While the solo version of the song is a solid synth-pop track, the remix featuring Sean Paul elevates it into a global dancehall-lite hit:
: The opening lines—"I ain't got cash / I ain't got cash / But I got you baby"—establish an immediate connection with the listener. It frames happiness as a social and internal state rather than a financial one. sia_cheap_thrills_lyrics_ft_sean_paul
Produced by Greg Kurstin, the track utilizes a bouncy, "tropical house" beat that was ubiquitous in the mid-2010s. However, unlike its peers, "Cheap Thrills" feels timeless because of its restraint. It doesn't rely on a heavy bass drop; instead, it maintains a steady, infectious pulse that mimics a heartbeat. While the solo version of the song is
: The chorus is repetitive by design. By stripping away complex metaphors, Sia creates an earworm that is easy to sing along to, even on a crowded dance floor. The Sean Paul Factor However, unlike its peers, "Cheap Thrills" feels timeless