By Rihanna
The song "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. 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 Rolling Stone's500 Greatest Songs of All Time. 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.
In a nutshell, the song talks about a storm about to take place, and Rihanna offers her loved one protection under her umbrella. In this song, Rihanna comforts her partner by singing about how she will be there for him in good times and bad. She knows that even though he is a star, there will be some rough times, which she articulates in the lyrics, "Baby cause in the dark you can't see shiny cars, and that's when you need me there, with you I'll always share." The umbrella is a metaphor for her support, which she promises to provide. Jay-Z, who runs Rihanna's record label Roc-A-Fella Records, performs a somewhat gratuitous rap at the beginning of the song, emphasizing his wealth and success. His presence in the song made it much more marketable, even if it didn't advance the storyline.
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 protects you from the rain, and rain in this sense is negative and vulnerable. This is a song for committed relationships and the singer is assuring her lover that no matter what happens, she’ll always be there for him.
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