Kesha has released her first song in four years. Titled “Praying”, it’s a powerful, emotional ballad about the trials – both literal and figurative – that she has faced in previous years. The singer was embroiled in a long legal battle with her alleged sexual abuser, producer Dr. Luke, for years.
She is finally allowed to release new music, and her return is nothing short of miraculous. In an accompanying Lenny Letter, released Thursday (July 6), the “Tik Tok” singer speaks openly about her hardships. “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.”
Kesha continues: “‘Praying’ was written about that moment when the sun starts peeking through the darkest storm clouds, creating the most beautiful rainbow. Once you realize that you will in fact be OK, you want to spread love and healing. If you feel like someone has wronged you, get rid of that hate, because it will just create more negativity.”
The accompanying video, directed by Jonas Åkerlund, was filmed at Salvation Mountain in California’s desert. “Am I dead? Or is this one of those dreams? Those horrible dreams that seem like they last forever?” she ponders in the video’s opening. It’s certainly nice to have her back! Watch the video for “Praying” below: