Only Love Can Save Us Now

Last updated

"Only Love Can Save Us Now"
Only Love Can Save Us Now Kesha cover.jpeg
Single by Kesha
from the album Gag Order
ReleasedMay 17, 2023 (2023-05-17)
Studio Shangri-La
Genre
Length2:34
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Kesha singles chronology
"Fine Line" / "Eat the Acid"
(2023)		"Only Love Can Save Us Now"
(2023)		"Joyride"
(2024)
Music video
"Only Love Can Save Us Now" on YouTube

"Only Love Can Save Us Now" is a song by American singer-songwriter Kesha from her fifth studio album, Gag Order (2023). Ahead of the album's release, the song was issued as its third single on May 17, 2023, alongside a lyric video. The track was written and produced by Kesha, Stint, and Jussifer, with additional production by Rick Rubin.

Contents

Background

Kesha appeared on an episode of CBS' 60 Minutes , that featured her recording vocal takes at Shangri-La with a gospel choir and Rick Rubin. [4] Three days after the premiere, the singer went on Instagram Live to preview the song.[ citation needed ] She announced the single's release on May 15, 2023. [5]

The track was partially written as a LGBTQ anthem as Kesha observed injustices that the community faces in the US. "Saying it's heartbreaking is not enough," the singer said in her 2023 Self cover story, "I don't have the answer, and I'm not a politician, but that's the energy. It gets really exhausting seeing attack after attack after attack on the queer community." [6]

Composition and lyrics

The song lasts 2 minutes and 34 seconds and features the singer rapping about the problems she faces daily. Lyrically, the song features Kesha looking to a higher power in difficult times and contains many religious references. She described it as a "push and pull" of "control and struggle". [7] The track mixes contrasting genres and opens with an electronic production before transitioning to acoustic guitar on the chorus as Kesha praises the power of love while backed by a gospel choir. [1] The song also contains elements of country, gospel, and soul. [2] [3] Her idea for the single was to sonically blend "aggressive expression" and "euphoria". [7] The singer also alludes to her legal issues with producer Dr. Luke, whom she sued for alleged sexual assault and battery, with lyrics: "I'm getting sued because my mom has been tweeting/ Don't fucking tell me that I'm dealing with reason." According to Kesha on her social medias, the song is a "desperate and angry prayer" and reflects on her "mental pendulum swings". [8]

Critical reception

Alex Rigotti of Clash named "Only Love Can Save Us Now" the highlight of the album and a "beautifully euphoric anthem", praising Kesha's rap flow. [2] Gay Times ' Conor Clark called the song an "epic club banger". [9]

Music video

The official music video was announced on June 14, 2023 with a teaser video for "Only Love Reprise". The video was released the following day and was directed by Vincent Haycock, who was the creative director for Kesha's album. It is the only single off the album to receive a proper music video, rather than a visualizer. The video starts off with a man wearing a skin-tight body suit with Kesha's face on it running in traffic and pouting on a sidewalk. The video is intercut with shots of a person mummified in red cellophane sitting in a folding chair, fuzzy ottoman in a red room wearing a mask, and Kesha in an art gallery filled with bemused patrons who look at her in disdain at as she convulses on the floor and raises her hands to the heavens. [10]

Live performances

Kesha performed the song on Vevo live for the first time on May 24, 2023. [11] On June 15, 2023, she performed "Only Love Can Save Us Now" at iHeartRadio's "Can't Cancel Pride" event. [12] An acoustic performance was included on Kesha's third extended play, Gag Order (Live Acoustic EP from Space) . The song was included in the setlist for the Only Love Tour as the opening number.

Track listing

Digital download and streaming [13]

  1. "Only Love Can Save Us Now" – 2:34

Digital download and streaming (remixes) [14]

  1. "Only Love Can Save Us Now" (KC Lights remix) – 3:33
  2. "Only Love Can Save Us Now" (Milkblood remix) – 3:31
  3. "Only Love Can Save Us Now" (Moti remix) – 4:09
  4. "Only Love Can Save Us Now" (Oddprophet remix) – 3:04
  5. "Only Love Can Save Us Now" – 2:34

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Only Love Can Save Us Now"
RegionDateFormatsVersionLabelsRef.
VariousMay 17, 2023Original [13]
June 23, 2023Remixes [14]

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ariana Grande</span> American singer, songwriter, and actress (born 1993)

Ariana Grande-Butera is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Regarded as a pop icon and an influential figure in popular music, she is noted for her four-octave vocal range and her signature use of the whistle register.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kesha</span> American singer (born 1987)

Kesha Rose Sebert, known mononymously as Kesha, is an American singer and songwriter. Kesha's first major success came in early 2009 when she was featured on rapper Flo Rida's number-one single, "Right Round".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kesha discography</span>

American singer Kesha has released five studio albums, one compilation album, three extended plays, 33 singles, 11 promotional singles, and has made seven other guest appearances. As of 2017, she has sold over 41 million tracks and streams in the United States alone, and over 87 million tracks and streams worldwide. As of 2019, she has also accumulated approximately 7 billion on-demand streams and has sold over 14 million album equivalents worldwide bringing her record sales to stand at over 100 million equivalents worldwide. She is also among the highest-certified artists in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America, with 54 million certified singles and 8 million albums, bringing her total certified record sales to 62 million as a lead act in the United States alone. She is also certified for a further 21.5 million digital singles as a featured artist, further bringing her total record certifications to 83.5 million overall in the country.

<i>Warrior</i> (Kesha album) 2012 studio album by Kesha

Warrior is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Kesha, released on November 30, 2012, by Kemosabe and RCA Records. Its music incorporates a wide range of genres, including pop, EDM, rock, punk, rap, country, and folk. Kesha described the album as more personal than her previous material in addition to mentioning it was her attempt at reviving the rock genre, calling it a "cock pop" record. Its theme is said to be magic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sleazy (song)</span> 2010 promotional single by Kesha

"Sleazy" is a song by American recording artist and songwriter Kesha, taken from her first extended play (EP), Cannibal (2010). The song was written by Kesha alongside Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, Benjamin Levin, Shondrae "Bangladesh" Crawford, and Klas Åhlund, with production done by Bangladesh, Dr. Luke and Levin. While working on the album she enlisted the help of producer Bangladesh so that she could give her music a more distinct edge. Kesha uses a "sing-rap" vocal style throughout the song and uses layered vocals that are enhanced in some parts with the use of auto-tune. Lyrically the song speaks of wealthy men hitting on Kesha, trying to buy her attention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crazy Kids</span> 2013 single by Kesha, will.i.am, Juicy J

"Crazy Kids" is a song by American singer Kesha. It was released on April 29, 2013, as the third and final single from her second album Warrior (2012), with will.i.am or Juicy J as the featured artist depending on the version. An additional remix surfaced online featuring Pitbull. The lyrics were written by Kesha with assistance with Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco, Cirkut, who also helmed production of the track. Each featured artist wrote their own contribution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Die Young</span> 2012 single by Kesha

"Die Young" is a song by American singer and songwriter Kesha. It was released on September 25, 2012, as the lead single from her second studio album, Warrior (2012). Kesha co-wrote the song with its producers, Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco, and Cirkut, with additional writing from Nate Ruess, the lead singer of Fun. Ruess wrote the words for the chorus, but Kesha wrote the lyrics after traveling around the world and embarking on a spiritual journey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Becky G</span> American singer and actress (born 1997)

Rebbeca Marie Gomez, known professionally as Becky G, is an American singer and actress. She first gained recognition in 2011 for her cover versions of popular songs, many of which she uploaded to YouTube. One of her videos caught the attention of record producer Dr. Luke, who signed her to a recording contract with his label Kemosabe Records, an imprint of RCA Records. Shortly afterward, Gomez began working with singers will.i.am, Cody Simpson and Cher Lloyd.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fire Under My Feet</span> 2015 single by Leona Lewis

"Fire Under My Feet" is a song by British singer and songwriter Leona Lewis from her fifth studio album, I Am (2015). It was released as the lead single from the album on 7 June 2015 by Island and Def Jam. An uptempo song with gospel influences, "Fire Under My Feet" was recorded at Kite Music Studios in Los Angeles and was written by Lewis with Toby Gad, who also produced the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Praying (song)</span> 2017 single by Kesha

"Praying" is a song by American singer and songwriter Kesha. It was made available for digital download by Kemosabe Records on July 6, 2017 as the lead single from her third studio album, Rainbow. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woman (Kesha song)</span> 2018 single by Kesha featuring the Dap-Kings Horns

"Woman" is a song recorded by American singer Kesha and featuring the Dap-Kings Horns for her third studio album Rainbow (2017). It was released as the first promotional single from the album on July 13, 2017. The song was then released as the second single from the album on January 22, 2018. It has been described as a feminist anthem. "Woman" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling one million equivalent units in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Body Talks</span> 2018 single by The Struts & Kesha

"Body Talks" is a song by English rock band the Struts. It was released as the first single from their second studio album, Young & Dangerous. It was originally released on 15 June 2018 as the lead single from their album and was later re-released as a duet with American singer-songwriter Kesha on 28 August 2018. Both the solo and duet versions are included as the first and thirteenth track respectively on the Struts' album. The song was written by band members Luke Spiller and Adam Slack with producers Lauren Christy and John Levine.

<i>High Road</i> (Kesha album) 2020 studio album by Kesha

High Road is the fourth studio album by American singer and songwriter Kesha. It was released on January 31, 2020, through RCA and Kemosabe Records. Announced in late 2019, the album saw the singer once again taking over the role of sole executive producer, following Rainbow (2017). She collaborated with various songwriters and record producers to achieve her desired sonority, combining elements of her career beginnings and Rainbow. Musically, High Road is primarily a pop, country and classic rock record, although it encompasses a variety of genres, including dance-pop, folk, electronic pop, synthpop, trip hop, electro-country, EDM, trap, dream pop, hip hop, and gospel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raising Hell (Kesha song)</span> 2019 single by Kesha featuring Big Freedia

"Raising Hell" is a song by American singer Kesha featuring American rapper Big Freedia. It was released as the lead single from Kesha's fourth studio album High Road on October 24, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Hell</span> 2022 single by Rina Sawayama

"This Hell" is a song by Japanese-British singer Rina Sawayama from her second studio album, Hold the Girl (2022). It was released through Dirty Hit on 18 May 2022 as the lead single from the album.

<i>Gag Order</i> (album) 2023 studio album by Kesha

Gag Order is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Kesha. It was released on May 19, 2023, by Kemosabe Records and RCA Records. This album marks her final release under her contract with both labels, which she signed when she was 18 years old. The announcement of the album came in late April 2023, with Kesha serving as the executive producer, a role she took on for her previous two albums. She primarily worked with producer Rick Rubin, who helped her dive deep into her more vulnerable side to create the project. Other producers on the album include familiar collaborators such as Stuart Crichton, Stint and Drew Pearson, as well as new collaborators like Jussifer, Hudson Mohawke, Kennedi, and Jason Lader.

"Fine Line" is a song by American singer-songwriter Kesha from her fifth studio album, Gag Order (2023). The song was released as a dual single alongside "Eat the Acid" on April 28, 2023, as the lead single, ahead of the album's full release on May 19, 2023. An official lyric video was released the same day. The song was written by Kesha, her mother Pebe Sebert, and Stint and produced by Rick Rubin, Stuart Crichton, and Jason Lader. A visualizer was released on May 3, 2023.

"Eat the Acid" is a song by American singer-songwriter Kesha from her fifth studio album, Gag Order (2023). It was released as the lead single for the album, as a double A-side alongside "Fine Line", on April 28, 2023, ahead of the album's full release on May 19, 2023. An accompanying visualizer was released the same day. The song was written by Kesha, her mother Pebe Sebert, and Stuart Crichton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only Love Tour</span> 2023 concert tour by Kesha

The Only Love Tour was the sixth headlining concert tour by American singer Kesha, in support of her fifth studio album, Gag Order (2023). She announced the tour on May 30, 2023, with Jake Wesley Rogers as the supporting act. The tour began on October 15, 2023, at The Factory in Dallas, Texas and concluded on November 26 at Hard Rock Live Sacramento in Wheatland, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joyride (Kesha song)</span> 2024 single by Kesha

"Joyride" is a song by American singer and songwriter Kesha. It was released on July 4, 2024, by her own self-titled record label as the lead single from her upcoming sixth studio album. An official lyric video was released on the same day. The song marks Kesha's first release since departing from RCA and Kemosabe Records. The single was written by Kesha, Madison Love, and Zhone, who also produced the song.

References

  1. 1 2 McIntyre, Hugh (May 17, 2023). "Kesha Releases New Song Only Love Can Save Us Now". MetroWeekly.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Rigotti, Alex (May 19, 2023). "Kesha – Gag Order". Clash . Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Attard, Paul (May 17, 2023). "Kesha Gag Order Review: A Disarmingly Strange Musical Thesis Statement". Slant Magazine . Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Rick Rubin: The 60 Minutes Interview". CBS News. January 15, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  5. ↑ Kesha [@KeshaRose] (May 15, 2023). "ONLY LOVE CAN SAVE US NOW. MAY 17" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023– via Twitter.
  6. ↑ Spiegel, Amy R (June 20, 2023). "Kesha Knows Exactly What She Wants to Say". SELF.
  7. 1 2 Hires, Valentina (September 2023). "Kesha". CAP 74024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  8. ↑ Fu, Eddie (May 17, 2023). "Kesha's "Only Love Can Save Us Now" Looks to Higher Power". Consequence . Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  9. ↑ Clark, Conor. "Kesha releases epic club banger Only Love Can Save Us Now". Gay Times . Archived from the original on May 21, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  10. ↑ Grow, Kory (June 15, 2023). "See Kesha's 'Only Love Can Save Us Now' Video – Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone . Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  11. ↑ Zemler, Emily (May 25, 2023). "Kesha Channels Emotion into 'Only Love Can Save Us Now' Performance – Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  12. ↑ Gonzalez, Rebekah (June 15, 2023). "Kesha Teases 'Gag Order' Tour At Can't Cancel Pride 2023". iHeartRadio . Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Only Love Can Save Us Now by Kesha on Spotify". Spotify . Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  14. 1 2 "Only Love Can Save Us Now (Remixes) by Kesha on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Latvia Weekly Chart: Jul 20, 2023". TopHit . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Latvia Monthly Chart: July 2023". TopHit . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.