"Only Love Can Save Us Now" is a song by American singer-songwriter Kesha from her fifth studio album, Gag Order (2023). Ahead of the album's release, the song was issued as its third single on May 17, 2023, alongside a lyric video. The track was written and produced by Kesha, Stint, and Jussifer, with additional production by Rick Rubin.
| "Only Love Can Save Us Now" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Kesha | ||||
| from the album Gag Order | ||||
| Released | May 17, 2023 | |||
| Studio | Shangri-La | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:34 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
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| Kesha singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Only Love Can Save Us Now" on YouTube | ||||
Background
editKesha appeared on an episode of CBS' 60 Minutes, that featured her recording vocal takes at Shangri-La with a gospel choir and Rick Rubin.[4] Three days after the premiere, the singer went on Instagram Live to preview the song.[citation needed] She announced the single's release on May 15, 2023.[5]
The track was partially written as a LGBTQ anthem as Kesha observed injustices that the community faces in the US. "Saying it's heartbreaking is not enough," the singer said in her 2023 Self cover story, "I don't have the answer, and I'm not a politician, but that's the energy. It gets really exhausting seeing attack after attack after attack on the queer community."[6]
Composition and lyrics
editThe song lasts 2 minutes and 34 seconds and features the singer rapping about the problems she faces daily. Lyrically, the song features Kesha looking to a higher power in difficult times and contains many religious references. She described it as a "push and pull" of "control and struggle".[7] The track mixes contrasting genres and opens with an electronic production before transitioning to acoustic guitar on the chorus as Kesha praises the power of love while backed by a gospel choir.[1] The song also contains elements of country, gospel, and soul.[2][3] Her idea for the single was to sonically blend "aggressive expression" and "euphoria".[7] The singer also alludes to her legal issues with producer Dr. Luke, whom she sued for alleged sexual assault and battery, with lyrics: "I'm getting sued because my mom has been tweeting/ Don't fucking tell me that I'm dealing with reason." According to Kesha on her social medias, the song is a "desperate and angry prayer" and reflects on her "mental pendulum swings".[8]
Critical reception
editAlex Rigotti of Clash named "Only Love Can Save Us Now" the highlight of the album and a "beautifully euphoric anthem", praising Kesha's rap flow.[2] Gay Times' Conor Clark called the song an "epic club banger".[9]
Music video
editThe official music video was announced on June 14, 2023 with a teaser video for "Only Love Reprise". The video was released the following day and was directed by Vincent Haycock, who was the creative director for Kesha's album. It is the only single off the album to receive a proper music video, rather than a visualizer. The video starts off with a man wearing a skin-tight body suit with Kesha's face on it running in traffic and pouting on a sidewalk. The video is intercut with shots of a person mummified in red cellophane sitting in a folding chair, fuzzy ottoman in a red room wearing a mask, and Kesha in an art gallery filled with bemused patrons who look at her in disdain at as she convulses on the floor and raises her hands to the heavens.[10]
Live performances
editKesha performed the song on Vevo live for the first time on May 24, 2023.[11] On June 15, 2023, she performed "Only Love Can Save Us Now" at iHeartRadio's "Can't Cancel Pride" event.[12] An acoustic performance was included on Kesha's third extended play, Gag Order (Live Acoustic EP from Space). The song was included in the setlist for the Only Love Tour as the opening number.
Track listing
editDigital download and streaming[13]
- "Only Love Can Save Us Now" – 2:34
Digital download and streaming (remixes)[14]
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Formats | Version | Labels | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | May 17, 2023 | Original | [13] | ||
| June 23, 2023 | Remixes | [14] |
Charts
editReferences
edit- ^ a b McIntyre, Hugh (May 17, 2023). "Kesha Releases New Song Only Love Can Save Us Now". MetroWeekly.
- ^ a b c d Rigotti, Alex (May 19, 2023). "Kesha – Gag Order". Clash. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
- ^ a b Attard, Paul (May 17, 2023). "Kesha Gag Order Review: A Disarmingly Strange Musical Thesis Statement". Slant Magazine. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ "Rick Rubin: The 60 Minutes Interview". CBS News. January 15, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ Kesha [@KeshaRose] (May 15, 2023). "ONLY LOVE CAN SAVE US NOW. MAY 17" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ Spiegel, Amy R (June 20, 2023). "Kesha Knows Exactly What She Wants to Say". SELF.
- ^ a b Hires, Valentina (September 2023). "Kesha". CAP 74024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ Fu, Eddie (May 17, 2023). "Kesha's "Only Love Can Save Us Now" Looks to Higher Power". Consequence. Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ Clark, Conor. "Kesha releases epic club banger Only Love Can Save Us Now". Gay Times. Archived from the original on May 21, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ Grow, Kory (June 15, 2023). "See Kesha's 'Only Love Can Save Us Now' Video – Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
- ^ Zemler, Emily (May 25, 2023). "Kesha Channels Emotion into 'Only Love Can Save Us Now' Performance – Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ Gonzalez, Rebekah (June 15, 2023). "Kesha Teases 'Gag Order' Tour At Can't Cancel Pride 2023". iHeartRadio. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
- ^ a b "Only Love Can Save Us Now by Kesha on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ a b "Only Love Can Save Us Now (Remixes) by Kesha on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Latvia Weekly Chart: Jul 20, 2023". TopHit. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Latvia Monthly Chart: July 2023". TopHit. Retrieved July 20, 2024.