Rihanna’s music continues to captivate audiences, and her hit song “SOS” is no exception. Recently, songwriter Evan “Kidd” Bogart shed light on the clever songwriting process behind this iconic track during an interview on Daniel Wall’s Behind the Wall podcast. Surprisingly, he revealed that the second verse of “SOS” is filled with hidden references to popular songs from the 1980s.
In the podcast episode released on October 11, Bogart, 46, shared his experience writing the lyrics for Rihanna’s 2006 single, which marked her first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Reflecting on the creative process, he admitted, “When I wrote it, I had no idea what I was doing.” He further explained that the entire second verse consists of ’80s song titles cleverly strung together as sentences, a decision he made for fun.
Listeners may not immediately recognize these references, but in the second verse, Rihanna sings, “Take on me (a-ha), you know inside you feel it right / Take me on, I could just die up in your arms tonight / I melt with you, you got me head over heels / Boy, you keep me hangin’ on, the way you make me feel.”
The lyrics cleverly incorporate titles from several classic ’80s hits:
- “Take on Me” by a-ha
- “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” by Cutting Crew
- “Head Over Heels” by Tears for Fears
- “You Keep Me Hanging On” by Kim Wilde
- “The Way You Make Me Feel” by Michael Jackson
In addition to these lyrical nods, “SOS” also samples the famous ’80s track “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell, adding another layer of nostalgia. Ed Cobb, the songwriter behind “Tainted Love,” is credited for his contribution to “SOS.”
Originally released as the first single from Rihanna’s second album, A Girl Like Me, “SOS” soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This track laid the foundation for an impressive lineup of hits that followed, including “Unfaithful,” “Break It Off” featuring Sean Paul, and numerous other chart-toppers like “Umbrella” with JAY-Z, “Diamonds,” and “We Found Love” with Calvin Harris.
Rihanna’s ability to weave timeless references into her music has solidified her status as a pop icon, showcasing both her artistry and the creative genius of songwriters like Evan Bogart. With “SOS” continuing to resonate with fans, it’s a reminder of the enduring power of ’80s music and its influence on contemporary pop.
