Ranking Rihanna's Albums

Following her modest debut in 2005, Rihanna has gone on to become a bonafide superstar. In just ten short years, she has released seven studio albums and has achieved ten #1 singles as a leading artist on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Since the Barbadian singer has rightly earned her place in the pantheon of music icons, it should be no surprise that fans are waiting with bated breath for her follow-up to the Platinum certified Unapologetic.

In anticipation of her eighth studio album, this entry takes a look at her studio releases thus far and ranks them from worst to best.

07. Music of the Sun (2005)

Singles: "Pon de Replay," "If It's Lovin' that You Want"

While her debut effort may have been kicked off with the club hit "Pon de Replay," much of Music of the Sun is tragically bland and relies heavily on presenting Rihanna as a distinctly Caribbean artist. The songs themselves are all fairly tame and were appropriate for the then-teenage singer. There are a few catchy tracks like "Music of the Sun" and "That La, La, La," but it's really no surprise as to why Rihanna hasn't performed any material off of her freshman album since her Good Girl Gone Bad Tour.

06. A Girl Like Me (2006)

Singles: "SOS," Unfaithful," "We Ride," "Break It Off"

Much like its predecessor, A Girl Like Me is heavily influenced by reggae and Rihanna's Barbadian heritage. That said, it diverges in its pop sensibilities and mature subject matter. The lead single "SOS" brilliantly samples the '80s classic "Tainted Love," turning the infectious pop hit into a modern club track. Meanwhile, the album's second single "Unfaithful" presented Rihanna as more of a risk-taker by tackling the subject of infidelity in a mostly orchestral power ballad. The song reached #1 in Canada and was certified Platinum in the United States, thus becoming her signature ballad until the phenomenal "Stay" was released in 2013. Still, the album's strong singles merely buoyed the otherwise recycling of Music of the Sun's sound.

05. Good Girl Gone Bad (2007)

Singles: "Umbrella," "Shut Up and Drive," "Hate That I Love You," "Don't Stop the Music," "Rehab"

Armed with an edgy makeover and the Grammy Award winning lead single "Umbrella," Rihanna propelled herself into the stratosphere with her third album Good Girl Gone Bad. A marked improvement over its predecessors, the album featured a more radio-friendly on pop hits like "Don't Stop the Music" and the rock-tinged "Shut Up and Drive." Non-single tracks like the sassy "Breaking Dishes" and the titular "Good Girl Gone Bad" proved that Rihanna was a multi-faceted singer worthy of her stature. Unfortunately, Good Girl Gone Bad is sunk by an overabundance of forgettable filler.

That said, it's worth mentioning that the album's re-release helped Rihanna score two additional #1 hits with "Disturbia" and "Take a Bow." It's just too bad the tracks weren't on the initial release.

04. Talk That Talk (2011)

Singles: "We Found Love," "You da One," "Talk That Talk," "Birthday Cake," "Where Have You Been," "Cockiness (I Love It) Remix"

In many ways, Talk That Talk is quintessentially Rihanna. It masterfully blends the genres of pop, R&B and reggae in a series of sultry tracks that showcase her unique vocals. From the maddening ear candy that is "We Found Love" to the cleverly written "Cockiness (I Love It)," Rihanna delivers one of her strongest and most cohesive works with the album. While the album will perhaps be overshadowed by the overwhelming success of its lead single, it is refreshing in its lack of filler and should be appreciated for its stirring ballads "We All Want Love" and "Farewell."

03. Rated R (2009)

Singles: "Russian Roulette," "Hard," "Wait Your Turn," "Rude Boy," "Rockstar 101," "Te Amo"

Released in the wake of her highly publicized split from Chris Brown, Rated R offers a wide range of edgy rock-tinged tracks that tackle the difficult subjects of abuse and love gone awry. Songs like "Russian Roulette," "Stupid in Love" and "Cold Case Love" are dark ballads, driven by raw emotion and mature lyrics. As its title would suggest, Rated R gave fans a glimpse of a much darker side of the superstar's life and presented her as a true artist, free from the strings of her record label. 

Despite its nearly overwhelming haunting atmosphere, Rated R is diversified by the presence of the dance club-friendly "Rude Boy" and the homoerotic "Te Amo." This helps to prevent the album from dragging, creating a more well-rounded approach to what would otherwise be considered a concept album.

02. Loud (2010)

Singles: "Only Girl (In the World)," "What's My Name?," "Raining Men," "S&M," "Man Down," "California King Bed," "Cheers (Drink to That)"

Eschewing the rock-tinged sound of its predecessor, Loud is a celebratory and colourful masterpiece that embraces Rihanna's status as a popstar. From the club-thumping "Only Girl (In the World)" to the insanely infectious "What's My Name?," the album is light on filler and heavy on catchy hooks. Loud showcases Rihanna's confidence as a vocalist and a performer, giving birth to three #1 singles. 

It should really be no surprise that the album was nominated for the prestigious Album of the Year award at the Grammys.

01. Unapologetic (2012)

Singles: "Diamonds," "Stay," "Pour It Up," "Loveeeeeee Song," "Right Now," "What Now," "Jump"

From its provocative cover to its lyrical content, everything about Unapologetic is brash and defiant. It is musically ambitious, blending just about every genre Rihanna has ever toyed with into one album. From the David Guetta-helmed opening tack "Phresh Off the Runway" to the reggae-influenced "No Love Allowed," Unapologetic plays like a best of compilation. It includes many memorable gems like the powerful rock ballad "What Now" to the haunting "Love Without Tragedy / Mother Mary," as well along with the career-defining monster smashes "Diamonds" and "Stay." 

Unapologetic became Rihanna's very first number one album and earned her two Grammys, including Best Urban Contemporary Album. If this album proves anything, it's that her follow-up has a lot to live up to.

Ranking Madonna's Albums

When it comes to pop superstardom, there is no woman as legendary or as revolutionary as Madonna. Dubbed the Queen of Pop by the media and her fans, this dancer-turned-singer has an awe-inspiring career that has spanned four decades and 12 albums (and counting!).

Though she is highly regarded for her ability to reinvent herself sartorially, Madonna is also a brilliant musician whose songs have pioneered the genre of pop music.

In just a few short weeks, she'll be releasing her thirteenth studio album Rebel Heart (which has already gone to #1 on several charts based on pre-sales alone). To celebrate the release of what is sure to be another incredible record, this blog entry ranks all twelve of her studio albums from worst to best. 

Let's be clear though, even at her worst Madonna is still pretty freaking badass.

12. BEDTIME STORIES

Singles: "Secret," "Human Nature," "Take a Bow," "Bedtime Stories"

Released in the fall of 1994, Bedtime Stories was Madonna's follow-up to the highly controversial Erotica. With this release, she adopted a more mature image and eschewed her signature pop sound in favour of a smoother R&B style.

For the first time in her career, Madonna played it safe and it certainly shows with Bedtime Stories. Aside from its singles, the album is all filler. Its abundance of downtempo tracks drag on and don't offer  any of the usual ear candy Madonna is known for. While the Queen of Pop is to be commended for experimenting with different musical styles, Bedtime Stories failed to deliver as well as its predecessors have. That said, its singles "Human Nature" and "Take a Bow" remain two of her most praise-worthy songs of her career.

11. HARD CANDY

Singles: "4 Minutes," "Give It 2 Me," "Miles Away"

It's no secret that part of what has made Madonna so innovative as an artist is her penchant for working with unknown producers on her albums. This is no doubt why it was so jarring when Madonna teamed up A-list producers Pharrell Williams, Timbaland and Justin Timberlake for Hard Candy.

Though not a terrible album in the traditional sense, Madonna's voice is completely lost on Hard Candy. Rather than marching to the beat of her own drum, we find the Queen of Pop laying down vocals to what would otherwise be a Justin Timberlake record. It's certainly a sweet pop album with plenty of ear candy, but it's not remotely close to the quality of what fans would expect of their idol.

10. MUSIC

Singles: "Music," "Don't Tell Me," "What It Feels Like for a Girl"

Bolstered by the success of the singles "Music" and "Don't Tell Me," Music became one of Madonna's most critically acclaimed and commercially successful records to date. Even still, there's something not quite right about this album.

In truth, Music feels like it is entirely made up of leftover tracks from its predecessor Ray of Light. Sonically, Madonna is going back over what she had previously explored and fails to deliver anything memorable on that front. While the album's singles are certainly stellar, its titular track especially, it really doesn't show off just how versatile she is as an artist.

09. AMERICAN LIFE

Singles: "American Life," "Hollywood," "Nothing Fails," "Love Profusion"

Often regarded as a flop for Madonna, American Life was released during a low point in her career and it ultimately failed to generate any hit songs. The tragedy in all of this is that it's actually an excellent album.

Lyrically, American Life explores the themes of materialism, celebrity culture and loss. It is truthfully one of Madonna's most compelling and honest records to date in that respect. The album is also notable for its rock-tinged sound and the overall acoustic feel to the songs. In retrospect, American Life was brave for expressing unpopular opinions and its stripped down production.

08. MADONNA

Singles: "Everybody," "Burning Up," "Holiday," "Lucky Star," "Borderline"

When Madonna released her eponymous debut album in 1983, she established herself as a pioneer in the genre of dance and was heralded by many as the new reigning dance diva. While it may not have been her most commercially successful album, Madonna paved the way for her illustrious career and netted the singer five iconic singles.

Madonna is surprisingly cohesive and features very little filler, which is unusual for a debut album. Aside from "I Know It," the record plays well from start to finish. From its opener "Lucky Star" to its club-thumping closer "Everybody," this album set the standard for all the dance divas that have since followed.

07. TRUE BLUE

Singles: "Live to Tell," "Papa Don't Preach," "True Blue," "Open Your Heart," "La Isla Bonita"

As the best-selling album by a female artist in the 1980s, True Blue was an unstoppable juggernaut upon its release. It shattered records and ruffled people's feathers with its controversial music videos. With three of its five singles going to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, it's hard to deny just how impactful True Blue was.

To call True Blue infectious would be a slight understatement. Its songs are genius and are among some of the most influential pop anthems in history. From the melancholy "Live to Tell" to the celebratory "Open Your Heart," True Blue delivers a satisfying sound. The only thing that truly prevents it from ranking higher is its filler tracks between singles. While "White Heat" and "Where's The Party" are fun additions, "Jimmy Jimmy" and "Love Makes The World Go Round" are mind-numbing in just how bad they are.

06. MDNA

Singles: "Give Me All Your Luvin'," "Girl Gone Wild," "Masterpiece," "Turn Up the Radio"

As her eighth album to top the charts in the US, MDNA solidified Madonna's status as a legend. Its club-friendly sound and musical cohesion earned critical acclaim, netting her the Top Dance Album at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards.

MDNA was released at a critically important time in Madonna's career. On the one hand, it served to address her divorce from Guy Ritchie and features the more vulnerable side of an otherwise infallible popstar. On the other, it continued to prove that Madonna is ready to push the envelope with tracks like "Gang Bang" and rule the dance floor with the anthemic "Girl Gone Wild." While newcomers like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Rihanna seem eager to revisit Madonna's back catalogue for their material, MDNA showed that this is one icon that will not bow down to the younger crowd.

05. LIKE A PRAYER

Singles: "Like a Prayer," "Express Yourself," "Cherish," "Oh Father," "Dear Jessie," "Keep It Together"

Regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time by the likes of Time Magazine and Rolling Stone, Like a Prayer is one of Madonna's most honest and reflective works to date. It is confessional in nature and deals with themes such as family, female empowerment and love.

From its titular track to the playful "Express Yourself," Like a Prayer is packed full of meaningful lyrics and featured the Queen of Pop finally taking control of her sound. The album is notable for being much more stripped down than previous releases and for showing off Madonna's raw talent as a singer. For the first time, audiences were seeing Madonna as an artist rather than a record label product.

04. EROTICA

Singles: "Erotica," "Deeper and Deeper," "Bad Girl," "Fever," "Rain," "Bye Bye Baby"

At the time of its release, Erotica became Madonna's least commercially successful album and failed to generate any major hits for the singer (though its first two singles did make it to the top 10). The album and its accompanying music videos were deemed too sexual for the mainstream, nearly destroying her career.

Despite its lack of commercial success, Erotica was nothing short of brilliant. It is easily her most underrated album (though MDNA comes close) and features some of the cleverest lyrics she's ever written. Her concern with sexuality is informative and commendable, giving a voice to groups that otherwise are censored by the mainstream. Beyond its cheeky tone, there's a dark undercurrent to Erotica. Notably, "Why's It So Hard" and "In This Life" deal with homosexuality and bigotry. The latter is particularly poignant for its emotionally charged lyrics regarding the effect of HIV/AIDS at that time. 

To this day, Erotica continues to be silently influential and has become the template for all popstars vying for Madonna's crown as the Queen of Pop. From Britney Spears to Beyoncé, today's most critically acclaimed singers seem to be doing nothing more than remaking versions of Erotica.

03. RAY OF LIGHT

Singles: "Frozen," "Ray of Light," Drowned World/Substitute for Love," "The Power of Good-Bye," "Nothing Really Matters"

Heralded as Madonna's comeback after a long hiatus following the birth of her daughter Lourdes, Ray of Light catapulted the Queen of Pop back to the top of the charts. Named one of the greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone, this album earned Madonna four Grammys and six MTV Video Music Awards.

Released at a time when music was oversaturated by the sanitized sounds of teen popstars, Ray of Light was deeply spiritual and experimental in both its lyrics and its music. It strikes a perfect balance between light and dark, as it deals with both celebration and tragedy. This fully matured side of Madonna struck a chord with audiences and helped to usher in a new era of dance music.

02. LIKE A VIRGIN

Singles: "Like a Virgin," "Material Girl," "Angel," Into the Groove," "Dress You Up"

As one of the most successful albums of all time, Like a Virgin was the lightning rod that electrified Madonna's career and catapulted her to superstardom. Certified diamond by the RIAA, Madonna's sophomore release proved that the singer was not a one-hit-wonder and its singles continue to be some of the most iconic pop hits in history.

Aside from Michael Jackson's Thriller, there is no other album that defines the 1980s quite as much as Like a Virgin does. Its impact is undeniable, as its singles pioneered the genre of pop music and have gone on to be considered classics. Aside from that, Like a Virgin is remarkable for its cohesive and tight composition. Whether you're a fan of dance or not, this is one classic that will never go out of style.

01. CONFESSIONS ON A DANCE FLOOR

Singles: "Hung Up," "Sorry," "Get Together," "Jump"

Behind the glamorous facade of dance music, Madonna crafts some of her most brilliant lyrical work on Confessions on a Dance Floor. She's also at her most self-referential, paying homage to her previous music with many of the album's tracks. Not only that, but she pays tribute to all of the artists who have influenced her as a singer.

Confessions on a Dance Floor is not just a flawless dance record, it is an immersive experience. Structured like a DJ's set, the album lacks space between its tracks and simulates the atmosphere of a nightclub. Confessions is also noted for its evolving tone, which sees the album starting off light and ending much more introspectively.

The strength of the album's production and Madonna's genius paid off, earning her a Grammy for the album. Confessions on a Dance Floor proves Madonna's worth as an artist and illustrates why she deserves the crown as the Queen of Pop.

Top 5: Best Pop Albums of 2014

With "Let It Go" being played non-stop all year long and Taylor Swift selling millions of copies of 1989, it's safe to say that 2014 was dominated by the ladies. This past year women reigned supreme in the world of pop music, delivering some of the finest ear candy in recent years.

The following list counts down the five best pop albums of 2014 from this year's fiercest divas.

05. Cher Lloyd, Sorry I'm Late

STANDOUT TRACKS: "I Wish," "Sirens," "Killing It," "M.F.P.O.T.Y," "Alone With Me"

As the hotly anticipated follow-up to her debut album Sticks & Stones, Cher Lloyd's Sorry I'm Late is a satisfying mix of club-hopping party anthems and emotional ballads. On this album, Cher relies less on her lady rapper schtick and shows her growth as a singer by stretching her vocal chords. The maturity she shows on Sorry I'm Late illustrates the makings of a true artist and makes for an interesting listen.

04. Jessie J, Sweet Talker

STANDOUT TRACKS: "Ain't Been Done," "Sweet Talker," "Bang Bang," "Personal," "Keep Us Together"

After the North American release to Alive failed to materialize, Jessie J set to work on a brand-new album to offer Stateside. Bolstered by the success of the Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj collab "Bang Bang," Sweet Talker became the big voiced songstress' highest charting album on the US Billboard 200. The album brilliantly showcases Jessie J's signature vocals and adaptability, belting out a variety of club thumpers and sweet R&B ballads. Her diversity as a singer is commendable and the sass she lays out on this record is as impressive as it is incomparable.

03. Ariana Grande, My Everything

STANDOUT TRACKS: "Problem," "Break Free," "Best Mistake," "Love Me Harder," "My Everything"

With her debut album becoming one of the best albums of 2013, Ariana Grande's sophomore effort My Everything had a lot to live up to. Thankfully, the pint-sized pop star delivered yet another solid set of infectious radio-friendly songs. From the saxophone-driven "Problem" to the Katy Perry-esque "Break Free," Grande ruled the charts with her growing pop repertoire. Still, Grande is the most impressive on My Everything's downtempo tracks, laying out some of this year's finest vocal work on the album's title track.

02. Kylie Minogue, Kiss Me Once

STANDOUT TRACKS: "Into the Blue," "Sexy Love," "Sexercise," "Les Sex," "Kiss Me Once"

While 2014 may have seen younger acts like Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande dominating the charts, the legendary Kylie Minogue proved that age is irrelevant in making good music. As one of the most eclectic albums this year, Kylie's Kiss Me Once ranges from feel-good ear candy ("Into the Blue") to seductive sex jams ("Sexercise"). The album is also notable for featuring a mix of downtempo tracks, making Kiss Me Once the first studio album of hers to do so since 2007's X. These retro ballads are among some of her more interesting and act as brilliant homages to her PWL era.

01. Cheryl, Only Human

STANDOUT TRACKS: "It's About Time," "Crazy Stupid Love," "Waiting for Lightning," "Only Human," "Stars," "Throwback," "Fight On," "Beats N Bass"

To say that 2014 was a good year for the newly mononymous Cheryl would be an understatement. She returned to the judging panel on The X-Factor, broke records when she became the first British female solo act to have five number one singles in the UK and subsequently released her fourth top ten studio album Only Human.

Only Human is arguably Cheryl's strongest solo effort to date, featuring a cohesive collection of pop gems and affecting ballads. On this record she is as fierce as she is vulnerable, showing swag on hair-flippers like "Beats N Bass" and emotional transparency on downtempo tracks like "Only Human." While all the albums on this list may not be excellent start to finish, Only Human is near perfection and proves itself as pop masterpiece.

 

Top 10: Best Beyoncé Songs

With 17 Grammy Awards and countless other accolades to her name, Beyoncé Knowles is so legendary that she needs only be known by one name. From her role as the frontwoman of Destiny's Child to her career as a solo artist, Beyoncé's voice is instantly iconic and her songs have been pushing musical boundaries for the better part of three decades.

Counted down here are ten of Beyoncé's most memorable and groundbreaking songs, ranging from her greatest commercial successes to her more experimental offerings.

10. "Listen"

Writers: Henry Krieger, Scott Cutler, Anne Preven, Beyoncé Knowles

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: #61

Written for the movie musical Dreamgirls, "Listen" is a sweeping R&B ballad sung from the perspective of Deena Jones (as portrayed by Beyoncé). In the song, Deena rises above being underestimated and counted out by those around her. It's a powerful anthem of self-empowerment that features one of her finest vocal performances to date.

09. "XO"

Writers: Ryan Tedder, Terius Nash, Beyoncé Knowles

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: #45

As the lead single off of Beyoncé's history-making surprise self-titled album, "XO" was one of the album's few radio-friendly tracks. With its celebratory pop composition and heartfelt lyrics, the song helped to introduce a more mature side of Beyoncé as a singer. It's an honest love song that honours the preciousness of life.

08. "I Was Here"

Writer: Diane Warren

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: N/A

Having written hits for the legendary divas Cher and Celine Dion, songwriter extraordinaire Diane Warren penned the power ballad "I Was Here" for Beyoncé's fourth album 4. Its concerns with the legacies we leave behind speak brilliantly to Beyoncé's status as a role model. Paired with her flawless vocals, this track is one of her most stirring ballads.

07. "Run the World (Girls)"

Writers: Terius "The-Dream" Nash, Beyoncé Knowles, Wesley Pentz, David Taylor, Adidja Palmer Nick van de Wall

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: #29

Female empowerment has long been a recurring theme in Beyoncé's career and "Run the World (Girls)" is easily her most anthemic song. Rather than reflecting upon the inequalities women face, this track takes a more positive spin on feminism and celebrates the power of the female sex. It also marked a significant shift in her career as an artist and provided her fans with a more ambitious sound.

06. "Pretty Hurts"

Writers: Joshua Coleman, Sia Furler, Beyoncé Knowles

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: N/A

As the flipside to "Run the World (Girls)," "Pretty Hurts" takes an honest look at the unrealistic expectations society places on the physical appearance of women. Thanks to the genius of lyrical "It Girl" Sia Furler, this song examines the darker side of beauty and it allowed Beyoncé to explore her own insecurities. The result is both haunting and beautiful.

05. "Countdown"

Writers: Terius Nash, Shea Taylor, Beyoncé Knowles, Ester Dean, Cainon Lamb, Julie Frost, Michael Bivins, Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: #71

"Countdown" is a brilliant piece of ear candy that is deliciously catchy and experimental. This dance track serves as one of the standouts from 4 and was a major return to form for the singer. Combined with its stunning music video (complete with Audrey Hepburn references), "Countdown" is the musical equivalent of a pick-me-up.

04. "Irreplaceable"

Writers: Shaffer Smith, Beyoncé Knowles, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjorklund

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: #1

After the lacklustre performance of the lead singles off of her sophomore effort B'Day, Beyoncé released "Irreplaceable" as the album's third single and it led to a definitive moment in her career. Her sassy attitude on the track paired with the chanting lyrics "to the left, to the left" made this guitar-led kiss-off a masterpiece. 

03. "Halo"

Writers: Ryan Tedder, Beyoncé Knowles, E. Kidd Bogart

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: #5

As Beyoncé's signature ballad, "Halo" is a transcendent downtempo R&B track from her seminal I Am… Sasha Fierce album. The song showcased a more vulnerable side to the singer and allowed her to indulge in her lower register. "Halo" continues to be one of her most memorable singles and is routinely performed as an encore during her concerts.

02. "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)"

Writers: Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Terius "The-Dream" Nash, Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: #1

"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" and its Bob Fosse-inspired music video lit the music industry on fire upon its release. The song inspired countless people to record themselves re-enacting the video's choreography and Beyoncé's brash attitude on the track cemented her status as a pop culture icon.

01. "Crazy in Love"

Writers: Beyoncé Knowles, Rich Harrison, Shawn Carter, Eugene Record

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: #1

With the release of her debut single "Crazy in Love," Beyoncé announced her presence as a solo star and established herself as a force to be reckoned within the music industry. The song's bombastic horn section paired with Beyoncé's exuberant vocals and Jay-Z's memorable rap verses skyrocketed this record to number one. Even though Beyoncé and Jay-Z have since paired up on many other songs, "Crazy in Love" is a truly magical collaboration that stands strong as Queen Bey's greatest solo effort.

Top 10: Best Jennifer Lopez Singles

With over 80 million records sold worldwide, Jennifer Lopez is the definition of a superstar. Her glamorous image and catchy hooks have made her one of the most enduring pop icons of the 21^st century. She has commanded the dance floor for fifteen years and her songs have become moments in the tapestry that is popular culture. To celebrate the phenomenon that is J.Lo, here are her top ten singles released over the course of her illustrious career.

10. “Let’s Get Loud”

As one of Lopez’s signature songs, “Let’s Get Loud” is a delicious salsa track written by Kike Santander and the legendary Gloria Estefan. This feel good anthem is playful and spirited, perfect for pleasing just about any crowd.

09. “Alive”

This ballad was co-written by Lopez and her then-husband Cris Judd for the film Enough. Its positive message is one that continues to be relevant and makes it one of Lopez’s most empowering songs to date. It remains one of her most underrated tracks, but is no doubt one of her best.

08. “Play”

As the second single off of her record-breaking sophomore album J.Lo, “Play” is an infectious club track that reached the top five in Canada. Slick and funky, this track was notable for its explicit lyrics and futuristic music video. It showcased Lopez’s distinct ability to stay ahead of the curve and adapt as an artist.

07. “Papi”

Initially a promotional single for her seventh studio album Love?, “Papi” was eventually chosen as the third official single from the record. Easily one of the standout tracks from the album, it is an upbeat dance anthem that is both catchy and entertaining. Its video also happens to be one of her most humorous, with Lopez paying homage to the romantic comedy genre she’s best known for as an actress.

06. “Dance Again”

As the lead single off of her greatest hits compilation Dance Again… The Hits, this Enrique Iglesias-penned track is Lopez’s third collaboration with rapper Pitbull and is her twelfth number one hit on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart. It is a sensual dance anthem with smooth production from RedOne and a temperature-raising music video that remains one of her most controversial.

05. “Hold It Don’t Drop It”

With elements of disco and funk, “Hold It Don’t Drop It” was praised for Lopez’s vocals and continues to be one of her most critically-acclaimed singles. Along with its chic music video, this track is incredibly stylish and showcases Lopez’s ability to adapt to old school genres.

04. “All I Have”

Over the course of her career, Lopez has collaborated with a variety of hip-hop artists and this 2002 single remains one of her most memorable. “All I Have” is a unique R&B break-up song that plays out as an ongoing dialogue between Lopez and her collaborator LL Cool J. This ballad managed to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart, an impressive feat for an artist primarily known for her club anthems.

03. “Get Right”

Following the media frenzy that was “Bennifer,” Lopez resurrected her career with this Rich Harrison-produced club anthem. Easily recognized for its iconic horn segments, “Get Right” is so catchy that it’s criminal. It continues to be one of her most enduring songs and peaked at number one in the UK and reached the top three in Canada.

02. “Waiting for Tonight”

While “If You Had My Love” may have proven Lopez’s musical prowess, it was “Waiting for Tonight” that turned her into a full-fledged dance floor diva. This club track is energetic and infectious, going on to become one of Lopez’s signature songs.

01. “On the Floor”

The musical equivalent of a Hail Mary, “On the Floor” saved Lopez’s musical career and restored her status as the reigning Queen of the Dance Floor in 2011. Its music video broke records and the song itself shot to #1 in more than 25 countries. It is instantly iconic and is a delicious piece of ear candy. “On the Floor” proved that despite her many incarnations and sounds, Lopez knows how to get people moving with her sugary vocals and slick dance grooves.