The Bottom Line
Just when it looked like Rihanna's commercial success may have finally slowed a bit with "California King Bed" stalling just inside the pop top 40, she has returned with a surefire hit drinking song. Where Pitbull and LMFAO dominated selection of party music earlier in the summer of 2011, Rihanna is set to help us all close down a great summer with a glass raised to friends and fun. There is not a lot more than a hypnotic groove and Rihanna's voice, but that is enough to cement what is likely another big top 10 pop hit.
Pros
- Convivial singalong atmosphere
- Hypnotic midtempo groove
- Cheerful invitation to join in
Cons
- Not much more than a drinking song
Description
- Written by Andrew Harr, Jermaine Jackson, Stacey Barthe, Laura Pergolizzi, Corey Gibson, Chris Ivery, Lauren Christy, Graham Edwards, Avril Lavigne, and Scott Spock
- Produced by the Runners and Makeba Riddick
- Released August 2011 by Def Jam
Guide Review - Rihanna - "Cheers (Drink To That)"
"Cheers (Drink To That)" has always sounded like one of the most surefire hits on the album Loud. Kicking off with an interpolation of Avril Lavigne's "yeahs" from "I'm With You" and then a celebratory, "Cheers to the freakin' weekend!" Rihanna has us all pouring shots of Jameson whiskey. The slightly slow midtempo groove fits a bar singalong perfectly. Once again Rihanna moves into a different mood and proves that variety is the key to her continual pop success.
Primary production here is handled by production duo the Runners who are best known for their hip hop work. They are currently on a trans-Atlantic hot streak having worked on Cher Lloyd's "Swagger Jagger" that is currently sitting at #1 in the UK. Mixing in the sounds of a bar crowd and ultimately breaking down to a bridge of the bar patrons themselves is the stroke of genius here. "Cheers (Drink To That)" has a party universality that is likely to make it durable for some time to come.
Rihanna looks set for a phenomenal 19th entry into the pop top 10 and an outside chance to go clear back to #1 for the fourth time with a single from Loud. As tempting as it might be to say she is undeserving of such commercial success, looking back over her track record we find many stellar pop singles. Put "Cheers (Drink To That)" in the category of Rihanna's most memorable releases. If you do drink in public, you will find plenty of opportunities in the coming months to be drinking to the sound of Rihanna.
