Only Girl (In the World)

Rihanna asked Norwegian production duo Stargate to create something lively before finishing her fifth studio album Loud. The result was "Only Girl (In the World)", a dance-pop anthem released in September 2010 that moved away from the brooding tone of her previous record Rated R. Written by Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Sandy Vee, and Crystal Nicole, the track features driving Eurodance rhythms designed to make listeners feel celebrated. Critics immediately praised the composition for its infectious energy and ability to capture a specific mood of euphoria.

The song became a global hit, topping charts in Australia, Austria, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, France, and Germany. In the United States, it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with a unique milestone: it was the first lead single from an album to reach the top spot after the second single had already claimed the number one position earlier. The accompanying music video directed by Anthony Mandler featured Rihanna performing alone in vast natural landscapes, visually reinforcing the theme of being the sole focus of affection.

Commercial success continued for years as the track accumulated significant streaming numbers. By late 2025, the official music video surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube. As of August 2026, the song reached 2 billion streams on Spotify. It won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2011 and received multi-platinum certifications in the US, Australia, Canada, and the UK. Rihanna performed the song on major stages including Saturday Night Live, The X Factor, and during the Super Bowl LVII halftime show. [edit]