Hidden ’80s Song Titles in Rihanna’s “SOS” Unveiled by Songwriter Evan Bogart
Rihanna’s 2006 hit SOS not only catapulted her into global stardom but also holds a secret Easter egg that fans have overlooked for nearly two decades. In a recent interview with Behind the Wall, Evan “Kidd” Bogart, one of the song’s co-writers, revealed a cleverly hidden pattern in the track’s second verse that nods to multiple chart-topping songs from the 1980s. The songwriter’s playful use of iconic song titles as lyrics has remained undetected—until now.
Evan “Kidd” Bogart shared that when writing SOS, he decided to incorporate a series of ’80s song titles to form the second verse. “I had no idea what I was doing,” he explained, describing how the verse is essentially a string of references to popular songs from the era. The result is a lyrical puzzle that includes hits like A-ha’s Take On Me, Cutting Crew’s I Just Died in Your Arms, and Modern English’s I Melt With You.
For example, in the second verse of SOS, Rihanna sings, “Take on me, ah-hah,” directly referencing A-ha’s 1985 smash hit. She continues, “I could just die up in your arms tonight,” which points to Cutting Crew’s 1986 track. Later, she sings, “I melt with you,” borrowing from Modern English’s 1982 hit of the same name. These hidden references blend seamlessly into the song’s structure, making it nearly impossible for listeners to detect the playful homage without knowing Bogart’s intent.
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Further on, Rihanna sings, “You got me head over heels,” which alludes to Tears for Fears’ 1985 hit Head Over Heels. The line “Boy, you keep me hanging on” nods to Kim Wilde’s 1986 cover of You Keep Me Hangin’ On, while “The way you make me feel” references Michael Jackson’s 1987 classic.
Interestingly, several of the songs Bogart included in the verse were also Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits, much like SOS, which earned Rihanna her first chart-topping single. Tracks like Take On Me, I Just Died in Your Arms, and The Way You Make Me Feel all reached the Hot 100 summit, adding another layer of significance to the lyrical choices.
This revelation adds a fresh perspective to SOS, highlighting the track’s deeper connection to the 1980s’ vibrant music scene. While the song was already an iconic moment in Rihanna’s career, this newfound Easter egg further cements its place as a cleverly crafted pop gem. As Bogart’s interview makes clear, Rihanna’s SOS is not only a breakthrough hit but also a tribute to the songs that shaped a generation.
