People Forget How Many Smash Hits Rihanna Has. Which One Will She Kick Off Her Halftime Performance With Today?
People forget how many smashes Rihanna has. Not this guy.
For some reason when she was announced as this year's performer the public sentiment was "meh".
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I think it's because she's been on hiatus for 6 years, hasn't toured, and aside from the Black Panther theme song last year, she hasn't released any new music either in that time.
But that doesn't take away how many monster hit's Rihanna has on her resume. And the monster smashes she's featured on.
How do you build only a 13-minute set with the litany of hits she has?
Rihanna thought the same thing.
“[The halftime show is] going to be a celebration of my catalog in the best way that we could have put it together,” she told Apple Music. “You only have 13 minutes. That’s the challenge. You’re trying to cram 17 years of work into 13 minutes.”
Let's rattle them off and determine what makes the cut, what doesn't, and which song she opens up with shall we?
PON DE REPLAY
Rihanna's very first hit. The song that introduced the world to her back in 2005. In.
LOVE ON THE BRAIN
Arguably one of her best songs. Too slow. Out.
S&M
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Banger. In.
WE FOUND LOVE
This is such an incredible song. In.
UMBRELLA
Have heard her do this song live 3 or 4 times. Goosebumps every time when those drums and cymbals hit. Will again tonight. In.
ONLY GIRL IN THE WORLD
Jam. In.
WORK
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Meh. Was never a huge fan of this song. Out.
RUDE BOY
One of those songs you forget how huge it is. From 2010. This will be a filler song. In.
KISS IT BETTER
Another big one. Too slow. Out.
DIAMONDS
Banger. In.
DISTURBIA
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Such a great song. Would make an incredible opener with the beat, but won't be it. In.
S.O.S.
Smash from 2006 featuring the Soft Cell sample. Jam. In.
STAY
They always slow the set down for a minute to allow everybody to catch their breathe, and change dancers, set, etc. I think this will be that song she goes with. In.
TAKE A BOW
Smash. But not making the cut. Out.
FOURFIVESECONDS
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Good song. But out.
DON'T STOP THE MUSIC
Strong potential for opening song. Definitely in.
NEEDED ME
Good song. But out.
WHAT'S MY NAME?
Out.
HATE THAT I LOVE YOU
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Such an incredible song. But don't think it makes the cut. Out.
HARD
Banger. Jeezy killed this. Hope this makes it. In.
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?
Banger. In.
Now the jams she's featured on:
CALVIN HARRIS - THIS IS WHAT YOU CAME FOR
My personal favorite song of hers. Strong opening song potential. Definitely in.
DRAKE - TAKE CARE
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Decent song. Out.
KANYE WEST - ALL OF THE LIGHTS
One of the best songs in hip-hop history. But out for obvious reasons.
T.I. - LIVE YOUR LIFE
Incredible song. Really hope we get to hear this one. Going with in.
COLDPLAY - PRINCESS OF CHINA
Amazing song. But too small a feature. Out.
EMINEM - LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE
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One of two Eminem collabs she crushed. I think this one misses the cut though and they go with -
EMINEM - MONSTER
DAVID GUETTA - WHO'S THAT CHICK?
People forget this song even exists. Decent cut. But out.
DJ KHALED - WILD THOUGHTS
As much as I hate that DJ Khaled is somehow going to finagle his way into the super bowl spotlight by having "his" song played during this set, this song's too big, and that Santana sample is too famous to leave out. In.
As much as I love the edit job this girl Leesie did, and where her head is at, I don't think Rihanna opens up with a song that's technically not hers. (It's Jay-Z's and she's featured on it)
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RUN THIS TOWN
Banger. Think we get the hook mid-set.
MY PICK - BITCH BETTER HAVE MY MONEY
I'm a dj. If I'm planning out this set list, and trying to build momentum and energy, into a crescendo, not blow my load coming out the gates, or bring the set to a screeching halt, this is the song I'm starting out with.
It also allows Rihanna to strut across the stage, like a boss, as the crowd loses their mind, while she recites the chorus. Good tempo, good beat, edgy/familiar refrain. Boom done.
p.s.- next year in Vegas, you can lock in the hometown boys, The Killers as the Super Bowl halftime performers. Book it.