SUMMER'S GREATEST SONGS COUNTDOWN: Rhianna - "Umbrella"

Welcome back to Hitmaker Chronicles' countdown of the Top 20 Songs of the Summer, as voted by the staff of Caloroga Shark Media! I'm your host, Garrett Fisher. Coming in at number 4, we're diving into Rihanna's game-changing 2007 anthem "Umbrella" featuring Jay-Z — a track that transformed a rising star into a global icon while Britain literally flooded under its 10-week chart reign. We'll trace how a GarageBand hi-hat loop and a song rejected by Britney Spears became the defining pop moment of 2007. Grab your umbrella — we're stepping into one of the decade's most perfect musical storms.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Kalaroga Shark Media Summer two thousand and seven. I'm Garrett Fischer,
and the music industry was experiencing a seismic shift. MTV
still held cultural sway, but YouTube was beginning to democratize

(00:23):
music discovery. Amy Winehouse was conquering the world with rehab,
Timbaland was producing hit after hit, and a nineteen year
old Barbadian singer named Rihanna was about to release a
song that would not only define her career, but reshape
what mainstream pop could be in the twenty first century.
Coming in at number four on our countdown of the

(00:44):
top twenty songs of the summer, as voted by the
staff of Calaroga Shark Media, Rihanna's Umbrella featuring Jay Z
represents that rare moment when artistic evolution, commercial ambition, and
cultural timing aligned to create something truly transformative, a song
so perfectly crafted that it literally soundtracked one of the

(01:06):
wettest summers in British history. Before Rihanna became the billionaire
business mogul and musical chameleon we know today, she was
Robin Rihanna Fente, a teenager from Saint Michael, Barbados, who
had been discovered by American record producer Evan Rodgers while
he was vacationing on the island. Rogers was struck by
her raw talent and distinctive voice, eventually bringing her to

(01:29):
the United States to record demo tapes that would catch
the attention of the music industry. Her audition for jay
Z at def Jam is the stuff of music industry legend.
The then president of the label kept her in the
office until three am, refusing to let her leave until
she'd signed a deal. He recognized something special in the
young artist, not just her voice, but a quality that's

(01:52):
harder to define, star power. By two thousand and seven,
Rihanna had already scored hits with Ponder, Replay and Sas,
establishing herself as a promising young talent in the R
and B and pop world, but she was still searching
for her definitive artistic identity. Her first two albums, while successful,

(02:12):
had positioned her as another in a long line of
young R and B singers, talented certainly, but not yet
distinctive enough to separate from the pack. As she began
work on her third album, there was a conscious decision
to evolve. The album would be called good Girl Gone Bad,
and it represented a deliberate transformation. Rihanna was ready to

(02:33):
shed the innocent island girl image and embrace something edgier,
more complex, and ultimately more authentic to who she was
becoming as an artist. The creation of Umbrella began in
January two thousand and seven in Atlanta's Triangle Studios, where
producer Christopher Tricky Stewart was, in his words, messing around

(02:54):
with sounds in garage bands. He stumbled upon a high
hat loop that caught his attention, a simple sound that
would become the rhythmic foundation of one of the decade's
biggest hits. When songwriter Tereus the Dream Nash heard what
Stuart was working on, he immediately asked what that beat was.
As Stuart added chords to the high hat pattern, Nash

(03:15):
felt inspired. Nash went to the vocal booth and started singing,
and within sixty seconds they had the first verse. The
hook came together just as quickly, with the writers building
the song in real time, adding elements as inspiration struck.
The song was originally written with Britney Spears in mind.

(03:35):
Nash and Stewart had previously worked with Spears on Me
Against the Music, and with Brittany working on her album Blackout,
they thought Umbrella could be her comeback single, but Spear's
label rejected it, claiming they had enough material. It's unclear
if Brittany ever even heard the demo, a sliding doors
moment that would reshape pop history. After the Spears rejection,

(03:57):
the demo made its way to Island def Jam chairman
La read through A and R executive Karen quak Reid
immediately recognized its potential for Rihanna when she heard the demo.
Rihanna was also positive towards it. When the demo first
started playing, I was like, this is interesting, this is weird,

(04:17):
but the song kept getting better. I listened to it
over and over. I said, I need this record. I
want to record it tomorrow. There was competition for the song.
Mary J. Blige was also interested, and given her status
following B Without You, she seemed like the logical choice,
but Reid used his influence to secure the track for Rihanna,

(04:39):
believing it could be the song to elevate her to
the next level. So what made Umbrella such a perfect
pop construction? Let's break it down. The production crafted by
Tricky Stewart is deceptively simple but incredibly effective. That garage
band high hat loop that started it all provides a hypnotic,
almost militaristic rhythm that drives the entire track. It's insistent

(05:04):
without being aggressive, creating a sense of forward momentum that
mirrors the song's themes of protection and perseverance. The arrangement
builds on this foundation with synthesizers that add atmospheric depth
without cluttering the mix. There's a distorted baseline that gives
the track weight and grounds it in contemporary R and
B and hip hop production techniques. What's remarkable is how

(05:27):
much space Stewart leaves in the production. It's confident enough
to let the elements breathe rather than overwhelming the listener
with layers of sound. When jay Z's verse enters, the
production shifts slightly to accommodate his flow, demonstrating Stuart's understanding
of how to create dynamic variation within a consistent sonic framework.

(05:48):
The beat never loses its essential character, but it adapts
and responds to the vocalists, creating a conversation between the
production and the performances. The use of reverb and space
in the mix creates an almost cinematic quality, particularly during
the chorus, when Rihanna's voice seems to expand to fill
every available frequency. This isn't just a song, it's a

(06:12):
sonic environment that envelops the listener. The structure of Umbrella
follows a classic pop formula, but executes it with such
precision that it feels fresh rather than formulaic. The song
opens with jay Z's spoken intro uh huh uh huh,
immediately establishing his presence and giving the track hip hop

(06:33):
credibility that helps it cross genre boundaries. Rihanna enters with
the first verse, her voice conversational and intimate, drawing listeners
into the song's emotional landscape. The pre chorus builds tension
with its ascending melody, creating anticipation for what's to come.
Then comes the chorus, and what a chorus it is.

(06:54):
The repetition of Ella Ella Egg could have been annoying
and less capable hands, but Rihanna turns it into a
hypnotic mantra. It's simultaneously a vocal hook, a rhythmic element,
and a sonic signature that makes the song instantly recognizable.
From the first few notes. Jay Z's verse arrives at
exactly the right moment, providing contrast and preventing any sense

(07:18):
of monotony. His rewritten verse he changed it after hearing
Rihanna's recording focuses on weather metaphors that complement rather than
distract from the song's central theme. The bridge provides a
moment of relative calm before the final choruses, allowing the
song to breathe before building to its climactic conclusion. Every

(07:38):
element serves the song's central mission, creating an undeniable pop
moment that works on multiple levels. Lyrically, Umbrella operates on
a simple but powerful metaphor, offering protection and support through
life storms. The genius is in how it takes this
everyday image and transforms it into something both universal and intimate.

(08:00):
The verses paint pictures of loyalty and commitment that transcend
typical pop song romanticism. Lines about shining together when the
sun shines and standing together when it's raining more than
ever speak to a deeper kind of connection, whether romantic, platonic,
or even spiritual. What's particularly effective is how the lyrics

(08:20):
avoid overwrought declarations or complex poetry. The language is direct
and conversational, making the song's message accessible to anyone who's
ever needed or offered support. This isn't about fairytale love.
It's about real connection in difficult times. Jay Z's verse
adds another dimension, bringing in themes of success and loyalty

(08:43):
from a different perspective. His references to financial success, stack
chips for the rainy day, and staying grounded despite fame
complement the main theme while adding texture to the narrative.
The ella ella hook, which could be seen as mere
vocal decoration, actually serves to make the song more memorable
and participatory. It's the kind of element that invites sing

(09:06):
alongs and makes the song stick in your head for days.
What truly elevates Umbrella from good to great is the
vocal performance, particularly Rihanna's transformation from promising young singer to
confident pop star. Her delivery throughout the song showcases a
new maturity and attitude that would define her career going forward.

(09:27):
In the verses, she's conversational but assured, delivering the lyrics
with a knowing quality that suggests lived experience beyond her
nineteen years. There's a slight edge to her voice, a
hint of the rebellious spirit that would become her trademark.
The chorus is where Rihanna truly shines. Stuart admitted he
was still reluctant as to whether Rihanna was the right

(09:48):
artist to record the song, but following the recording of
the Ella ella catchphrase, he felt they were onto something
that distinctive pronunciation. The way she plays with the rhythm
and melody the transforms what could have been a simple
popcorse into something unique and memorable. Jay Z's contribution cannot
be understated. His presence alone elevated the track's profile, but

(10:10):
his performance adds gravitas and cross genre appeal. His verse
feels integral to the song rather than a tact on feature,
demonstrating the chemistry between the two artists. The interplay between
Rihanna and Jay Z creates a dynamic that suggests both
mentor student and equals, adding layers to the song's meaning
about support and protection more in a moment. Umbrella was

(10:45):
released on March twenty ninth, two thousand and seven, and
its impact was immediate and undeniable. The song debuted on
the Billboard Hot one hundred and quickly climbed to number one,
where it remained for seven consecutive weeks. It was one
of the highest digital debuts in US history at the time,
but perhaps nowhere was the song's impact more dramatically felt

(11:07):
than in the United Kingdom, where it achieved a remarkable
and somewhat ironic feat. The song topped the UK Singles
chart for ten consecutive weeks, the longest run at number
one for any single that decade, during what turned out
to be one of the wettest summers in British history.
The two thousand and seven UK floods were devastating, with

(11:29):
rainfall double the seasonal average, causing widespread damage and disruption.
The coincidence of Umbrella dominating the charts while the country
was literally underwater became a cultural talking point, with some
jokingly blaming Rihanna for the weather. The music video, directed
by Chris Applebaum, became equally iconic. The image of Rihanna

(11:51):
covered in silver paint posing nude within geometric shapes was
unlike anything in mainstream pop at the time. It was artistic,
edge and sophisticated, a visual statement that matched the song's
sonic evolution. To fully appreciate the impact of Umbrella, we
need to examine the cultural landscape of summer two thousand

(12:12):
and seven, a time when the music industry was in
transition and pop culture was being reshaped by new technologies
and changing attitudes. Musically, two thousand and seven was dominated
by a few key figures. Amy Winehouse's Back to Black
was conquering the world, proving that there was massive appetite
for artists who combined retro influences with contemporary edge. Timberland

(12:35):
was at the height of his powers, producing hits for
everyone from Nellifertado to Justin Timberlake. Hip hop was increasingly
influencing mainstream pop, but in more sophisticated ways than the
simple guest verses of earlier years. MTV was still relevant,
but beginning to feel the pressure from YouTube and other
online platforms. The network had largely abandoned music videos in

(12:58):
favor of reality program but events like the VMA still
held cultural significance. When Rihanna performed Umbrella at the two
thousand and seven MTV Movie Awards with Bruce Willis introducing her,
it felt like a passing of the Torch moment. The
broader cultural context was one of transition. The economic optimism

(13:19):
of the mid two thousands was beginning to show cracks
with the financial crisis just around the corner. Social media
was emerging but hadn't yet achieved its full cultural dominance.
There was a sense that old systems were breaking down
and new ones were being born. In this context, Umbrella
felt both of its moment and somehow timeless. It embraced

(13:42):
contemporary production techniques while maintaining classic pop songcraft. It featured
hip hop elements without being a hip hop song. It
was sophisticated without being inaccessible. The success of Umbrella transformed
Rihanna from rising star to global icon. The song won
her first Grammy Award for Best Rap Sung Collaboration and
earned nominations for Record of the Year and Song of

(14:04):
the Year at the two thousand and seven Mtvvmas, The
video one Video of the Year, cementing its cultural impact.
More importantly, Umbrella established a template that Rihanna would follow
throughout her career, constantly evolving, taking risks, collaborating with cutting
edge producers, and never being afraid to shed her previous

(14:26):
image for something new. The good Girl Gone Bad transformation
that Umbrella represented was just the first of many reinventions.
The song's influence on pop music was immediate and lasting.
It showed that pop songs could be minimalist and spacious
while still feeling huge. It demonstrated how hip hop and
R and B influences could be integrated into pop without

(14:48):
feeling forced or tokenistic, and it proved that a simple
concept executed perfectly could resonate across cultures and contexts. For
producer Tricky Stewart, a Umbrella was a cultural moment. Rihanna
was having pop success as an international artist with ponder
replay and sos, but she wasn't a complete thought all

(15:09):
the way through. The song changed that, making Rihanna a
complete artist with a definitive sound and image. Looking back
on Umbrella today, it's remarkable how fresh it still sounds
in an era of maximalist pop production and feature heavy singles.
Its relative simplicity and confidence stand out. The song doesn't

(15:31):
try to do too much. It knows exactly what it
is and executes that vision flawlessly. What makes Umbrella the
perfect summer anthem is its ability to work on multiple levels.
It's a dance floor filler that also works as a
personal anthem. It's a love song that's also about self empowerment.

(15:52):
It's specific to its moment while feeling timeless, and perhaps
most importantly, it captures that summer feeling of protection and connection,
the sense that no matter what storms may come, you're
not facing them alone. The irony of Umbrella soundtracking Britain's
wettest summer in decades only adds to its legend. Sometimes

(16:14):
songs become bigger than their creator's intentions, taking on cultural
meanings that couldn't have been predicted. Umbrella became not just
a hit song, but a shared experience, a cultural moment
that defined a season and launched one of the twenty
first century's most important pop careers. So as we continue
our countdown of the top twenty songs of the Summer

(16:36):
at number four, remember that sometimes the best protection from
life storms isn't avoiding them, it's having the right song
to dance through them with. Because Umbrella isn't just a
pop song, it's a masterclass in how the right artist,
with the right song at the right moment can create
something that transcends its origins to become truly iconic. Seventeen

(16:59):
years later, when those first notes hit, resistance remains futile,
which is why it absolutely deserves its place in our
summer song's pantheon. This is Garrett Fischer for Hitmaker Chronicles,
counting down the top twenty songs of the summer, as
voted by the staff of Calaroga Shark Media. Keep that
protective musical shield up and join me next week as

(17:22):
we reveal our top three