With her odes to drinking and love gone wrong sung in a distinct country croon, the last thing you’d expect to hear out of Lydia Lovelessis a pop song. But when she launches into Kesha‘s “Blind” — sans Autotune or a distracting dance beat — it seems like the song has been waiting for her all along.
Loveless says covering Kesha isn’t a fluke. The pop singerwas raised in Nashville. Her mother, Pebe Sebert, wrote thecountry hit “Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You,” which was a #1 hit for Dolly Parton. And Kesha wrote a few country songsherself before becominga pop sensation. “I respect her as a songwriter even though maybe her label and management would like to portray her as kind of trashy,” Loveless tells Kurt Andersen. “I think there’s other sides to her that I just wanted to show people, so maybe they could appreciate the songwriting more.”
Video: “Blind” live in Studio 360
There is no paywall on the story you just read because a community of dedicated listeners and readers have contributed to keep the global news you rely on free and accessible for all. Will you join the 319 donors who have supported The World so far? From now until Dec. 31, your gift will help us unlock a $67,000 match. Donate today to double your impact!