Remembering Kesha’s ‘Tik Tok’, Which Hit #1 On The Aus Charts This Time 10 Years Ago

This time a decade ago, a relatively unknown Kesha Rose Sebert (AKA Ke$ha) topped the ARIA charts with her debut single, “Tik Tok”.

“Tik Tok” would stay atop the charts for 8 consecutive weeks, become the longest-running #1 single of 2009 and, quite frankly, change the pop landscape forever.

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Her debut track’s rise to prominence also coincided with my worrying entry into middle school, as well as the beginning of my “I’m my own person, mum, I can do what I want” stage.

Despite encouraging disconcerting hygienic practices (a bottle of Jack is quaking), the song urged everyone in my year level to let our hair down (year 7 was super stressful after all) and pop our bussies in solidarity with the sesh.

We essentially swarmed to the track like flies on shit. For the next 6 months, “Tik Tok” would be that song at all my 14th birthday parties, single-handedly drawing record numbers of questionable side bobs, Dunlop volleys and a large waft of Lynx Africa to the dance-floor.

“Trying to get a little bit tipsy,” we’d sing, as we guzzled litres of Fanta. A couple of the cool girls would sit in the corner, bopping their heads, passing around the one Ruski they’d smuggled into the party to share.

“Tick-tock on the clock, but the party don’t stop, no,” we’d then scream at the top of our lungs… until the party did stop at 10PM. I’d then rush home and jump on Myspace – with “Tik Tok” obviously being my profile song – to talk about how legendary the night had been. It was nothing short of iconic.

Whenever I hear “Tik Tok” now, I’m instantly teleported back to those memories.

While part of me is thankful I managed to survive that time period, I’m also overcome with huge nostalgia for a tune that made me feel like a rebellious bitch for the first time. After all, it was the first track that equipped me with a desire to do naughty things like sneaking out… not that I ever did… but, like, I could have, okay? I was a baddie. Gosh.

Safe to say, “Tik Tok” slapped then, slaps now and will continued to slap forevermore.

This loving ode also coincides with Kesha’s recent release of “Raising Hell”, the lead single from her upcoming album High Road, coming out on January 10th next year. It’s so great to see Kesha fucking killing it a decade on from “Tik Tok”, particularly after overcoming all that she’s been through – a true, resilient queen.

So cancel all of your plans today – it’s time to whip out the biodegradable glitter, pour out a Smirnoff Ice for the homies and stream both “Tik Tok” and “Raising Hell” on a 12-hour loop. DJ, blow my speakers up.

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