Rihanna’s “SOS” (2006) is a dance-pop firecracker that brilliantly samples Soft Cell’s ’80s classic “Tainted Love” to turbo-charge its infectious groove. Lyrically, Rihanna calls for rescue from an overwhelming love obsession (“SOS, please someone help me!”), matching the urgency of the sample’s stabbing synths. “SOS” became Rihanna’s first No. 1 hit in the US, dominating clubs and radio, and proving that with the right song, the Barbados-born singer could conquer the global pop scene. It remains an exhilarating blend of nostalgic riff and fresh attitude.