Kesha Releases First Single in 4 Years 'Praying,' Sings About Feelings of 'Severe Hopelessness and Depression'

After a lengthy legal battle and a difficult emotional journey, singer Kesha released her first single in four years, “Praying,” on Thursday.

Giving Lenny Letter the exclusive debut of the single, Kesha also penned a tell-all essay about her new music, thanking her fans for their eternal support.

WATCH: Kesha Teases Release of 1st New Single in Almost 5 Years: 'I Couldn't Have Done This Without' My Fans


“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,” Kesha wrote. “I've found what I had thought was an unobtainable place of peace.”

The singer went on to seemingly reference her former producer Dr. Luke, whom she has accused of sexual and emotional abuse.

“This song is about coming to feel empathy for someone else even if they hurt you or scare you,” she wrote. “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.”

The song features the lyrics: “After everything you’ve done, I can thank you for how strong I have become. Because 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 just say this, I wish you farewell.”

As for the religious aspects of the ballad, Kesha clarified her feelings about religion in her essay, writing, “For me, God is not a bearded man sitting in the clouds or a judgmental, homophobic tyrant waiting to send everyone to eternal damnation. God is nature and space and energy and the universe. My own interpretation of spirituality isn't important, because we all have our own. What matters is that I have something greater than me as an individual that helps bring me peace.”

She also touched on some of her inner turmoil over the past few years, which played out in the public eye when she went to court against Dr. Luke in February 2016.

MORE: Jerry Seinfeld Refuses to Hug Kesha on the Red Carpet -- See the Awkward Encounter!


“There were so many days, months even, when I didn't want to get out of bed. I spent all day wanting to go to sleep, and then when I did fall asleep, I had horrible night terrors where I would physically cry and scream through the dark,” she recalled. “I was never at peace, night or day. But I dragged myself out of bed and took my emotions to the studio and made art out of them. And I have never been happier with a body of work as I am with this record.”

Kesha’s upcoming album, Rainbow, will be released on August 11. For more from the singer, watch the clip below!

Kesha Set to Drop First Solo Single in Nearly 5 Years -- Get the Details!

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