- "Forget about the price tag"
—Jessie J
"Cheap Thrills" is the sixth track from Sia's seventh studio album, This Is Acting. Released on 17 December 2015, the song serves as the album's fourth single. Along with another song called "Reaper", it was originally meant for Rihanna. The song currently has three versions: a solo version, one with Sean Paul, and one with Nicky Jam.
After 23 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, "Cheap Thrills" became number one[1] in the US.
Background[]
Rihanna's manager approached Sia to write a soulful song for the Barbadian singer akin to their previous collaboration, "Diamonds". Sia went to Greg Kurstin and both came up with "Cheap Thrills", which was sent to Rihanna, but was passed on. Sia told Rolling Stone that she put the song in her album because it felt "very summer and fun":
| “ | I really liked listening to it which makes me feel masturbatory, but I wouldn't normally be just jamming out to my own tunes. There's something really uplifting about it that put me in a good mood, and I would just pretend it wasn't me singing. It felt very summer and fun, and I was like, "I'll put that on there." |
| — Sia[2] |
Composition[]
"Cheap Thrills" is written in common time with a tempo of 90 beats per minute. The song's chord progression, F♯m–D–A–E, may be read either as i-VI-III-VII in F♯ minor or, more likely, as vi-IV-I-V in A major; it is a variant of the I–V–vi–IV progression. Sia's vocal range in the song spans an octave, from B3 to B4.
Critical reception[]
Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone called it a "bouncy party anthem", whilst The Guardian described it as "a perfectly serviceable party tune". Nick Levine of NME praised the track's production, "and there's no denying this is another superior slab of on-trend ear candy from one of pop's finest songwriters." A CBS affiliate's critic wrote that "Cheap Thrills" was the No. 3 song that "saved 2016", calling it a "formidable hit".
Year-end lists[]
| Publication | Rank |
|---|---|
| Billboard's 100 Best Pop Songs of 2016 | 20 |
Chart performance[]
The song reached No. 1 in over twenty countries including Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Slovenia, Sweden, and the United States. In Australia, it was eventually certified Quadruple Platinum for shipments of over 280,000 copies, and reached No. 6. In New Zealand, it reached No. 3, and was certified Double Platinum for sales of over 30,000 copies. The song reached the top three in European countries, and was awarded with various certifications, including Quadruple Platinum in Sweden, Five time Platinum in Spain, and Double Diamond in Poland. In the UK, it peaked at No. 2 for four weeks, and was certified double platinum for shipments of over 1.2 million copies.
The song became the best selling and highest certified single of all time in Italy, reaching 9x platinum status, with sales of over 450,000 copies. On 25 September 2017, the song received a Diamond certification in Italy, making Sia the first female singer to achieve such mark.
In South and Central America, the song reached the top 10 in Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela, top 5 in Guatemala, and No. 1 in Argentina.
In the United States, the song debuted at No. 81 and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, in the issue dated 6 August 2016. The song became Sia's first number-one single in the country, and Sean Paul's fourth; his return to the top 10 after ten years. With "Cheap Thrills," Sia became the first woman over 40 to top the Hot 100 since Madonna did with "Music" in 2000.[17] It sold 1.7 million copies in the US in 2016, becoming the tenth best-selling song of the year in the country.[18] It has sold 1.9 million copies in the US as of May 2017.
Live performances[]
Sia has performed "Cheap Thrills" on various television shows and concerts, with a group of dancers usually led by either Maddie Ziegler or Stephanie Mincone, including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in January 2016, American Idol in March, Coachella in April, and YouTube's Brandcast event in New York City, as well as the season finale of The Voice, both in May.
Music video[]
A lyric video featuring Sean Paul performing new verses was released on 10 February 2016. In the video, a faceless couple (dancers Minn Vo and Stefanie Klausman) wearing the wigs that have become part of Sia's signature look, win a dance contest on a black-and-white television show reminiscent of American Bandstand or The Buddy Deane Show. The video, directed by Lior Molcho, has been viewed more than 1.5 billion times.
Sia and Daniel Askill directed a performance video featuring Maddie Ziegler dancing with two male dancers to Ryan Heffington's choreography, which was released on 21 March 2016. The three dancers wear beige, with black and blonde wigs or hairstyles and gloves in the half-and-half style used in most of Sia's videos for This Is Acting. They dance on a bare stage, with Sia at a rear corner in the background singing into a microphone while wearing a similar bobbed two-toned wig, a large bow and a white dress. Billboard wrote that "the video features the same type of intense, captivating choreography as some of [Sia's] other work. This time, Ziegler is backed by two other dancers, and the trio seems to blend as one". Teen Vogue said that Ziegler "delivers another powerful performance". This video has been viewed more than 400 million times.
Official remix audio[]
Track listing[]
Digital download[]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Cheap Thrills" (featuring Sean Paul) | 3:44 |
| 2. | "Cheap Thrills" (album version) | 3:30 |
| Total length: | 7:14
| |
Digital download - Remixes EP[]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Cheap Thrills" (Hex Cougar Remix) | 3:49 |
| 2. | "Cheap Thrills" (Le Youth Remix) (featuring Sean Paul) | 3:39 |
| 3. | "Cheap Thrills" (RAC Remix) | 4:09 |
| 4. | "Cheap Thrills" (Nomero Remix) | 4:11 |
| 5. | "Cheap Thrills" (Sted-E & Hybrid Heights Remix) | 5:35 |
| 6. | "Cheap Thrills" (Cyril Hahn Remix) | 4:45 |
| 7. | "Cheap Thrills" (John J-C Carr Remix) | 5:16 |
| 8. | "Cheap Thrills" (Remix) (featuring Nicky Jam) | 3:32 |
| Total length: | 34:56
| |
Charts[]
Weekly charts[]
| Country | Chart |
|---|---|
| Argentina (Monitor Latino) | 1 |
| Australia Dance (ARIA) | 1 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 1 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) | 1 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 1 |
| Canada AC (Billboard) | 1 |
| Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard) | 1 |
| Canada Hot AC (Billboard) | 1 |
| Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100) | 1 |
| Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) | 1 |
| Euro Digital Songs (Billboard) | 1 |
| France (SNEP) | 1 |
| Germany (Official German Charts) | 1 |
| Greece Digital Songs (Billboard) | 1 |
| Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) | 1 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 1 |
| Israel (Media Forest) | 1 |
| Italy (FIMI) | 1 |
| Luxembourg Digital Songs (Billboard) | 1 |
| Mexico (Monitor Latino) | 1 |
| Portugal (AFP) | 1 |
| Romania (Media Forest) | 1 |
| Scotland (Official Charts Company) | 1 |
| Slovakia (Rádio Top 100) | 1 |
| Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) | 1 |
| Slovenia (SloTop50) | 1 |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE) | 1 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 1 |
| Switzerland (Romandie) | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |
| US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) | 1 |
| Venezuela English (Record Report) | 1 |
| Denmark (Tracklisten) | 2 |
| Hungary (Single Top 40) | 2 |
| Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20) | 2 |
| Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard) | 2 |
| Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100) | 2 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 2 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company) | 2 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 2 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 3 |
| Guatemala (Monitor Latino) | 3 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 3 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 3 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 3 |
| Norway (VG-lista) | 3 |
| Russia Airplay (Tophit) | 3 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | 4 |
| Australia (ARIA) | 6 |
| Colombia (National-Report) | 6 |
| US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard) | 6 |
| Iceland (RÚV) | 8 |
Year-end charts[]
| Chart (2016) | Position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia) | 1 |
| Colombia English (National-Report) | 1 |
| France (SNEP) | 1 |
| Italy (FIMI) | 1 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 2 |
| Romania (Romanian Top 40 Charts) | 2 |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE) | 2 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 2 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 2 |
| US Pop Songs (Billboard) | 2 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 3 |
| Germany (Official German Charts) | 3 |
| Slovenia (SloTop50) | 3 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company) | 3 |
| Venezuela English (Record Report) | 3 |
| Argentina (CAPIF) | 4 |
| Denmark (Tracklisten) | 4 |
| US Adult Pop Songs (Billboard) | 4 |
| Worldwide (IFPI) | 4 |
| Australian Dance Singles (ARIA) | 5 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 5 |
| Argentina (Monitor Latino) | 6 |
| Hungary (Single Top 40) | 6 |
| US Radio Songs (Billboard) | 6 |
| Australia (ARIA) | 8 |
| Belgium (Ultratop Flanders) | 8 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 8 |
| Poland (ZPAV) | 8 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 11 |
| Brazil (Brasil Hot 100) | 18 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 18 |
| Russia Airplay (Tophit) | 26 |
All-time charts[]
| Chart | Position |
|---|---|
| France | 32 |
Trivia[]
- Sean Paul, who is featured on a version of "Cheap Thrills", would feature Sia on his song "Dynamite" in 2021.
Lyrics[]
Come on, come on, turn the radio on
It's Friday night and I won't be long
Gotta do my hair, I put my makeup on
It's Friday night and I won't be long
Til I hit the dancefloor
Hit the dancefloor
I got all I need
No I ain't got cash
No I ain't got cash
But I got you baby
Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills)
Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills)
But I don't need no money
As long as I can feel the beat
I don't need no money
As long as I keep dancing
Come on, come on, turn the radio on
It's Saturday and I won't be long
Gotta paint my nails, put my high heels on
It's Saturday and I won't be long
Till I hit the dancefloor
Hit the dancefloor
I got all I need
No I ain't got cash
No I ain't got cash
But I got you baby
Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills)
Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills)
But I don't need no money
As long as I can feel the beat
I don't need no money
As long as I keep dancing
(I love cheap thrills)
(I love cheap thrills)
I don't need no money
As long as I can feel the beat
I don't need no money
As long as I keep dancing
Oh, oh
Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills)
Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills)
I don't need no money
As long as I can feel the beat
I don't need no money
As long as I keep dancing
La, la, la, la, la, la
(I love cheap thrills)
La, la, la, la, la, la
(I love cheap thrills)
La, la, la, la, la, la
(I love cheap thrills)
La, la, la, la, la
(I love cheap thrills)
Up with it girl
Rock with it girl
Show dem it girl (bada bang bang)
Bounce with it girl
Dance with it girl
Get with it girl (bada bang bang)
Come on, come on, turn the radio on
It's Friday night and I won't be long
Gotta do my hair, I put my make up on
It's Friday night and I won't be long
Till I hit the dance floor (bada bang)
Hit the dance floor (bada bang)
I got all I need
No I ain't got cash, I ain't got cash
But I got you baby (just you)
(An me) Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills) Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills)
I don't need no
(Money...) You worth more dan diamonds, more dan gold
As long as I can feel the
(Beat...) Mek di beat jus tek control
I don't need no
(Money...) You worth more dan diamonds, more dan gold
As long as I keep
(Dancing...) Free up yourself, get outa control
Come on, come on, turn the radio on
It's Saturday and I won't be long
Gotta paint my nails, put my high heels on
It's Saturday and I won't be long
Till I hit the dance floor (Bada bang)
Hit the dance floor (Bada bang)
I got all I need
No I ain't got cash, I ain't got cash
But I got you baby (just you)
(An me) Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills) Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills)
I don't need no
(Money...) You worth more dan diamonds, more dan gold
As long as I can feel the
(Beat...) Mek di beat jus tek control
I don't need no
(Money...) You worth more dan diamonds, more dan gold
As long as I keep
(Dancing...) Free up yourself, get outa control
Me an you girl, you an me
Drop it to di floor an mek mi see your energy because
Mi nah play nuh hide an seek
Wah fi see di ting you have weg mek me feel weak girl (free)
Cause anytime you wine an kotch it
Di selector pull it up an put it pon repeat girl
I'm nah touch a dollar 'na pocket
Cause notin' in this world ain't more dan what you worth (I love cheap thrills)
I don't need no
(Money...) You worth more dan diamonds, more dan gold
As long as I can feel the
(Beat...) Mek di beat jus tek control
I don't need no
(Money...) You worth more dan diamonds, more dan gold
As long as I keep
(Dancing...) Free up yourself, get outa control (oh, oh)
Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills) Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills)
I don't need no
(Money...) You worth more dan diamonds, more dan gold
As long as I can feel the
(Beat...) Mek di beat jus tek control
I don't need no
(Money...) You worth more dan diamonds, more dan gold
As long as I keep
(Dancing...) Free up yourself, get outa control
La, la, la, la, la, la (I love cheap thrills)
La, la, la, la, la, la (I love cheap thrills)
La, la, la, la, la, la (I love cheap thrills)
La, la, la, la, la, la (I love cheap thrills)
Come on
Come on (turn the radio on)
Porque tengo ganas de bailar
No tengo un peso en el bosillo
Pero no me importa
A mí no me hace falta andar
Con tu cuerpo y la música me envuelvo
Siento que quemo por dentro
Dirán que soy loco pero qué va
Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills...)
Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills...)
I don't need no money
As long as I can feel the beat
I don't need no money
As long as I keep dancing
Come on, come on, turn the radio on
It's Saturday and I won't be long
Gotta paint my nails, put my high heels on
It's Saturday and I won't be long
Till I hit the dance floor
Hit the dance floor!
I got all I need!
No I ain't got cash
No I ain't got cash
But I got you baby
Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills)
Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills)
I don't need no money
As long as I can feel the beat
I don't need no money
As long as I keep dancing
I don't need no money (money)
Lo que quiero eres tú
Una noche de rumba
La pista retumba, ésa es la actitud
Yo sé lo que quieres (quieres)
Tú lo que quieres es bailar
Mami, vámonos, que la noche no va a parar
De una lluvia de mujeres, colombiana, dominicana y boricua
¿Cuál eres tú?
Te voy a dar con sinceridad
O con tu sensualidad
So girl what you're gonna do?
De una lluvia de mujeres, colombiana, dominicana y boricua
¿Cuál eres tú?
Te voy a dar con sinceridad
O con tu sensualidad
So girl what you're gonna do?
Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills)
Baby I don't need dollar bills to have fun tonight
(I love cheap thrills)
But I don't need no money
As long as I can feel the beat
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
(I love cheap thrills)
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
(I love cheap thrills)
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
(I love cheap thrills)
References[]
- ↑ http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7446766/sia-cheap-thrills-sean-paul-no-1-hot-100
- ↑ Spanos, Brittany (3 December 2015). "Sia on Reclaiming Adele, Rihanna's Unwanted Hits". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
See also: This Is Acting[]
| This Is Acting | |
|---|---|
 |
|