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The Alchemy of Pop | Kesha | TED

TED

204.0K 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 introduces herself as a pop star and explains her passion for songwriting, drawing a parallel between songwriting and scuba diving where she explores deep emotions and truths. She emphasizes the importance of honesty and vulnerability in songwriting, using her song "Tik Tok" as an example of how playful and seemingly frivolous emotions can resonate globally.

Songwriting
Honesty
Vulnerability
Emotions
Pop Music

  • Kesha believes pop music can transform people's moods and energy in just 3.5 minutes, making it an alchemy-like force.
  • Songwriting is a deeply personal process for Kesha, akin to scuba diving where she dives deep into her emotions and uncovers her truth.

Insights from Kesha's Speech on Songwriting

1. Songwriting as a Deep Dive into the Self:

Kesha's analogy of songwriting to scuba diving reveals a profound truth: both require a willingness to explore the depths, the darkness, and the unknown. She emphasizes that the most powerful and meaningful work arises from confronting our deepest, darkest thoughts and emotions.

2. Honesty as the Cornerstone of Great Songwriting:

This insight underscores the importance of authenticity in creative expression. Kesha asserts that songwriting is a direct line of communication with truth, and any attempt to hide or distort it will result in a weak and uninspiring song.

**3. The Power of Vulnerability and Embracing All

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