Rainbow cover art

  Studio Album · No. 3

Rainbow Songwriting Credits by Kesha

2017 Kemosabe / RCA Records 14 tracks 48 min

Produced by Rick Rubin, Zedd  ·  Engineered by Manny Marroquin (mixing), Drew Pearson (recording), Ethan Shumaker (recording)

Kemosabe / RCA Records Pop RockCountry PopPopFolk Rock
86%
Authorship
Artist

Holds writing credit on 12 of 14 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 12 / 14 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 14 tracks with documented writers, by whether Kesha carries a lyricist or composer credit.

86%
12 trackswritten by Kesha 2 tracksoutside writers
Kesha's roles on this album

Share of the 14 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist86%
Composer86%
Producer14%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

14
Tracks
18
Lyricists
14
Producers
2017
Released

Awards & Recognition 2

Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance (2018, Nominated)
Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album (2018, Nominated)
Data Insight

Rainbow shows the most diverse writing room in Kesha's catalog. Ryan Lewis co-produced and co-wrote "Praying"; Ben Folds co-produced the title track "Rainbow"; Richard Nowels co-wrote "Hunt You Down." Kesha is the sole author of "Bastards" and "Rainbow" (the title track) and co-writes 12 of the 14 tracks. Two tracks she did not write: "Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)" (written by Hugh Moffatt and Pebe Sebert, a cover duet with Dolly Parton) and "Godzilla" (written by Pebe Sebert, Claire Wilkinson, and Nathan Chapman).

Rainbow is the third studio album by Kesha, released in August 2017 on Kemosabe / RCA Records and produced by Rick Rubin and Zedd, among others. After a years-long legal battle with producer Dr. Luke, during which she alleged abuse and was contractually prevented from releasing new music, Rainbow was a triumphant and emotionally cathartic return, hailed by critics as one of the best albums of the year. Moving dramatically away from her electropop past, the album embraced rock, country, folk, and even a cappella gospel, with Kesha's raw voice center stage in a way her earlier work had rarely allowed. 'Woman' and 'Learn to Let Go' became anthems of survival and self-reclamation, and the gut-wrenching ballad 'Praying' became a cultural moment in the conversation about sexual abuse and recovery. Rainbow is widely considered Kesha's artistic masterpiece, a record of extraordinary emotional courage.

Track Listing & Credits 14 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Bastards
Kesha Sebert Kesha Sebert Eric FredericDrew PearsonNate Mercereau Kesha (Lead Vocals)
2
Let 'Em Talk
Kesha SebertJames NewmanStuart Crichton Kesha SebertJames NewmanStuart Crichton Kesha SebertStuart Crichton Kesha (Lead Vocals)Eagles of Death Metal (Vocals)
3
Woman #96
Kesha SebertDrew PearsonStephen Wrabel Kesha SebertDrew PearsonStephen Wrabel Brody BrownDrew Pearson Kesha (Lead Vocals)The Dap-Kings Horns (Horns)
4
Hymn
Kesha SebertCara SalimandoEric FredericJonny PricePebe Sebert Kesha SebertCara SalimandoEric FredericJonny PricePebe Sebert Eric FredericJonny Price Kesha (Lead Vocals)
5
Praying #22
Kesha SebertRyan LewisAndrew JoslynBen Abraham Kesha SebertRyan LewisAndrew JoslynBen Abraham Ryan LewisJon Castelli Kesha (Lead Vocals)
6
Learn to Let Go
Kesha SebertStuart CrichtonPebe Sebert Kesha SebertStuart CrichtonPebe Sebert Eric FredericStuart Crichton Kesha (Lead Vocals)
7
Finding You
Kesha SebertEric FredericJustin Tranter Kesha SebertEric FredericJustin Tranter Eric Frederic Kesha (Lead Vocals)
8
Rainbow
Kesha Sebert Kesha Sebert Ben FoldsRob Moose Kesha (Lead Vocals)
9
Hunt You Down
Kesha SebertRichard Nowels Kesha SebertRichard Nowels Richard Nowels Kesha (Lead Vocals)
10
Boogie Feet
Kesha SebertDrew PearsonPebe Sebert Kesha SebertDrew PearsonPebe Sebert Drew Pearson Kesha (Lead Vocals)Eagles of Death Metal (Vocals)
11
Boots
Kesha SebertEric FredericRogét ChahayedJustin Tranter Kesha SebertEric FredericRogét ChahayedJustin Tranter Eric FredericNate MercereauRogét Chahayed Kesha (Lead Vocals)
12
Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)
Hugh MoffattPebe Sebert Hugh MoffattPebe Sebert Kesha SebertPebe SebertDrew Pearson Kesha (Lead Vocals)Dolly Parton (Vocals)
13
Godzilla
Pebe SebertClaire WilkinsonNathan Chapman Pebe SebertClaire WilkinsonNathan Chapman Eric FredericDrew Pearson Kesha (Lead Vocals)
14
Spaceship
Kesha SebertDrew PearsonPebe Sebert Kesha SebertDrew PearsonPebe Sebert Drew Pearson Kesha (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 27 contributors

KS
Kesha Sebert
Writer · Producer
On this album12 written
PS
Pebe Sebert
Writer · Producer
On this album6 written
DP
Drew Pearson
Writer · Producer
On this album3 written
EF
Eric Frederic
Writer · Producer
On this album3 written
SC
Stuart Crichton
Writer · Producer
On this album2 written
JT
Justin Tranter
Writer
On this album2 written
JP
Jonny Price
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
RN
Richard Nowels
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
RC
Rogét Chahayed
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
RL
Ryan Lewis
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
AJ
Andrew Joslyn
Writer
On this album1 written
BA
Ben Abraham
Writer
On this album1 written

More from Kesha

2010 100%
Animal
RCA Records / Kemosabe Records
14 tracksProd. Dr. Luke
2012 100%
Warrior
RCA Records / Kemosabe Records
12 tracksProd. Dr. Luke
2020 0%
High Road
Kemosabe / Atlantic Records
15 tracksProd. various
2023 92%
Gag Order
Kemosabe / Atlantic Records
13 tracksProd. Rick Rubin
2025 100%
Period
Kesha Records
11 tracks

Frequently Asked Questions Rainbow

Did Rainbow by Kesha receive Grammy nominations?
Yes, Rainbow received two Grammy nominations at the 60th Grammy Awards in 2018: Best Pop Vocal Album for the album itself, and Best Pop Solo Performance for the single "Praying." These were Kesha's first-ever Grammy nominations. The album was widely considered one of the best albums of 2017.
Who wrote Praying by Kesha on Rainbow?
"Praying" was co-written by Kesha, Ryan Lewis, Andrew Joslyn, and Ben Abraham. Ryan Lewis (of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis) co-produced it with Jon Castelli. The song was written about Kesha's experience during the legal dispute with Dr. Luke and addresses forgiveness and survival. It peaked at number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Who duets with Kesha on Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You) on Rainbow?
Dolly Parton duets with Kesha on "Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)" on Rainbow. The song was originally written by Hugh Moffatt and Pebe Sebert (Kesha's mother) and first recorded by Dolly Parton in 1980. Kesha and Parton co-produced the version on Rainbow with Drew Pearson.
Who wrote Bastards by Kesha on Rainbow?
"Bastards" was written solely by Kesha Sebert, she is the only credited lyricist and composer. Alongside the title track "Rainbow," it is one of two tracks on the album with no outside co-writers. The song was produced by Eric Frederic, Drew Pearson, and Nate Mercereau and opens the album.
What did Praying by Kesha peak at on the Billboard Hot 100?
"Praying" reached number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100 after its release in July 2017. Despite a modest chart peak, the song became a significant cultural touchstone in the context of the #MeToo movement and received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 60th Grammy Awards.
Did Kesha write all songs on Rainbow?
Kesha co-wrote or solely authored 12 of the 14 tracks on Rainbow. Two tracks were written without her involvement: "Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)" (written by Hugh Moffatt and Pebe Sebert) and "Godzilla" (written by Pebe Sebert, Claire Wilkinson, and Nathan Chapman). Of her 12 co-writes, "Bastards" and the title track "Rainbow" are entirely her own compositions.
Who produced Rainbow by Kesha?
Rainbow was produced by a wide collaborative team rather than a single executive producer, including Rick Rubin, Zedd, Ryan Lewis (for "Praying"), Ben Folds and Rob Moose (for the title track "Rainbow"), Eric Frederic, Drew Pearson, Richard Nowels, Stuart Crichton, and Brody Brown. Manny Marroquin handled the primary mixing duties.

Sources

Wikipedia: Rainbow (Kesha album) MusicBrainz: Rainbow (release group) Cover Art Archive: Rainbow Cover Art Archive: Rainbow by Kesha