Kesha Talks Healing & The Inspiration Behind ‘Rainbow’

Mike Nied | July 19, 2017 4:58 pm
Kesha's Powerful 'Praying' Video
Kesha returns with powerful ballad 'Praying.' Watch the psychedelic video.

Promo is ramping up as Kesha edges ever closer to the unveiling of her third LP, Rainbow. With less than a month until the release, she stopped by Elvis Duran and The Morning Show to talk about the inspiration for her album and how creating it helped her heal from the very public battle with producer Dr. Luke. With lyrics that discuss finding peace and moving on from heartache interwoven on lead single “Praying,” it’s evident that the former party-rocking bad girl is looking within for a more contemplative release this time around. She explained that working on the project was therapeutic and forced her to address difficult topics.

“I’d find what was the hardest thing I could possibly say and the thing that I didn’t want to be true or I didn’t want to say, and it would just bring me to tears to even think about saying it in a room full of co-writers. And that’s when I knew that’s the very thing I have to say.” The process birthed some of her most personal lyrics to date, something that her mom, songwriter Pebe Sebert, encouraged because she recognized the power in writing the truth. “That will always be better than any other story you could make up,” she told her daughter.

Although the album tackles some more serious topics than previous material, it still maintains the colorful aesthetic that embodies Kesha’s brand. “I kind of associate healing with going back to my childlike mind,” she said. “It’s before it got all twisted and turned and beaten and heartbroken and all those things. Just when everything was magical.” Though she’ll never be able to recapture the pure wonder of childhood, the “Tik Tok” hitmaker refuses to let the world break her. “What’s left of my heart is still made of gold; you heal what you can and just keep going,” she powerfully declared.

Things are looking up for the songstress. After being in a creative limbo for four years she currently has two solo songs charting on iTunes including her latest release “Woman.” She’ll also be making a guest appearance at the iHeartRadio Music Festival alongside industry heavy hitters including Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus, and Coldplay. Her story is one of perseverance, and it’s one that’s inspired listeners to keep fighting for what they believe in. When asked if she was comfortable being a role model, the artist explained that she was able to embrace it now that she felt stronger herself. “I want to spread like good vibes so if that’s the role I’m in now and if this song is helping people heal than I like it.”

She may be traveling in a more mature direction, but that doesn’t mean that Kesha is ready to stop having fun. The “True Colors” siren reminded fans to buy the explicit version of Rainbow and also joined Elvis Duran in letting off some steam by swearing on camera. After all, the album’s about healing, but it is also about encounters with aliens. Check out the rest of the interview below!

Can you hold on until the album’s official release? Let us know below, or by hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter!

Tags: