The year 2009 stands out as one of the greatest in pop music, thanks in large part to the rise of dance and synth-pop hits. It was the same year that marked the debut of Kesha’s breakout track “TiK ToK,” which quickly became one of the defining pop anthems of 2009. With its high-energy tone, it’s truly impossible for many not to sing and dance along unapologetically to the song’s infectious beat. However, there’s one problem: the line “Wake up in the mornin’ feelin’ like P. Diddy,” hasn’t aged well, especially in light of the controversies and sexual misconduct allegations against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.
The song, which embodies a carefree, life-of-the-party spirit, subtly hints at the lavish extravagance that P. Diddy once lived — the same kind of wealth that allegedly gave him the power to commit such harrowing acts. Sadly, the song is also linked to Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald, the now-disgraced record producer whom Kesha accused of emotional and sexual abuse. Given all this, how well is “TiK ToK” holding up today?
Why “TiK ToK” Could Only Work With Kesha Behind the Mic
To answer the question, “TiK ToK” is still the same dance-pop track it was back in 2009. Its imprint is nearly impossible to erase and will forever be associated with Kesha. Not only was it Kesha’s debut song, but it was also one of her most successful and popular singles. On the surface, the song is about leading a carefree life, encouraging listeners to let loose and embrace life as it is. But what tainted it were the people tied to it. Kesha, formerly stylized as Ke$ha, in 2014 sued one of the song’s producers, Gottwald, for “physical, sexual, verbal and emotional abuse over a 10-year period,” alleging that the music producer drugged and sexually abused her while she was unconscious at a 2005 party. The singer said that the producer caused her “severe depression, post-traumatic stress, social isolation, and panic attacks.” Both parties reached a settlement in 2023.
In addition to the controversy surrounding one of the song’s producers, the P. Diddy line made “TiK ToK” all the more contentious. But in true “TiK ToK” fashion, “the party won’t start” till Kesha walks in. Staying true to everything she stands for, Kesha changed the 2009 song’s opening line to “Wake up in the morning feeling just like me” during a performance at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, in response to the accusations of sexual misconduct against Combs. The musician, now 38, plans to sing only the updated version moving forward. Later, during Renée Rapp’s Coachella 2024 set, the two performed a surprise duet of “TiK ToK” and made another bold lyrical change: “Wake up in the morning, like, ‘F-ck P. Diddy,’” while holding their middle fingers up. Combs was recently acquitted of the most serious accusations, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, but was found guilty on lesser charges.
Related
Oops!… I Hear It Again: How Britney Spears Shaped a New Generation of Pop Stars
The pop princess has paved the way for these Gen Z favorites.
Kesha Plans to Re-Record New Version of “TiK ToK”
“TiK ToK” remained one of the most popular pop songs of the late 2000s and undeniably cemented Kesha’s place in the pop music scene. Featured on her debut studio album, Animal, the single brought Kesha her first Billboard Hot 100 entry, helping the album achieve commercial success. Years later, the song’s significance to her career is still felt today. In a 2024 X (formerly Twitter) post, Kesha reflected on what “TiK ToK” means to her. She also revealed her plans to re-record her earlier music as soon as she secures the legal rights to do so. She wrote:
“TiK ToK was the first single that I put into this world that had my voice AND my name credited. I remember making it fun and happy because that’s how I felt and wanted others to feel. What I’m so proud of is that’s how this song STILL makes me feel, through it all, and those are emotions I want all of us to connect to … I see this song as a snapshot into the way I saw the world at the time. That girl was naive and wild and playful. This song eternalizes a side of myself that I love very much, and now see I have to protect fiercely. The world has changed so much and so have I. I absolutely love the new lyric change … Yes it is permanent. I will re-record it when I have legal rights to! Now, my first baby stands for so much. It stands for fiercely protecting my fun and unadulterated joy, in myself and in others. The whole ride has been absolute insanity, but the JOY is still riding.”
Apart from “TiK ToK,” some of Kesha’s popular tracks include “Your Love is My Drug,” “We R Who We R,” “Die Young,” “Timber,” “Praying,” and more.