Kesha Returns With Powerful, Symbolic “Praying” Video
And she’s back! Kesha releases her first (solo) single since 2013 today (July 6). Produced by Ryan Lewis, “Praying” is a powerful ballad that addresses the legal, mental and emotional chaos of the last four years. “Am I dead? Or is this one of those dreams? Those horrible dreams that seem like they last forever?” the pop star asks in a haunting spoken-word intro. “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.”
It gets even more bleak. “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.” That’s a pitch-black start to a song that is actually about overcoming adversity and moving on. The 30-year-old seemingly references alleged abuser Dr. Luke throughout the track, singing: “Cause you brought the flames and you put me through hell, I had to learn how to fight for myself.” Her final word? “And we both know all the truth I could tell, I’ll just say this is I wish you farewell.”
Kesha also dropped the video today and it’s an intense viewing experience. “Thank you to the mad scientist [Jonas Åkerlund], who helped me actualize the psychedelic journey that is this physical, emotional ride for the music video for ‘Praying,'” she wrote on Instagram. The clip finds the “Tik Tok” hitmaker wandering through the desert and worshipping in a very sketchy church. Watch the video up top and read the former K$’s lengthy explanation of the song and its inspiration in a Lenny Letter here. Welcome back!
Do you love the song and video? Let us know below, or by hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter!
