Sia Goes Dancehall-Lite on the Rihanna-Rejected ‘Cheap Thrills’
Sia unveiled her latest single, "Cheap Thrills," on Beats 1 yesterday (December 16), her fourth from the upcoming This Is Acting. Like other songs on the album, it's one she initially wrote for another artist — Rihanna, in this case, who previously scored a 5x platinum hit with the Sia-penned "Diamonds."
Sia sells the confection with her undeniable voice, even if it doesn't match the visceral highs of lead single "Alive." It's easy to imagine RiRi singing "Cheap Thrills" too, with its Caribbean-influenced production and lyrics about primping to hit the dance floor on a carefree Saturday night. But it's a Rihanna sound she's possibly moved past (we'll know for sure if she ever finally releases Anti). Thematically it's akin to Loud's "Cheers (Drink to That)," and it sounds right at home on her Music Of the Sun debut right next to "If It's Lovin' That You Want," but it's not for BBHMM-era Rihanna — and clearly she felt the same.
But Rihanna is still open to more song ideas from the singer-songwriter, as Sia recently told the BBC that they met to discuss tracks for Anti.
"“The other night she came over and listened to half of 25 songs I played her—’cause she’s still looking for songs for her new album,” Sia said. “She took four, but I don’t know if they’ll end up…I’m pretty sure I have one on the next album, but I don’t know if I’ll end up with more.”
Should "Cheap Thrills" have been one of them? Listen below and weigh in.
10 Photos of Sia's Lovely, Wig-Free Face