Honestly, the Rihanna Talk That Talk album song list feels like a fever dream from a very specific era of pop music. It was 2011. Dubstep was everywhere. We were all obsessed with neon. Rihanna was basically living on a tour bus while recording this, hitting more than 25 different cities just to get the vocals down.
People often forget how fast she was moving back then. This was her sixth album in seven years. It’s wild. Most artists today take three years just to pick a lead single. Rihanna? She just kept the engine running.
The Core Tracklist: From Club Anthems to Gritty R&B
The standard edition of Talk That Talk is a tight, 37-minute sprint. It doesn't waste time. You've got 11 tracks on the main version, and each one serves a very specific purpose for the dance floor or the bedroom.
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- You Da One – Produced by Dr. Luke, this one has that mid-tempo, reggae-lite vibe that Rihanna always kills.
- Where Have You Been – This is the big one. Pure electro-house. Calvin Harris and Dr. Luke joined forces here, and it’s basically designed to make you lose your mind in a club.
- We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris) – The crown jewel. It stayed at number one for ten weeks. It’s probably the song that defined 2011 for an entire generation.
- Talk That Talk (feat. Jay-Z) – The title track. It samples The Notorious B.I.G.’s "I Got a Story to Tell." It’s a reunion with Jay-Z, but way sleazier and more urban than "Umbrella."
- Cockiness (Love It) – Produced by Mr. Bangladesh. It’s weird. It’s experimental. It’s got these vocal loops that shouldn't work but somehow do.
- Birthday Cake – Only 1:18 long on the album. It’s an interlude, but it’s so infectious that everyone wished it was a full song.
- We All Want Love – A rare moment of vulnerability. It’s a guitar-driven ballad that shows a softer side of the "Bad Gal."
- Drunk On Love – This track samples "Intro" by The xx. It’s big, cinematic, and feels like a massive hangover in the best way possible.
- Roc Me Out – Very reminiscent of her Rated R era. It’s dark, synth-heavy, and aggressive.
- Watch n' Learn – A playful, reggae-inspired track produced by Hit-Boy. It’s flirtatious and catchy as hell.
- Farewell – The closing ballad. It’s about letting go so someone can chase their dreams. A surprisingly emotional end to a high-energy album.
Going Deeper: The Deluxe Tracks
If you only listened to the standard version, you're actually missing some of the best production on the record. The deluxe edition adds three more songs that really lean into the grit.
First, there's Red Lipstick. This track was produced by Chase & Status, the UK bass duo. It is pure dubstep. It’s heavy, it’s noisy, and it sounds like a dark warehouse party in London. Then you have Do Ya Thang, a breezy R&B track produced by The-Dream. It’s much lighter and feels like a Sunday afternoon. Finally, Fool in Love closes things out. It’s a rhapsodic ballad with acoustic guitars that eventually explodes into this massive electric guitar finish.
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Why the Production Was Actually Revolutionary
We talk about the Rihanna Talk That Talk album song list like it’s just a list of hits, but the technical side was fascinating. Kuk Harrell, her vocal producer, literally set up portable studios in hotel rooms. They were recording in Paris, London, Oslo—basically wherever the "Loud Tour" bus stopped.
The mix of genres is what makes it stand out even now in 2026. You have:
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- Dubstep (Red Lipstick, You Da One)
- Electro-House (We Found Love)
- Reggae/Dancehall (Watch n' Learn)
- Sample-heavy Hip Hop (Talk That Talk)
It was a bridge. It took the "party girl" energy of her Loud album and mixed it with the "dark, vengeful" vibes of Rated R.
What People Get Wrong About This Album
A lot of critics at the time thought it was rushed. They saw the short track lengths—especially "Birthday Cake"—and figured she was just churning out content. But looking back, that "rushed" energy is exactly why it works. It feels urgent. It feels like a snapshot of a superstar who was at the absolute peak of her powers and didn't have a second to breathe.
Interestingly, "Talk That Talk" (the song) was actually a bit of a gamble. Jay-Z’s verse includes some pretty bizarre lines—like the one about Pisa and pizza—but the chemistry between them is undeniable. It’s not a "clean" pop song. It’s dirty, bass-heavy, and unapologetic.
Next Steps for the Ultimate Listen:
If you want to experience the full narrative arc of the album, listen to the Deluxe Edition in order. Skip the clean versions; the raw energy of tracks like "Cockiness" and "Red Lipstick" is half the point. If you’re a producer, pay close attention to the way StarGate used the The xx sample in "Drunk on Love"—it’s a masterclass in how to flip an indie riff into a pop powerhouse.