"True Colors"
Song by Zedd featuring Tim James
from the album True Colors
Recorded2015
Length3:48
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

"True Colors" is a song by Russian-German electronic music producer Zedd. The original version of the song featured vocals by Tim James and was included on Zedd's second studio album of the same name (2015).[1]

Grey remix

On March 8, 2016, DJ duo Grey released their official remix of "True Colors".

Zedd and Kesha version

"True Colors"
Single by Zedd and Kesha
from the album True Colors
ReleasedApril 29, 2016 (2016-04-29)
Recorded2016
Genre
Length
  • 3:45
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Zedd singles chronology
"Candyman"
(2016) 		"True Colors"
(2016) 		"Starving"
(2016)
Kesha singles chronology
"Timber"
(2013) 		"True Colors"
(2016) 		"Praying"
(2017)

The official single is a new version of the track with vocals provided by the American singer Kesha and was released as the album's fourth single on April 29, 2016.[5] The song appeared in FIFA 17.

Background

"True Colors" was Kesha's first music release in over three years, as she had been locked in a court case with her producer Dr. Luke, after ten years of alleged abuse. Along with support from other famous celebrities, Zedd offered to produce a song with her.[6] She first performed the song as a guest during Zedd's set at Coachella 2016. In late April, both Kesha and Zedd posted photos to their social media accounts confirming they were recording together.[7]

Composition

"True Colors" is a mid-tempo ballad[8] in the key of D minor with a tempo of 126 beats per minute in half-time feel. It follows a chord progression of Dm-C-Gm-Dm. Kesha's vocals span from A3 (F3 in backing vocals) to D5 (F5 in backing vocals).[citation needed] The track opens and closes with a muted keyboard melody before gradually building to a climax of rollicking drums and bells, a departure from Kesha's previous "party anthem" singles.[8] According to a NME reviewer, it is "a moody, gothic electro ballad."[2]

Reception

Rolling Stone editor Brittany Spanos called it a "triumphant return" for Kesha. Comparing it to the album version, she stated "the style is more grandiose" in Kesha's take.[1] Agreeing with the latter, Nigel M. Smith from The Guardian wrote "Kesha's audible rage lends the track a fire that was missing in its earlier incarnation."[3] Lars Brandle of Billboard wrote the song "is a powerful, moody tune and, lyrically, Kesha is in a fighting frame."[9] August Brown in Los Angeles Times noted "At Coachella, her surprise appearance had the gravity of something more than just another pop-star cameo. This recorded version is a welcome reminder of Kesha's considerable vocal talent."[10] Lucas Villa of AXS praised Zedd's direction, writing, "Under Dr. Luke, her vocals were mostly processed to hell but with Zedd, Kesha beautifully bellows the song's powerful message." Despite minimal promotion from radios or a major record label, the song sold 52,000 copies in its 1st week and placed at #8 on the U.S ITunes Charts.[11]

Charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[12] 76
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[13] 66
France (SNEP)[14] 191
Ireland (IRMA)[15] 81
UK Singles (OCC)[16] 78
US Billboard Hot 100[17] 74
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[18] 38

Release history

Country Date Format Label Ref.
United States 1 January 2016 Digital download
[4]
Italy 29 April 2016 Contemporary hit radio
[19]

References

  1. ^ a b Spanos, Brittany (April 28, 2016). "Hear Kesha's Triumphant Return on Zedd's 'True Colors'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Bassett, Jordan (April 29, 2016). "Kesha Emerges Defiant And Optimistic On 'True Colors', Her First Single In Three Years". NME. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Smith, Nigel M. (April 29, 2016). "True Colors review – Kesha is back in defiant anthem". The Guardian. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "iTunes - Music - True Colors - Single by Zedd & Kesha". iTunes (US). January 2016.
  5. ^ "True Colors - Single by Zedd & Kesha". iTunes Store. January 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  6. ^ "Zedd offers to make song with Kesha". February 22, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  7. ^ "Are Kesha and Zedd Working on New Music Together?". E! Online. 26 April 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
  8. ^ a b Camp, Alexa (April 29, 2016). "Kesha Shows Her "True Colors" on New Zedd Track". Slant Magazine. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  9. ^ Brandle, Lars (April 29, 2016). "Kesha and Zedd's Powerful Collaboration 'True Colors' Has Arrived: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  10. ^ Brown, August (April 29, 2016). "Zedd releases new version of 'True Colors' featuring Kesha". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  11. ^ Villa, Lucas (April 30, 2016). "Kesha thanks fans as Zedd-fronted 'True Colors' goes top 10 on iTunes". AXS.
  12. ^ Ryan, Gavin (7 May 2016). "ARIA Singles: Drake 'One Dance' Is the No 1 Song". Noise11. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  13. ^ "Zedd Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  14. ^ "Zedd & Ke$ha – True Colors" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  15. ^ "Chart Track: Week 18, 2016". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  16. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  17. ^ "Zedd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  18. ^ "Zedd Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  19. ^ "Zedd & Kesha - True Colors RadioDate". Radioairplay.fm. April 29, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.

External links

Zedd
Kesha
Authority control databases
Categories