Warrior
Standard edition album cover
Studio album by
Kesha
ReleasedNovember 30, 2012 (2012-11-30)
RecordedJanuary–August 2012
Genre
Length44:27
58:43 (Deluxe edition)
Label
Producer
Kesha chronology
I Am the Dance Commander + I Command You to Dance: The Remix Album
(2011)		 Warrior
(2012)		 Deconstructed
(2012)
Singles from Warrior
  1. "Die Young"
    Released: September 25, 2012
  2. "C'Mon"
    Released: November 16, 2012
  3. "Crazy Kids"
    Released: April 29, 2013

Warrior is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Kesha, released on November 30, 2012, by Kemosabe and RCA Records. Its music incorporates a wide range of genres, including pop, EDM, rock, punk, rap, country, and folk. Kesha described the album as more personal than her previous material in addition to mentioning it was her attempt at reviving the rock genre, calling it a "cock pop" record. Its theme is said to be magic.

Writing for Warrior began in late 2011 and ended in early 2012, with recording taking place from January through August 2012. Kesha wrote the majority of the album while touring internationally and during her spiritual journey. Contributions to the album's production came from longtime collaborators Dr. Luke (who was also the executive producer of the project), Max Martin, Shellback, Ammo and Benny Blanco. It features guest vocals from American rock singer Iggy Pop, who has been cited as a major influence on the album, as well as writing contributions from Nate Ruess from American indie rock trio Fun, American rapper will.i.am, American singer-songwriter Bonnie McKee, the Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney, American rock bands the Strokes and the Flaming Lips and Kesha's own mother, Pebe Sebert. Upon its release, Warrior received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who commended its rock-influenced material, lyrical content, and collaborations, whilst others criticized its use of Auto-Tune and formulaic content. The album reached number six on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the United States, while also charting in Australia, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and other countries.

The album's lead single "Die Young" achieved commercial success, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, while also charting in multiple countries worldwide. "C'Mon" initially served as a promotional single, and peaked at number 27 in the US after its release as the album's second single. An acoustic extended play (EP), Deconstructed (2012), was released exclusively through Kesha's website to promote the fan edition of the album and features rerecorded songs from her previous releases as well as a cover of "Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You" (1980) by American country recording artist Dolly Parton and cowritten by Kesha's mother, Pebe. "Crazy Kids" was released as the third and final single from Warrior. In total, the album spawned three Top 40 hits in the US, Canada, and Australia. To promote the album, Kesha embarked on two concert tours: the first was the North American Tour 2013, coheadlined with American rapper Pitbull, and the second one was the Warrior Tour (2013–2015).

Background

In June 2010, Kesha discussed her second studio album with MTV News. During the interview she revealed that she was already beginning to think about her second album and explained that it was going to differ from her first record, specifically commenting that it would reflect her growth: "There's definitely going to be a difference. I'm always changing and evolving and because I write all of my own music it will be reflective of the record. It'll still stay fun and young and irreverent."[3] After the release of her first album Kesha embarked on her first worldwide tour, the Get Sleazy Tour throughout 2011. While touring she began writing songs for her second album but recording and other work on the album was not commenced until she had completed the tour.[4][5] The album was slated for a release in late 2011, but got delayed. It was then slated for a May 2012 release, but ultimately got delayed again due to Kesha still recording songs.

In 2011, the singer took a hiatus from music to embark on other ventures.[6] She was hired by the Humane Society and became their first global ambassador, which consumed her time as she made a documentary for National Geographic that revolved around "animals being abused and how to stop that, or animals that are going extinct and how to help those animals".[6] The album includes a variety of different musical participants, which was explained by the singer: "The range of artists I want to work with is so vast it's bizarre. If someone is a real artist, you can't confine them to a particular genre. It's my mission to make it all make sense somehow."[7] Along with expanding her collaborations, the singer expanded her musical repertoire, as she began playing the guitar significantly more with the plans of incorporating it into her new material.[8] In February 2012, while being interviewed by Glamour, Kesha stated that while she was currently in the process of writing songs for her album, she was also taking a variety of instrument lessons, emphasizing specifically that she was taking guitar lessons.[9]

Title and concept

In March 2011, Kesha revealed in an interview with Beatweek Magazine that she had already chosen the title for the record, naming it Spandex on the Distant Horizon.[10] However, in a publication in May 2012, Billboard stated that the project was untitled.[11] The album's underlying theme stems around embracing a person's inner warrior, which the singer elaborated on: "I've seen how many people my music can reach, and I've realized that I have somewhat of a social responsibility to make sure everything I say is positive. The underlying theme of this next record is warrior, with the positive message being that everyone has a warrior inside."[6] On September 18, 2012, via her Twitter and Instagram accounts, Kesha began announcing letters, believed to be from the title of the album, alluding to the name of the album title, Warrior. This was later confirmed when she tweeted the release date of the album.[12]

Production

Kesha worked with Lukasz Gottwald and Max Martin on a variety of tracks.[8] She also expressed interest in enlisting the production duo, the Dust Brothers, who are known for producing tracks for the Rolling Stones, the Beastie Boys and Beck, however no recording dates were ever penned. Her friend Paul Nicholls, a DJ, was also named as a potential participant in construction of the album. However, no recording dates with him have been recorded either.[8] According to MTV, Kesha entered the studio with Luke in January 2012. Both Kesha and Luke had been working on material for the upcoming project separately but had yet to start studio sessions prior to January.[13] Kesha reported via Twitter in March 2012 she was in the midst of recording the album with Luke and Benny Blanco. In the recording studio together they created a track described by the singer as a "cock-pop" influenced song.[14] This track was revealed to be "Thinking of You".[15]

Wayne Coyne of American rock band the Flaming Lips contributed to the album after learning Kesha was a fan of his work and after she worked on his band's album Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends (2012).

"I'm helping with some lyrics here and there. She's really a great songwriter. She has an easy way with things. I've worked with a lot of people that are very uptight about how they do their music, but she's very fun, so I don't really have any reservations about whether I don't like her music. I like her, and she likes us, so fuck it. I'm not too worried about it."[16]

—Coyne, on writing and working with Kesha.

Wayne Coyne from the Flaming Lips first expressed interest in working with Kesha in January 2012. Coyne said he knew she was a fan of his work and felt that a collaboration between the two would be a "perfect match".[17] The duo reportedly collaborated at the Lips' studio in January 2012.[18] A track called "2012" was created during a February recording session in Nashville and was released on the Lips' album, The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends. In March 2012, Coyne told Rolling Stone that he was in the development stages of talking to Kesha about working with her on her new material.[19] Along with "2012", Wayne and Kesha's first collaboration created three other songs, all of which belonged to Kesha. Coyne was later asked if he still intended to contribute to her album he responded, stating: "I'm trying to. I think we're getting together right before Easter. We've already done three songs-- they're hers".[16] According to Twitter messages by Coyne, recording between the duo continued in April 2012 and a track that discussed "futuristic sex toys" was created.[20] Coyne and Kesha revealed via Twitter that a song titled "You Control My Heart" was created. Coyne announced that he was in the process of mixing the song.[21] "Past Lives", a track described by Coyne as a "stellar track" was confirmed to be another collaboration between the pair.[22] Altogether, Coyne and Kesha's collaboration yielded between six and seven tracks.[23]

In mid April 2012, Billboard published an article claiming that Scottish producer Calvin Harris had contributed several tracks to the upcoming album. Their specific recording date was unknown.[24] In May 2012, Kesha continued to record with Dr. Luke and artist Sia, although this track did not make the final track listing.[25] Rock singer Iggy Pop was also revealed as a collaborator, when the singer tweeted a picture in May 2012 saying that the singer would feature on the record.[26] Billboard later confirmed Iggy Pop would feature on "Dirty Love", produced by Dr. Luke.[27] Kesha continued to work with Dr Luke and Benny Blanco, and with new collaborators Henry Walter and Fun. lead singer Nate Ruess – the four created a track described by Blanco as "old hippie rock".[28] That track was later revealed as "Die Young".[29] Kesha revealed that she and Dr Luke had created 17 incomplete songs, including "Last Goodbye", "Die Young" and "Supernatural". She commented on the sound, "I want it to be a mix of what works on the radio and what I listen to in my spare time", she says. "I'm on a steady diet of T. Rex and Iggy Pop."[30][31]

Composition

Iggy Pop's debut solo album The Idiot (1977), was cited as one of the album's main musical influences when Kesha was constructing the album's sound.

In contrast to her debut album Animal (2010), Kesha stated her second album would also incorporate rock genres, inspired from the music of the 1970s.[4][8] 1970s rock singers Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and Iggy Pop's album, The Idiot, were cited as musical inspirations for the next record.[8] Kesha stated in press that she intended to incorporate a confluence of genres, including blues music, saying, "I definitely want the next record to be experimental and I would love to play with all the different sounds of the music I listen to. I really want some dirty guitar and I wouldn't mind if there were elements of blues."[8] On her first record Kesha imposed a restriction on her producers limiting their use of guitars.[7] To encompass "visceral" energy on the record she lifted this restriction and instead has chosen to focus on the inclusion of guitars to try and capture the sound of the 1970s and '80s.[7] Commenting on the album before its release, she said: "Some people will be shocked [by it]. Some will also be excited to know that I don't just do silly white-girl rap. I'm from the South, I have a lot of soul. But trust me—it's not going to be some avant-garde jazz record. I innately write pop songs. That's just what I do."[6]

Kesha began recording the album in 2011, after traveling the world; she went on a spiritual journey. Recalling experiences of feeding baby lions and swimming with great white sharks, Kesha said, "I got hypnotized, and I just really wanted this record to be really positive, really raw, really vulnerable and about the magic of life."[32] "Supernatural" contains dubstep elements and explores erotic experiences Kesha encountered with ghosts.[33][34][35] The track "Dirty Love" was inspired by Iggy Pop's music and draws from garage rock and punk rock.[36] "Wonderland" is a country rock song that explores Kesha's past with her broke friends.[37][38] The tracks "Wherever You Are", "Die Young", "C'Mon" all contain elements of technopop,[39] whereas tracks like "Only Wanna Dance With You" and "Gold Trans Am" draw from electronic rock. "C'Mon" and "Crazy Kids" are electronic rap songs.[38] Overall, Kesha said the theme of Warrior is magic.[40] She further explained the main inspiration behind the album's change of sound:

"I feel like I don't necessarily agree, but people say that rock and roll is dead, and it is my mission and my goal to resurrect it in the form of my pop music, [...] that's the goal. We'll see what happens. That's a very ambitious and lofty goal, but that's my goal."[13]

Songs and lyrics

Kesha has said the songs are inspired by her experiences during her tours.[8] In contrast to her first record which featured music described by the singer as "very brash and very sassy and very unapologetic and irreverent", she says the second album makes a lyrical departure and explores a more vulnerable side in its lyrics.[13] She explained: "I have learned over the past three years of doing this that being vulnerable doesn't mean you're weak. I very much want to be seen as a strong woman, but I realize that vulnerability can also be a strength. So on my next record, you are going to hear probably a little more of that."[13] Kesha commented, in an interview with Rolling Stone, "The first two records talked more about partying, which is a great, magical part of life, but some songs on the new record are more personal and vulnerable. And you can hear more of the music I listen to when I'm lying in my bed. I'm not claiming that it's a rock record – but as long as it's fucking good, you can call it whatever you want."[30] Co-written by her mother, Pebe Sebert, the song titled "Gold Trans Am" doubles as a metaphor for her vagina and alludes to her actual automobile. Of the song, Kesha said: "It began as a song about my car, which is a gold Trans Am, and it works about 40 per cent of the time. I don't have another car because I love that one so much. But then like all great pop it became a metaphor for something else – my pussy."[41]

"C'Mon", the second single, serves as one of the album's many pop rap songs. In it, Kesha raps: "Saw you leaning against that old record machine/ Saw the name of your band written on the marquee/ It's a full moon tonight so we gettin' rowdy/ Yeah, we gettin' rowdy, get-get-gettin' rowdy".[42] Billboard called "C'Mon" a YOLO dance jam about taking hookups from the dance floor to the bedroom," adding that the lyrics were on par with Kesha's "Your Love is My Drug" fecklessly juvenile attitude.[38] A ballad, "Love into the Light", depicts Kesha at her most vulnerable, beginning with a string of confessions and culminating in a hopeful anti-bullying anthem.[38] Billboard praised the song for contrasting Kesha's trademark "glitter and Auto-Tune" persona, before highlighting "Past Lives" as the album's best track lyrically.[38] "Last Goodbye" tributes Neil Young's "For the Turnstiles", while "Only Wanna Dance With You" received accolades for being a collaboration with members of the Strokes' music.[43]

Marketing

The album was tentatively due to be released in May 2012, but was later announced with an official release date of December 4, 2012. It was originally expected to be released near the end of 2011 but the delay between albums was because Kesha wanted to try to make an album that could shift the sound of pop music into a more rock direction.[44][45] While being interviewed by the Calgary Herald she explained the delay and elaborated on this, stating: "I want to take enough time to make sure it's the reinvention of pop music. That's the ultimate goal, to reinvent pop music. So I'm planning on taking as much time as I need, but May sounds about right."[45]

Touring

In the summer of 2013, Kesha embarked on a co-headlined tour with Pitbull. The tour, North American Tour 2013, travelled across North America, hitting venues in the United States and Canada.[46] Since the joint tour did not cover any places outside of the US and Canada, Kesha decided to extend her tour and add more dates in other countries.[47] The Warrior Tour covers many places in Europe, venues throughout the US, and select places in Asia.[47] Many of the dates are parts of festivals and fairs such as Live at the Marquee Festival in Cork, Ireland, the Wireless Festival in London, England, and the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Illinois. Before the main tour, Kesha performed many promotional tour dates throughout late 2012 and early 2013. Those dates include stadium and TV concerts in Europe, America, Australia, and Asia in August, October, and November 2012, music festival performances in America in December 2012, more TV concerts, special music festival performances, and normal concerts in January, and February 2013 in Asia and America.

Promotional Tour Dates
Date City Country Venue
Asia[48]
August 18, 2012 Tokyo Japan QVC Marine Field
August 19, 2012 Osaka Maishima Summer Sonic Site
August 21, 2012 Tokyo Studio Coast
Australia[49][50]
November 6, 2012 Sydney Australia UNSW Roundhouse
November 7, 2012 Seven News Centre
North America[51]
November 17, 2012 Los Angeles United States Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
November 20, 2012 New York City Times Square
Europe
November 30, 2012 Stad Sweden Sweden XFactor Lot
December 1, 2012 London England London Studios
North America[52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61]
December 3, 2012 Los Angeles United States Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
December 4, 2012 Burbank Warners Brothers Studios
December 6, 2012 Los Angeles The X Factor Cbs Studio 36
December 8, 2012 Tampa, Florida Tampa Bay Times Forum
December 11, 2012 Fairfax Patriot Center
December 12, 2012 Atlanta Philips Arena
January 1, 2013 New York City Times Square
January 10, 2013 Las Vegas Haze Night Club
January 21, 2013 Washington DC 930 Club
January 26, 2013 Park City Park City Live
Asia
February 4, 2013 Tokyo Japan Harajuku Astro Hall

Singles

The album's lead single, "Die Young" was released on September 25, 2012.[62] The track was soon uploaded to Kesha's BMI following the Kesha's announcement of the single, and was co-written by Fun. lead singer Nate Ruess. Co-producer Benny Blanco described the track as "old hippie rock",[32] while Kesha described the track as "her favourite of the album".[28][29] A 35-second music video teaser was uploaded on September 12, 2012, onto her YouTube page. A second 29-second snippet, featuring Kesha's vocals, was uploaded on September 17, 2012. The same day, Kesha published the single's artwork onto her Twitter. The song premiered and impacted US radio on September 25, 2012. It was released in Europe on November 18, 2012, and the United Kingdom on November 25, 2012, debuting in the UK at 10.[63][64] The music video for the song premiered on November 8, 2012.

"C'Mon", which was previously released as the album's first promotional single, was also released as the official second single from the album.[65] It officially impacted U.S. mainstream radio in January 2013 and peaked at 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100, ultimately ending Kesha's string of consecutive top 10 hits. It was further released in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2013, and peaked at number 70 on the UK Singles Chart.[66] The official lyric video was released on December 7, 2012, followed by an official music video on January 11, 2013.[67]

"Crazy Kids" was released as the third single from Warrior. The song was released in a remixed form and features a guest verse by will.i.am, who is listed as one of the writers on the original solo version of the song.[68] It officially impacted contemporary hit radio on April 29, 2013, and rhythmic contemporary radio on May 7, 2013.[69] Crazy Kids peaked at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Number 19 on Mainstream Top 40 becoming Kesha's least successful single at the time. Crazy Kids also charted within Australia, United Kingdom, Belgium, South Korea, Canada, and others. It was made available for purchase as a digital download on April 30, 2013. The official music video for this version debuted on May 30, 2013. There are also two other official remixes: One featuring rapper Pitbull and one featuring rapper Juicy J.[68] In May 2013, the Juicy J remix reached U.S. rhythmic airplay and became available for purchase through digital venues.[70]

"Dirty Love" was released to Kesha's YouTube with an accompanying music video on New Year's Eve 2013.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic71/100[71]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[72]
The A.V. ClubB[73]
Entertainment WeeklyB[74]
The Guardian[75]
Los Angeles Times[76]
PopMatters[77]
Rolling Stone[2]
Slant Magazine[78]
Spin7/10[79]
USA Today[80]

Warrior received mostly positive reviews from music critics. On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 71 based on 19 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[81] Melissa Maerz of Entertainment Weekly gave it a positive review, graded it with a (B) and said: "Ke$ha's filthy jokes may be what separates her from her peers who practice ghost abstinence."[74] Drowned in Sound rated the album as eight-out-of-ten, called it "a party album on a mission" and mentioned: "Warrior is never dull, always fun, and frequently a thrillingly unpredictable ride."[82] BBC Music reviewer Nick Levine, was also positive on the album and wrote: "Taken as a whole, this is another surprisingly enjoyable album from a pop singer who has managed to broaden her approach without losing her USP."[1]

Slant Magazine gave a mixed review to the album, rated it as three-stars-out-of-five and said: "Most of Warrior sticks to Ke$ha's tried-and-true formula."[78] The Guardian reviewer went more critical on the record, blaming the artist for "decided not to fix what ain't broke", rated it two-stars-out-of-five and said: "auto-Tune, deployed all over the record, turns Kesha's voice into a robo-squawk, and not in a good way".[75] However, Elysa Gardner of USA Today felt that the release was "full of catchy, cannily produced tunes that promote self-indulgence as if it were a civil right, and either shrug off or embrace the risks posed by living in the moment".[80]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic went deeper to the album and praised the artist for picking up the best direction for her sophomore set, gave it four-stars-out-of-five and said: "It's a wall-to-wall party for the freaks, burnouts, outcasts, and misfits and if you don't get it that's your fault, not hers."[72] New York Times reviewers were also positive on the album and linked the influences to "drinking, sex, swearing, hard nights at the club" and confessed that "furtive surprise at the center of her project is sweetness, as it always was", suggesting that she can be a country star with "an option for her in five years or so, when she turns 30" and described the whole record as: "no revelation here, only strong fun".[83]

Commercial performance

Warrior debuted at number six on the Billboard 200, selling 85,000 copies in its first week.[84][85] The album underwhelmed compared to her debut LP, Animal, which charted at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold 152,000 copies in its first week of release.[85] In December 2018, the album received a gold certification in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling 500,000 copies in the country alone.[86] The album debuted at number 66 on the UK Albums Chart with 2,101 copies sold. It went on to peak at number 60 in that chart, selling just 37,000 copies to date in the country.[87]

"Die Young," the album's lead single, was an international hit, peaking at number two on the Hot 100. The single dropped down to number four, suffering massive airplay and sales cuts after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting caused the lyrics to be negatively interpreted by critics.[84] Second single "C'Mon" debuted at number 99 on the Hot 100,[88] peaking at 27[89] ending Kesha's string of top-ten hits that had accumulated since her debut single "Tik Tok".[90] "Crazy Kids" was released as the third single off Warrior and it charted in a number of countries including the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, South Korea, and others. Other charted songs include "Thinking of You" and the album's title track, "Warrior," which peaked at 14 and 25 respectively on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.[91]

Track listing

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Warrior.

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Warrior"
4:00
2."Die Young"
  • Dr. Luke
  • Benny Blanco
  • Cirkut
3:32
3."C'Mon"
  • Dr. Luke
  • Blanco
  • Cirkut
  • Wright[A]
3:34
4."Thinking of You"
  • Dr. Luke
  • Blanco
  • Cirkut
  • Wright[A]
3:04
5."Crazy Kids"
  • Dr. Luke
  • Blanco
  • Cirkut
3:50
6."Wherever You Are"
  • K. Sebert
  • Gottwald
  • Martin
  • Walter
  • Dr. Luke
  • Cirkut
3:58
7."Dirty Love" (featuring Iggy Pop)
  • Dr. Luke
  • Cirkut
  • Squire
2:44
8."Wonderland"
  • Dr. Luke
  • Kool Kojak
  • Cirkut
  • Wright[A]
3:42
9."Only Wanna Dance with You"
  • K. Sebert
  • Gottwald
  • Martin
  • Walter
3:31
10."Supernatural"
  • Dr. Luke
  • Cirkut
4:10
11."All That Matters (The Beautiful Life)"
  • Martin
  • Shellback
3:37
12."Love into the Light"K. SebertGreg Kurstin4:46
Total length:44:27
Deluxe edition bonus tracks[92][93]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Last Goodbye"
  • K. Sebert
  • Gottwald
  • Levin
  • Malik
  • Omelio
  • Walter
  • Dr. Luke
  • Blanco
  • Cirkut
  • Wright[A]
3:50
14."Gold Trans Am"
  • K. Sebert
  • Gottwald
  • Grigg
  • P. Sebert
  • Walter
  • Dr. Luke
  • Kojak
  • Cirkut
  • Wright[A]
3:20
15."Out Alive"
  • Ammo
  • Billboard
  • Wright[A]
3:31
16."Past Lives"K. Sebert
3:35
Total length:58:43
Japanese edition bonus tracks[93]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
17."Die Young" (Dallas K extended mix)
  • K. Sebert
  • Gottwald
  • Levin
  • Ruess
  • Walter
  • Dr. Luke
  • Blanco
  • Cirkut
5:49
18."Die Young" (My Digital Enemy remix)
  • K. Sebert
  • Gottwald
  • Levin
  • Ruess
  • Walter
  • Dr. Luke
  • Blanco
  • Cirkut
5:46
19."Die Young" (remix; featuring Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa and Becky G)
  • K. Sebert
  • Gottwald
  • Levin
  • Ruess
  • Walter
  • Jordan Houston
  • Cameron Thomaz
  • Rebbeca Marie Gomez
  • Dr. Luke
  • Blanco
  • Cirkut
4:03
Total length:74:21
Expanded edition[94]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
20."Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You" (Deconstructed mix)
  • Hugh Moffatt
  • P. Sebert
  • Kurstin
  • Sean Cimino
3:40
21."Blow" (Deconstructed mix)
  • K. Sebert
  • Åhlund
  • Gottwald
  • Grigg
  • Levin
  • Martin
Kurstin3:12
22."The Harold Song" (Deconstructed mix)
  • K. Sebert
  • Coleman
  • Kurstin
  • Cimino
4:55
23."Die Young" (Deconstructed mix)
  • K. Sebert
  • Gottwald
  • Levin
  • Ruess
  • Walter
Kurstin3:22
24."Supernatural" (Deconstructed mix)
  • K. Sebert
  • Gottwald
  • Martin
  • McKee
  • Walter
  • Kurstin
  • Cimino
4:27
Total length:93:17
Japan iTunes bonus tracks and Japanese limited edition bonus CD[95]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You" (Deconstructed mix)
  • Hugh Moffatt
  • P. Sebert
  • Kurstin
  • Sean Cimino
3:40
2."Blow" (Deconstructed mix)
  • K. Sebert
  • Åhlund
  • Gottwald
  • Grigg
  • Levin
  • Martin
Kurstin3:12
3."The Harold Song" (Deconstructed mix)
  • K. Sebert
  • Coleman
  • Kurstin
  • Cimino
4:55
4."Die Young" (Deconstructed mix)
  • K. Sebert
  • Gottwald
  • Levin
  • Ruess
  • Walter
Kurstin3:22
5."Supernatural" (Deconstructed mix)
  • K. Sebert
  • Gottwald
  • Martin
  • McKee
  • Walter
  • Kurstin
  • Cimino
4:27
Total length:18:56
Notes
  • ^A signifies a vocal record producer
  • ^B signifies an additional record producer
  • "Supernatural" contains a portion of the composition "Wouldn't It Be Good" (1984), written and performed by Nik Kershaw, published by Irving Music (BMI).
  • "Only Wanna Dance with You" contains a sample of "Last Nite" (2001), written by Julian Casablancas and performed by the Strokes.

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for Warrior
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[86] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for Warrior
Region Date Format(s) Edition(s) Label(s) Ref.
Australia November 30, 2012
  • Standard
  • deluxe
 Sony Music [117]
New Zealand [118]
United Kingdom December 3, 2012 [119]
United States December 4, 2012
  • Standard
  • deluxe
  • fan
 [120]
Philippines December 7, 2012 CD Deluxe Ivory [121]
Japan January 30, 2013 Limited deluxe Sony Music [122]
Various 2022 Vinyl Expanded [123]

Deconstructed EP

Deconstructed EP
EP by
Kesha
ReleasedNovember 30, 2012
Recorded2012
GenrePop
Length18:56
Label
Producer
Kesha chronology
Warrior
(2012)		 Deconstructed EP
(2012)		 Rainbow
(2017)

Deconstructed EP is the second extended play (EP) by Kesha, released digitally on November 30, 2012, alongside the album Warrior. The EP was also released as a bonus disc with the fan edition of the album, available only through her website in the United States. Deconstructed contains five tracks, four of which are new versions of Kesha's previous songs, and one being a cover of Dolly Parton's "Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You" (1980), co-written by Kesha's mother, Pebe Sebert.

The EP's version of "Die Young" (2012) has been described as a form of relaxed psychedelic pop. The new mix of "The Harold Song" (2010) includes relaxed vocals with a sawtooth wave bass synthesizer side-chained to a kick drum over a piano synth. Also included in the release are the techno-based mixes of "Blow" (2011) and "Supernatural" (2012). This version of "Supernatural" and "Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You" were released through Kesha's promotional scavenger hunt for Warrior on her website on November 30, 2012. Prior to this, the new mix of "Die Young" was released through Kesha's YouTube account and as a promotional digital download on November 23, 2012.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)"
3:40
2."Blow"
Kurstin3:12
3."The Harold Song"
  • K. Sebert
  • Joshua Coleman
  • Kurstin
4:55
4."Die Young"
Kurstin3:22
5."Supernatural"
  • Kurstin
4:27
Total length:18:56

References

  1. 1 2 Levine, Nick. "Ke$ha Warrior Review". BBC. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  2. 1 2 Rob Sheffield (December 4, 2012). "Warrior | Album Reviews". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  3. ↑ Barnett, Sophie (June 10, 2010). "The Singer Reveals Details About Her Follow-Up Record". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  4. 1 2 Montgomery, James (May 16, 2011). "Ke$ha Is Channeling 'Sexiness' Of '70s Rock For New Album". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
  5. ↑ O'Donnell, Kevin (February 11, 2011). "Ke$ha Talks U.$. Tour: "It's an Epic Dance Party"". Spin. Spin Media. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Sandberg, Patrik. "Born In The U.$.A". V magazine. p. 2. Archived from the original on November 1, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 Sandberg, Patrik. "Born In The U.$.A". V magazine. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 3, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Corner, Lewis (July 4, 2011). "Ke$ha interview: "I want to be f**king perfect"". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  9. ↑ Hill, Logan (February 2012). "Ke$ha: There's a Real Girl Underneath All That Glitter". Glamour. Condé Nast Publications. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Ke$ha reveals her next album title: Spandex on the Distant Horizon". Beatweek Magazine. March 8, 2011. Archived from the original on November 1, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  11. ↑ Maloy, Sarah; DelliCarpini Jr., Gregory (May 2, 2012). "Ke$ha Wants Collabs With Bieber & Keith Richards, Goes Americana for V Magazine Cover". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Kesha's new single could feature Rihanna". BigPond. Telstra. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Vena, Jocyelyn (January 3, 2012). "Ke$ha Looks Forward To An 'Absolutely Crazy' 2012 'People say that rock and roll is dead, and it is my mission and my goal to resurrect it,' singer says of her next album". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  14. ↑ Copsey, Robert (March 14, 2012). "Ke$ha making "c**k pop" music on new album". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  15. ↑ Staff (March 14, 2012). "Ke$ha: 'My new album is the dawn of cock pop' Singer reckons she's introduced a whole new genre..." NME. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
  16. 1 2 Fitzmaurice, Larry (April 5, 2012). "Wayne Coyne Talks New Flaming Lips Album, Working With Ke$ha and Coldplay, Blood". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  17. ↑ Hyman, Dan (January 12, 2012). "Bon Iver Confirmed for Flaming Lips Album. Frontman Wayne Coyne hopeful Ke$ha, Erykah Badu will also commit in time for an April release". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  18. ↑ Hogan, Marc (January 23, 2012). "Ke$ha Glitter Bombs the Flaming Lips' Studio". Spin. Spin Media LLC. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  19. ↑ Hyman, Dan (March 28, 2012). "Wayne Coyne in Talks to Collaborate on Ke$ha's New LP". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  20. ↑ Staff (April 10, 2012). "The Flaming Lips and Ke$ha recording song about 'futuristic sex toys'". NME. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  21. ↑ Maher, Cristin (April 18, 2012). "Snippets From Kesha + Wayne Coyne Collabo 'You Control My Heart' Released". Popcrush. Townsquare Media, LLC. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Wayne Coyne Speaks on Title of New Flaming Lips Album, Taking Drugs and Making a King Crimson Cover Album". mxdwn.com. August 16, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012. "I think at the moment, I think there's one pretty stellar track. It's her song, but where we've done some production. I think on the 21st of this month we're going in with Ben Folds, between us all we're coming up with a giant string arrangement that's going to go on that, we're going to record that... It is called, I think at the moment it's called "Past Life."
  23. ↑ Montgomery, James (April 24, 2012). "Ke$ha Gives Flaming Lips Frontman His First-Ever Toe Tattoo. Wayne Coyne talks about what happens when you work with 'freaks' like Ke$ha on The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends". MTV News. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  24. ↑ Hampp, Andrew (April 13, 2012). "Calvin Harris Is Done Singing Lead, Despite Solo Hits". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
  25. ↑ Colin, Daniels (May 19, 2012). "Ke$ha working with Sia on new material". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved May 19, 2012.
  26. ↑ Cospey, Robert (May 9, 2012). "Ke$ha confirms Iggy Pop collaboration for new album". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved May 19, 2012.
  27. ↑ "Ke$ha 'Really Close' to Finishing Album". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. August 3, 2012.
  28. 1 2 Stephen, Horowitz (July 17, 2012). "Pop Hitmaker Benny Blanco Talks 'Payphone' Success, Ke$ha's New Sound". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
  29. 1 2 "BMI – Repertoire Search". Repertoire.bmi.com. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  30. 1 2 Edwards, Gavin (July 20, 2012). "Massive Beats, Wild Nights and Crazy Tattoos: Ke$ha Rocks Out on New Album: T. Rex, Iggy Pop, Neil Young inspire pop star's second full-length album". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  31. ↑ Montgomery, James (July 20, 2012). "Ke$ha 'Gives So Many F—s' About Her New Album 'On this record, I said, 'Let's leave the tricks to a minimum and let me wail,' ' Ke$ha tells Rolling Stone about her 'vulnerable' album". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  32. 1 2 Sieczkowski, Cavan (September 25, 2012). "Ke$ha 'Die Young' Hits Airwaves, Party Anthem Boasts Stripped, 'Hippie Rock' Sound". The Huffington Post. AOL. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Ke$ha says she had 'sexy' experiences with a ghost: Who is the most 'out there' celebrity?". Fox News. News Corporation. September 27, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  34. ↑ "Ke$ha Admits To Having Sex With A Ghost". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  35. ↑ "Ke$ha reveals she had sex with a ghost". NME. IPC Media. September 26, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  36. ↑ Sager, Jessica (November 27, 2012). "Kesha + Iggy Pop Duet 'Dirty Love' Leaks". Pop Crush. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  37. ↑ Powell, Nicole. "Ke$ha's 'Warrior': What the Critics Are Saying". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  38. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ke$ha, 'Warrior': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  39. ↑ Zaleski, Annie (December 4, 2012). "Ke$ha: Warrior – Review". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  40. ↑ Marcus, Stephanie (September 27, 2012). "Ke$ha Says She Had Sex With A Ghost". The Huffington Post. AOL. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  41. ↑ Rach, Jessica (February 27, 2013). "Ke$ha compares her lady-garden to her car. Thanks for that". Heat. Bauer Media Group. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  42. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (November 19, 2012). "Ke$ha Releases 'C'Mon': Listen To The 'Rowdy' Track Now!". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  43. ↑ Rosen, Christopher (March 26, 2013). "The Strokes' 'Comedown Machine'; Or, Ke$ha Did This Better". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  44. ↑ Bell, Mike (September 5, 2011). "Ke$ha's wild child ride taking her from pop princess to rock goddess". Calgary Herald. Guy Huntingford. Archived from the original on September 13, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  45. 1 2 Corner, Lewis (August 12, 2011). "Ke$ha: 'My aim is to reinvent pop with new album'". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  46. ↑ Montgomery, James. "Ke$ha And Pitbull Team Up For North American Tour The unlikely duo — 'Kitbull?' — announce they're hitting the road together in May". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  47. 1 2 Depland, Michael (June 20, 2013). "Ke$ha Adds 'Warrior' Tour Dates & She's Bringing Semi Precious Weapons & Mike Posner Along For The Party! Get Tickets Here!". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  48. ↑ Sebert, Kesha. "Upcoming Events". Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  49. ↑ Lansky, Sam (November 6, 2012). "Ke$ha Performs "Die Young" Live On 'The X Factor' Australia". WCPO. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  50. ↑ "Watch: Ke$ha Wakes Up 'Sunrise' With 'Die Young'". Huffington Post. November 7, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  51. ↑ "Ke$ha Performs New Song 'Die Young' Live On The Today Show – Video". CAPITALFM.COM. November 22, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  52. ↑ Fm, Kiss (November 12, 2012). "monday, december 3". Kiss Fm. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  53. ↑ "Ke$ha Performs 'Die Young' on Conan, Tells Host About Ghost Sex in the Haunted 'Bone Zone' [Fresh Vids]". Nashville Scene. December 5, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  54. ↑ "C'Mon, Ke$ha! Watch Her FEROSH X Factor Performance HERE! –". Perez Hilton.com. December 7, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  55. ↑ "93.3 FLZ Jingle Ball". The Tampa Tribune. December 9, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  56. ↑ "HOT 99.5's Jingle Ball". HOT 99.5. December 2, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  57. ↑ "HOT 96.1's Jingle Ball". HOT 96.1. December 7, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  58. ↑ "Ke$ha, Sean Kingston, Others Ring In New Year 2013 'MTV's Club NYE 2013' also features performances by Rita Ora, Ne-Yo and Conor Maynard". MTV. January 1, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  59. ↑ "iHeartRadio Celebrates CES 2013 With An Exclusive Party At Haze Nightclub Featuring A Live Performance By Ke$ha". Zimbio. January 8, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  60. ↑ "KE$HA & KILL PARIS – SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL – PARK CITY LIVE". Facebook Events. January 26, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  61. ↑ "Musicians On Call". On Call. December 14, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  62. ↑ Kaufman, Gil. "Ke$ha's Down-And-Dirty Party Anthem 'Die Young' Leaks". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  63. ↑ "New Music Releases – New Songs: October 2012". Capital FM. Global Radio. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  64. ↑ Corner, Lewis (September 13, 2012). "Ke$ha whistles new single 'Die Young' on Tokyo subway – video". Digital Spy. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  65. ↑ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  66. ↑ "Ke$ha – C'Mon – Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved November 16, 2012.
  67. ↑ "Ke$ha debuts "C'Mon" lyric video". December 7, 2012. Archived from the original on April 6, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  68. 1 2 "Available for Airplay". FMQB. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  69. ↑ "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. April 29, 2013. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013.
  70. ↑ "May 2013 radio releases". FMQB. Kal Rudman. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  71. ↑ "Reviews for Warrior by Ke$ha". Metacritic. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  72. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Warrior – Ke$ha". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  73. ↑ Zaleski, Annie (December 4, 2012). "Ke$ha: Warrior | Music | MusicalWork Review". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  74. 1 2 Melissa Maerz (November 29, 2012). "Warrior – Kesha Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  75. 1 2 Caroline Sullivan (November 29, 2012). "Kesha: Warrior – review". The Guardian. London. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  76. ↑ Roberts, Randall (December 3, 2012). "Kesha channels her inner 14-year-old on 'Warrior': Album review". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  77. ↑ Sawdey, Evan. "Ke$ha: Warrior". PopMatters. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  78. 1 2 Sal Cinquemani (December 3, 2012). "Warrior – Slant review". Slant Magazine.
  79. ↑ Eddy, Chuck. "Ke$ha, 'Warrior' (RCA) | SPIN | Albums | Critical Mass". SPIN. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  80. 1 2 Gardner, Elysa (December 3, 2012). "Ke$ha is up for a fight on 'Warrior'". USA Today. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  81. ↑ "Critic Reviews for Warrior". Metacritic. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  82. ↑ Nellis, Krystina (2012). "Ke$ha – Warrior / Releases / Releases / Drowned In Sound". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
  83. ↑ BEN RATLIFF & NATE CHINEN (December 3, 2012). "New Albums From Kesha and Jon Irabagon". The New York Times. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
  84. 1 2 Lipschutz, Jason (December 20, 2012). "Ke$ha Releases Statement Explaining 'Die Young' Objections". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  85. 1 2 "Ke$ha's Album Sales: Singer's 'Warrior' Gets Lapped By Month-Old Taylor Swift Album". The Huffington Post. December 12, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  86. 1 2 "American album certifications – Kesha – Warrior". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  87. ↑ "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  88. ↑ Thompson, Erin (January 25, 2013). "Ke$ha Sticks to Her Winning Formula with "C'Mon"". Seattle Weekly. Archived from the original on June 14, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  89. ↑ "Ke$ha Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  90. ↑ Trust, Gary. "PSY Still Stuck At No. 2 as Maroon 5 Tops Hot 100 – "One More Night" spends a fifth week in the top spot, while Ke$ha crashes the Top 10". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  91. ↑ "Ke$ha Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  92. ↑ "Warrior (Deluxe Version)". iTunes. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  93. 1 2 "Warrior" (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  94. ↑ "Warrior (Expanded Edition)". Amazon Music. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  95. ↑ "Warrior [Limited Edition]" (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  96. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Ke$ha – Warrior". Hung Medien.
  97. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Ke$ha – Warrior" (in German). Hung Medien.
  98. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Ke$ha – Warrior" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  99. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Ke$ha – Warrior" (in French). Hung Medien.
  100. ↑ "ABPD CD - TOP 10 Semanal". (in Portuguese). Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos.
  101. ↑ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI.
  102. ↑ "Kesha Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard.
  103. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Ke$ha – Warrior". Hung Medien.
  104. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Ke$ha – Warrior" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  105. ↑ "Greekcharts.com – Ke$ha – Warrior". Hung Medien.
  106. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Ke$ha". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  107. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Ke$ha – Warrior". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  108. ↑ "「ウォーリア（初回生産限定盤）」 ＫＥ＄ＨＡ│オリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE". Oricon.co.jp.
  109. ↑ "Charts.nz – Ke$ha – Warrior". Hung Medien.
  110. ↑ "Mexicancharts.com – Ke$ha – Warrior". Hung Medien.
  111. ↑ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry.
  112. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Ke$ha – Warrior". Hung Medien.
  113. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Ke$ha – Warrior". Hung Medien.
  114. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  115. ↑ "Kesha Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  116. ↑ "Billboard 200 Albums - Year-End". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  117. ↑ "KE$ha Set To Release New Album In November! - Take 40". archive.ph. February 3, 2013. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  118. ↑ "Ke$ha to release second album 'Warrior' this November". The Edge. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  119. ↑ Ke$ha – Warrior (2012, CD), December 3, 2012, retrieved March 13, 2021
  120. ↑ "WebCite query result". www.webcitation.org. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2021. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  121. ↑ "WebCite query result". www.webcitation.org. Archived from the original on May 8, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2021. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  122. ↑ ケシャ, ウォーリア(初回生産限定盤), SMJ, retrieved March 13, 2021
  123. ↑ "Warrior (Expanded Edition) Vinyl – Kesha". keshastore.com.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.