Rihanna’s Decade-Old Song Becomes A Surprise Hit

Rihanna’s decade-old hit “Where Have You Been” becomes a U.K. charting success again, debuting inside the top 30 on a genre-specific list as fans await a new album. LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Rihanna performs on stage during The BRIT Awards 2012 at The O2, on February 21, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by JM Enternational/Redferns)

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Rihanna returned with new music in 2025, although “Friend of Mine,” the song she recorded for the recent Smurfs movie, wasn’t quite the comeback that many people had in mind. It’s been almost a decade since her last full-length, Anti, and though the singer has promised she’s hard at work on another project, no confirmed details have been shared.

While fans wait for her next era to begin, Rihanna’s decade-plus-old smash “Where Have You Been” debuts on a United Kingdom-based chart and becomes a hit all over again, seemingly out of nowhere.

Where Did Rihanna’s “Where Have You Been” Debut?

“Where Have You Been” debuts at No. 25 on this week’s Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles chart. That ranking tallies the bestselling tunes in those styles in the U.K. It’s a bit surprising to see “Where Have You Been” launch, as even though the roster is one that Rihanna has come to know well throughout her years as a superstar, the song has historically been categorized as either pop or electronic dance when it comes to genre.

What Singles Came From Rihanna’s Album Talk That Talk?

Rihanna released “Where Have You Been” as a focus track from her album Talk That Talk. The tune was selected as the fourth and final proper single from the full-length and was shared months after Talk That Talk became available in November 2011. The album had previously been led by dance-pop smash “We Found Love,” a collaboration with Calvin Harris, and it also produced both the title track and “You Da One” as promotional smashes.

What Genre is Rihanna’s “Where Have You Been”?

In the U.K., “Where Have You Been” peaked at No. 6 on the Official Singles list. It also reached No. 1 on the Official Dance Singles ranking, where it ruled for three frames. It’s interesting that “Where Have You Been” has now become a win on the tally focused specifically on R&B and hip-hop, as it’s not common for a track to be classified under two completely different labels – and perform well enough to reach multiple rosters.

When Did “Breakin’ Dishes” Become a Chart Hit

“Where Have You Been” marks Rihanna’s second debut on the Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles list in 2025, which is quite the coup for an artist who is known these days for her lack of output. Earlier this year, “Breakin’ Dishes,” a tune that preceded “Where Have You Been” by several years and is featured on her star-making Good Girl Gone Bad album, also launched on the same list. That cut opened on the roster in January and only recently peaked at No. 2, just barely missing out on giving Rihanna another leader. This frame, it slips to third place, dipping one spot from its all-time high.

How Many Hit Songs Has Rihanna Charted?

Rihanna has now scored 68 hits on the Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles list throughout her career. 15 of those tunes have hit No. 1, and many others have come close to doing so. Included in her roundup of rulers are generation-defining wins like “Umbrella” with Jay-Z, “Live Your Life” with T.I., “Love the Way You Lie” with Eminem, “What’s My Name” with Drake, and her own “S&M,” among many others.

What Rihanna Singles are Still Charting?

Seven different Rihanna tunes appear on at least one list in the U.K. this week. “Breakin’ Dishes” is her biggest hit, as it lives on three lists, including the Official Singles and Official Streaming charts — two non-genre-specific, competitive rosters.

Between the Official Dance Singles and Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles charts, she also sees “We Found Love” with Harris, “Love the Way You Lie” with Eminem, “Stay” with Mikky Ekko, “S&M,” and “Don’t Stop the Music” appear. All of those songs live on just one tally apiece.