True Colors (Zedd and Kesha song)

"True Colors"
Single by Zedd and Kesha
from the album True Colors
Released April 29, 2016 (2016-04-29)
Format Digital download
Recorded 2016
Genre
Length
  • 3:48 (album version)
  • 3:45 (single version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Zedd singles chronology
"Papercut"
(2015)		 "True Colors"
(2016)		 "Starving"
(2016)

"Papercut"
(2015)		 "True Colors"
(2016)		 "Starving"
(2016)
Kesha singles chronology
"Timber"
(2013) Timber2013		 "True Colors"
(2016) True Colors2016		 "Praying"
(2017) Praying2017

"True Colors" is a song by Russian-German electronic music producer Zedd. The original version of the song featured uncredited vocals by Tim James and was included on Zedd's second studio album, True Colors (2015).[3] The official single is a new version of the track with vocals provided by the American singer Kesha and was released as the album's fourth single on April 29, 2016.[4] They performed the song live at Coachella 2016. The song appeared in FIFA 17.

Background

"True Colors" was Kesha's first music release in over three years, as she has been locked in a court case with her producer Dr. Luke, after ten years of alleged abuse. Along with support from other famous celebrities, Zedd offered to produce a song with her.[5] She first performed the song as a guest during Zedd's set at Coachella 2016. In late April, both Kesha and Zedd posted photos to their social media accounts confirming they were recording together.[6]

Composition

"True Colors" is a mid-tempo ballad[7] in the key of D minor with a tempo of 126 beats per minute in half-time feel. It follows a chord progression of Dm-C-Gm-Dm. Kesha's vocals span from A3 (F3 in backing vocals) to D5 (F5 in backing vocals). The track opens and closes with a muted keyboard melody before gradually building to a climax of rollicking drums and bells, a departure from Kesha's previous "party anthem" singles.[7] According to a NME reviewer, it is "a moody, gothic electro ballad."[1]

Reception

Rolling Stone editor Brittany Spanos called it a "triumphant return" for Kesha. Comparing it to the album version, she stated "the style is more grandiose" in Kesha's take.[3] Agreeing with the latter, Nigel M. Smith from The Guardian wrote "Kesha's audible rage lends the track a fire that was missing in its earlier incarnation."[2] Lars Brandle of Billboard wrote the song "is a powerful, moody tune and, lyrically, Kesha is in a fighting frame."[8] August Brown in Los Angeles Times noted "At Coachella, her surprise appearance had the gravity of something more than just another pop-star cameo. This recorded version is a welcome reminder of Kesha's considerable vocal talent."[9] Lucas Villa of AXS praised Zedd's direction, writing, "Under Dr. Luke, her vocals were mostly processed to hell but with Zedd, Kesha beautifully bellows the song's powerful message." Despite minimal promotion from radios or a major record label, the song sold 52,000 copies in its 1st week and placed at #8 on the U.S ITunes Charts.[10]

Charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[11] 76
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[12] 66
France (SNEP)[13] 191
Ireland (IRMA)[14] 81
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[15] 78
US Billboard Hot 100[16] 74
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[17] 38

Release history

Country Date Format Label Ref.
United States 29 April 2016 Digital download
[18]
Italy Contemporary hit radio [19]

References

  1. 1 2 Bassett, Jordan (April 29, 2016). "Kesha Emerges Defiant And Optimistic On 'True Colors', Her First Single In Three Years". NME. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Smith, Nigel M. (April 29, 2016). "True Colors review – Kesha is back in defiant anthem". The Guardian. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  3. 1 2 Spanos, Brittany (April 28, 2016). "Hear Kesha's Triumphant Return on Zedd's 'True Colors'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  4. ↑ "True Colors - Single by Zedd & Kesha". iTunes Store. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Zedd offers to make song with Kesha". February 22, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Are Kesha and Zedd Working on New Music Together?". E! Online. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
  7. 1 2 Camp, Alexa (April 29, 2016). "Kesha Shows Her "True Colors" on New Zedd Track". Slant Magazine. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  8. ↑ Brandle, Lars (April 29, 2016). "Kesha and Zedd's Powerful Collaboration 'True Colors' Has Arrived: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  9. ↑ Brown, August (April 29, 2016). "Zedd releases new version of 'True Colors' featuring Kesha". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  10. ↑ Villa, Lucas (April 30, 2016). "Kesha thanks fans as Zedd-fronted 'True Colors' goes top 10 on iTunes". AXS.
  11. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (7 May 2016). "ARIA Singles: Drake 'One Dance' Is the No 1 Song". Noise11. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  12. ↑ "Zedd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  13. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Zedd & Ke$ha – True Colors" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  14. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 18, 2016". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  15. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  16. ↑ "Zedd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  17. ↑ "Zedd Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  18. ↑ "iTunes - Music - True Colors - Single by Zedd & Kesha". iTunes (US).
  19. ↑ "Zedd & Kesha - True Colors RadioDate". Radioairplay.fm. April 29, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
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