Woman (Kesha song)
"Woman" is a song recorded by American singer Kesha and featuring the Dap-Kings Horns for her third studio album Rainbow (2017). It was released as the first promotional single from the album on July 13, 2017. The song was then released as the second US single, and third overall, from the album on January 23, 2018.
"Woman" | ||||
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Single by Kesha featuring the Dap-Kings Horns | ||||
from the album Rainbow | ||||
Released | January 23, 2018 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:16 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Kesha singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Woman" on YouTube |
Background and composition
In an essay for Rolling Stone, Kesha wrote:
[…] I realized that for most of my life I was intimidated to even try and run in the leagues of the people I look up to. With "Woman," I hope my fans will hear that wild spirit still strong inside me but this time it was created more raw, spontaneously and with all live instrumentation, which I found was a huge reason I loved the records I did love. There were one or two or 12 different people playing real instruments together, and all that real human energy is exciting and very fun to listen to. I wanted this song to capture that organic, raw, soulful sound and keep the imperfect moments in the recordings because I find the magic in the imperfections.
Later, Kesha revealed the real purpose of releasing the song - to protest Donald Trump in offense to his "pussy grabbing comment," according to her interview with Metro.co.uk. In another interview with Rolling Stone, she stated, "I just really love being a woman and I wanted an anthem for anyone else who wants to yell about being self-sufficient and strong."[2] Along with releasing the music video, she also released an essay detailing her intentions of writing the song and releasing it early from her album.
The song is performed in the key of F minor with a tempo of 115 beats per minute.[3]
Critical reception
Critics and fans alike praised the song. Rolling Stone called the song "funk-laden",[1] while Business Insider identified the song as "funk-filled pop."[4]
Commercial performance
"Woman" debuted at number 96 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending August 5, 2017, selling 19,000 copies in the United States according to Nielsen Soundscan.[5] Thanks to an array of dance remixes, "Woman" topped the Dance Club Songs chart on the issue dated December 23, 2017, becoming Kesha's third number one on that chart, and her first since "Timber" in 2014.[6]
Music video
The music video for the song was released on July 13, 2017.[7]
Live performances
The song was part of the setlist of Kesha's Rainbow Tour. She performed the song on Good Morning America, where she also performed "Praying". Kesha also performed the song at numerous iHeart Radio festivals. On January 22, 2018, Kesha released the official live version, which was recorded during her Rainbow Tour.
Usage in media
This song was included at the end of the 2017 Christmas Comedy film Bad Moms Christmas. This song was also featured in the 2020 DC Extended Universe film Birds of Prey with Kesha praising the usage of her song.[8][9]
Track listing
Digital download and streaming[10]
- "Woman" – 3:16
Digital download and streaming (Remixes)[11]
- "Woman" (Dave Audé Remix) – 3:25
- "Woman" (Rare Candy Remix) – 2:59
- "Woman" (Tobtok Remix) – 3:08
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United States (RIAA)[22] | Gold | 500,000 |
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Version | Label | Ref. |
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Various | July 13, 2017 | Original | Kemosabe | [10] | |
September 29, 2017 | Remixes | [11] | |||
United States | January 22, 2018 | Adult contemporary | Original |
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[23] |
January 23, 2018 | Contemporary hit radio | [8] |
References
- "Read Kesha's Poignant Essay About Celebratory New Song 'Woman'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2017-07-14.
- "Kesha Drops A Donald Trump Inspired Song - V Magazine". vmagazine.com. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
- "Spot On Track – The Spotify Tracker". www.spotontrack.com. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
- "Kesha explained how her new expletive-filled song 'Woman' is all about female empowerment". Business Insider. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
- Trust, Gary (July 28, 2017). "Hot 100 Chart Moves: Kesha's 'Praying' Keeps in Top 40 & 'Woman' Debuts". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- "Kesha & Camila Cabello Notch New No. 1s on Dance/Electronic Charts". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-11-21.
- (J. Aswad) Kesha Drops Another New Song, the F-Bomb-Filled ‘Woman’ (Watch) Published July 13, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2020
- "Top 40/M Future Releases - Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates". AllAccess Music Group. January 23, 2018. Archived from the original on January 11, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
- Jirak, Jamie (27 March 2020). "Kesha Loved Her Song Being in Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey". Retrieved 31 March 2020.
- Kesha (July 13, 2017). "Spotify – Woman". open.spotify.com.
- "Kesha - Woman (The Remixes)". Spotify. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- "ARIA Chart Watch #430". auspOp. July 22, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
- "Kesha Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
- "Kesha Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 24, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
- "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
- "Kesha Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
- "Kesha Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
- "Kesha Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
- "Kesha Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
- "Dance Club Songs - Year-end 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- "American single certifications – Kesha – Woman". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 20, 2018. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.
- Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases | Hot Adult Contemporary Rock Songs and Release Dates | ... at the Wayback Machine (archived January 12, 2018)