If you’re a Rihanna fan, you’re probably familiar with her hit song “What’s My Name.” The catchy song, which featured rapper Drake, was released in 2010 and quickly rose to the top of the charts. But have you ever considered the lyrics? In this article, we’ll look at the lyrics’ meaning and what they can tell us about Rihanna’s artistry and personal life.
Introduction to “What’s My Name”
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the song as a whole before we get into the lyrics. “What’s My Name?” is a mid-tempo pop song with a reggae beat. Ester Dean, Traci Hale, and Drake wrote it, and Stargate produced it. In the song, Rihanna sings about her desire to be recognized and seen by her lover. Drake contributes a rap verse, giving the song a male perspective.
What’s my name Lyrics by Rihanna
[Verse 1: Rihanna]
Ooh na-na, what’s my name?
Ooh na-na, what’s my name?
Ooh na-na, what’s my name?
Ooh na-na, what’s my name?
Ooh na-na, what’s my name?
What’s my name? What’s my name?
[Verse 2: Rihanna]
Hey, boy, I really wanna see if you can go downtown with a girl like me
Hey, boy, I really wanna be with you
‘Cause you just my type
Ooh na-na-na-na
I need a boy to take it over
Looking for a guy to put in work, uh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
[Bridge: Rihanna]
What’s my name? What’s my name?
What’s my name? What’s my name?
What’s my name? What’s my name?
What’s my name? What’s my name?
What’s my name? What’s my name?
What’s my name? What’s my name?
[Verse 3: Drake]
I heard you good with them soft lips
Yeah, you know word of mouth
The square root of 69 is 8 something, right?
‘Cause I’ve been tryna work it out, ooh
Good weed, white wine
I come alive in the night time
Okay, away we go
Only thing we have on is the radio
Ooh, let it play, say you gotta leave
But I know you wanna stay
You just waiting on the traffic jam to finish, girl
The things we could do in twenty minutes girl
Say my name, say my name
Wear it out, it’s getting hot, crack a window, air it out
I can get you through a mighty long day
Soon as you go, the text that I write is gon’ say
[Bridge: Rihanna]
What’s my name? What’s my name?
What’s my name? What’s my name?
What’s my name? What’s my name?
What’s my name? What’s my name?
What’s my name? What’s my name?
What’s my name? What’s my name?
[Verse 4: Rihanna]
Not everybody knows how to work my body
Knows how to make me want it
But, boy, you stay up on it
You got that something that keeps me so off balance
Baby, you’re a challenge, let’s explore your talent
[Bridge: Rihanna]
Hey boy, I really wanna see if you can go downtown with a girl like me
Hey boy, I really wanna be with you
‘Cause you just my type
Ooh na-na-na-na
I need a boy to take it over
Looking for a guy to put in work, uh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
[Bridge: Rihanna]
What’s my name? What’s my name?
What’s my name? What’s my name?
What’s my name? What’s my name?
What’s my name? What’s my name?
What’s my name? What’s my name?
What’s my name? What’s my name?
Verse 1: Rihanna’s Desires
The first verse of “What’s My Name?” establishes the tone for the rest of the song. Rihanna sings about her desire to be desired by her lover. “Ooh na na, what’s my name? / What’s my name? / What’s my name?” she asks. These repeated questions emphasize Rihanna’s desire be seen and recognized by her partner.
“Not everybody knows how to work my body / Knows how to make me want it,” she continues. This line implies that Rihanna has high standards for her sexual experiences and expects her partner to be attentive to her needs.
Chorus: Rihanna’s Urgency
The chorus is one of the most memorable and catchy parts of “What’s My Name.” “Hey boy, I want to see if you can go downtown with a girl like me / Hey boy, I want to be with you / ‘Cause you just my type,” Rihanna sings. Rihanna’s desire to be with her lover is emphasized in this chorus.
She isn’t afraid to express her desires and wants her partner to understand how much she adores him.
Verse 2: Drake’s Perspective
Drake takes over in the second verse of “What’s My Name” and offers his perspective on the situation. He sings and raps, “Isn’t the square root of 69 something like 8? Because I’ve been trying to figure it out, ooh / Good weed, white wine, uh, I come alive at night.”
Drake’s verse contains more explicit references to sex and drugs than Rihanna’s. However, it remains consistent with the song’s theme of desire and urgency.
Bridge: Rihanna’s Confession
“What’s My Name’s” bridge is a turning point in the song. “I heard you good with those soft lips / Yeah, you know word of mouth / The square root of 69 is 8 something, right? / Cause I’ve been tryna work it out, ooh,” Rihanna sings.
This bridge reveals that Rihanna has heard rumours about her lover’s prowess in bed and is eager to see for herself.
Conclusion: The Message of “What’s My Name”
So, what can we take away from “What’s My Name?” Finally, the song is about the power of desire and the significance of communication in sexual relationships. Rihanna sings about the need for her lover to see and recognize her, while Drake offers a male perspective on the situation. The two artists collaborate to create a catchy and thought-provoking song.
FAQs
What album is “What’s My Name” on?
“What’s My Name” is on Rihanna’s fifth studio
What inspired Rihanna to write “What’s My Name”?
It’s not entirely clear what inspired Rihanna to write the song, but she has said in interviews that she wanted to create a fun, sexy song that would make people dance.
What was the reception of “What’s My Name”?
“What’s My Name” was a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the US and the UK. It also received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its catchy melody and playful lyrics.
Did Rihanna and Drake have a romantic relationship?
Rihanna and Drake have had an on-again, off-again romantic relationship over the years. While they have never confirmed their relationship publicly, their chemistry in “What’s My Name” and other collaborations suggests that there may have been something more between them.
What other songs has Rihanna collaborated on with Drake?
Rihanna and Drake have collaborated on several other songs, including “Take Care,” “Work,” and “Too Good.” These songs have all been commercial and critical successes and have helped solidify the pair’s status as one of the most iconic musical duos of the past decade.
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