and in the 21st century, on this chart.
"Umbrella" has also been recognised in various forms of accolades by the music press. The song is listed number three on the 100 Best Songs of 2007, published by the music magazine Rolling Stone. Time magazine also listed the song number three on their Top 10 Songs of 2007. The song is listed number one on Entertainment Weekly magazine's list of the 10 Best Singles of 2007, while topping the magazine's poll for the best single of 2007. Blender magazine awarded the song Song of the Year in their Readers' Poll 2007. The music press has considered "Umbrella" as 2007's Song of the Summer, while The New York Times writer Kelefa Sanneh regarded it as "arguably 2007's signature slow jam".
In August 2009, Rihanna collaborated with Jay-Z and Kanye West on "Run This Town." The song peaked at number two on Billboard Hot 100 and also reached the top ten in five other countries. She appeared on the cover of Vogue Italia for the September 2009 Issue. The shoot was influenced by Rihanna's hair, which she had cut for the shoot into a mohawk-like style. The style of the shoot was Extreme Couture and very dark, and in one shot she appeared semi-nude. Rihanna performed "Run This Town" along with Jay-Z and West for the "Answer the Call" concert at Madison Square Garden in September 2009, making it her first musical performance since the altercation with Brown. The trio also performed "Run This Town," on the premiere of The Jay Leno Show on September 14, 2009.
In November of 2009, Rated R was released in the wake of a physical altercation with romantic interest Chris Brown, who pled guilty to felony assault. The album's lead single, "Russian Roulette" -- written with Ne-Yo - was one of the year's most controversial singles. The album also includes collaborations with Tricky, The-Dream, Stargate, and SRP.
One year later, Rihanna released her fifth studio album called Loud. It's lead single, "Only Girl (In the World)", reached number one in more than ten countries. The song also won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.
Talk That Talk was released one year after Loud. With the song "We Found Love", Rihanna became the fastest solo artist in the chart's history to achieve twenty Hot 100 top-ten singles, breaking the previous record set by Madonna. The song later became her eleventh number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100. "You Da One" became the second single from the album but was not as successful as "We Found Love". The third single from the album, "Talk That Talk" featuring Jay-Z, was announced on Rihanna's Twitter. The fourth single, "Where Have You Been", peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100.
On February 20, 2012, Rihanna and Chris Brown released 2 remixes, one featuring the "Talk That Talk" album track "Birthday Cake" and the other featuring Chris Brown's "Turn Up The Music"
In April 2012, the singer appeared in the movie "Battleship", which is based on the game of the same name.
Rihanna's seventh album Unapologetic was released on November 19, 2012; it was preceded by the lead single Diamonds, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 becoming Rihanna's twelfth number one single on the chart and tying her with Madonna and The Supremes for the fourth-most number ones in the chart's history.
On January 28, 2016, Rihanna released her eighth studio album ANTI exclusively through streaming service Tidal. The album peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200, becoming Rihanna's second number one and eighth top ten album on the chart. The album was supported by the release of four singles including the lead single "Work" featuring Drake, which topped the Billboard Hot 100. Further platinum singles "Needed Me" and "Love on the Brain" both peaked inside the top ten of the Hot 100. In 2016, Rihanna was featured on several singles. The first collaboration was Calvin Harris' "This Is What You Came For," which reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two in the United Kingdom. Rihanna was also featured on Drake's "Too Good" from his album Views and Mike Will Made It's single, "Nothing Is Promised". On June 27, 2016, Rihanna released "Sledgehammer", the lead single from the Star Trek Beyond soundtrack. On August 28, Rihanna was honored with the MTV Video Vanguard Award at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards. Rihanna was elected artist of the decade of 2010 by Pitchfork, Insider, Lofficiel among other major music magazines.
In October 2022, Rihanna released "Lift Me Up" from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, marking her first solo single since 2016's "Love On The Brain". It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 in the UK. The song was nominated for a Golden Globe and Academy Award, making it Rihanna's first nomination in both awards. On February 12, 2023, she performed at the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show, marking her first performance since the 2018 Grammy Awards. Her Halftime show became the second most watched Halftime show of all time with 118.7 million viewers, just after Lady Gaga’s (117.5 million), but behind Katy Perry’s (121 million).
Happy Hour
Rihanna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you never ask
How can I drive you crazy
When I've got no gas
How could we be together
When we're so far apart
You tell me that you love me then you go and break my heart
You say that you will help me solve 'em yes
I realize some days I can be sweet and some I'm sour
But I can't help but drink you up, cause you're my happy hour
Just because
I'm never happy when I'm sobered up
I'm only good if I can have a cup
Some days I'm sweet and some I'm sour
But I can't help but drink you up, cause you're my happy hour
Only when, you go away and I can get my fix
I'm only good if I can have a sip
Some days I'm sweet and some I'm sour
But I can't help but drink you up, cause you're my happy hour
Why should I be your woman
When you've got 2 more
Why should I say that I do
When I know you don't
Why should I stay here with you
When you are always gone
And why should I be open when you stay so bottled up
I'll admit that I've got problems if
You say that you will help me solve 'em yes
I realize some days I can be sweet and some I'm sour
But I can't help but drink you up, cause you're my happy hour
Just because
I'm never happy when I'm sobered up
I'm only good if I can have a cup
Some days I'm sweet and some I'm sour
But I can't help but drink you up, cause you're my happy hour
Only when, you go away and I can get my fix
I'm only good if I can have a sip
Some days I'm sweet and some I'm sour
But I can't help but drink you up, cause you're my happy hour
You were are all I ever needed
You were all I ever had
You were all I ever wanted
But you were making me bad
" I need a drink "
" Can I have a part-time lover "
" Shakin', not stirred "
" On the rocks "
Just because
I'm never happy when I'm sobered up
I'm only good if I can have a cup
Some days I'm sweet and some I'm sour
But I can't help but drink you up, cause you're my happy hour
Only when, you go away and I can get my fix
I'm only good if I can have a sip
Some days I'm sweet and some I'm sour
But I can't help but drink you up, cause you're my happy hour
The song "Happy Hour" by Rihanna feat. Cheryl Cole tells the story of a turbulent relationship that is full of ups and downs. The lyrics reveal an individual who is struggling to understand the needs of their partner, and who is grappling with their own internal conflicts. The opening lines of the song - "How can I know what you need if you never ask / How can I drive you crazy when I've got no gas" - highlight the fact that the relationship is plagued by a lack of communication and understanding.
The singer goes on to explain that they are only truly happy when they are with their partner, who they refer to as their "happy hour". The song suggests that the singer uses alcohol as a crutch to make them feel happy and complete, and that without their partner they are lost. There is a sense that the relationship is unhealthy and co-dependent, with the singer admitting that they have "got problems" and need their partner to help them solve them.
The chorus of the song - "Just because I'm never happy when I'm sobered up / I'm only good if I can have a cup" - emphasizes the idea that the singer uses alcohol to numb their pain and unhappiness. The song ends on a somewhat melancholy note, with the singer acknowledging that their partner is making them "bad", but unable to let go of their addiction to them.
Line by Line Meaning
How can I know what you need
I cannot understand your desires if you don't communicate them to me.
If you never ask
You need to express your wants and needs before I can try to fulfill them.
How can I drive you crazy
I cannot spark intense passion in you when I have no energy or passion myself.
When I've got no gas
I lack the enthusiasm and motivation needed to ignite a strong connection between us.
How could we be together
We cannot have a successful relationship with our current distance and lack of intimacy.
When we're so far apart
Our emotional distance and lack of communication is hindering our ability to connect.
You tell me that you love me then you go and break my heart
Your words are empty if your actions don't match them, and your betrayal has hurt me deeply.
I'll admit that I've got problems if
I acknowledge my flaws, and am willing to work on them if you are willing to help me.
You say that you will help me solve 'em yes
I trust your promise to assist me in bettering myself and our relationship.
I realize some days I can be sweet and some I'm sour
I know that I have both good and bad days, and my mood doesn't define me as a person.
But I can't help but drink you up, cause you're my happy hour
Even though I struggle at times, I rely on you for happiness and comfort like a drink during happy hour.
Just because
Although it may seem illogical or unfair, this is how I truly feel.
I'm never happy when I'm sobered up
I feel most content and fulfilled when I am with you or under the influence of alcohol, because then my problems fade away.
I'm only good if I can have a cup
My mood and attitude improve drastically when I have access to the thing (alcohol or you) that brings me happiness.
Only when, you go away and I can get my fix
I don't fully appreciate your value until you are gone and I am reminded of how much I depend on you to feel good.
I'm only good if I can have a sip
My well-being is conditional on my access to alcohol or your presence and affection.
You were all I ever needed
I felt like you were the missing piece to complete me, and I relied on you heavily for happiness.
You were all I ever had
I felt attached to you because you were my only source of comfort and satisfaction.
You were all I ever wanted
I craved your love and attention because it made me feel important and fulfilled.
But you were making me bad
However, my dependence on you for happiness was leading me down a negative and unhealthy path.
" I need a drink "
I feel like I need alcohol to cope with my problems and feel good again.
" Can I have a part-time lover "
I desire someone who can satisfy me emotionally and physically on a part-time basis, without commitment or attachment.
" Shakin', not stirred "
I want excitement and stimulation in my life, preferably in a non-conventional or unpredictable way.
" On the rocks "
I am feeling overwhelmed or stressed, and need something to help me relax and unwind.
Contributed by Emma D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ryan Flores
love this song even if its just a demo
rockstarrshade
that feeling when you found out that it isnt rihanna but PRISCILA RENEA who wrote this song for Cheryl Cole. and she sung it for her (she had to know how to sing it)
omar carr
Very smooth jazziness,sassiness,r-N-b
fannette32
<3!!
Taylor Goebel
I like it(:
Smith Johnston
This is neither Cheryl or Rihanna, it was people who sounds similar to them to see what it sounded like, Rihanna didnt want the track so Cheryl took it :)
itsbreezybxtch89
Man this ain't my Rihanna..... Beside her voice is different and beautiful in its own way! But the song is still very good.
tana chan
i love all 3 ver
ousseynou tall
JAIME VREMENT SA
Jake MacPherson
This is Priscilla Renea everybody! :) look her up, she writes for the many, Rihanna, Madonna, Selena, Demi lovato