Praying (song)
"Praying" | ||||
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Single by Kesha | ||||
from the album Rainbow | ||||
Released | July 6, 2017 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 3:50 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Kesha singles chronology | ||||
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"Praying" is a song recorded by American singer Kesha for her third studio album Rainbow (2017). It was made available for digital download by Kemosabe Records on July 6, 2017 as the record's lead single. The track originated from Ryan Lewis, who contacted Kesha and offered her an early version of the song. "Praying" was written by the singer with Ben Abraham, Andrew Joslyn, and its producer, Lewis, and co-produced by Jon Castelli. Musically, the song is a gospel and soul-influenced pop piano ballad that features minimal production and accompaniment from violins, violas, strings, celli, backing vocals and drums. Inspired by suicidal thoughts she has had in the past, Kesha said that "Praying" is about hoping that anyone, even abusers, can heal. "Praying" was written to showcase the singer's vocal range and to represent her as a person, and also features her nearly screaming at the top of her register. Various reviewers suggested that the song is about Dr. Luke, whom Kesha accused of sexual assault and emotional abuse in a lawsuit, although Luke is never mentioned in the song by name.
"Praying" received universal acclaim, with music critics praising Kesha's vocals, finding the song powerful and noting it as a departure from the singer's previous efforts. Commentators offered conflicting interpretations of the song's message; some felt that "Praying" was about forgiveness, while others thought that Kesha displayed anger on the track. Commercially, "Praying" has reached number six in Australia as well as the top 20 in Canada, Hungary and Scotland, and the top 30 in Ireland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It was also certified at least Platinum in the latter, Australia and Canada. "Praying" was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.
An accompanying music video for "Praying" was directed by Jonas Åkerlund and was released simultaneously with the single. It features Kesha at Salvation Mountain along with various religious symbolism, both biblical and Hindu. The clip received a generally positive response from critics, and was often compared to Beyoncé's visual album Lemonade (2016). To promote the song, Kesha performed it live on multiple occasions, including her Rainbow Tour (2017–2018), at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Festival, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Good Morning America, and the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. Critics praised Kesha's live performances.
Background and release
![Shot of a man standing beyond his turntables.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/Macklemore_%288466299494%29_cropped.jpg/170px-Macklemore_%288466299494%29_cropped.jpg)
From July to October 2016, Kesha embarked on her third world tour, Kesha and the Creepies: Fuck the World Tour, where she performed various cover versions of songs and several rock and country reworkings of her own material.[2][3] During this time, the singer wrote multiple songs for what would become her third studio album Rainbow (2017).[4][5][6][7] Producer Ryan Lewis began working on the lyrics and production of "Praying" while he was on tour over a year before its release. He felt that the ballad would be suitable for a female artist, with his wife suggesting that Kesha should sing it. Lewis subsequently contacted the singer's management and Kesha later accepted the offer due to her fondness for his work with Macklemore, particularly admiring how their discography featured a mix of "fun" and politically progressive songs. Lewis came to Kesha with a "rough idea" for the song and encouraged her to do whatever she wanted on the track. When she belted out a whistle note, she surprised him; Lewis later said it was one of his favorite moments to occur in a studio. "Praying" was completed two days after Kesha began working on it. Lewis said that his ambitions when writing the song were to showcase the singer's vocal range and represent her as a person, eventually feeling that the finished track accomplished both goals.[8]
In a radio interview with SiriusXM, Kesha revealed that "Praying" deals with her past suicidal thoughts. On the same occasion, she said that she feels it is healthy to discuss such emotions, and that "[she] think[s] the beautiful part is that you hold onto hope [...] and you keep showing up for yourself."[9] Prior to its release, the singer premiered "Praying" and four other songs from Rainbow at a press playback in London. There, she expressed her feelings about the song, saying: "I've never been more excited about a piece of art I've ever done in my entire life. This is truly from the inside of my guts."[10] Kesha later announced the single's release in a video aimed at her fans.[11] In an accompanying letter posted to Lena Dunham's feminist blog Lenny Letter, she wrote about the meaning of the track: "I have channeled my feelings of severe hopelessness and depression, I've overcome obstacles, and I have found strength in myself even when it felt out of reach. I've found what I had thought was an unobtainable place of peace. This song is about coming to feel empathy for someone else even if they hurt you or scare you. It's a song about learning to be proud of the person you are even during low moments when you feel alone. It's also about hoping everyone, even someone who hurt you, can heal."[12]
Composition and lyrical interpretation
"Praying" is a pop piano ballad[13] written by Kesha, Ryan Lewis, Ben Abraham, and Andrew Joslyn that features elements of gospel[15] and soul music.[14] The song was produced by Lewis[15] and is written in the key of G minor, with a moderately slow tempo of 74 beats per minute.[16] Vox's Caroline Framke felt that the track was a departure from the "dive bar party anthems" which Kesha has become known for.[17] The song's production is minimal,[18] with Kesha joined on the track by violins, violas, strings, celli, "distant" backing vocals and drums.[19][20][21] Dan Weiss of Billboard deemed "Praying"'s arrangement "unfashionable" and said the song does not sound like contemporary music.[22] The chorus of "Praying" features Kesha singing "I hope you're somewhere praying, praying/ I hope your soul is changing, changing/ I hope you find your peace falling on your knees, praying."[11] The refrain has been described as "soaring but simple" by Spencer Kornhaber of The Atlantic, in the vein of "Beautiful" (2002) by Christina Aguilera and "Til It Happens to You" (2015) by Lady Gaga.[23]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Music-dr-luke.jpg/150px-Music-dr-luke.jpg)
According to Kesha, "Praying" is "about hoping everyone, even someone who hurt you, can heal."[12] The song addresses a tormentor with the lyrics: "You brought the flames and you put me through hell/ I had to learn how to fight for myself/ And we both know all the truth I could tell/ I'll just say this: I wish you farewell."[19] The Atlantic's Kornhaber thought that the track's message was "love your enemies" and displayed "Christlike grace", further noting that Kesha did not exude invulnerability on "Praying" the way she did in some of her previous songs, like "Dinosaur" (2010).[23] Similarly, Eve Barlow of Variety said that Kesha "pushes through her demons and possesses a remarkable level of empathy and understanding" on the track.[25] Conversely, Pitchfork's Jillian Mapes felt that the song's sentiments were akin to "telling the person who ruined your life to 'take care' when you really mean 'fuck you,'"[26] while Billboard's Weiss interpreted the recording as a "coded threat that [Kesha] will no longer be silenced."[22] According to Tatiana Cirisano of the same publication, "While the chorus aims for reconciliation with an unnamed listener...there's still a flicker of anger in the singer's words, like in the lyric '...When I'm finished, they won't even know your name.'"[27]
The Guardian, The Atlantic, MTV UK, and Complex each reported that the song was about Dr. Luke, the producer whom Kesha accused of sexually assaulting and emotionally abusing her in a lawsuit,[13][24][23][18] although the song never mentions Dr. Luke by name. Kornhaber felt that the song's opening lyrics — "You almost had me fooled / Told me that I was nothing without you" — recall the singer's allegation that Dr. Luke told her: "You are not that pretty, you are not that talented, you are just lucky to have me....You are nothing without me."[23] Weiss of Billboard found the track similar to Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know" (1995), which "empowered women to...call out men's abuses," "A Torch" (1998), a song about a vengeful rape victim from Sarge's album The Glass Intact, and Rihanna's "Russian Roulette" (2009), which deals with the singer's assault at the hands of Chris Brown.[22]
Kesha has said that "Praying" "showcases [her] voice in a way [her] voice has never been showcased in [her] entire life."[28] According to sheet music published by Musicnotes.com, her vocals on the track span from D3 to F6.[16] Mapes of Pitchfork noted that the singer's voice on "Praying" is less digitally manipulated than on her past material.[26] Three minutes and 14 seconds into the track, she sings at the top of her register, nearly screaming[13] in a manner reminiscent of Mariah Carey.[23] The song's highnote was compared to Demi Lovato's vocal performance on "Skyscraper" (2011) and Sia's vocal performance on "Alive" (2015) by Billboard's Weiss.[22] Ryan Dunn, writing for The United Methodist Church, thought that the story of Jonah is woven throughout "Praying" and that for both Kesha and Jonah, prayer was instrumental in bringing them through distress.[29]
Critical reception and accolades
"Praying" received universal acclaim from music critics,[30] who positively regarded it as a departure from Kesha's past work and public image, and called it a great comeback. Maria Sherman of Complex thought the track was "more purposeful than the music that made [Kesha] famous. Those looking to make pop music with real resonance would be wise to look to this song, and whatever Kesha does next."[13] Forbes's Hugh McIntyre labelled "Praying" "very important", adding that "[Kesha] will have no trouble collecting many new fans as she enters this next phase of her career."[1] Issy Sampson of The Guardian noted that the recording was to Kesha's oeuvre what "Fighter" (2002) was to Aguilera's.[24] The New York Times' Jon Pareles described "Praying" as "a perfectly aimed missile of revenge and career rebooting."[31] HuffPost's Daniel Welsh wrote that it was an "empowering and haunting ballad" which "may come as something of a surprise to more casual Kesha listeners, who are perhaps more used to hearing her glittery songs about partying and having a good time."[32] According to Matthew Rozsa of Salon, "'Praying' is likely to be remembered as the moment when Ke$ha became Kesha — that is, when her overproduced image of a party girl transformed into that of a soulful artist".[30] Caroline Framke of Vox said that "as Kesha embraces her pain and rage, the song becomes something much more intense and weird and furious and hopeful — something that feels much more like Kesha herself."[17]
Kesha's vocals and emotional delivery were also praised by reviewers. Eve Barlow of Variety commented that the song would "be enough to induce goosebumps in even the harshest of cynics."[25] Weiss of Billboard similarly commended the track, saying: "It would hard for even the biggest pop agnostic to not be rendered speechless by Kesha's new video and song 'Praying.'"[22] In a separate Billboard article, Gil Kaufman thought that the song was "pure ecstasy for your ear buds."[8] Time's Raisa Bruner called "Praying" "powerfully emotional", adding that "when she breaks out into a flawless whistle tone, it pretty much seals the deal: this new Kesha is stronger than ever, both as an artist and, seemingly, as a human."[33] The Atlantic praised it for being "deeply felt", and said that "Kesha's voice is powerful here—and more capable than people might expect".[23] William Ferrer of The Seattle Times said that "Praying" was "a bone-chilling must-listen," writing that "we're only one single into Rainbow...and I'm already certain her record is going to be one of the year's finest."[34] According to Sampson of The Guardian, "Praying" is "a full-on chest-thumping, foot-stamping inspirational ballad, and [Kesha's] voice sounds better than ever....and it's good enough to make you forgive her for 'Timber' [sic]."[24] Pitchfork's Jillian Mapes said that the song was "a powerful statement of resiliency, even if the resulting song's familiar piano melody sounds comparatively tepid." She favorably compared "Praying" to the work of Adele and Florence Welch.[26] Althea Legaspi and Elias Leight of Rolling Stone similarly called the track "triumphant" and "uplifting",[19] while Patrick Hosken of MTV deemed it "about as soul-baring as anything gets."[35] Tom Breihan of Stereogum opined that the recording was "grand and expansive".[36] The Singles Jukebox rated "Praying" as the best song of 2017, writing: "The music nods at large-scale drama but, rather than letting the drum and piano echo into space, the thuds stay close to the ear, like Kesha's singing to her own heartbeat."[37] At the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, "Praying" was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance.[38]
Commercial performance
"Praying" debuted at number four on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart for the week ending July 22, 2017,[39] although it was released during the last day of the sales, streaming and radio tracking week from June 30 to July 6, 2017.[40] According to Nielsen SoundScan, "Praying" sold 17,738 copies in the United States in its first day of release.[41] The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at position 25 on July 29, 2017, falling down to number 40 the next edition with sales of further 27,000 copies.[42] The track eventually reached a new peak at number 22 following the release of Rainbow. It also peaked on the Adult Top 40 and Mainstream Top 40 charts at numbers six and nine, respectively.[39] Nielsen SoundScan reported in October 2017 that the recording had moved 428,120 total copies in the United States,[43] with it being certified Platinum by the nation's Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[44] Worldwide, "Praying" reached the top ten in Australia,[45] while charting within the top 40 in multiple countries like Canada, Scotland, Ireland and Spain.[46][47][48][49] The single was certified triple Platinum by Australia's Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and Canada's Music Canada for selling 210,000 and 160,000 units, respectively.[50][51]
Music video
Background and development
![Shot of a visionary environment, designed with painted words and patterns.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Salvation_Mountain_001.jpg/220px-Salvation_Mountain_001.jpg)
The song's accompanying video, directed by Jonas Åkerlund, was released on July 6, 2017.[19][23] Kesha has described the experience of working with Åkerlund as "a dream come true" and said that the process of shooting the video was akin to a good, long therapy session.[28] The video was shot at Salvation Mountain, Niland, California, and the Salton Sea over the course of a single day. The outfits that the singer wore were inspired by the locations of the clip, as well as her fondness for vintage 1960s and 1970s clothing. Kesha and her stylist for the video, Samantha Burkhart, picked a rainbow dress for the singer to wear in the video, despite Åkerlund's concerns that the dress was too similar to that used for Beyoncé's "Hold Up" (2016) video. The director also wanted the singer to wear black angel wings in the video to make her appear "fucked-up", but Burkhart insisted that Kesha should wear white angel wings to emphasize her purity and beauty.[52] Kesha has said that the music video depicts her life metaphorically.[28] According to Burkhart, Kesha portrays a fallen angel who is "still very pure" in the clip.[52]
Synopsis
The video alternates between black-and-white and color,[19] while featuring title cards stylized to resemble Hindi script.[53] The video commences with a shot of Kesha inside of a coffin, flanked by a pair of men wearing suits and drooling pig masks with a neon cross in the background.[20] While inside of the casket, Kesha is seen wearing a nose ring, dark blue lipstick and a headpiece.[54] Following this, she appears on the surface of the open ocean lying in a rafter.[17] In a voice-over, she says: "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."[15] In the clip, the singer plays the piano while wearing a crown of thorns, angel wings and what Christina Cauterucci of Slate described as "a scaly mermaid-looking suit". Later, Kesha is seen with an eye painted on her forehead as she prays at an altar before a neon cross,[53] while also chased by the men with pig masks.[20] A recurring scene in the video features a wall of television sets with messages such as "the television will not be revolutionized", "weapons of mass deception", "do not engage," and "you're too thin" painted on them in red, with Kesha eventually ravaging them.[53][55] Shots of her crying black tears are interspersed throughout the main plot of the visual.[55] At the song's climax, Kesha throws around colored powder in a manner similar to what is done during Holi, a Hindu festival which celebrates the victory of good over evil. The clip ends with the singer walking on water[53] and text that says "the beginning".[23]
Reception and analysis
![Shot of a woman singing into a microphone in front of a black backdrop, wearing a white dress.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/11/Beyonce_-_Montreal_2013_%283%29_crop.jpg/200px-Beyonce_-_Montreal_2013_%283%29_crop.jpg)
Weiss of Billboard praised the video, highlighting it as the best work Kesha released in her career. He found the religious imagery in the video reminiscent of Madonna's "Like a Prayer" (1989) and the clip's use of pigs similar to the videos for Nine Inch Nails' "Closer" (1994) and Silverchair's "Tomorrow" (1994).[22] Stereogum's Breihan said the video was "a vivid, surreal vision from director Jonas Åkerlund"[36] while MTV's Patrick Hosken called it emotional.[35] Bruner of Time labelled the music video as "a powerful, colorful, and, yes, glitter-filled celebration of overcoming," further deeming it a comeback for the singer.[56] HuffPost's Daniel Welsh felt that the video "feature[s] [Kesha's] usual mix of bright colours and outlandish costumes [and] an important message about overcoming troublesome times and seeing the light in the darkness."[32] Jezebel writer Julianne Escobedo Shepherd found that the clip portrayed well Kesha's personal struggles in the past years.[57] Mike Wass of Idolator deemed the video "an intense viewing experience."[58] Nashville Scene's Stephen Trageser commented that the clip was psychedelic and bore similarities to the work of Alejandro Jodorowsky; he also felt that it marked a "glorious return" for Kesha.[59]
Racked.com's Elana Fishman praised the singer's outfits in the video, including her rainbow gown,[52] while Pareles of The New York Times felt they were influenced by the work of Lady Gaga.[31] Kornhaber of The Atlantic said the clip is "a high-gloss technicolor pop production from one of the masters of the form, director Jonas Åkerlund" and that it reminded him of Kesha's earlier work.[23] Conversely, The Arizona Republic's Zachary Hansen opined that the video's aesthetic was in stark contrast to it, showing "[the singer] at her most serious."[60] Maria Sherman of Complex complimented the use of the Salvation Mountain in the video, writing: "It's the perfect backdrop for the song, [with its] bright, colorful bible [sic] verses painted on neon adobe in the Colorado Desert in California. It's an unexpected place to find hope, mirroring Kesha's move from desolation to empowerment."[13] Cauterucci of Slate opined that the clip's use of religious symbolism "confuses the thrust of the song", adding that the imagery "speak[s] to [Kesha's] vision for her new album as a kind of rebirth."[53]
Vox's Framke felt that the video referenced Beyoncé's visual album Lemonade (2016) multiple times. Framke found the monologue in the video similar to Beyoncé's "Pray You Catch Me" (2016), while the rainbow outfit that Kesha wore reminded her of the yellow dress that Beyoncé sported in her "Hold Up" video,[17] which was also directed by Åkerlund.[34] The author further wrote that "evoking Beyoncé's imagery at the video's onset dilutes the message, making it feel more like an homage than the emotional purge [Kesha] says it is."[17] Similarly, The Stranger's Amber Cortes criticized Kesha for taking influence from Beyoncé's work in the "Praying" clip, writing that it emulated the "watery imagery" of the video for "Hold Up".[61] William Ferrer of The Seattle Times also found the visual similar to Lemonade, but added "there's something haunting about 'Praying' that sets it apart from Lemonade. [It] feels more ethereal, more eerily uncertain than Beyonce's self-assured tour de force. And [...] 'Praying' is better for it."[34]
Live performances
Kesha performed "Praying" live during her Rainbow Tour, which lasted from September to November 2017. Other appearances occurred at the Electric Birxton in South London, the YouTube Space in Los Angeles, the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Festival, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Good Morning America. The singer's performances received praise from editors of multiple publications, such as LA Weekly, The Daily Telegraph, The Fader, Billboard, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly, for her vocals, stage presence and emotional delivery.[62]
During the 60th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony on January 28, 2018, Kesha, who was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album, performed the song with Cyndi Lauper, Julia Michaels, Bebe Rexha, Camila Cabello and Andra Day.[63]
Track listing
- Digital download – The Remixes[64]
- "Praying" (Frank Walker Remix) – 2:59
- "Praying" (Oliver Nelson Remix) – 3:57
- "Praying" (Tim Legend Remix) – 3:38
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Rainbow.[21]
Recording
- Engineered at The Village (Los Angeles, California), Studios 301 (Alexandria, Australia) and Robert Lang Studios (Shoreline, Washington)
- Mixed at Mirrorball Studios (North Hollywood, Los Angeles)
Personnel
- Kesha Sebert – writing, lead vocals
- Ben Abraham – writing
- Justin Armstrong – engineering
- Heather Borror – violins
- Ingmar Carlson – assistant engineering
- Jon Castelli – engineering
- Billy Cenrenaro – engineering
- Hannah Crofts – backing vocals
- Rebecca Chung Filice – cello
- Christopher Foerstel – viola
- Antonia Gauci – engineering
- Andrew Joslyn – writing, strings, violins
- Andrew Kam – violins
- Ryan Lewis – writing, production
- Sarah Malmstorm – violins
- Seth May-Patterson – viola
- Georgia Mooney – backing vocals
- Ryan Nasci – engineering assistance
- Garrett Overcash – violins
- Elana Stone – backing vocals
- All Our Exes Live in Texas – backing vocals
- Eli Weinberger – cello
- Katherine Wighton – backing vocals
Charts
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[50] | 3× Platinum | 210,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[51] | 2× Platinum | 0‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[89] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[44] | Platinum | 428,120[43] |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | July 6, 2017 | Digital download | Kemosabe | [15] |
Italy | July 14, 2017 | Contemporary hit radio | Sony | [90] |
United Kingdom | RCA | [91] | ||
United States | July 18, 2017 |
|
[92] | |
October 16, 2017 | Adult contemporary radio | [93] |
References
- ^ a b McIntyre, Hugh (July 6, 2017). "Kesha Returns Triumphantly With New Single 'Praying'". Forbes. Archived from the original on July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Kesha Announces Kesha and The Creepies: The Fuck the World Tour". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Spanos, Brittnany (July 19, 2016). "Kesha Announces Tour, 'Creepy' New Music Project". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ McHenry, Jackson (October 26, 2016). "Kesha Has Already Written and Recorded 22 New Songs That Are Just Waiting to Be Released; Dr. Luke Claims 'She Exiled Herself'". Vulture. Archived from the original on December 8, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ McDermott, Maeve (October 26, 2016). "Kesha wrote a 22-song album — and can't release it". USA Today. Archived from the original on December 7, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Ungerman, Alex (September 13, 2016). "Kesha Sparks Taylor Swift Collaboration Rumors With Cryptic Photo -- See What She Said!". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on December 2, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Denham, Jess (September 13, 2016). "Taylor Swift and Kesha rumoured to be collaborating after mysterious Instagram post". The Independent. Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Kaufman, Gil (July 21, 2017). "Kesha Says Working With Ryan Lewis on 'Praying' Was 'Easy, Perfect and Beautiful'". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 22, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Reed, Ryan (July 7, 2017). "Kesha: Recording New Album Was 'Way to Cope' With Depression". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 12, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Snapes, Laura (July 6, 2017). "Kesha returns: 'Rainbow is truly from the inside of my guts'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Lawrence, Derek (July 6, 2017). "Kesha references Dr. Luke turmoil in emotional new single, music video". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Kesha (July 6, 2017). "Kesha Fights Back in Her New Single, "Praying"". Lenny Letter. Archived from the original on July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f g Sherman, Maria (July 6, 2016). "Kesha Takes Aim at Dr. Luke on "Praying," a Pop Anthem Fueled by Injustice". Complex. Archived from the original on July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Luz Henning Santiago, Amanda (July 7, 2017). "Kesha shared the powerful meaning behind her first single in 4 years". Business Insider. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e Kaufman, Gil (July 6, 2017). "Kesha Returns With Emotionally Charged Single 'Praying': Watch the Video". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Kesha 'Praying' Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e Framke, Caroline (July 6, 2017). "Kesha's new single "Praying" is a scorched-earth ballad on betrayal and hope". Vox. Archived from the original on July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Brand New Kesha Single 'Praying' Has Landed". MTV UK. July 6, 2016. Archived from the original on July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=
(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e Legaspi, Althea; Leight, Elias (July 20, 2017). "Kesha Previews New Album With Triumphant Song 'Praying'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Cinquemani, Sal. "Review: Kesha Makes a Defiant Return with Powerful New Single and Video "Praying"". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Rainbow (liner notes). Kesha. Kemosabe, RCA. Barcode: 889854593629. August 11, 2017.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b c d e f Weiss, Dan (July 6, 2017). "8 Precedents for Kesha's Gut-Wrenching 'Praying' Video". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i Kornhaber, Spencer (July 6, 2017). "Kesha's Comeback Message: Love Your Enemy". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on July 9, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d Sampson, Issy (July 14, 2017). "Jax Jones's Instruction: a Macarena for our times". The Guardian. Archived from the original on July 14, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Barlow, Eve (July 6, 2017). "Song Review: Kesha's 'Praying'". Variety. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Mapes, Jillian (July 7, 2017). "Kesha "Praying"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Cirisano, Tatiana (July 6, 2017). "With Confessional, Defiant 'Praying' Lyrics, Kesha Opens About Tumultuous Past Five Years". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Valentine, Claire (July 6, 2017). "Watch Kesha's Behind-the-Scenes Look at Her Triumphant "Praying" Video". Paper. Archived from the original on July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Dunn, Ryan (2017). "Forgiveness and Kesha's "Praying"". The United Methodist Church. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Rozsa, Matthew (July 14, 2017). "I demand a critical reappraisal of Kesha's brilliant, brilliant music". Salon. Archived from the original on July 15, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Pareles, Jon; Caramanica, Jon; Russonello, Giovanni (July 7, 2017). "The Playlist: Kesha and Lil Wayne Return, Fighting for Their Independence". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Welsh, Daniel (July 6, 2017). "Kesha's New Song 'Praying' Is Here, And It's A Powerful Statement About Leaving Darkness Behind". HuffPost. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Bruner, Raisa (July 7, 2017). "5 Songs You Need to Listen to This Week". Time. Archived from the original on July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Ferrer, William (July 6, 2017). "Review: Kesha is back with emotional, haunting new single 'Praying'". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Hosken, Patrick (July 6, 2017). "Kesha Returns with Emotional Gut-Punch Video for 'Praying'". MTV. Archived from the original on July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Breihan, Tom (July 6, 2017). "Kesha – "Praying" Video". Stereogum. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Kesha – Praying". The Singles Jukebox. July 24, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
- ^ Lynch, Joe (November 28, 2017). "Grammys 2018 Nominees: The Complete List". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
{{cite news}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=
(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Chart Search – Kesha". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Cantor, Brian. "Kesha's "Praying" Debuts On Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart". Headline Planet. Archived from the original on July 15, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Nielsen SoundScan charts – Digital Songs – Week Ending: 07/06/2017" (PDF). Nielsen SoundScan. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 19, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
- ^ Trust, Gary (July 28, 2017). "Hot 100 Chart Moves: Kesha's 'Praying' Keeps in Top 40 & 'Woman' Debuts". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Nielsen SoundScan charts – Digital Songs – Week Ending: 10/05/2017" (PDF). Nielsen SoundScan. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 9, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
- ^ a b "American single certifications". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ a b "Kesha – Praying". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
- ^ a b "Kesha Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ a b "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- ^ a b "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on June 14, 2017. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Kesha – Praying" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
- ^ a b "ARIA Chart Watch #458". auspOp. February 3, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
- ^ a b "Canadian single certifications – Kesha – Praying". Music Canada. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
- ^ a b c Fishman, Elana (July 10, 2017). "Kesha's 'Praying' Video Looks Are a 'F*cked-Up Angelic' Fever Dream". Racked.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=
(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e Cauterucci, Christina (July 6, 2017). "Kesha's New Video Tracks Her Transformative Struggle Through Religious Symbolism". Slate. Archived from the original on July 12, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Laurean Yates, Jacqueline (July 6, 2017). "Kesha's New Video "Praying" Is Filled with Enviable Beauty Looks". Yahoo. Archived from the original on July 24, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Rizzo, Laura. "6 Breathtaking Moments From Kesha's "Praying" Music Video". Elite Daily. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Bruner, Raisa (July 6, 2017). "Kesha Doesn't Hold Back About Her Depression in Powerful Comeback Music Video". Time. Archived from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Escobedo Shepherd, Julianne (July 6, 2017). "Kesha Is Back (!!!) With an Emotional New Video". Jezebel. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|website=
(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Wass, Mike (July 6, 2017). "Kesha Returns With Powerful, Symbolic "Praying" Video". Idolator. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
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: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|website=
(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Trageser, Stephen (July 6, 2017). "Watch Kesha Make Her Glorious Return in 'Praying' [Fresh Vid]". Nashville Scene. Archived from the original on July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Hansen, Zachary (July 6, 2017). "Kesha drops new song 'Praying,' striking video addresses Dr. Luke suit". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
- ^ Cortes, Amber (July 6, 2017). "Kesha Takes Back the Mic with Her New Single, "Praying"". The Stranger. Archived from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Citations regarding Kesha's live performances:
- Cooper, Michael (November 1, 2017). "Free From Dr. Luke, Kesha Is a More Powerful Pop Star Than Ever". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - Solomon, Kate (November 15, 2017). "Kesha lights up the Electric Brixton – review". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - Renshaw, David (August 8, 2017). "Watch Kesha's First TV Performance Of "Praying"". The Fader. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - Weatherby, Taylor (September 24, 2017). "Kesha & DJ Khaled's Superstar Surprises, Niall Horan & Miley Cyrus' Live Debuts and More iHeartRadio Fest Day 2 Highlights". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 24, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - Bradley, Laura (August 11, 2017). "Kesha's First Late-Night Comeback Performance Is a Gut-Wrenching Triumph". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on January 20, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - Reed, Ryan (August 9, 2017). "Watch Kesha Perform on 'Good Morning America,' Talk 'Life-Saving' New Album". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - Suskind, Alex (January 28, 2018). "Kesha fights back tears in emotional 'Praying' performance at Grammys". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
- Cooper, Michael (November 1, 2017). "Free From Dr. Luke, Kesha Is a More Powerful Pop Star Than Ever". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ Spanos, Brittany (January 28, 2018). "Watch Kesha's Emotional, Star-Studded Delivery of 'Praying' of Grammys 2018". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
- ^ "iTunes – Music – Praying (The Remixes) – Single by Kesha". iTunes Store (GB). Retrieved March 3, 2018.
- ^ "Kesha – Praying" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
- ^ "Kesha – Praying" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
- ^ "Kesha Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "Kesha Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
- ^ "Kesha Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 33. týden 2017 in the date selector. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
- ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés – SNEP (Week 28, 2017)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on January 20, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
- ^ "Kesha Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Kesha – Praying" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on November 20, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Kesha – Praying". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
- ^ "Kesha – Praying". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201733 into search. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
- ^ "Kesha – Praying". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
- ^ "Kesha – Praying". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
- ^ "Kesha Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
- ^ "Kesha Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
- ^ "Kesha Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
- ^ "Kesha Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
- ^ "Kesha Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
- ^ "ARIA End of Year Singles 2017". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on January 5, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 17, 2017. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 16, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "British single certifications – Kesha – Praying". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 23, 2018. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Praying in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "Ke$ha - Praying RadioDate". Radioairplay.fm. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "BBC – Radio 1 – Playlist". BBC Radio 1. Archived from the original on March 25, 2014. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases — Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates". AllAccess Music Group. July 6, 2017. Archived from the original on September 6, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on June 19, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
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: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
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suggested) (help)