Sia delivers “Cheap Thrills” featuring Sean Paul, a bouncy track from her album “This Is Acting.” The song became her first Hot 100 chart-topper.
Sia originally wrote the song for Rihanna, pairing it with Greg Kurstin, her longtime collaborator. Rihanna’s team ended up passing on it.
She’s called the track “straight fluff” herself, admitting it felt more Icona Pop than soulful. That lighter, summery energy ended up defining the whole song.
Sean Paul’s verse gave the track a full dancehall makeover. His patois bars paired naturally with the song’s reggaeton dembow rhythm.
Sia directed the music video herself alongside Daniel Askill. It marked her fourth collaboration with dancer Maddie Ziegler, who’d already appeared in “Chandelier” and “Elastic Heart.”
The song made real history too. Sia became the first woman over 40 to top the Hot 100 since Madonna’s “Music” in 2000.
“Cheap Thrills” eventually hit Diamond certification in Italy, making Sia the first female singer to reach that milestone there. It also became the most Shazamed song of 2016.
By the end, “Cheap Thrills” plays like a genuinely carefree pop moment from an artist known for heavier emotional ballads. It’s sunny, danceable, and built for pure fun.
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