“Cheap Thrills” was originally released as a promo single back in December 2015, but its remix from the legendary Sean Paul gave it new life. It was pushed to radio and became Sia’s first Hot 100 No. 1 as a lead artist in late July 2016.
“Cheap Thrills” was originally written for Rihanna’s Anti but...
[Intro: Sean Paul]
Up with it, girl
Rock with it, girl (Sing!)
Show dem it, girl (Bada bang bang)
Bounce with it, girl
Dance with it, girl
Get with it, girl (Bada bang bang)
[Verse 1: Sia]
Come on, come on, turn the radio on
It's Friday night and I won't be long
Gotta do my hair, put my make up on
It's Friday night and I won't be long
[Pre-Chorus: Sia & Sean Paul]
'Til 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 and me)
[Chorus: Sia & Sean Paul]
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're 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're worth more dan diamonds, more dan gold
As long as I keep dancing
Free up yourself, get outa control
[Verse 2: Sia]
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
[Pre-Chorus: Sia & Sean Paul]
'Til I hit the dance floor (Bada bang)
Hit the dance floor (Bada bang)
I got all I need (Sia)
No, I ain't got cash, I ain't got cash
But I got you, baby
(Just you and me)
[Chorus: Sia & Sean Paul]
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're worth more than diamonds, more than gold
As long as I can feel the beat
Make the beat just take control
I don't need no money
You're worth more than diamonds, more than gold
As long as I keep dancing
Free up yourself, get outta control
[Verse 3: Sean Paul & Sia]
Me and you, girl, you and me
Drop it to di floor and mek mi see yuh energy
Becah mi nah play no hide and seek
Wan' fi see di ting you have weh mek mi feel weak, girl (Free)
'Cause anytime yuh wine and kotch it
Di selector pull it up an' put it 'pon repeat, girl (Ha)
Mi nah touch a dollar 'na mi pocket
'Cause nothin' in this world ain't more than what you worth
(I love cheap thrills!)
[Bridge: Sia & Sean Paul]
I don't need no money
You're worth more dan diamonds, more dan gold
As long as I can feel the beat
Make the beat just take control
No, I don't need no money
You're worth more than diamonds, more than gold
As long as I keep dancing
Free up yourself, get outta control
Oh, oh, oh
[Chorus: Sia & Sean Paul]
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 (Oh)
(I love cheap thrills!)
I don't need no money
You're worth more than diamonds, more than gold
As long as I can feel the beat
Make the beat just take control
I don't need no money
You're worth more than diamonds, more than gold
As long as I keep dancing
Free up yourself, get outta control
[Outro: Sia]
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!)
Cheap Thrills (Remix) was written by Sean Paul & Greg Kurstin & Sia.
Cheap Thrills (Remix) was produced by Greg Kurstin.
Sia released Cheap Thrills (Remix) on Wed Feb 10 2016.
Sean Paul is speaking in patois (pronounced “pa-twah”), a dialect of English generally spoken in the Caribbean. Paul is from Jamaica, so it’s not surprising he’s using it.
“Cheap Thrills” isn’t the first hit song of 2016 to use patois in its lyrics—Rihanna’s “Work” was also sung in patois, and its...
Yes—she had previously reached #1 as a writer on Rihanna’s 2013 song “Diamonds.”