Music

The Alchemy of Pop | Kesha | TED

“You can write a song and you can not tell the truth, but your song will suck,” says pop star Kesha. So what’s the secret to making a great pop song? She explains the special alchemy of her own hits like “TiK ToK” and “Praying” and gives a stunning debut performance of her new song,…

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“You can write a song and you can not tell the truth, but your song will suck,” says pop star Kesha. So what’s the secret to making a great pop song? She explains the special alchemy of her own hits like “TiK ToK” and “Praying” and gives a stunning debut performance of her new song, “Cathedral.” (This talk contains mature language.)

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75 Comments

  1. @blaze1500

    July 11, 2024 at 6:06 pm

    Kesha. You don’t imagine how many people you inspire everyday, i was one of the people going through hard times, a lot of people walked a path next to you, in those exact moments, and i’m personally so grateful that you where there. Hearing “Praying” again made me almost cry. That was THE song, for you, and for many of us. You saved so so so many of us, with my heart wide open, i just say thank you.💜

  2. @chelsuh614

    July 11, 2024 at 6:07 pm

    I think all humans are intrinsically musical. We all have the drum beat of our heart beat ❤️ the music in you will always receive you 😌

  3. @konstantin6775

    July 11, 2024 at 6:11 pm

    I am so grateful to her for my childhood, and I will always rememeber the day praying was released❤

  4. @AmandaRestivo

    July 11, 2024 at 6:18 pm

    Great song and great performance. Every Ted talk should have a required original song at the end. haha.

  5. @_unpaulished

    July 11, 2024 at 6:20 pm

    Kesha, we fucking love you! You have saved so many of our lives so many times. You’ve carried us through our darkest days by sharing your pain in your darkest days. You ARE worthy of so much!

  6. @alberto.camposs

    July 11, 2024 at 6:25 pm

    So inspiring ❤❤❤❤❤

  7. @kuilaat3183

    July 11, 2024 at 6:29 pm

    this was beautiful Kesha

  8. @brunoo7104

    July 11, 2024 at 6:34 pm

    People need to apreciate way more Kesha

  9. @davioliveira8907

    July 11, 2024 at 6:54 pm

    ❤❤❤❤❤ lindo.

  10. @xx.tragic

    July 11, 2024 at 7:02 pm

    Loved everything about this! Happy freedom Kesha 🤍

  11. @46rkbhviv8g

    July 11, 2024 at 7:14 pm

    🥨⚡🥨

  12. @OflibertSH

    July 11, 2024 at 7:20 pm

    Today I can see that Kesha is not just that girl from Tik Tok, she is something spiritual and powerful who needed to feel all this pain to heal hers and that of so many other people. How I love you Kesha

  13. @lexiscardinale6186

    July 11, 2024 at 7:22 pm

    Not this making me cry on my lunch break

  14. @joaoricardowork4712

    July 11, 2024 at 7:31 pm

    ❤👏🏻

  15. @RyanStorey1231

    July 11, 2024 at 7:41 pm

    🎶TED Talk on the clock🎶

  16. @Me24172

    July 11, 2024 at 7:44 pm

    Wow! Wow! ❤ Kesha has been my best pop singer since childhood, can’t say more, woooow!

  17. @jazminsnow3009

    July 11, 2024 at 7:53 pm

    Mama we love you❤️

  18. @cbaxtianful

    July 11, 2024 at 8:11 pm

    Ok but vocals???? On point!!❤❤❤ She’s right, we are so used to numb the intensity of emotions that it becomes a sickness, when this emotions live inside a body and then are as materials as the art we create.

  19. @highcue

    July 11, 2024 at 8:19 pm

  20. @bennyhanaaa

    July 11, 2024 at 8:21 pm

    KESHA IS MOTHER ✨ and so much more. Thank you for your deep rooted words of triumph 🌈 you deserve the universe 🌌

  21. @rudawg99

    July 11, 2024 at 8:26 pm

    SHE’S BACK! ✨🫶 I would love for her to have albums reflecting her emotions as she transitions through them

  22. @kaspertagle431

    July 11, 2024 at 8:33 pm

    👏👏👏

  23. @GingyForTheWin

    July 11, 2024 at 8:41 pm

    Can’t get enough of this, so proud of her

  24. @joaopedromazzochi

    July 11, 2024 at 9:12 pm

    She is very talented! As a singer-songwriter, Kesha exhales uniqueness for all of those reasons she mentioned it at 2:45. I’m so happy for her. very strong & inspiring and I’m a big fan since @keshasuxx

  25. @VamViper

    July 11, 2024 at 9:15 pm

    Kesha’s Independent Artist era is going to be one for the history books. They can’t hold her back now <3

  26. @Countrycoasts

    July 12, 2024 at 2:23 pm

    Kesha plz pull a Hannah baker and never come back

  27. @KenTheDo11

    July 12, 2024 at 2:27 pm

    That performance at the end blew me away. Holy smokes

  28. @chamomile08

    July 12, 2024 at 2:34 pm

    She’s a strong person and a talented artist. I’m so glad she’s still determined to keep creating ♥︎

    1:28 “Songwriting is a direct line of communication with the truth.”
    6:58 “Creation is just exploring” ♥︎
    8:09 Cathedral ♥︎♥︎♥︎

  29. @SusanDomingo-gw9bu

    July 12, 2024 at 3:24 pm

    LOVE THE MESSAGE.
    SHE’S MY NEW FAVOURITE 😍

  30. @lewis9b9

    July 12, 2024 at 3:25 pm

    May god bless this women. I cannot wait to see what’s next from Kesha.

  31. @annababichenko6087

    July 12, 2024 at 3:35 pm

    Full body chills

  32. @jacobmatton7588

    July 12, 2024 at 3:57 pm

    So proud of her 💕

  33. @zoriell

    July 12, 2024 at 4:01 pm

    WE LOVE YOU KESHA ❤

  34. @__bylia

    July 12, 2024 at 4:06 pm

    Love Kesha so much! ❤

  35. @cherrycoke3254

    July 12, 2024 at 4:08 pm

    All the misogyny in the comments is not at all surprising, but Kesha killed it and no one can take that from her.

  36. @zachreeve

    July 12, 2024 at 4:15 pm

    We love you Kesha ❤ and we are so happy you are free

  37. @opollitico

    July 12, 2024 at 4:29 pm

    So much for TED being about failure

  38. @graciouslychaotic

    July 12, 2024 at 5:20 pm

    I love you Kesha! 💕🌈

  39. @CthulhuJax

    July 12, 2024 at 5:22 pm

    I met Kesha back in 2013 and she is truly as wonderful of a human being as she presents herself. She has helped me through so many incredible trials and tribulations throughout my life and she represents true beauty and success. I can never repay her for all she has done for me through her music ❤

  40. @notcatart

    July 12, 2024 at 6:15 pm

    Wow❤

  41. @lucas3420

    July 12, 2024 at 6:26 pm

    That’s why i can’t listen to the newest songs that continue to be produced by a person who shouldn’t have stopped anyone from expressing their music thoughts.
    Sorry Katy Perry but i really can’t with your new single. I’m really sorry. But no.

  42. @defectivebarbie-watercolor

    July 12, 2024 at 6:32 pm

    Make sure to VOTE to keep that voice free. Every vote matters. As LOUD as you can. LOVE you Kesha 😭❤️‍🩹🙏

  43. @courtneybrock1

    July 12, 2024 at 7:23 pm

    Kesha – making TED talks relevant again since 2024.

  44. @GnaroKS

    July 12, 2024 at 7:50 pm

    I’ve followed Kesha for almost 15 years now, and it makes me so happy to know that I chose the right person to admire even then when I was only 9. She grew as an artist with every record and she only got stronger from everything that she’s gone through. She started as a girl who wanted to have fun and be joyful, and know she’s still that girl, only braver, stronger and finally free💜 Never afraid to showcase her emotions and be true to herself.

  45. @Nishers

    July 12, 2024 at 8:04 pm

    Cried happy tears to this.

  46. @dedikurniawan3131

    July 12, 2024 at 8:15 pm

    So happy for her❤

  47. @yormita

    July 12, 2024 at 8:24 pm

    Stream JOYRIDE by Kesha

  48. @Carla10987654321

    July 12, 2024 at 8:27 pm

    Kesha, you are incredible!! I’m crying right know, I can feel you !

  49. @macyjackson5985

    July 12, 2024 at 8:41 pm

    Need this song now !!! We love you Kesha , since I was a kid listening to Tik Tok

  50. @gabecarter114

    July 12, 2024 at 8:53 pm

    Literally tears

  51. @JJ2222W

    July 14, 2024 at 5:41 pm

    It’s keshas world. Happy to live in it.

  52. @llgg5704

    July 14, 2024 at 5:42 pm

    I love you Kesha, since my childhood! Thank you for everything! ❤

  53. @NahuelS21

    July 14, 2024 at 5:44 pm

    omg this song its the most beautifull song i’ve ever heard from her

  54. @milkflavored

    July 14, 2024 at 5:53 pm

    Her voice is ANGELIC ❤

  55. @mateauck8114

    July 14, 2024 at 5:54 pm

    I’m literally Obsessed with her voice…and what a Beautiful, warm and sincerely dope person! If You go and check the dictionary under the word “cool” it’s written – “A singer and song writher KESHA”. Much Love To You All and hugs from POLAND 🙌🤙💪🍀🌸💎💎💎💚

  56. @alafolieee

    July 14, 2024 at 6:01 pm

    her voice is so soothing

  57. @DIAbycmgm

    July 14, 2024 at 6:11 pm

    Praying is such a SLAY

  58. @user-kq1lb2gg7b

    July 14, 2024 at 6:20 pm

    I’m so glad Kesha is free. This is incredibly inspirational. She will always be one of the best pop stars out there. I cannot believe Katy Perry is working with Kesha’s abuser even after everything went public. Kesha deserves better✨

  59. @anakoller2519

    July 14, 2024 at 6:21 pm

    To grow takes time and pacience. And she did it! That’s all matters. Beautiful song, beautiful voice. And from now on is a new journey for her.❤

  60. @joncastillo1897

    July 14, 2024 at 6:23 pm

    This video is absolutely beautiful

  61. @matthewluck9077

    July 14, 2024 at 6:29 pm

    surely i wasn’t the only one ugly crying by the end

  62. @chandlershawn4282

    July 14, 2024 at 6:33 pm

    5:12 missed opportunity to say hahaha………. Dance .

  63. @Honeycomblife

    July 14, 2024 at 6:42 pm

    Kim petras vibes allegedly. Once you see it you cant unsee it

  64. @RubyWilson777

    July 14, 2024 at 7:03 pm

    Take notes Katy, this what an artist really is ✌️

  65. @jisunzhoque

    July 14, 2024 at 7:07 pm

    8:00 Kesha singing Cathedral

  66. @cryzzztle90210

    July 14, 2024 at 7:12 pm

    This made me cry. So happy for her. Love her so much ❤❤❤

  67. @meghanm05

    July 14, 2024 at 7:23 pm

    Such a beautiful voice, and beautiful soul ❤

  68. @stantwitter2022

    July 14, 2024 at 7:24 pm

    Yes, queen tell em your story mama 🥺🥰

  69. @rodie3602

    July 14, 2024 at 7:31 pm

    Very beautiful 😢

  70. @VisionAether

    July 14, 2024 at 7:36 pm

    this song gave me goosebumps, She’s been so good with her ballads<3 I love her voice in ballads so much.
    Not to mention her new song Joyride sounds like Cannibal. KESHA<333

  71. @raphaelcarvalho2693

    July 14, 2024 at 7:42 pm

    no words. this was freaking BEAUTIFUL

  72. @beccaf262

    July 14, 2024 at 7:58 pm

    For a certain woman to try and stealthily release a song about “womens empowerment” while working with a rapist and this incredible woman has gained back her voice and did this powerful talk and performance is just AMAZING

  73. @b.r.hawker8699

    July 14, 2024 at 8:00 pm

    THE QUEEN HAS BLESSEd US WITH HER WISDOM
    I AM SO GLAD THAT SHE IS FREE TO REVEL AND SHINE

  74. @hunterjanzzz

    July 14, 2024 at 8:55 pm

    What a beautiful song ❤

  75. @trtlduv07

    July 14, 2024 at 9:20 pm

    Kesha is so incredibly strong! Yesssssss to this new song!!! Her voice! 😍😍😍

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