Honestly, if you were anywhere near a dance floor or a dive bar in the early 2010s, you didn’t just hear this song. You lived it. Rihanna Cheers to That—or as the official credits call it, "Cheers (Drink to That)"—wasn't just another track on the radio. It was a full-blown lifestyle.
It’s been over a decade since the Loud era took over the planet. Yet, somehow, that jagged Avril Lavigne sample still manages to make everyone in the room reach for a glass. Why? Because it’s one of the few pop songs that actually captures the messy, exhausted, and desperately celebratory energy of a Friday night.
The Avril Lavigne Sample Nobody Saw Coming
Let’s talk about that "Yeah, yeah" for a second. It’s iconic. It’s also kinda weird when you think about it. The song is built entirely around an interpolation of Avril Lavigne's 2002 ballad "I’m With You."
Most producers would take a upbeat dance track to sample for a party anthem. Instead, The Runners took a moody, rainy-day skater-girl song and turned it into a stadium-sized drinking chant. Rihanna herself admitted she was obsessed with the track. She told MTV News back then that it was one of her favorites because it just makes you feel like celebrating.
Interestingly, Rihanna wanted Avril to actually come in and re-record the vocals. But by the time they got deep into production, the sample was already "embedded" in the music. It was too late to change. It worked out, though. That specific, slightly distorted "yeah" gives the song a grit that a clean re-recording probably would have missed.
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Why Rihanna Cheers to That Defined an Era
When "Cheers" dropped as the seventh and final single from Loud in August 2011, Rihanna was at the peak of her "bad gal" transformation. This wasn't the polished Music of the Sun era. This was red-hair Rihanna. She was unapologetic.
The Jameson Connection
"Oh, let the Jameson sink in."
That line probably did more for Irish whiskey sales than a century of advertising. It felt authentic because Rihanna sounded like she was actually having a drink while singing it. Critics at the time, like those at The Singles Jukebox, noted her "drowsy drawl." She didn’t sound like a pop star pretending to party; she sounded like the girl at the end of the bar who’s had a long week and finally has a double in her hand.
Breaking the Fourth Wall with the Music Video
The music video is a total time capsule. Directed by Evan Rogers and Ciara Pardo, it’s basically a high-budget home movie. You see RiRi returning to Barbados for the Kadooment Day parade, hanging out on private jets, and—most importantly—backstage footage with her peers.
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The cameos are a "who’s who" of 2011:
- Jay-Z popping bottles.
- Kanye West making an appearance.
- CeeLo Green hanging out.
- Avril Lavigne herself showing up (proving there was zero beef over that sample).
The "Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down" Philosophy
Lyrically, the song is surprisingly dark if you look past the shots. "Life's too short to be sitting 'round miserable," she sings.
It’s a mantra. It acknowledges that life kinda sucks sometimes. People are going to talk whether you're doing "bad or good," so you might as well have a drink. It’s the ultimate "recession-core" anthem. In 2011, the world was still reeling from the financial crisis. People were overworked and underpaid. Rihanna Cheers to That gave them permission to ignore the "bastards" for forty-eight hours.
Where Does the Song Stand in 2026?
It’s funny how music ages. In 2026, we’ve moved into a world of "mindful drinking" and wellness culture. Seeing a superstar dedicate a song to "all the semi-alcoholics in the world" (as BBC Music once put it) feels like a relic from a wilder time.
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But that’s exactly why it still works.
It’s nostalgic. It represents a pre-TikTok era of pop where songs were allowed to be four minutes long and didn't need a viral dance challenge to be a hit. It reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking her 19th top-ten hit. That’s a stat that most artists today can only dream of.
Actionable Insights for the Modern Listener
If you’re revisiting the Loud album or just want to capture that 2011 energy, here’s how to do it right:
- Check the Credits: Take a listen to Avril Lavigne’s "I’m With You" immediately after "Cheers." It’s wild to see how a melancholic bridge became a global party hook.
- Watch the Barbados Footage: If you haven’t seen the music video recently, go back and watch the Kadooment Day scenes. It’s a beautiful look at Rihanna’s roots before she became a billionaire mogul.
- Appreciate the Production: Notice the "loping guitar groove." It’s actually a very "live" sounding track for a pop song, blending rock elements with island vibes.
- Use the Mantra: Next time work gets stressful, remember the line: "Turn it around with another round." It doesn't have to be alcohol—it's just about the mental reset.
The song remains a staple for a reason. It’s loud, it’s proud, and it doesn't apologize for wanting to have a good time. Whether you're a long-time fan or just discovered the track through a "throwback" playlist, there's no denying the power of a well-timed toast.