Kesha was robbed.
We were riding along in the car today, and "Praying" by Kesha came on. I jubilantly turned it up, and Sean went like this:
I said, "What? Do you not like this song?" And he was quiet. I said, "Is it because I scream-sing it every time it comes on?" And he stayed quiet. And then I said, "Is it because I rant about the 2018 Grammys every time it comes on?" And he was like, "Yes. All of the above."
I LOVE THIS SONG.
I can't help but sing it super loud and passionately, and then I don't miss a beat going into my rant the second it's over. I'm going to type out that rant, but let me throw in a little disclaimer here:
I don't know, really, anything about the music industry. Or the Grammys. Or Ed Sheeran. Or Kesha for that matter. But that hasn't kept me from having a super strong opinion about what went down in 2018.
Welcome to my restaurant. I'll be your server, and tonight's menu has only one item: Cold, Hard Natalie Truth. This is how I feel, world. Take it, or leave it.
First, a quick recap of what happened at the 2018 Grammys: Best Pop Solo Performance went to Ed Sheeran for "Shape of You." Other nominees in this category: "Praying" by Kesha, "Million Reasons" by Lady Gaga, "Love So Soft" by Kelly Clarkson, and "What About Us" by Pink.
My opinion: Kesha was robbed.
Hear me out. Let's look at it this way: You have the opportunity to give a well-deserved Grammy to someone who wrote a badass ballad about overcoming assault and abuse in the time of the #MeToo and Time's Up movements. Instead, you give it to a dude who wrote a song about how "the club isn't the best place to find a lover, so the bar is where [he goes.]"
Not only does this song have NO substance, but ED SHEERAN WASN'T EVEN THERE. He was not even present to accept his stupid award.
Now, I'm not saying I don't like "Shape of You." It's a catchy song, and I've always liked Ed Sheeran. But it did not deserve the Grammy over any of those women that night.
Kesha had this to say about "Praying": "This song is about coming to feel empathy for someone else even if they hurt you or scare you. It's a song about learning to be proud of the person you are even during low moments when you feel alone."
I don't know if Ed Sheeran wrote anything about "Shape of You," but I would imagine he would have said something like, "Yeah, I usually go to clubs, but it's easier to get chicks at bars, so we went to a bar instead. I met this girl who was really hot. So. Yeah."
Robbed, I tell you. ROBBED.
In 2018, we had the opportunity to let female artists everywhere know that we're behind them and we support them. And we failed.
Taylor Swift has reinvented herself 5+ times, and she's only 30. Why? Because women "age out" of the industry faster. (If you haven't watched Miss Americana on Netflix, do. it.)
In 2017, Taylor was groped while TAKING A PHOTO with someone. That means there's photographic evidence of the assault happening. She sued the guy for $1 just to make a point, and people got their panties in a wad. "Always playing the victim!" Homegirl had some perv's hand UP HER SKIRT, and people got on her case for being upset.
Kesha was mentally abused by Dr. Luke to the point of nearly losing her life. She developed an eating disorder because of the things he said to her and the way he treated her. She did not win her lawsuit against him, and it almost broke her creatively.
We have every right to feel our feelings, and the fact that Kesha took this experience and turned it into a raw, emotional, passionate, beautiful song shows her strength.
Meanwhile, while she was conquering her demons, Ed saw some chick at a bar and wrote a song about it, which is fine, but IT WAS NOT AN AWARD-WINNING SONG. Not when it's up against "Praying," that's for sure.
Anyway, here are the lyrics to Kesha's masterpiece. Enjoy.
Well, you almost had me fooled
Told me that I was nothing without you
Oh, but after everything you've done
I can thank you for how strong I have become
'Cause you brought the flames and you put me through hell
I had to learn how to fight for myself
And we both know all the truth I could tell
I'll just say this is "I wish you farewell"
I hope you're somewhere prayin', prayin'
I hope your soul is changin', changin'
I hope you find your peace
Falling on your knees, prayin'
I'm proud of who I am
No more monsters, I can breathe again
And you said that I was done
Well, you were wrong and now the best is yet to come
'Cause I can make it on my own, oh
And I don't need you, I found a strength I've never known
I'll bring thunder, I'll bring rain, oh
When I'm finished, they won't even know your name
You brought the flames and you put me through hell
I had to learn how to fight for myself
And we both know all the truth I could tell
I'll just say this is "I wish you farewell"
I hope you're somewhere prayin', prayin'
I hope your soul is changin', changin'
I hope you find your peace
Falling on your knees, prayin'
Ah sometimes, I pray for you at night, oh
Someday, maybe you'll see the light
Whoa oh oh oh, some say, in life, you're gonna get what you give
But some things only God can forgive
Yeah! (I hope you're somewhere prayin', prayin')
I hope your soul is changin', changin'
I hope you find your peace
Falling on your knees, prayin'