Good Kesha Songs

Now that I'm thinking about this, I don't know why I didn't cover Kesha sooner. She's officially dropped the $ from her name, so to respect her new-found self-image, I won't use it in her name from now on, either.

Okay, so why in the world would I ever feel the need to bring up ten songs from Kesha that are actually good? Maybe it's her overuse of auto-tune? Thinly scored music? Repetitive four-on-the-floor beat patterns and an attitude with a capital A? All are points made by the Kesha haters, that and the proclamation that she can't sing and has zero talent as a singer and songwriter. 

Maybe that's true with her singles, but I can assure you, there are other gems on her albums that prove she can write a dynamite pop song and keep the trashy image to a minimum (but still there all the same. She's bratty not classy, get over it). I have to tell you, though, with so many catchy and ear-wormy songs in her catalogue, it was hard to narrow her best songs down to ten, but I was able to keep her absolute best material here for you to see. And later hear. Wink Wink:

1. "Kiss N Tell" from "Animal" (2010)
Why it's good: The trashy party girl image is still here, but in a shocking turn of events, its her boyfriend that was the slut last weekend. Over a dance-pop beat, Kesha effectively dumps her cheater boyfriend and harshly gives him the deuces. 

2. "Party at a Rich Dude's House" from "Animal" (2010)
Why it's good: Aside from the title, the musical content of this song is about as Kesha as it gets: pounding basslines with a single guitar riff and a bunch of synth noise to flesh it out. And some lyrics about having a party...at a rich dude's house. It's gloriously dumb fun.

3. "Animal" from "Animal" (2010)
Why it's good: This is perhaps the best track on Kesha's debut, because it's actually tasteful and doensn't assault the senses. It has some of her most confident vocals, and there's more going on beneath the surface than just a beat pattern and singular note chords.

4. "C U Next Tuesday" from "Cannibal" (2010)
Why it's good: Once again, the title of this song is just...lolololol. But for cereal, this song teases and taunts, but never goes for the tacky or gross. Well, at least not as much as you'd expect. And the music is distant, cold, and reserved, the perfect chill this song needed.

5. "Warrior" from "Warrior" (2012)
Why it's good: It's her best album to date, so we might as well start from the beginning with the title track. It's a P!nk-styled underdog empowerment anthem that features Kesha's vocals in full force, and the music borders on electroclash. I like it already.

6. "Wonderland" from "Warrior" (2012)
Why it's good: This song proves that Kesha can sing. That's one reason why it's good, the other is that this is the most classy, tasteful, and musically rich song she's ever made. She dabbles in some roots and country-rock while keeping the foundation undeniably pop.

7. "Love into the Light" from "Warrior" (2012)
Why it's good: Kesha wrote all the lyrics herself and even came up with the melody, producer Greg Kurstin just provided the stark, chilly background music that gets under your skin. Its another plea to ditch the hate and embrace the light of life.

8. "Last Goodbye" from "Warrior" (2012)
Why it's good: There's an acoustic version of this song somewhere that really proves Kesha's vocal prowess, but the dance-pop version works just as well. It's another bluesy, folky song that fuses dance elements with its pop ambience. And the lyrics are pretty good too.

9. "Gold Trans Am" from "Warrior" (2012)
Why it's good: Kesha was born to be a rock star, and this song proves it. It's what Joan Jett would sound like if she were a blonde in the 2010s. It's nasty, hard-rock that keeps the mood light and the profanities abundant. It's also insanely catchy and promotes feel-good times.

10. "Out Alive" from "Warrior" (2012)
Why it's good: Kesha saved the best tracks on her sophomore album for the deluxe edition, and this is perhaps the best out of all of them. It's straight-up electronic dance music with her fierce vocals mixed with Dr. Luke's hooky, abrasive production. Simply marvelous.

Obviously, you should get yourself a copy of "Warrior" if you're down for the classy, artistic Kesha. If you want the soundtrack to the best and biggest dance party of your life, get "Animal" and "Cannibal". If there's one thing Kesha can always achieve, it's making some pretty kick-ass pop.