Learn to Let Go
Kesha - Rainbow Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Been a prisoner of the past
Had a bitterness when I looked back
Was telling everyone it's not that bad
'Til all my shit hit the fan

I know I'm always like
Telling everybody, "You don't gotta be a victim
Life ain't always fair, but hell is living in resentment
Choose redemption, your happy ending's up to you"

I think it's time to practice what I preach
Exorcise the demons inside me
Whoa, gotta learn to let it go
The past can't haunt me if I don't let it
Live and learn and never forget it
Whoa, gotta learn to let it go

Had a boogieman under my bed
Putting crazy thoughts inside my head
Always whispering, "It's all your fault"
He was telling me, "No, you're not that strong"

I know I'm always like
Telling everybody, "You don't gotta be a victim
Life ain't always fair, but hell is living in resentment
Choose redemption, your happy ending's up to you"

So I think it's time to practice what I preach
Exorcise the demons inside me
Whoa, gotta learn to let it go
The past can't haunt me if I don't let it
Live and learn and never forget it
Whoa, gotta learn to let it go

Hey-eh-eh-eh, yeah
Hey-eh-eh-eh, yeah
Learn to let go, learn to let go
Hey-eh-eh-eh, yeah
Hey-eh-eh-eh, yeah
Learn to let go, learn to let go

I'm done reliving my bad decisions
I see now maybe there's a reason
Why, I, I, I, I, I, I been through hell and back
Yeah, honestly, it's what made me who I am
Holding on to wasted time
Gotta learn to let go in life

So I think it's time to practice what I preach
Exorcise the demons inside me
Whoa, gotta learn to let it go
The past can't haunt me if I don't let it
Live and learn and never forget it
Whoa, gotta learn to let it go

Hey-eh-eh-eh, yeah
Hey-eh-eh-eh, yeah
Learn to let go, learn to let go
Hey-eh-eh-eh, yeah




Hey-eh-eh-eh, yeah
Learn to let go, learn to let go

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kesha's song "Learn To Let Go" convey a powerful message of self-discovery, growth, and resilience. The song tackles the theme of overcoming past traumas and learning to move forward with a positive mindset.


The first verse describes the struggle of being trapped in the past, embodying the bitterness and resentment towards previous experiences. However, the singer realizes that constantly dwelling on these negative emotions only brings about more pain and suffering. They come to the realization that they can choose to let go of the past and embrace a happier future.


The chorus emphasizes the need to put these beliefs into practice. The singer acknowledges the presence of inner demons and negative thoughts that have haunted them for far too long. They declare their determination to release these burdens and not let the past define them anymore. The line "The past can't haunt me if I don't let it" encapsulates the essence of the song's message.


The second verse introduces the metaphorical "boogieman under my bed," representing the voice of self-doubt and blame that constantly tries to undermine the singer's self-worth. The singer admits to being influenced by these harmful thoughts in the past but now realizes their strength and ability to overcome them.


The bridge showcases a sense of acceptance and understanding that the past experiences, however difficult, have shaped the singer into who they are today. They acknowledge that holding onto wasted time and regrets only creates unnecessary pain. The phrase "learn to let go in life" serves as a call to embrace the present and focus on personal growth and healing.


Overall, "Learn To Let Go" serves as a powerful anthem of empowerment and resilience, encouraging listeners to release the shackles of their past and embrace a more positive and self-loving future.


Line by Line Meaning

Been a prisoner of the past
I have been trapped by my past experiences.


Had a bitterness when I looked back
I felt resentful when reflecting on my past.


Was telling everyone it's not that bad
I used to convince others that my past wasn't so terrible.


'Til all my shit hit the fan
Until all my problems escalated.


I know I'm always like
I am aware that I often


Telling everybody, 'You don't gotta be a victim
Trying to convince others not to play the victim


Life ain't always fair, but hell is living in resentment
Life can be unfair, but dwelling in bitterness is even worse.


Choose redemption, your happy ending's up to you'
Choose to find redemption and create your own happiness.


I think it's time to practice what I preach
I believe it's time for me to follow my own advice.


Exorcise the demons inside me
Get rid of the negative thoughts and emotions within me.


Whoa, gotta learn to let it go
I need to learn to release my past.


The past can't haunt me if I don't let it
I won't be haunted by my past if I refuse to hold onto it.


Live and learn and never forget it
Continue to learn from my mistakes and never erase them from my memory.


Had a boogeyman under my bed
I had imaginary fears and anxieties.


Putting crazy thoughts inside my head
Filling my mind with irrational ideas.


Always whispering, 'It's all your fault'
Constantly blaming myself for everything.


He was telling me, 'No, you're not that strong'
He made me believe that I wasn't strong enough.


I'm done reliving my bad decisions
I have stopped replaying my past mistakes.


I see now maybe there's a reason
I now understand that there might be a purpose behind it.


Why, I, I, I, I, I, I been through hell and back
I have experienced extreme hardships.


Yeah, honestly, it's what made me who I am
Honestly, those experiences have shaped my identity.


Holding on to wasted time
Continuing to cling onto unproductive moments.


Gotta learn to let go in life
I need to learn to release my attachments.


Hey-eh-eh-eh, yeah
Expressing an enthusiastic affirmation.


Learn to let go, learn to let go
Understanding the importance of releasing and moving on.


I'm done reliving my bad decisions
I have stopped replaying my past mistakes.


I see now maybe there's a reason
I now understand that there might be a purpose behind it.


So I think it's time to practice what I preach
Thus, I believe it's time for me to follow my own advice.


Exorcise the demons inside me
Get rid of the negative thoughts and emotions within me.


Whoa, gotta learn to let it go
I need to learn to release my past.


The past can't haunt me if I don't let it
I won't be haunted by my past if I refuse to hold onto it.


Live and learn and never forget it
Continue to learn from my mistakes and never erase them from my memory.


Hey-eh-eh-eh, yeah
Expressing an enthusiastic affirmation.


Learn to let go, learn to let go
Understanding the importance of releasing and moving on.




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Kesha Sebert, Pebe Sebert, Stuart Crichton

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions