ARTIST/SONG: Kesha, “Praying” (2017)
This is in my top 3 favorite Kesha songs, as this came out the year that my abuser decided to have our final showdown, with him ending up being arrested and an EPO filed. It was big hit that year, so it became my song. I feel and believe every word of this song, as it pertained to my situation so intimately! However, in researching the background to this song, I found out the following: it’s Kesha’s breakout song in 2017, after a five year hiatus. Kesha stated that she wrote that song after a long battle with depression and legal battles, including one regarding sexual assault against her former producer.
After the song launched and started climbing the charts, Kesha wrote an essay for the Lenny Letter, Lena Dunham’s online feminist newsletter, detailing her battles. “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,” she writes. “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.”
I also love Kesha’s powerful opening monologue in the beginning of the video:
LYRICS (Courtesy of LyricFind)
“Praying”
Well, you almost had me fooled
Told me that I was nothing without you
Oh, but after everything you’ve done
I can thank you for how strong I have become
‘Cause 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 is “I wish you farewell”
I hope you’re somewhere prayin’, prayin’
I hope your soul is changin’, changin’
I hope you find your peace
Falling on your knees, prayin’
I’m proud of who I am
No more monsters, I can breathe again
And you said that I was done
Well, you were wrong and now the best is yet to come
‘Cause I can make it on my own, oh
And I don’t need you, I found a strength I’ve never known
I’ll bring thunder, I’ll bring rain, oh
When I’m finished, they won’t even know your name
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 is “I wish you farewell”
I hope you’re somewhere prayin’, prayin’
I hope your soul is changin’, changin’
I hope you find your peace
Falling on your knees, prayin’
Ah sometimes, I pray for you at night, oh
Someday, maybe you’ll see the light
Whoa oh, some say, in life, you’re gonna get what you give
But some things only God can forgive
Yeah! (I hope you’re somewhere prayin’, prayin’)
I hope your soul is changin’, changin’
I hope you find your peace
Falling on your knees, prayin’
