praying
Kesha Lyrics
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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 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'
Kesha's song, Praying, is a powerful anthem of empowerment and triumph over trauma. The song is widely regarded to be a response to the legal battle the singer had with her former producer, Dr. Luke, whom she accused of emotional and sexual abuse. The opening lines of the song, "Well, you almost had me fooled, Told me that I was nothing without you," allude to the manipulation and gaslighting Kesha experienced at the hands of her abuser.
The chorus of the song, "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'," is a message of forgiveness towards her abuser. Kesha hopes that he is recognizing the harm he has caused and is genuinely seeking redemption. She illustrates that forgiveness is an essential part of her own healing process.
The line, "I'll bring thunder, I'll bring rain, oh, when I'm finished, they won't even know your name," highlights Kesha's renewed sense of strength and purpose. She has emerged from the trauma as a powerful force that will not let her abuser's actions define her. The song celebrates Kesha's newfound resilience, self-worth, and independence.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you almost had me fooled
You tried to deceive me, but failed to do so.
Told me that I was nothing without you
It was conveyed to me that I had no value without you.
Oh, but after everything you've done
Despite all the things you've put me through.
I can thank you for how strong I have become
I have gained strength because of the problems you caused me.
'Cause you brought the flames and you put me through hell
You put me in a tough spot and tested me.
I had to learn how to fight for myself
I had to learn to defend myself without any help.
And we both know all the truth I could tell
You and I both know all the secrets I could reveal about you.
I'll just say this is "I wish you farewell"
I'll just say goodbye and move on.
I hope you're somewhere prayin', prayin'
I hope you are reflecting on your actions and seeking forgiveness.
I hope your soul is changin', changin'
I hope you have started to transform positively as a person.
I hope you find your peace
I hope you find inner peace and contentment in your life.
Falling on your knees, prayin'
I hope that you are humble and seeking forgiveness on your knees.
I'm proud of who I am
I am proud and happy with the person I have become.
No more monsters, I can breathe again
I no longer have any demons or troubles in my life, and I can now relax and breathe easily.
And you said that I was done
You thought I was finished and wouldn't come back.
Well, you were wrong and now the best is yet to come
You were mistaken, and I still have a lot of great things in store for me.
'Cause I can make it on my own, oh
Because I have enough strength and ability to do things by myself.
And I don't need you, I found a strength I've never known
I don't need your help anymore, as I have found new and essential strength within myself.
I'll bring thunder, I'll bring rain, oh
I will bring all sorts of challenges, difficulties and different ideas that will shake things up.
When I'm finished, they won't even know your name
When I'm done, you will be just a small part of the past.
Ah sometimes, I pray for you at night, oh
Sometimes, I pray for you to better understand you.
Someday, maybe you'll see the light
Someday, you will finally realize how wrong you were.
Whoa oh, some say, in life, you're gonna get what you give
In life, people get what they deserve and the energy they invest.
But some things only God can forgive
Although most things are forgivable, some troubles are too significant and only God can forgive them.
Yeah! (I hope you're somewhere prayin', prayin')
Yes! (I hope you are reflecting on your actions and seeking forgiveness)
I hope your soul is changin', changin'
I hope you have started to transform positively as a person.
I hope you find your peace
I hope you find inner peace and contentment in your life.
Falling on your knees, prayin'
I hope that you are humble and seeking forgiveness on your knees.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andrew Joslyn, Ben Abraham, Kesha Sebert, Ryan S. Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@free2bkittenforever
Fun fact: this is not a set; it was filmed at a real place that actually looks like this (including the part with all the TVs and the mountain that says “God is love”)
It is a radical anarchist collective in the desert of California. Kind of like if Burning Man were permanent and an actual functioning city
Kesha has gotten pretty political since she escaped her contract with Dr Luke and can now have creative control over her music. Just look at her other song, Rich White Straight Men
The choice of this place to shoot her video wasn’t arbitrary as she views Dr Luke as one of said “rich white straight men” who rule (and ruin) the world, so Praying too ties into her politics
But also what I am really impressed by is that technically when Praying was produced she hadn’t won her case against him yet. So this song easily could’ve ruined her career. It is obviously about Dr Luke abusing her and her livelihood still depended on him. He could’ve gotten pissed and retaliated, and he tried to
Instead the song became a massive hit, she won her case, and was able to get offers from other labels that have her more creative control. And now the world knows about how much of a dick Dr Luke is
But Kesha was incredibly brave for coming out with this song when she did. She knew it could end her career and even put her in physical danger and she did it anyway. I see so many survivors in these comments finding inspiration from her. We should all be grateful for her bravery and sheer badassery
@kesha
SHOP 'GAG ORDER' VINYL: https://kesha.lnk.to/Shop
@ashleydahlhuston9082
KESHA I love your music so much
@Sunny_Fade
Love all of your music!
@taeyeonss231
we'll be supporting this
@littlemisstravelista
I’ve been raped too thank you for this song 🎶 🥹
@tovelover2910
Love your new album, specially Hate Me Harder i hope it has a Music Video 🔥🙈
@wolfestorm8141
that high note shooketh me!
@seantingz7714
+Jose Olegs I think it's a g6
@hareonna15
Did she say '(YEAH!)'? lol
@klimadzu
because she auto tunes?