 This article is about the song. You may be looking for the extended play.
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"Cannibal" is a song performed by Kesha. It serves as the opening track, as well as the second promotional single on Kesha's debut extended play, Cannibal. An official lyric video was released on KeshaVEVO on March 3, 2020, almost a decade after its original release.
In 2024, the song was certified platinum in the US by the RIAA.[1]
Background[]
When asked if she was as big of a man-eater as she claimed on the track, she said
| “ | When I really like somebody, it totally flips. But before I give two shits about a guy, I tend to treat him as my plaything, like a cat playing with her food before she eats it. It’s kinda fucked up. | ” |
—Kesha, Spin[2] | ||
On May 23, 2021, Pebe shared a demo version of the song on her TikTok.[3]
Composition[]
Kesha employs a rap-sing style on the track where she raps lyrics like "Whenever you tell me I'm pretty / That's when the hunger really hits me" and "I have a heart I swear I do / Just not baby when it comes to you". "Cannibal", makes use of synth and dance driven backings while Kesha sings about maneater tendencies and makes a reference to notorious serial-killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Her vocal range spans from low note of F4 to high note of F5-F#5. Present throughout the song are snippets of Kesha yodeling. The aid of autotune and vocoders are prominent throughout the track, also.
Official versions[]
- 3:14 - Album version
- 3:14 - Instrumental version
Lyrics[]
I have a heart I swear I do
But just not baby when it comes to you
I get so hungry
When you say you love me (hush)
If you know what's good for you
I think you're hot I think you're cool
You're the kinda guy I'd stalk in school
But now that I'm famous
You're up my anus
Now I'm gonna eat you fool
I eat boys up breakfast and lunch
Then when I'm thirsty I drink their blood
Carnivore animal I am a cannibal
I eat boys up you better run
I am cannibal
I am cannibal (I'll eat you up)
I am cannibal
I am cannibal (I'll eat you up)
Whenever you tell me I'm pretty
That's when the hunger really hits me
Your little heart goes pitter patter
I want your liver on a platter
Use your finger to stir my tea
And for dessert I'll suck your teeth
Be too sweet and you'll be a goner
Yeah I'll pull a Jeffrey Dahmer
I eat boys up breakfast and lunch
Then when I'm thirsty I drink their blood
Carnivore animal I am a cannibal
I eat boys up you better run
I am cannibal
I am cannibal (I'll eat you up)
I am cannibal
I am cannibal (I'll eat you up)
I am cannibal
I am cannibal (I'll eat you up)
I am cannibal
I am cannibal (I'll eat you up)
I love you
I warned you
Audio[]
Spotify[]
YouTube[]
Videos[]
Trivia[]
- Kesha named an eyeshadow shade from her make-up line, Kesha Rose Beauty, after this song. The shade "Cannibal" is a bright red color.
- In early 2020, the song started to go viral on the social media app TikTok, with users doing a dance while lip syncing to the song. [4]
- Kesha posted a video of herself doing the dance alongside TikTok star Charli D'Amelio on February 26, 2020.[5]
- Due to it's success on TikTok, the song became a Top 40 hit in Canada.
- As of July 31, 2020, there are over 8 million videos on TikTok that use the "Cannibal" audio.
- In a TikTok interview, when asked what her favorite song to perform was, Kesha said this one.
References[]
- ASCAP Work ID: 882213171
- BMI | Repertoire
- HFA Song Code: C7515W
- ↑ RIAA Certification – "Cannibal"
- ↑ http://www.spin.com/2010/11/keha-her-haters-im-not-going-anywhere/
- ↑ https://www.tiktok.com/@pebesebert/video/6965561804554571014?sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6927399970005927429&is_from_webapp=v1&is_copy_url=0
- ↑ https://mobile.twitter.com/KeshaRose/status/1231305191770640384
- ↑ https://mobile.twitter.com/KeshaRose/status/1232682119954157568
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