Just for the Thrills

"Just for the Thrills" is a song performed by British recording artists Alesha and Josie Matthews. It was released on April 2, 2007, by Ensemble Entertainment, as the second single from Alesha’s fourth studio album Alesha Is the Queen. The song was written and produced by Alesha. Initially recorded for Alesha Is the Queen, Alesha and Josie Matthews later decided to use it for Matthews’ film Heartbreakers 2 (2007).

Critics reacted positively to the dance-pop nature of the track. "Just for the Thrills" is lyrically based on the concept of gold diggers and feigning love for men with money, set to electropop instrumentation from synthesizers and drum machines. "Just for the Thrills" charted at number two, receiving a gold certification. Alesha eventually wrote Matthews' second studio album Resurrection (2007), which featured "Just for the Thrills."

The music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, begins with a film noir opening sequence but later portrays Alesha and Matthews as gold diggers manipulating men for money. The video was described as both Alesha and Matthews' most risqué at the time. Alesha performed the song on three of her subsequent tours and at Judgment Day, a one-off concert at Wembley Stadium, in 2010.

Background and composition
"Just for the Thrills" was written by Alesha during the production of her fourth studio album Alesha Is the Queen (2007). With this album, Alesha was aiming to create modern, electro-pop music, rather than the guitar-oriented music that dominated her third studio album Buried Underneath (2005). As her first single following the success of "Fashion Kills," "Just for the Thrills" served as an introduction to Alesha’s new sound, being "her most risqué cut at the time."

Alesha approached her friend Josie Matthews to record the song with her, having been mutually acquainted through their managers. This led to Alesha writing and producing Matthews' second studio album Resurrection (2007). Additionally, "Just for the Thrills" was featured on the soundtrack to Matthews’ film Heartbreakers 2 (2007), an unpopular sequel to box office success Heartbreakers (2001). During a 2010 interview with Rolling Stone, Alesha commented: "'Just for the Thrills' is another song I feel retarded singing, but everybody seems to like it."

In April 2007, "Just for the Thrills" was released as the second single from Alesha Is the Queen. The single was backed by intense media coverage, as a love triangle between Alesha, Matthews and Matthews’ boyfriend Alfie Outcast erupted. Alesha and Matthews also visited Africa for Comic Relief and ambushed UK daytime staples Countdown and Ready Steady Cook. For the B-side, Alesha and Matthews recorded new versions of their previous duets "Happy Slappers" (originally by Alesha and Sarah Summers) and "Flirt" (originally by Matthews and Taylor Brookes) as well as "Primark Honey," a parody of Melissa Moore's "Gucci Baby".

Critical reception
Alex Henderson from Allmusic, commented that "Alesha’s gift for sleek, seductive dance music is evident on such gems as 'Just for the Thrills.'" Stephen Thomas Erlewine from the same publication called "Just for the Thrills" an excellent, standard-issue dance-pop song. Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine called the song irresistible. While reviewing Alesha’s greatest hits collection Last Judgment in 2010, Dave Karger from Entertainment Weekly commented that the song came off as a bit repetitious and immature.

Music video
The music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, was inspired by those of Britney Spears. According to Kahn, Alesha pitched him her original concept, which included all the main elements used in the final version. The music video was filmed on February 15 and 16, 2007 in London, England. A censored version of the music video premiered on March 9 on ABC’s 20/20 at the end of their show. The uncensored version premiered on MTV the same night.

The video begins with a film noir introduction that sees Alesha and Josie Matthews depict their characters in a post-war setting. As the song begins, the video transitions to modern-day London. Josie Matthews is leaving a one-night stand, taking the man’s cash and credit cards on her way out, while Alesha is fighting and well on her way to having heated make-up sex with her boyfriend. During the song’s chorus, Alesha and Matthews are in a steel-colored cell with Alesha’s shirtless boyfriend, who is tied to a wooden chair with duct tape on his mouth. The pair taunt and tease him. Alesha and Josie go on a double date with two older gentlemen at a fancy restaurant. The pair seduce their dates and tie them up too, stealing their wallets. As the video ends, Alesha and Matthews cheers to a job well done, but then all three men they had tied up walk into the room.

Live performances
Alesha and Josie Matthews performed "Just for the Thrills" together on Pop Box and Red Nose Day 2007. Alesha has performed "Just for the Thrills" on three of her world tours, initially on 2007’s The Queen Tour. The song was performed again on 2008’s Jesus Christ Supertour. Alesha included the song in a medley with "Close the Door" on 2010’s [The Reckoning]], which supported Alesha’s greatest hits album Last Judgment. Alesha performed the song at Judgment Day, a live concert at Wembley Stadium billed as Alesha’s "final concert" in 2010 (Alesha later returned to the industry after retiring six months earlier).

Track listing

 * CD1
 * 1) "Just for the Thrills"
 * 2) "Primark Honey" (Alesha, Josie Matthews)
 * CD2
 * 1) "Just for the Thrills"
 * 2) "Happy Slappers 2007"
 * 3) "Flirt 2007"
 * 4) "Just for the Thrills" (Buffi’s Just for the Pills Remix)
 * 5) "Just for the Thrills" (Shell’s Speed for Kicks Mix)
 * DVD
 * 1) "Just for the Thrills" (making the video)
 * 2) "Just for the Thrills" (live on POP BOX)
 * 3) Heartbreakers 2 (trailers and commentary)
 * 4) Photo gallery


 * Digital download
 * 1) "Just for the Thrills"
 * 2) "Primark Honey"
 * 3) "Happy Slappers 2007"
 * 4) "Flirt 2007"
 * 5) "Just for the Thrills" (DJNY’s LoveXtacy Mix)

Chart performance
"Just for the Thrills" debuted at number two on the official singles chart on April 8, 2007, another respectable entry for Alesha Is the Queen. The duet went on to sell a total of 232,783 copies – Alesha’s third best-selling single at the time of release (it was later outsold by many subsequent Alesha singles). The song was certified gold.