“Am I dead? Or is this one of those dreams, those horrible dreams that seem like they last forever?” asks Kesha at the opening of her new music video “Praying” (watch it above). “If I am alive, why? … Please just let me die. Being alive hurts too much.”
The video ends a long musical silence for Kesha, who has released sporadic singles in the last few years — most recently “True Colors” with electronic dance music artist Zedd in 2016 — but hasn’t come out with a new album since “Warrior” in 2012. Now along with this new video she has announced a long-awaited third album, “Rainbow,” which drops on August 11.
Kesha wrote “Praying” with Ben Abraham and Ryan Lewis. It’s an often dark and righteous anthem from a singer best known for dance-pop songs like “Tik Tok” (2009) and “Your Love is My Drug”‘ (2010). In addition to the despair of those opening lines she sings, “You brought the flames and you put me through hell … And we both know all the truth I could tell.” But there’s an empowering payoff as she declares, “You said that I was done / But you were wrong and now the best is yet to come / ‘Cause I can make it on my own / I don’t need you, I found the strength I’ve never know / And when I’m finished they won’t even know your name.”
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This song follows — and may be a direct commentary on — the legal battle Kesha has been engaged in for years. She alleged that her former producer Dr. Luke sexually assaulted her, and she fought to be released from her contract with him. Several artists and entertainers voiced their support for Kesha, including Fiona Apple, Margaret Cho, Lena Dunham, Adele, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift, among others.
What do you think of “Praying”? Are you excited to hear “Rainbow” when it comes out next month? Watch the video above, and join the discussion on this and more with your fellow music fans in our forums.
