“It just got dumber and better”: Kesha reflects on writing “Tik Tok” and watching it become a timeless anthem 15 years later

Fifteen years after “Tik Tok” kicked off countless nights out and soundtracked an entire generation’s coming-of-age. Kesha is looking back at the banger that launched her into pop superstardom — and her first impression of it may surprise you.

On May 13, the pop star sat for a conversation on The Jennifer Hudson Show, where she was asked if she had any idea just how massive “Tik Tok” would become after its release in 2009. She answered:

“No, oh my god.”

The Your Love is My Drug hitmaker revealed that she didn’t quite expect the track’s massive success, especially while writing it. In fact, the creative process had her second-guessing everything.

“When I was writing ‘Tik Tok,’ it was weird, because the dumber it got, the better it got. Which was confusing, because I like to think of myself as a fairly intelligent human being. But it just got dumber and dumber and better and better.”

Much to everyone’s shock, Kesha confessed:

“When I listened to the final product, I was like, ‘This is too dumb.’”

READ ALSO: “This finna be messy, sparkly, and slightly toxic”: Fans react as Kesha unveils cover for new single ‘Boy Crazy’ with giant Pink dot

Despite her initial doubts, it became her career-defining hit.

“Tik Tok” became Kesha’s first solo Billboard Hot 100 entry and stayed at No. 1 for nine straight weeks, which was a personal best for the artist. The song also catapulted her debut album, Animal, to rank No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Kesha launches new era with upcoming studio album: “It’s been all of my vision”

Kesha is preparing to enter a new era with her soon-to-be-released 6th studio album titled (pronounced “Period”), the first she’s releasing independently under her own label, Kesha Records.

This milestone comes after she departs from Dr. Luke’s Kemosabe Records and a lengthy legal battle with the producer, whom she accused of s*xual assault in 2005.

Dr. Luke denied the claims and sued for defamation, with both parties settling in 2023 after nine years of legal disputes.

Finally, creating on her own terms, Kesha told Hudson:

“I’m really excited for the world to hear this, because I’ve been in control of everything.”

READ ALSO: What does Pink Circle on Kesha’s album covers mean? AI reveals the answer as Tik Tok singer updates her album art on all streaming services

Turning emotional, she added:

“It’s been all of my vision, all of my words, a lot of hard work, a lot of joy. Really coming back home to myself and feeling what freedom really looks like, feels like, sounds like.”

Set for release on July 4, Period contains 11 tracks, including the pre-released singles Joyride, Delusional, and Yippee-Ki-Kay.

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