Father Daughter Dance

Album: High Road (2020)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Kesha and her older brother Lagan were raised by a single mom; the singer doesn't know who her biological father is. This sparse ballad finds her delving into her feelings at missing out on having a daddy.
  • Somebody to help with a flat tire
    Somebody to walk me down the aisle
    The worst part of this is I'm not even sad
    How do I miss something I never had?


    Kesha told Apple Music that she hadn't planned on penning a track about growing up without her father, but one day the words came pouring out.

    "The song just kind of started flowing out of my mouth," she said. "I opened some sort of unconscious floodgates; I had no idea I had all these feelings about the subject. It feels so vulnerable and embarrassing when you're writing a song like that, because there's shame, there's guilt, there's sadness, there's resentment - so many questions that are in the back of your mind when you have a situation in the way I grew up in."
  • Kesha has always acted tough and strong when asked about her father and expressed surprise at how emotional it was writing the song. She didn't plan on putting it on High Road, but after playing it for several people, "They all insisted that being a strong woman doesn't mean you always have to be strong."
  • Out of respect, Kesha told her mom first about including the track on the album, as she's been there for her daughter throughout her life. The singer added that she has such admiration for "single parents and women that decide to have children on their own or without a man."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Peter Lord

Peter LordSongwriter Interviews

You may not recognize his name, but you will certainly recognize Peter Lord's songs. He wrote the bevy of hits from Paula Abdul's second album, Spellbound.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.