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The Alchemy of Pop | Kesha | TED

TED

147.8K Views . 2024-07-11

"You can write a song and you can not tell the truth, but your song will suck," says pop star Kesha. So what's the secret to making a great pop song? She explains the special alchemy of her own hits like "TiK ToK" and "Praying" and gives a stunning debut performance of her new song, "Cathedral." (This talk contains mature language.) If you love watching TED Talks like this one, become a TED Member to support our mission of spreading ideas: https://ted.com/membership Follow TED! X: https://twitter.com/TEDTalks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ted Facebook: https://facebook.com/TED LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ted-conferences TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tedtoks The TED Talks channel features talks, performances and original series from the world's leading thinkers and doers. Subscribe to our channel for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit https://TED.com to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more. Watch more: https://go.ted.com/KBdGj https://youtu.be/MJd6Y50hfAM TED's videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy: https://www.ted.com/about/our-organization/our-policies-terms/ted-talks-usage-policy. For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at https://media-requests.ted.com #TED #TEDTalks #Kesha

Kesha explains how songwriting is similar to scuba diving, in that both involve exploring the depths and being honest with oneself. She emphasizes the importance of truthfulness in songwriting, highlighting how it allows for emotional expression and connection with audiences. She uses the examples of 'Tik Tok', written during a playful, nihilistic phase, and 'Praying', written during a difficult legal battle, to illustrate how different emotions can lead to impactful songs.

Songwriting
Truthfulness
Emotional Expression
Scuba Diving

  • Kesha believes pop music has the power to transform someone's mood and energy in just a few minutes.
  • Kesha draws a parallel between songwriting and scuba diving, both requiring a deep dive into the unknown and exploration of one's deepest emotions.

Insights from Kesha's Speech:

1. Songwriting as a Deep Dive: Kesha draws a powerful parallel between songwriting and scuba diving, both requiring a deep plunge into the unknown. She emphasizes exploring the darkest corners of one's being to unearth truth and authentic emotions. This analogy suggests that vulnerability and confronting internal darkness are crucial for powerful songwriting.

2. Honesty is the Key to Powerful Music: Kesha asserts that authenticity is non-negotiable in creating a good song. Hiding emotions or pretending to be someone you're not will result in a shallow and uninspiring piece. This insight highlights the importance of emotional vulnerability and self-reflection in artistic creation.

**3. All Emotions

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