Cheers (Drink to That)
"Cheers (Drink to That)" is a song recorded by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna, from her fifth studio album, Loud (2010). The song impacted American mainstream and rhythmic radio on August 2, 2011, as the seventh and final single released from Loud. The song was written by Andrew Harr, Jermaine Jackson, Stacy Barthe, LP, Corey Gibson, Chris Ivery, Lauren Christy, Graham Edwards, Avril Lavigne, Rihanna and Scott Spock, while production of the song was completed by Harr and Jackson under their stage name, the Runners. The song also contains samples from Lavigne's song "I'm with You", which is featured on her debut album Let Go (2002). Lyrically, "Cheers (Drink to That)" is a party song featuring multiple references to the weekend.
"Cheers (Drink to That)"
The song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised the interpolation of the sample and also commented that it should prove to be a successful club song due to its lyrical content. "Cheers (Drink to That)" reached number one in Lebanon, the top 10 in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States, and the top 40 in Ireland, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom. The music video for the song, directed by Evan Rogers and Ciara Pardo, shows footage of the singer on tour and enjoying different activities during her homecoming trip to Barbados. "Cheers (Drink to That)" was included on the set list of the Loud Tour (2011).
Critical reception[edit]
On its release as a single, "Cheers (Drink to That)" received positive reviews from music critics. Mark Savage of BBC Music described the song as "a funky, loping guitar groove for a night out on the town," which Rihanna dedicated to "all the semi-alcoholics in the world."[6] Robert Copsey of Digital Spy praised the interpolation of Lavigne's song, calling it "unbelievably catchy", as well as commenting that the track would succeed in bars and clubs thanks to the lyrics referencing alcohol and going out.[15] Jon Pareles of The New York Times commented that "Cheers (Drink to That)" is written for "barroom singalongs."[16] According to Leah Greenblatt from Entertainment Weekly, "the Jameson-swilling, TGIF-toasting 'Cheers (Drink to That),' folds a left-field Avril Lavigne sample into a crunked party anthem."[17]
Amy Sciarretto of PopCrush also commended "Cheers (Drink to That)" and its musical style, writing that "the song is infused with the tropical island groove that she has explored on 'Loud' and which harks back to her upbringing in Barbados."[18] Sciarretto also noted that "Cheers (Drink to That)" would be very popular in bars and clubs because of the lyrical content.[18] Andy Gill of The Independent called the song an anthem with which the weekend can start.[19] Thomas Conner of the Chicago Sun-Times said that "Cheers (Drink to That)" is the best song on the album, saying "[the song is] a wise, world-weary paean from a gal at the bar who's seen some stuff, has moved on and wants to buy everybody a round of fruity shots."[20] However, Chris Richards of The Washington Post stated that "Cheers (Drink to That)" did not meet his expectations and commented that the song is a lowlight in Rihanna's career, stating "'Turn it around with another round,' Rihanna bellows over the mid slog, as if setting ad copy to music."[21]
Chart performance[edit]
In the issue dated August 3, 2011, "Cheers (Drink to That)" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 91,[22] and leaped to a new peak of 50 on August 10, 2011.[23] The following week, the song rose to number 25 and by its fourth week, "Cheers (Drink to That)" rose again to number 17, giving Rihanna her 22nd top 20 on the chart. In its fifth week, the song rose to number 11, where it remained in its sixth week. On its seven-week, the song charted at number 10. The song has peaked at number seven, making "Cheers (Drink to That)" the singer's fourth top 10 hit from Loud and 19th overall top 10 song in the US.[24][25] "Cheers (Drink to That)" also debuted on the US Mainstream Top 40 chart at number 35 in the issue dated August 3, 2011.[26] The following week, the song climbed ten positions to a new peak of 25, and became that week's "Greatest Gainer" on the chart and Rihanna's 26th song to reach the top 40.[27] In its third week, the song reached a new peak of 16, and rose to number 11 the following week, where it remained for another week. On December 13, 2011, "S&M" was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting shipments of over two million copies.[28] "Cheers (Drink to That)" ranked at number 77 on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 songs of 2011.[29] In Canada, the song debuted at number 89 on August 17, 2011, and advanced to 37 the following week, ultimately peaking at number six in its third week on the charts.[30]
In Australia, the song debuted at number 46 on the Australian Singles Chart on August 14, 2011, and peaked at number 18 the following week. In its seventh week on the chart, the song reached a new peak of number six.[31] The song has been certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association, denoting shipments of over 35,000 units.[32] In New Zealand, the song debuted at number 14 on the New Zealand Singles Chart on August 8, 2011, and reached a peak of number five the following week, however it fell to number eight in its third week.[33] In the United Kingdom, the song also debuted inside the top 40 of the UK R&B Chart at number 38 on August 27, 2011, after having charted at number 47 the week before.[34] The following week, the song rose to number 21, sitting one position lower than Rihanna's previous single, "California King Bed."[35] In its sixth week, the song climbed to number four.[36] The song has so far peaked at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart.[37] In Ireland, the song debuted at number 30 on the Irish Singles Chart on September 8, 2011, and has peaked at number 16.[38] In France, the song debuted at number 88 on September 3, 2011, rose to 82 the following week and peaked at 67 in its subsequent week.[39]
Music video[edit]
Background[edit]
During the Loud Tour concert in Kensington Oval, Barbados, on August 5, 2011, Rihanna announced that a taping of "Cheers (Drink to That)" had been recorded during the show for the song's music video.[40] It was later announced that the video would be expected to feature footage of her homecoming, as well as clips of her performing during the North American leg of the tour.[41] Via Rihanna's official Twitter account, she replied to a fan's tweet, announcing that the video would premiere on August 24, 2011, on iTunes.[41] However, it was later announced that the video would premiere the following day on August 25, 2011.[42] The video premiered officially via iTunes and Vevo on August 26, 2011.[43] A 15-second teaser video was released the day before it officially premiered, and featured Rihanna applying make-up before taking to the stage,[42] as well as fans screaming her name while fireworks were launched into the night sky.[42] The video was directed and edited by New York based director Evan Rogers[44] and Ciara Pardo.[45]
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Loud.[5]