No matter how many songs Rihanna records in her lifetime, no one will ever forget "Umbrella," her first smash hit and the song that catapulted her to new levels of fame. In a new book called The Song Machine: Inside the Hit Factory (excerpted in SPIN magazine), writer John Seabrook dives deep into the history of the song and how it ended up in Rihanna's hands. Many people know that the song was originally written for Britney Spears, but even after she passed on it, the writers weren't convinced that RiRi was the right person to take it because she wasn't yet very famous.
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"They had to talk us into it," Mike [Stewart] says. "I remember Grammy weekend I was being hounded by every label executive to get that record. At parties people were running up on us everywhere. But [Def Jam's then-CEO] L.A. Reid and everyone associated with Rihanna — they were the most passionate. [Rihanna's manager] Jay Brown put me on the phone with Rihanna, and I said no at the time, and to this day when she sees me she says, 'Oh you're the one who tried to take my record away.' And she's so wrong — I didn't try to take her record away! I was just evaluating what was the best situation."
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The book goes on to say that Rihanna finally got the song after L.A. Reid and Jay Z called "daily" on her behalf. Though the writers told Seabrook that you can't predict what songs will be hits, they did say they knew "Umbrella" was "special" from the beginning."When 'Rih' recorded the 'ellas,' you knew your life was about to change," producer Tricky Stewart said.
Another fun "Umbrella" fact — the song was written in just two hours.
I can imagine Rih saying that in her Bajan accent. #BitchBettaHaveMyHitRecord
Kudos to Britney for helping Rihanna out because the song actually fit Britney's situation and I don't think any other song on good girl gone bad would have had the same impact. the closest would have been don't stop the music but they will associate it like S.O.s as sample driven
Yeah Mary J was second in line to Britney and then Rihanna was 3rd.
Mary J had Real love, I'm going down, Family affair
Britney had Baby one more time, Oops, Slave, Toxic
Rihanna NEEDED that song.
I'm glad all 3 are in my sig...they all would have slayed umbrella tbh
It is her most recognized and probably her #1 signature song,she has about 5 signature song tbh,the icon just has too much hits! BUT it wasn't her first hit!! Rihanna was destined to be massive and i believe even if she didn't record umbrella she would have smashed with something else and we'll still be where we are today!
Yeah Mary J was second in line to Britney and then Rihanna was 3rd.
Mary J had Real love, I'm going down, Family affair
Britney had Baby one more time, Oops, Slave, Toxic
Rihanna NEEDED that song.
I'm glad all 3 are in my sig...they all would have slayed umbrella tbh
Mary wouldn't...I can't imagine her singing that song, honestly.
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"When 'Rih' recorded the 'ellas,' you knew your life was about to change," producer Tricky Stewart said.
I wonder if Rih ad libed the "ellas", or where they already a part of the song? They seem spontaneous...as it doesn't sound like something Britney, or Mary would record in a song.
Oh, so glad my fave writes her own songs so no one can take them from her.
Who's your fav? I'm guessing agag. I think she needs to work with other writers to infuse something new to her tired writting style tbh..but kudos to her,it's great when you can write your own song.....but only if the song is actually good and not crap!
Mary wouldn't...I can't imagine her singing that song, honestly.
I wonder if Rih ad libed the "ellas", or where they already a part of the song? They seem spontaneous...as it doesn't sound like something Britney, or Mary would record in a song.
I never though of that...it could be possible that she was the one that included them....and she didn't bother asking for writing credits cuz she really doesn't care and doesn't want to proof anything!
#BitchBettaHaveMyHitRecord
