After a five-year hiatus, Kesha returns with the release of her new single, “Praying.” The song dropped on June 6 and is an inspirational ballad reflecting Kesha’s emotional rollercoaster during her absence.
Kesha’s absence from the music industry was a result of depression and her legal battle against her producer and record label head, Dr.Luke (Lukas Gottwald). Back in 2014, the “Kiss N Tell” singer filed a civil lawsuit against Gottwald, claiming emotional distress, sexual harassment and sexual assault. In the suit, Kesha claimed Gottwald raped her on two occasions after drugging her and threatening her family.
Gottwald denied the allegations, claiming them to be a ploy that forces him to release Kesha from her recording contract. The court ruled in his favor and as the legal battle continued, the singer has been entangled in several lawsuits in her efforts to be released from her Sony contract and her ex-producer. Though some cases were dropped, the battle continues with Kesha’s recent lawsuit being rejected in March.
The new song parallels Beyonce’s Lemonade— it’s an emotional counter-attack against pent up feelings and new inner revelations. Not to mention it features crazy and intense visuals that switch from black and white to bright and eye-catching colors.
The song, co-written by Australian artist Ben Abraham, Ryan Lewis and Andrew Joslyn (Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ The Heist), opens with Kesha’s intense and already tear jerking narration.
“Am I dead? Or is this one of those dreams? Those horrible dreams that seem like they last forever? If I am alive, why? If there is a God or whatever, something, somewhere, why have I been abandoned by everyone and everything I’ve ever known? I’ve ever loved? Stranded. What is the lesson? What is the point? God, give me a sign, or I have to give up. I can’t do this anymore. Please just let me die. Being alive hurts too much.”
The song is the first of her upcoming album, Rainbow, set for release on August 11, 2017. For Lena Dunham’s weekly “Lenny Letter,” Kesha writes a personal essay depicting her intentions for writing the new single. “This song is about me finding peace in the fact that I can’t control everything — because trying to control everyone was killing me,” she writes. “It’s about learning to let go and realize that the universe is in control of my fate, not me.
The pop singer has returned with a vengeance and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for her new album.
This album is me. The most raw and real art I have ever created, and now it’s my gift to you. I hope you love it. Thank you for not giving up on me. We made it <3. I love you all so much.”
-Kesha, Lenny Letter
Click here to watch the music video.
[Chorus]
I hope you’re somewhere prayin’, prayin’
I hope your soul is changin’, changin’
I hope you find your peace
Falling on your knees, prayin’
[Verse 2]
I’m proud of who I am
No more monsters, I can breathe again
And you said that I was done
Well, you were wrong and now the best is yet to come
‘Cause I can make it on my own
And I don’t need you, I found a strength I’ve never known
I’ll bring thunder, I’ll bring rain, oh-oh
When I’m finished, they won’t even know your name
[Chorus]
I hope you’re somewhere prayin’, prayin’
I hope your soul is changin’, changin’
I hope you find your peace
Falling on your knees, prayin’
[Bridge]
Oh, sometimes, I pray for you at night
Someday, maybe you’ll see the light
Oh, some say, in life, you’re gonna get what you give
But some things only God can forgive
[Chorus]
I hope you’re somewhere prayin’, prayin’
I hope your soul is changin’, changin’
I hope you find your peace
Falling on your knees, prayin’
