“Umbrella” by Rihanna (ft. Jay-Z)

In this song, Rihanna promises her lover that she will always be there to support him. She uses the “Umbrella” to represent the level of support she is willing to provide her partner. Just as an umbrella provides a sort of covering from the rain, the singer guarantees to be there for him even in bad times.

The person Rihanna is singing to is probably a celebrity who feels insecure when he doesn’t have enough wealth or fame. She tells him that they’ll shine together, meaning they’ll both enjoy each other’s success. However, when the rains which represent hard times come, she’ll still be there for him and offer him her love.

Speaking about the song, Rihanna has explained that the song is about providing protection. She said an umbrella is protection which keeps you from the rain, and rain in this sense is negativity and vulnerability.

Facts about “Umbrella”

• “Umbrella” was released on March 29, 2007.
• This song, which features American rapper, Jay-Z, was the lead single from Rihanna’s third studio album, Good Girl Turn Bad.
• Rihanna and Jay-Z, together with the song’s co-producers, Tricky Stewart and Kuk Harrell, are credited for writing the song.
• In the UK, the song was set the record for the longest track to remain on top of the UK Singles Chart after it enjoyed ten consecutive weeks at the summit of the chart.
• Also, “Umbrella” stayed at number one of the US Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks.
• The single became Rihanna’s biggest selling single in 2008, after it sold over 600,000 copies. It was also one of the most successful singles of 2008.
• “Umbrella” also features in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Did “Umbrella” win a Grammy?

The song won Rihanna and Jay-Z the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018. Furthermore, it was nominated for the Record of the Year and the Song of the Year at the 2008 Grammys. It lost both awards to Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab“.