Rihanna's Secret '80s Tribute

Plus: Timbaland embraces AI and says: "God presented this tool to me."

March 21, 2025

👋 Ever sung along to a song for years only to discover you missed something? You're not alone. A songwriter's recent podcast appearance revealed that Rihanna's 2006 hit "SOS" has been hiding '80s Easter eggs in plain sight for nearly two decades.

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🎵 Rihanna Song Packed with '80s Easter Eggs

What seemed like just another pop hit actually contains a clever tribute to some of the biggest songs of the 1980s, hiding in plain sight for almost two decades. Based on recent revelations, here's the story behind Rihanna's "SOS" and its nostalgic surprises:

The Hidden '80s Connection

It all began when songwriter Evan "Kidd" Bogart appeared on the "Behind the Wall" podcast and revealed something most fans had missed about the 2006 hit "SOS." The triple-platinum single that gave Rihanna her first Billboard Hot 100 #1 wasn't just a contemporary pop track—it was secretly filled with '80s Easter eggs throughout its lyrics.

Bogart admitted that as a new songwriter, he incorporated an ingenious twist. "I had no idea what I was doing," he confessed on the podcast. "The whole second verse of that song is '80s song titles strung together as sentences because I thought it would be super clever."

The Nostalgic Revelation Goes Viral

The discovery quickly captured attention on social media. A TikTok clip featuring this revelation has amassed over 23 million views, demonstrating just how surprising this musical Easter egg hunt was to fans who had been singing along for years without realizing the references.

When examined closely, the second verse contains an impressive lineup of '80s hit titles seamlessly woven together: "Take on Me" by A-Ha, "(I Just) Died in Your Arms Tonight" by Cutting Crew, "I Melt with You" by Modern English, "Head over Heels" by Tears for Fears, "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by Kim Wilde, and "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson.

The '80s connection extends beyond just the lyrics. The song also samples Soft Cell's 1981 hit "Tainted Love," further cementing its connection to the decade's musical legacy.

The Legacy Continues

Almost two decades after its release, "SOS" continues to reveal new dimensions to fans. What started as a creative experiment by a novice songwriter became one of pop music's most successful hidden tributes to a previous musical era.

This revelation highlights how pop music often contains layers of meaning and reference that can go unnoticed for years. For those interested in more behind-the-scenes stories, Bogart's full podcast episode also includes discussions about writing Beyoncé's "Halo" and how Jonah Hill once served as his intern.

Go Deeper: Evan Bogart worked with Tupac, Beyonce, and discovered Eminem. Here’s the full interview:

SONG OF THE WEEK

📀 Rihanna’s “Desperado” | ⭐ 4.1/5

"Desperado" stands as one of Rihanna's more introspective tracks, showcasing her artistic evolution beyond mainstream pop singles.

  • "Desperado" draws sonic inspiration from Western themes while incorporating modern R&B and trap production elements.

  • The song has been featured in several notable television shows and films like HBO's "Girls," Netflix's "On My Block" and the movie "Widows," directed by Steve McQueen.

  • The song experienced a resurgence in 2023 when it went viral on TikTok, introducing it to a new generation of listeners.

"Desperado" exemplifies Rihanna's willingness to explore complex emotional themes and showcases her versatility as an artist beyond commercial radio hits.

What do you think? Leave your review right here.

Review of Desperado by ritakawak - Musicboard

Review of Desperado by Rihanna. ritaaaa rated the track 5.0 / 5 stars. i literally want to run away and start a new life with a new identity every time i hear this song in the car.

musicboard.app/ritakawak/review/track/desperado/anti-deluxe/rihanna

Honorable mention:

MEME