After years of anticipation and speculation, Kesha has finally unveiled the music video for “Backstabber,” a fan-favorite track from her 2010 album Animal. This long-awaited release sees the pop sensation reclaiming her gold Trans Am, which was infamously stolen by an unfaithful friend, and revving up for a dramatic night filled with revenge and empowerment.
From Limbo to Liberation
Directed by Syndrome, the “Backstabber” music video has been stuck in limbo for nearly two decades. Fans have long cherished a leaked and unfinished version that circulated online, but the polished release has finally arrived. Kesha mentioned on X that she has been working to get the video out, describing the delay as a “longggg storyyyyyyy.”
A Nostalgic Cut with Modern Relevance
Though many may associate “Backstabber” with its recent resurgence on TikTok, die-hard Kesha fans remember that the track predated her breakout single “Tik Tok,” which debuted in 2009. Originally, “Backstabber” was made available exclusively on MySpace around 2008, where Kesha connected with her earliest fans.
Personal Inspiration Behind the Hit
The song resonates with many listeners due to its relatable theme of betrayal. Kesha shared with Billboard in 2010 that her inspiration came from a painful personal experience: “A very close friend of mine stole my car one night. The car is gone, and I was like, ‘What a backstabber!’ And then I found out that she was also talking shit, so I was like, ‘What a shit-talker!’ … I was like, ‘We should write a song about this girl.’”
Sweet Revenge in the Music Video
In the newly released “Backstabber” video, Kesha does more than just sing about betrayal; she gets her revenge. Alongside regaining her Firebird, she delivers a satisfying slap to the girl who wronged her, while her true friends join in to land a few punches of their own. The video encapsulates the essence of reclaiming one’s power and the joy that comes from confronting betrayal head-on.
