 This article is about the album. You may be looking for the song.
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Rainbow is the third studio album by Kesha. It was released on August 11, 2017. The album was released five years since her previous record, Warrior, and since then, Kesha dealt with several struggles in her personal and professional life, including a stint in a treatment center for an eating disorder and emotional issues, as well as a highly publicized legal battle with her former record producer Dr. Luke, whom she accused of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. Kesha began writing material for her next album while in rehab in January 2014 and as her recording contract at the time obliged her to work with Dr. Luke, she later recorded a series of new songs on her own and gave them to her record label.
The album is Kesha's first as executive producer. The album marks a significant difference from Kesha's electro-pop sound that she is known for and incorporates elements of pop, country, glam rock, and neo soul. She collaborated with Wrabel, Ricky Reed, her mother Pebe Sebert, Ryan Lewis, and Drew Pearson to achieve her desired sound. The record features guest appearances from Dolly Parton, Eagles of Death Metal, and The Dap-Kings Horns.
Commercially, the album debuted at no. 1 in the United States, making this her second album to top the chart. The album earned Kesha a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Vocal album, making this her first nomination. The album was certified platinum in 2024, selling over one million equivalent units.[1] To promote the record, Kesha embarked on the Rainbow Tour (2017–2019) and The Adventures of Kesha and Macklemore (2018) with Macklemore.
Background
Kesha revealed in an interview with Teen Vogue that while she was in rehab she wrote 14 songs (one of which was later revealed to be the album's title track, "Rainbow") with the help of a toy Casio keyboard.
Regarding the genre of her new album, Kesha released this statement in the August 2014 edition of Teen Vogue:
| “ | I’m not going to be making a lullaby jazz record, just in case there’s anybody out there who actually thought that was a possibility. My music will always have balls until I’m an 85-year-old crazy granny, so don’t be worried about that. | ” |
—Kesha, Teen Vogue[2] | ||
While on her Kesha and the Creepies: Fuck the World Tour, Kesha announced she has 52 songs ready to be released.
In the October 2016 issue of The New York Times, we learned that Kesha had written 22 more songs that waiting to be completed, polished, and released. Kesha was provided with outside producers and Kesha and Kemosabe had agreed to work with about a dozen of them.[3]
On July 5, 2017, Kesha announced on social media platforms that "Praying" would be released the following day. The song was released along with its music video, alongside the album's pre-order.
The album was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, marking her first of two nominations.
Artwork
Brian Roettinger served as art director for Rainbow. Robert Beatty illustrated the album artwork with photography by Olivia Bee.[4] According to Kesha's Instagram story, the photoshoot took place on April 21, 2017.[5]
Singles
Promotional Singles
(2017)
Accolades
Rainbow appeared on several publications' year-end lists for 2017, as well as decade-end lists.
| Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXS | 10 Best Pop Albums of 2017 | ||
| Cosmopolitan | The 10 Best Albums of 2017 | ||
| Idolator | The Best Pop Albums & EPs Of 2017 | ||
| NPR | The 50 Best Albums of 2017 | ||
| People | 10 Best Albums of 2017 | ||
| PopSugar | The Best Albums of 2017, According to Us | ||
| Rolling Stone | 20 Best Pop Albums of 2017 | ||
| 50 Best Albums of 2017 | |||
| Time | The Top 10 Albums of 2017 | ||
| Yahoo! Music | The Best Albums of 2017: Yahoo Entertainment Staff Picks |
| Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard | The 100 Greatest Albums of the 2010s: Staff Picks | ||
| Rolling Stone | The 100 Best Albums of the 2010s |
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bastards" | Kesha Sebert | Drew Pearson • Ricky Reed | 3:51 | |
| 2. | "Let 'Em Talk" (feat. Eagles of Death Metal) | K. Sebert • Stuart Crichton • James Newton | Crichton | 3:05 | |
| 3. | "Woman" (feat. The Dap-Kings Horns) | K. Sebert • Pearson • Stephen Wrabel | Brody Brown • Pearson | 3:16 | |
| 4. | "Hymn" | K. Sebert • Pebe Sebert • Eric Frederic • Cara Salimando • Jonny Price | Price • Reed | 3:25 | |
| 5. | "Praying" | K. Sebert • Ben Abraham • Ryan Lewis • Andrew Joslyn | Lewis | 3:50 | |
| 6. | "Learn to Let Go" | K. Sebert • P. Sebert • Crichton | Reed • Crichton | 3:37 | |
| 7. | "Finding You" | K. Sebert • Frederic • Justin Tranter | Reed | 2:52 | |
| 8. | "Rainbow" | K. Sebert | Ben Folds | 3:38 | |
| 9. | "Hunt You Down" | K. Sebert • Richard Nowels | Nowels | 3:17 | |
| 10. | "Boogie Feet" (feat. Eagles of Death Metal) | K. Sebert • P. Sebert • Pearson | Pearson | 2:54 | |
| 11. | "Boots" | K. Sebert • Frederic • Tranter • Rogét Chahayed | Reed | 3:04 | |
| 12. | "Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)" (feat. Dolly Parton) | P. Sebert • Hugh Moffatt | Kesha • P. Sebert • Pearson | 4:26 | |
| 13. | "Godzilla" | P. Sebert • Nathan Chapman • Claire Wilkinson | Pearson • Reed | 2:08 | |
| 14. | "Spaceship" | K. Sebert • P. Sebert • Pearson | Pearson | 5:15 | |
| 15. | "Emotional" (Japanese bonus track) | K. Sebert • Wrabel • Pearson | Pearson | 3:44 | |
Total length: |
52:20 | ||||
Audio
Music videos
Merchandise
- Main article: Merchandise
Booklet and credits
Credits adapted from Tidal.[18]
- Chuck Ainlay – mixing engineer
- Nick Annis – guitar
- Justin Armstrong – engineer
- Heather Borror – violin
- David Boucher – mixing engineer
- Ben Bram – background vocals
- Gabriel Cabezas – cello
- Ingmar Carlson – assistant engineer, engineer
- Jon Castelli – mixing engineer
- Dave Catching – guitar
- Billy Centenaro – engineer
- Rogét Chahayed – piano, programming
- Sergio Chávez – engineer
- Kenton Chen – background vocals
- Rebecca Chung-Filice – cello
- Joe Costa – engineer
- Stuart Crichton – recording engineer, engineer, background vocals, programming
- Hannah Crofts – background vocals
- Robbie Crowell – keyboard
- Spencer Cullum – guitar
- Matt Dyson – assistant engineer
- Eagles of Death Metal – background vocals
- Jon Estes – bass guitar
- Kevin Estrada – recording engineer
- Shawn Everett – mixing engineer
- Faithful Central Bible Church Choir – choir
- Katie Faraudo – French horn
- Gary Ferguson – drums
- Jeremy Fetzer – guitar
- Ian Fitchuk – drums
- Robin Florent – assistant engineer
- Christopher Foerstel – viola
- Ben Folds – bass guitar, celesta, percussion, piano, timpani
- Chris Galland – mixing engineer
- Chris Garcia – mixing engineer
- Jeff Gartenbaum – assistant enginee
- Cochemea Gastelum – baritone saxophone
- Antonia Gauci – engineer
- Ira Glansbeek – cello
- Dave Guy – trumpet
- Bobby Holland – engineer
- Jesse Hughes – vocals, guitar
- Jeff Jackson – assistant engineer
- Ramage Jacobs – mandolin
- Andrew Joslyn – strings, violin
- Andrew Kamman – violin
- Theo Katzman – percussion
- Kesha – lead vocals, background vocals
- Ryan Lerman – background vocals
- David Levitt – electric guitar
- Sarah Malmstrom – violin
- Manny Marroquin – mixing engineer
- Seth May-Patterson – viola
- Matt McJunkins – bass guitar
- Kieron Menzies – mixing engineer
- Nate Mercereau – guitar
- Georgia Mooney – background vocals
- Rob Moose – violin
- Ryan Nasci – assistant engineer
- Rick Nowels – organ
- Garrett Overcash – violin
- Charlie Paakkari – assistant engineer
- Zack Pancoast – assistant engineer
- Drew Pearson – engineer, recording engineer, guitar, keyboard, piano, programming, banjo, bass guitar
- Tom Peyton – horn
- Tim Pierce – guitar
- Jonny Price – programming
- Ricky Reed – bass guitar, drums, guitar, programming, güiro, keyboard, piano
- Dean Reid – mixing engineer
- Fareed Salamah – engineer
- Pebe Sebert – background vocals
- Ethan Shumaker – engineer
- Alex Sopp – flute
- Michael Stankiewicz – mixing engineer, recording engineer
- Neal Sugarman – tenor saxophone
- Jorma Vik – drums
- Dave Way – engineer
- Ivan Wayman – assistant engineer
- Eli Weinberger – cello
- Lara Wickes – oboe
- Katherine Wighton – background vocals
- Saundra Williams – background vocals
- Danielle Withers – background vocals
- Trevor Yasuda – mixing engineer
| “ | THERE WAS A VERY LONG MOMENT, WHERE I NEVER KNEW IF I WAS GOING TO GET TO PUT OUT MUSIC AGAIN, EVER. SO. IF YOU'RE READING THIS THAT MEANS WE MADE IT.
My number one thank you is to my Animals. You have stood by patiently while I gained my strength and harnessed my power, faced my demons and fought like hell for my truth. I hope you enjoy this music. Making it has been what has gotten me through these past few years, my soul focus and the light at the end of very dark tunnel. Words cannot express the gratitude that I feel for your support through a time that I didn't know if I would or could make it out of. Thank you. To my family. Mam- you taught me to dream about changing the world, because only those-crazy enough to think we con will at least try. You taught me to work hard and always ash, because without asking, the answer will always be "no". Logon, you have been the best mon I have ever had in my life, and I am so lucky to have such a strong, smart and protective big brother. You are my rock. Louie, you reconnected me to my love of music and life. You have taught me so much about myself. You have so much joy and life in you and have become an amazing man. I'm so proud of you. Kalan, you're the best human I know. Thank you for always being there for me. Aunt Sonia for always always-answering my calls and saving all the special memories. Sandra, for taking good care of my brother and the nino's, and for being a great sister: I-love you and Rio and Luna with all my heart, Ellie. you're like my grandmother and the animal whisperer I aspire to be. Thank you for taking core of the pigeon I found 11 years ago still, to this day. To my Dub. Every day, every night, all the good. all the bod, all my love, all my crazy, every inch of my heart. you have it. I've never loved anyone as much as I love you, This record wrote for myself. It's farmy Animals, but it's for you, too Vector Management, Jack Rovner-thanks for the good. "aind for sticking around for the not so good. That's how must is built and I love and trust you Lagan Sebert, Frances Bowdery -MY team. For having my back, for all the long hours and hard work. Mark Mest Romero, Jim Srabile, Srandy Necessary. Nicole Hauer CAA, Rick Roshin, Kyle Vilensty Chris Doiston. Randy Soldeda -thanks for always helping me on stage with my fons fight where I belong. My happy ploce Jeff Schwarz or Tribeco Business Management, for always being there and watching my back. Elyse Lynn & Alice Lee To my musical collaborators thank you for believing in me my vision, my talent and mor importantly for helping me reconnect me with myself. Drew Pearson for your kindness and genius and for being such an encouraging and beautiful soul. Wrabel - you are such o gentle magic human. The music we have made has been the most raw and the most fun I have made in my entire life. Stuart Crichton-YOU are a fucking joy. I'm so grateful for your adventurous and always supportive spirit. Nicky Reed-you are so immensely talented and have created some seriously gnarly nose, I love it. Justin Tranter, you are a fucking star Ben Folds! I admire you so much! You are a legend. And every time we work together, it's a dream come true. I love you truddy: Love to the creur thar birough Rainbow to life Eagles of Death Meral-I'll love y'oll forever. Thank you for making my childhood dream come true. To the Dap-Kings and Soundia I am humbled and hanbred to have you all on "Woman"! Ryan Lewis and Ben Abraham, thank you for what is now the masterpiece that is "Praying. This song speaks to me on o molecular level, it is so cathartic. Rick Nowels - "Hunt You Down is fucking bodast and reminds me of the old-school country music i greve up on. Steelnm you are all insanely talented Last bur absolutely not least-Dolly Parton, I am er a loss for words, bur ler me try You are such a loving funny. smart, hard-working woman and you have been such a huge influence on me. Your songs are like the soundtrack for my life. and your mottos ore like verses from the Bible, quotes I live by I rear up every time I hear your voice and mine harmonizing together it still has not quite sunk in, and I'm not so sure, ift ever will. Thank you for being a wonderful role model for a Do worios lost in the world. You really have been one of my major compasses. Thank you for taking the time to sing with me I'm eternally grateful. This song with you's one of the greatest. achievements in my life. To all involved in mis sonic journey: I om so lucky the Universe connected me with such encouraging, healing human beings for this record The Creeples and dancers backlice, and touring family Nick Annis. Ellas Malin. Ted Gowans, Richie Kirkpatrick, Shaughn Adamshi, Brian Hart Steve Alexander, Jock Albeck, Logan Schyvyndk, Austin Westbay and Drew Curtis. Verario for the hair, make-up and beautiful long friendship You are a true artist. Shelby and your lirie baby bub. My RCA team Nick, Monica, Fleck, Joe, Comille, Mika, Jomie Jordan, and Tarek. To Perer. Tom. Keith and Katie for helping me make my albam "Rainbow" go from a few rough recordings and big ideas in my head to a real pressed record! Thank you for choosing to believe in me To the visual artists involved Jonas Akerlund, Isopc Ravishahara, Lagan Sebert, Brion Roettinger, Olivia Dee Robert Beatty. Sam Burkhar and their crews To Chelsea Gillis-you have helped me so much with everything thank you for being such a truly wonderful person, one who I must and love with all my hear. I don't know where I would be without you All I know is thar my life would not be nearly as wonderful without having you by my side (all the time), I appreciate you so much. Sushil to the entre Ashenfelter family for all of the love to my friends for keeping me grounded and chasing aliens and stick and poke tattoo nights and for just being there for me always, day or night. Y'all are my chosen family. Thanks to my cars for being the cutest cats in the Universe WE DID IT!! THANK YOU EVERYONE! THANK YOU UNIVERSE! -KESHA ROSE |
” |
Gallery
 "Click, click, snap!" To view the Rainbow (album) gallery, click here.
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Promotional Videos
Trivia
- Unlike all other versions of the album, Rainbow's vinyl cover has a skull in the water to the left of Kesha.[19]
References
- ↑ RIAA Certification – Rainbow
- ↑ https://www.popdust.com/kesha-has-written-a-really-weird-new-song-called-child-of-the-moon-1889976473.html
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/10/30/magazine/kesha-lawsuit-dr-luke.html
- ↑ https://www.itsnicethat.com/news/kesha-rainbow-album-artwork-robert-beatty-brian-roettinger-olivia-bee-graphic-design-070717
- ↑
- ↑ 10 Best Pop Albums of 2017
- ↑ The 10 Best Albums of 2017
- ↑ The Best Pop Albums & EPs of 2017
- ↑ The 50 Best Albums of 2017: NPR
- ↑ PEOPLE Picks the 10 Best Albums of 2017
- ↑ The Best Albums of 2017, According to Us
- ↑ 20 Best Pop Albums of 2017
- ↑ 50 Best Albums of 2017
- ↑ The Top 10 Albums of 2017
- ↑ The best albums of 2017: Yahoo Entertainment staff picks
- ↑ The 100 Greatest Albums of the 2010s: Staff Picks
- ↑ The 100 Best Albums of the 2010s
- ↑ https://listen.tidal.com/album/77079530
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20180907025922/https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/kesha-rainbow-2xlp
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