Joyride

Album: Period (2024)
Charted: 88 106
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Joyride" is Kesha's full-on celebration of independence, both musical and personal. The first single from her sixth album, the song marks a new era for the singer. It's also her first song released under her own record label, Kesha Records. This is a big deal – it's been 19 years since she truly owned her voice in the music industry.
  • Kesha's newfound independence is hard won. In 2014, she filed a civil lawsuit against her longtime producer, Dr. Luke, accusing him of sexual assault. She requested a temporary injunction to release her from her recording contract with him. After a lengthy legal battle, they finally settled out of court in June 2023.
  • The song is a blast from the past, a return to the synth-pop sound and talk-singing style that made Kesha a star with hits like "TiK ToK" and "We R Who We R." It's a departure from her previous album, 2023's Gag Order, which veers closer to arthouse.
  • The lyrics are full of sass and attitude.

    I've earned the right to be like this
    Oh, you say you love me?
    That's funny
    Well, so do I


    Kesha is embracing her inner "bitch" and demanding a wild night on her own terms.
  • Kesha wrote "Joyride" with Madison Love and Zhone, who also produced it.

    Los Angeles songwriter Madison Love has also co-penned hits for Machine Gun Kelly and Camilla Cabello ("Bad Things"), G-Eazy and Halsey ("Him & I") and Ava Max ("Kings & Queens").

    Maryland native Zhone has also worked on tracks for such artists as Troye Sivan ("Rush") and Dillon Francis ("Pretty People").
  • Kesha debuted the song at Planet Pride in Brooklyn on June 30, 2024, before releasing it on July 4th. It's no coincidence that "Joyride" dropped on Independence Day in the US. It's a celebration of freedom, of breaking free from limitations and constraints. And for Kesha, that freedom extends beyond just the music industry.
  • Directed by Kesha, Laura Gorun, Dimitri Basil, and Cooper Roussel, the music video for "Joyride" is a playful homage to Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill series. Kesha stars as a fiery, red-leather-clad heroine on the run from a colorful cast of villainous assassins.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

In The Cards

In The CardsSong Writing

Songwriters have used cards and card games to make sense of heartache, togetherness, and even Gonorrhea.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?