Die Young

{{Listen|pos=left|filename=Ke$ha - Die Young (Audio).ogg|title="Die Young"|format1=Ogg|description=Kesha sings over an acoustic guitar and synthesized beat during this sample of the song "Die Young".}}

Produced primarily by Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco, Kesha worked with the lead singer of fun., Nate Ruess, to write "Die Young". Co-producer Blanco called the song "old hippie rock".{{cite news|title=Ke$ha 'Die Young' Hits Airwaves, Party Anthem Boasts Stripped, 'Hippie Rock' Sound|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/25/kesha-die-young-new-song-new-album-listen_n_1912850.html|work=The Huffington Post|publisher=AOL|access-date=October 1, 2012|first=Cavan|last=Sieczkowski|date=September 25, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|title=Ke$ha's Down-And-Dirty Party Anthem 'Die Young' Leaks|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1694367/kesha-die-young-single-leak.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927233452/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1694367/kesha-die-young-single-leak.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2012|work=MTV|publisher=Viacom|access-date=October 1, 2012}} The song was written in 2011, after Kesha traveled the world. Before working on her second studio album, she went on a spiritual journey. Recalling experiences of feeding baby lions and swimming with great white sharks, Kesha said, "I got hypnotized, and I just really wanted this record to be really positive, really raw, really vulnerable and about the magic of life." She intends for the song to show her vulnerable side, saying, "I have a lot of growing and evolving to do. I'm definitely not a one-trick pony and I think people are starting to see that more and more."{{cite web|title=Kesha's new single could feature Rihanna|url=http://wap.news.bigpond.com/articles/Entertainment/2012/09/19/Keshas_new_single_could_feature_Rihanna_796772.html|work=BigPond|publisher=Telstra|access-date=October 1, 2012}}

About the song, she told Carson Daly on 97.1 AMP Radio:

"It's kind of an anthem. It's a celebration song, which I'm obviously known for writing those, but this one, the concept of it was to live each and every single day like it's your last and to always remain having a youthful spirit no matter how old I get...I can sing like a motherf***er! You're going to hear that because I'm also doing this acoustic EP for my fans. Some of the old songs and the new songs."{{cite web|last=Carroll|first=Sara|title=Ke$ha Debuts "Die Young" Live on AMP Radio With Carson Daly!|url=http://amp.cbslocal.com/2012/09/25/kesha-debuts-die-young-live-on-amp-radio-with-carson-daly|work=97.1 AMP Radio|publisher=AMP Radio Networks|access-date=October 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202125034/http://amp.cbslocal.com/2012/09/25/kesha-debuts-die-young-live-on-amp-radio-with-carson-daly/|archive-date=December 2, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

The song employs Kesha's trademark electropop sounds.{{cite magazine|last=McIntyre|first=Hugh|title=Ke$ha Debuts 'Die Young' Single: Listen|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474938/keha-debuts-die-young-single-listen|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 29, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Jaksich|first=Jessica|title=The Party Doesn't Stop With Ke$ha's New Single!|url=http://www.seventeen.com/entertainment/reviews/kesha-die-young|work=Seventeen|date=September 26, 2012|access-date=September 29, 2012}} "Die Young" spreads acoustic guitar strums, in the progression of C#m-B-E-A in the key of C-sharp minor with a moderate tempo of 128 beats per minute,{{Cite web|last1=Benjamin|first1=Levin|last2=Lukasz|first2=Gottwald|last3=Nathaniel|first3=Ruess|last4=Kesha|first4=Sebert|last5=Henry|first5=Walter|last6=Kesha|date=2012-10-31|title=Die Young|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0111112|access-date=2021-04-11|website=Musicnotes}} over an uptempo dance beat, while Kesha belts her half-rapped, half-sung vocals on the verses,{{cite web|last=Hogan|first=Marc|title=Ke$ha's First 'Warrior' Single 'Die Young' Lacks Killer Instinct|url=https://www.spin.com/2012/09/kesha-warrior-single-die-young-lacks-killer-instinct/|work=Spin|date=September 25, 2012|access-date=October 1, 2012}} where she says, "I hear your heart beat to the beat of the drums." Over throbbing percussion, she continues: "Oh what a shame that you came here with someone / So while you're here in my arms / Let's make the most of the night like we're gonna die young." "Die Young" features synth riffs in the new wave style, reminiscent of the Cars and other music in the 1980s. Towards the end of the song, a choir of backing vocals chimes the chorus over a glam rock drum beat.{{cite web|last=Daw|first=Robbie|title=Ke$ha's "Die Young": Listen To Her First 'Warrior' Single|url=http://idolator.com/6937911/kesha-die-young-listen-warrior|work=Idolator|date=September 25, 2012|access-date=October 1, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

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| footer = "Die Young" has been compared to "Good Feeling" by Flo Rida (left), "Domino" by Jessie J (middle) and "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry (right) all of which were produced by Dr. Luke.

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Seventeen called it "classic Ke$ha", while Robbie Daw of Idolator said, "[I'm] getting a 'if you’ve heard one Ke$ha song, you’ve heard 'em all' vibe, which is unfortunate." In an interview with Rolling Stone, she said she intended to craft songs in the 1970s "cock rock" genre,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-ke-ha-discusses-her-cock-rock-ambitions-and-getting-tattooed-by-a-crackhead-20110210|title=Exclusive: Ke$ha Discusses Her Cock-Rock Ambitions and Getting Tattooed by a Crackhead|date=February 10, 2011|first=Matthew|last=Perpetua|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=July 26, 2011}} but Daw felt that her lackluster vocal delivery neither departed from her previous sound nor lived up to the hype. Rolling Stone said that "Die Young" is "the Ke$ha we know and love,"{{cite magazine|title=Ke$ha Lives It Up on 'Die Young' Hedonistic pop star returns with new party anthem|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/ke-ha-lives-it-up-on-die-young-20120925|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 25, 2012|access-date=October 10, 2012|archive-date=September 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928002637/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/ke-ha-lives-it-up-on-die-young-20120925|url-status=dead}} and that "it sounds sorta exactly like Taio Cruz".{{cite magazine |author=Rob Sheffield |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/warrior-20121204 |title=Warrior | Album Reviews |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=2012-12-04 |access-date=2012-12-14 |archive-date=January 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129011515/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/warrior-20121204 |url-status=dead }} August Brown of the Los Angeles Times agreed, saying the single was, "...no major departure from her classic template of ravey pop spiced with gum-smacking raps and occasional vocal acrobatics." Further, she wrote that "Die Young" had a "stock-and-trade" message, with the title being, "...a fate... less like a thing to be avoided, and more like the goal is to live fast and leave a good-looking corpse."{{cite news|last=Brown|first=August|title=Kesha releases 'Die Young' single, sets album date|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-kesha-releases-die-young-single-sets-album-date-20120925,0,5816298.story|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 1, 2012|date=September 25, 2012}} Marc Hogan of Spin wrote that Kesha's usual idiosyncrasies of punk rockers downing shots, transparent in even her worst songs, did not appear on "Die Young", announcing that "this one feels a bit more, well, blah than her previous hits." Perez Hilton posted the song to his blog with the title "Ke$ha's New Single Die Young Is A Killer!", and said, "...[it] has us getting up and dancing like there's no tomorrow." Contactmusic.com noted the song's success on Twitter, where fans tweeted their appreciation. The reviewer also acknowledged Hogan's negative review, saying that a few more plays would convert him to the song.{{cite web|title=So, Is Ke$ha's New Single 'Die Young' Any Cop?|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news/is-ke-ha-s-new-single-die-young-any-cop_3300826|work=Contactmusic.com|date=September 25, 2012|access-date=October 1, 2012}} Indie music blog Stereogum said the song was "glorious", "establishing Ke$ha as one of the industry's best new pop songwriters".{{cite web|last=Goble|first=Corbin|title=Ke$ha – "Die Young"|url=http://stereogum.com/1161152/keha-die-young/mp3s/|work=Stereogum|date=September 25, 2012|publisher=Buzz Media|access-date=October 1, 2012}} Sarah Polosky of Vibe said the song's production worked like water, with the message being steadfast, and the beats dangerously addictive. On the lyrics video, she noted similarities between K-pop singer, PSY's 2012 hit, "Gangnam Style". The song's major similarity to Flo Rida's "Good Feeling" has been acknowledged by Billboard. The song has also been compared to "Domino" by Jessie J and "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry. All three songs have also been produced by Dr. Luke. Conversely, Jessica Sager of Pop Crush made the same comparisons, and also praised the lack of Auto-Tune in "Die Young".{{cite web|last=Sager|first=Jessica|title=Kesha, 'Die Young' – Song Review|url=http://popcrush.com/kesha-die-young/|work=Pop Crush|date=September 25, 2012 |access-date=October 1, 2012}} Another source to acknowledge the similarities is MTV saying, "So do we think "Die Young" is pushing [Kesha] toward new sonic heights? Not particularly."{{cite web|last=Rubenstein|first=Jenna Hally|title=New Song: Ke$ha, 'Die Young'|url=http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2012/09/25/kesha-die-young/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129120926/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2012/09/25/kesha-die-young/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 29, 2013|work=MTV Buzzworthy|publisher=Viacom|access-date=October 1, 2012}} Entertainment Weekly critic Ray Rahmen lent "Die Young" a positive review, saying it had all "the pop swag of a high-school girl sneaking a bottle of Smirnoff Ice into prom," before praising the song's remix potential.{{cite magazine|last=Rahman|first=Ray|title=Ke$ha loses inhibitions on new single 'Die Young': Hear it here|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2012/09/25/kesha-die-young-video/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=October 2, 2012}} Bill Lamb of About.com was very positive of the song, giving it five out of five stars and claiming the song "defines the moment in pop music" and calling it "flawless".{{cite web|last=Lamb|first=Bill|title=Review: Ke$ha – Die Young|url=http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/Ke-Ha-Die-Young.htm|work=About.com|access-date=December 2, 2012|archive-date=November 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119023214/http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/Ke-Ha-Die-Young.htm|url-status=dead}}

The song later placed at number 22 on The Village Voice{{'}}s 40th annual Pazz & Jop critics' poll.{{cite web |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/singles/2012/ |title=Singles — All Votes |work=The Village Voice |access-date=January 18, 2013 |archive-date=July 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722225736/http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/singles/2012/ |url-status=dead }}

On October 1, 2012, "Die Young" debuted on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 chart at number 21, marking Kesha's highest ranking debut on that chart.{{cite magazine|title=Chart Highlights: Ke$ha, Rihanna Blast Back Onto Pop Songs|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/chartbeat/474845/chart-highlights-keha-rihanna-blast-back-onto-pop-songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 1, 2012}} "Die Young" entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 13, also debuting at number three on the Digital Songs chart with 188,000 digital downloads sold within its first week. On the Radio Songs chart, the song garnered 31 million hits.{{cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=October 3, 2012 |title=PSY Can't Beat Maroon 5 in Close Race For Hot 100's Top Spot |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474810/psy-cant-beat-maroon-5-in-close-race-for-hot-100s-top-spot |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111154405/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/psy-cant-beat-maroon-5-in-close-race-for-hot-100s-top-spot-474810/ |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |access-date=October 3, 2012 |magazine=Billboard}} On the week ending in October 27, "Die Young" debuted on Billboard{{'}}s Dance Club Songs chart at number 45.{{cite magazine|title=Chart Highlights: Adele's 'Skyfall' Rises On Adult Charts|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/chartbeat/474644/chart-highlights-adeles-skyfall-rises-on-adult-charts|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 15, 2012}} In its third week, "Die Young" rose to number eight on the Hot 100, earning Kesha her eighth consecutive top-ten hit on the chart since her debut with "Tik Tok" in 2010. In its fifth week, the song jumped to number four on the chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474494/maroon-5-spend-one-more-week-atop-hot-100|magazine=Billboard|title=Maroon 5 Spend 'One More' Week Atop Hot 100|first=Gary|last=Trust|date=October 24, 2012|access-date=2012-10-24}} For the week ending December 8, 2012, "Die Young" reached its eventual peak of number two, being kept off the top spot by Rihanna's "Diamonds".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474165/maroon-5s-one-more-night-ties-for-hot-100s-longest-lead-this-year|magazine=Billboard|title=Maroon 5's 'One More Night' Ties for Hot 100's Longest Lead This Year|first=Gary|last=Trust|date=November 14, 2012|access-date=2012-11-14}} On track to become her third number one in the country, she began to lose airplay in December 2012, when several radio stations petitioned to stop playing the song due to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting; the track subsequently began falling down the charts. Despite this however, "Die Young" became a number one hit on the Mainstream Top 40 chart, earning Kesha her third chart-topper on that chart along with "Your Love Is My Drug" and "Tik Tok" and her sixth top ten hit for that chart as well.{{cite magazine|title=Ke$ha Album & Song Chart History – Mainstream Top 40 Pop Songs|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=ke$ha|chart=Pop Songs B}}|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 6, 2012}} As of 2016, "Die Young" has sold 2.9 million digital downloads in the United States.{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=March 6, 2016 |title=Ask Billboard: Rihanna's Record Streak of Seven Studio Albums With Hot 100 No. 1s |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/ask-billboard-rihannas-record-streak-of-seven-studio-albums-with/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113102906/https://www.billboard.com/pro/ask-billboard-rihannas-record-streak-of-seven-studio-albums-with/ |archive-date=January 13, 2022 |access-date=2025-03-07 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} In 2024, "Die Young" has been certified 6× Platinum in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling 6 million equivalent units.

In the United Kingdom, "Die Young" entered the chart at its peak of number ten on issue dated, December 2, 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20121202/7501/|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100 - Official Charts Company|website=Official Charts |access-date=October 28, 2016}} The following week it rose to number seven,{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20121209/7501/|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100 - Official Charts Company|website=Official Charts |access-date=October 28, 2016}} becoming her third solo top ten hit and fifth top ten hit overall in the nation.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/ke$ha/|title=Official Charts Company|website=Official Charts |access-date=October 28, 2016}}

As of January 2025, the single has accumulated over 800 million streams on the streaming service Spotify.

{{Quote box

| quote = "Ultimately, 'Die Young' has, content-wise, nothing to do with what happened... But a lot of us went, 'That doesn't feel right, to be even saying the words 'Die Young' right now on the radio.'"

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| source = —Steve Jones, vice president of programming for Canadian radio station chain Newcap Radio, on the company's decision to pull the song{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/radio-stations-pull-ke-has-die-young-from-rotation-20121219|title=Radio Stations Pull Ke$ha's 'Die Young' From Rotation|last=Knopper|first=Steve|date=2012-12-19|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2014-06-02|archive-date=June 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623215029/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/radio-stations-pull-ke-has-die-young-from-rotation-20121219|url-status=dead}}

}}

On December 15, 2012, the day after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting occurred, the song was withdrawn from some radio stations, causing "Not Your Fault Kesha" to trend on Twitter.{{cite news|last=Murray|first=Rheana|title=Ke$ha's 'Die Young' pulled off radio after Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting: report|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/ke-ha-die-young-pulled-radio-ct-tragedy-article-1.1222621?localLinksEnabled=false|work=New York Daily News|access-date=December 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929035600/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/ke-ha-die-young-pulled-radio-ct-tragedy-article-1.1222621?localLinksEnabled=false|archive-date=September 29, 2013|url-status=dead}} The withdrawal was met with a mixed response online. In response, Kesha tweeted: "I'm so so so sorry for anyone who has been affected by this tragedy and I understand why my song is now inappropriate. Words cannot express."{{cite web|last=Gayles|first=Contessa|title=Kesha: 'Die Young' Song Yanked From Airwaves Following School Massacre|url=http://blog.music.aol.com/2012/12/18/kesha-die-young-radio-play/|work=AOL Music Blog|publisher=AOL|access-date=December 29, 2012|archive-date=December 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121222164549/http://blog.music.aol.com/2012/12/18/kesha-die-young-radio-play/|url-status=dead}} In a separate tweet, Kesha confessed that she had no control over the lyrical content of the song and was forced to sing it. Despite being credited as a songwriter on the track, she did not contribute to the chorus lyrically, as this part was written by Nate Ruess,{{cite web|last=Newman|first=Jason|title=Ke$ha: "I Was Forced to Sing 'Die Young'"|url=http://www.fuse.tv/2012/12/kesha-i-was-forced-to-sing-die-young|work=Fuse|publisher=Viacom|access-date=December 29, 2012|date=December 19, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Montgomery|first=James|title=Ke$ha Clarifies 'Die Young' Comments Following Sandy Hook Tragedy – Singer claims she misspoke due to 'emotion and sadness' when she claimed she was 'FORCED' to sing the hook on latest single.|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1699264/kesha-die-young-sandy-hook-shootings.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231004013/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1699264/kesha-die-young-sandy-hook-shootings.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 31, 2012|work=MTV|publisher=Viacom|access-date=December 29, 2012}} although she reaffirmed that she fully resonated with the song's message;{{cite web|last=Warner|first=Kara|title=Ke$ha Responds To Sandy Hook 'Die Young' – Controversy Pop star tweets that she was 'forced' to sing the lyrics in 'Die Young,' which several radio stations reportedly stopped playing after elementary school shooting.|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1699157/kesha-die-young-sandy-hook-controversy-response.jhtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129090137/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1699157/kesha-die-young-sandy-hook-controversy-response.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 29, 2013|work=MTV|publisher=Viacom|access-date=December 29, 2012}} the tweet verifying this was later deleted.{{cite web|last=Collins|first=Leah|title=Ke$ha's Die Young pulled from U.S. radio stations after Newtown shooting|url=http://arts.nationalpost.com/2012/12/19/kehas-die-young-pulled-from-u-s-radio-stations-after-newtown-shooting/|work=National Post|access-date=December 29, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130032659/http://arts.nationalpost.com/2012/12/19/kehas-die-young-pulled-from-u-s-radio-stations-after-newtown-shooting/|archive-date=January 30, 2013|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|title=I Was FORCED To Sing 'Die Young' Lyrics|url=http://www.tmz.com/2012/12/18/kesha-die-young-lyrics-forced-sing-sandy-point-elementary-school-massacre/|work=TMZ|date=December 18, 2012 |publisher=Time Warner|access-date=December 29, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Lansky|first=Sam|title=Ke$ha Tweets That She Was "Forced" To Sing "Die Young": Morning Mix|url=http://idolator.com/7340252/kesha-forced-to-sing-die-young-morning-mix|work=Idolator|date=December 19, 2012|publisher=Buzz Media|access-date=December 29, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Before the shooting, "Die Young" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, but dropped as a result of losing airplay due to the incident from 167 million listeners to 148 million, losing 19 million listeners.{{Cite web|last=Michaels|first=Sean|date=December 19, 2012|title=Ke$ha's Die Young pulled from US radio after Newtown massacre|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/dec/19/kesha-die-young-us-radio|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-21|website=TheGuardian.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812010102/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/dec/19/kesha-die-young-us-radio |archive-date=August 12, 2014 }} A music source told TMZ that such a drastic airplay drop is rare, the last of such magnitude being seen was following the Dixie Chicks' criticism of George W. Bush. According to Billboard, other songs that saw decreased airplay in the wake of the shooting and got removed from some radio stations included Foster the People's "Pumped Up Kicks" and David Guetta's "Titanium".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1481325/radio-reacts-to-newtown-from-dropping-kehas-die-young-to-providing-comfort|title=Radio Reacts to Newtown, From Dropping Ke$ha's 'Die Young' to Providing Comfort|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=December 18, 2012|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 7, 2016}}

In 2024, Kesha revealed in an interview with Vulture that she had an issue with the title of the song and originally wanted to name it "Beating My Drum", but did not have the control to change it. She also went on to describe having the song be in the same conversation and timing as the shooting as "fucking painful".{{Cite web |last=Ivie |first=Devon |date=2024-09-10 |title=Kesha Has Earned the Right to Be Crazy |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/kesha-joy-ride-new-album.html |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=Vulture |language=en}}

The video was directed by Chris Applebaum and Darren Craig{{cite web|url=http://itarudelavega.com/keha-die-young/|title=itarudelavega.com|access-date=October 28, 2016}} but Applebaum withdrew his name from the official credits.{{cite web|title="Die Young" by Ke$ha – Fresh New Music: November 2012|url=http://www.vh1.com/video/keha/854887/die-young.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113223003/http://www.vh1.com/video/keha/854887/die-young.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 13, 2012|work=VH1|publisher=Viacom|access-date=December 2, 2012}} To promote the single, two teaser trailers were released online. The first showed a waffle waitress holding a slip of paper inscribed with a capital "R", which resembles the official logo of Rihanna, leading to rumors that Rihanna would possibly be featured on the song. The second video appeared online, after the singer tweeted, "Wanna hint?". It displayed Kesha in the Tokyo Metro, whistling the chorus of "Die Young"{{cite web|last=Dresdale|first=Andrea|title=Ke$ha Teases New Single "Die Young" by Whistling It on a Subway|url=http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2012/9/13/keha-teases-new-single-die-young-by-whistling-it-on-a-subway.html|work=ABC News|access-date=October 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407075424/http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2012/9/13/keha-teases-new-single-die-young-by-whistling-it-on-a-subway.html|archive-date=April 7, 2014|url-status=dead}} An official lyric video was posted to Kesha's Vevo account the day of the single's release.{{cite web|last=Polonsky|first=Sarah|title=Ke$ha – "Die Young" (Official Lyric Video)|url=http://www.vibe.com/article/keha-die-young-official-lyric-video|work=Vibe|access-date=October 1, 2012}} On September 24, 2012, celebrity makeup artist and blogger for People Scott Barnes wrote that he was working with Kesha on the music video for "Die Young".{{cite web|last=Barnes|first=Scott|title=Scott Barnes's Blog: Seriously, Take a Beauty Cue from Ke$ha|url=http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2012/09/24/scott-barnes-makeup-beauty-blog-kesha/|work=People|access-date=October 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926141020/http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2012/09/24/scott-barnes-makeup-beauty-blog-kesha/|archive-date=September 26, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} On the video itself and the makeup artistry behind it, he said:

"... I like to blow people’s expectations away, and that means creating something they’ve never seen before — so stay tuned to see what we come up with."

Photographs of Kesha on-set for the filming of the music video leaked online. Jenna Hally Rubenstein of MTV commented: "...Kesha [is] into wearing basically nothing these days...and it's looking like that no-clothes theme has continued." She compared the leaked photographs and the cover art for the single, further comparing it to Cher's body rope, certain professional wrestlers, and Amazon princesses.{{cite web|last=Rubenstein|first=Jenna Hally|title=Ke$ha Is A Leather-Clad Wild Child on the Set of Her 'Die Young' Video (PHOTO)|url=http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2012/09/27/kesha-leather-on-the-set-die-young-video-photo/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929083044/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2012/09/27/kesha-leather-on-the-set-die-young-video-photo/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 29, 2012|work=MTV|publisher=Viacom|access-date=October 2, 2012}} Kesha announced that the video would be released the following day on November 7.{{cite web|last=Copsey|first=Robert|title=Rihanna, Ke$ha music videos to premiere this week|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a436429/rihanna-keha-music-videos-to-premiere-this-week.html|work=Digital Spy|date=November 7, 2012 |publisher=Hearst Magazines|access-date=November 7, 2012}}

Playing the role of a cult leader, Kesha and her fictitious disciples raid a hamlet in rural Mexico, engaging in various forms of sexual debauchery.{{cite magazine|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|title=Ke$ha Shouts-Out Illuminati in 'Die Young' Video: Watch|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474261/keha-shouts-out-illuminati-in-die-young-video-watch|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 9, 2012}} According to Billboard, the video is a shout-out to the Illuminati. Occult symbols ubiquitously associated with the secret society such as the all-seeing eye of Horus, inverted crosses, pentagrams, and triangles pervade the video. Calling the imagery "blatant", Billboard reviewed the video as "tak[ing] the singer's button-pushing ability to dizzying new heights." Sending text messages to her Animals (an affection name bestowed on her fans){{cite web|last=Sager|first=Jessica|title=Kesha Gets Patriotic on the Cover of V Magazine|url=http://popcrush.com/kesha-covers-v-magazine/|work=PopCrush|date=May 2, 2012 |access-date=November 9, 2012}} in the video, Kesha writes: "We made it… SOUTH OF THE BORDER… they'll never find us here".

Kesha has declared that it is important for her, with Warrior and her live performances of "Die Young", to display her vocal ability due to the backlash she has received about using excessive auto-tune.{{cite web|title=Ke$ha Performs New Song 'Die Young' Live on the Today Show – Video|url=http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/kesha/news/die-young-today-show-video/|work=Capital FM|publisher=Global Radio|access-date=November 29, 2012|date=November 22, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Williot|first=Carl|title=Ke$ha Performs "Die Young" & Wants To Prove She Can Sing On 'TODAY': Watch|url=http://idolator.com/7286862/kesha-die-young-today-show-video|work=Idolator|publisher=Buzz Media|access-date=November 30, 2012|date=November 20, 2012}} Kesha first performed "Die Young" on October 29, 2012, in El Rey Theatre.{{cite web|last=Gordon|first=AJ|title=Ke$ha Dies Young at Secret Show Monday Night|url=http://amp.cbslocal.com/2012/10/30/keha-dies-young-at-secret-show-monday-night|work=97.1 AMP Radio|publisher=CBS Radio|access-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101013436/http://amp.cbslocal.com/2012/10/30/keha-dies-young-at-secret-show-monday-night/|archive-date=January 1, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Emily Zemler of The Hollywood Reporter reviewed the performance, blogging: "If pop music demands an element of theatrical presentation, then Ke$ha angled toward a literal interpretation of her raucous, sexualized pop songs".{{cite news|last=Zemler|first=Emily|title=Ke$ha Dances with Giant Penises at 'Warrior' Warm-Up Concert|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/earshot/kesha-casio-party-warrior-384521|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=November 7, 2012|date=October 30, 2012}} DJed by Herick Hell, Kesha performed various other songs including "Party at a Rich Dude's House", "Cannibal", and "We R Who We R". Clad in a rhinestone one-piece, Kesha wore a gold diadem while being carried by muscular cabana boy look-a-likes. The set was rife with green laser beams and giant artificial phalli. On November 6, 2012, Kesha made the song's first televised performance in the fourth season of Australian The X Factor.{{cite news|last=McCabe|first=Katy|title=Die Young singer Kesha alive and kicking despite tweets saying she's dead|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/kesha-alive-and-kicking-despite-tweets/story-e6frfn09-1226510951561|work=News.com.au|access-date=November 7, 2012|date=November 5, 2012|archive-date=November 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106181607/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/kesha-alive-and-kicking-despite-tweets/story-e6frfn09-1226510951561|url-status=dead}} On November 20, 2012, Kesha performed "Die Young" on Today in New York, NY. The performance was held in the Rockefeller Plaza, and she wore a camouflage leotard adorned with an upside cross and rainbow-colored paper flowers. Along with "Die Young", she performed her other smash hits, "Blow" and "We R Who We R". Billboard congratulated "Die Young"{{'}}s performance at the American Music Awards of 2012 as being one of the five best performances that night.{{cite magazine|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|title=AMAs 2012: Top 5 Best Performances|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474090/amas-2012-top-5-best-performances|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 30, 2012|location=New York, NY|date=November 19, 2012}} On December 4, 2012, Kesha performed "Die Young" at the late-night show Conan.{{cite web|title=Ke$ha plays a track off her brand new album Warrior.|url=http://teamcoco.com/video/kesha-die-young-12/04/12|work=Conan (talk show)|publisher=TBS|access-date=December 5, 2012|date=December 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207074355/http://teamcoco.com/video/kesha-die-young-12/04/12|archive-date=December 7, 2012|url-status=dead}} For the music journal, Jason Lipshutz wrote:

"Ke$ha's performance of new single "Die Young" was resoundingly Ke$ha-esque: there were flashing neon lasers, skeleton drummer-dancers, an inexplicable headdress at the beginning and a totally explicable crotch-grab in the middle. With blonde pigtails running across her shoulders and black leather boots hiked up to her knees, Ke$ha was often carried on the shoulders of shirtless men with a look of unabashed joy on her face – a fitting image for a single about shirking tomorrow's responsibilities for carnal impulses."

The song was featured in the film Neighbors, appearing in the film's soundtrack.{{cite web|title='Neighbors' Soundtrack Details|url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2014/04/01/neighbors-soundtrack-details/|website=Film Music Reporter|access-date=August 8, 2014|date=April 1, 2014}}

The song was also featured in the season 2 finale of the adult animated comedy series, Solar Opposites.{{Citation|title="Solar Opposites" The Solar Opposites Almost Get an Xbox (TV Episode 2021)|work=IMDb |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt8910980/soundtrack/|access-date=2021-07-24}} It was also featured in several editions of the Just Dance video game series by Ubisoft, including Just Dance 4, Just Dance 2014, and Just Dance 2015. Independent animator Vivienne Medrano, later creating Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss, would make a fan animation for the song, posting it on her YouTube channel.{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWrM-eDxTas|title="Die Young" – Fan Animated|date=October 30, 2014|author-link=Vivienne Medrano|last=Medrano|first=Vivienne|access-date=October 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030205556/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PKNuZovuSw|archive-date=October 30, 2014|via=YouTube|work=VivziePop}} By November 2019, the animation would have over 50 million views.{{cite web | url=https://animatedviews.com/2019/hazbin-hotel/ | title=Hazbin Hotel [Review] |last=Short |first=Dan | date=November 7, 2019 | website=Animated Views | access-date=November 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106031732/https://animatedviews.com/2019/hazbin-hotel/ |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |url-status=live}} On June 24, 2023, Kesha guest-starred in the Helluva Boss season one finale "Queen Bee", as Queen Bee-lzebub, a character physically designed after the focal character of Medrano's music video that had used her voice.

In 2021, the song became part of a popular TikTok trend in which a person plays the song over a speaker outside of another person's closed door, and the first person bangs on the door to the signature drum beats in the chorus, then flees before the other person can answer the door. Several college campuses have banned this activity due to noise complaints, and police have been called in residential neighborhoods with residents claiming either property damage or assuming a home invasion is happening.{{Cite web|last=Villalon|first=Debora|date=2021-12-01|title=New TikTok 'door-kicking' craze had law enforcement watching|url=https://www.ktvu.com/news/new-tiktok-door-kicking-craze-had-law-enforcement-watching|access-date=2021-12-01|website=KTVU FOX 2|language=en-US}}

In November 2012, the song was for example parodied by the YouTube channel The Key of Awesome. The parody mentions the similarity to "Good Feeling" by Flo Rida.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raLPHOZzAyo|title=Ke$ha Die Young PARODY! Key of Awesome #65 |date=November 7, 2012|website=YouTube|publisher=The Key of Awesome|access-date=December 31, 2023}}

Later in the same month, the song was also parodied by the Filipino radio station 93.9 iFM with the title "Amalayer" named after a viral video incident in a station of the Manila LRT System.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7DJGUtJXFc|title=AMALAYER SONG by Sir Rex & Pakito Jones, Die Young Parody (Ke$ha) |date=November 16, 2012|website=YouTube|publisher=iFM Manila Official|access-date=December 31, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://rmn.ph/panoorin-pagbabago-sa-buhay-ni-amalayer-matapos-ang-cyberbullying/|title=PANOORIN: Pagbabago sa buhay ni 'Amalayer' matapos ang cyberbullying|last=Garzon|first=Mary Rose|date=July 10, 2019|work=rmn.ph|publisher=RMN|access-date=December 31, 2023|language=fil|trans-title=WATCH: Change in the life of 'Amalayer' after cyberbullying}}

;Digital download{{cite web|title=Ke$ha – Die Young – Single|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/die-young-single/id559503417?ign-mpt=uo%3D2|work=iTunes Store|publisher=Apple Inc|access-date=October 2, 2012|archive-date=March 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316200858/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/die-young-single/id559503417?ign-mpt=uo%3D2|url-status=dead}}

1. "Die Young" – 3:33

;Digital download (Deconstructed mix){{Cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/die-young-deconstructed-mix/id582074650|title=iTunes - Music - Die Young (Deconstructed Mix) - Single by Ke$ha|author=Kesha|author-link=Kesha|date=November 23, 2012|website=itunes.apple.com|access-date=July 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212165701/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/die-young-deconstructed-mix/id582074650|archive-date=December 12, 2012}}

1. "Die Young" (Deconstructed mix) – 3:21

;Digital download (remix){{Cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/die-young-remix-feat.-juicy/id582063451|title=iTunes - Music - Die Young (Remix) [feat. Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa & Becky G] - Single by Ke$ha|author=Kesha|author-link=Kesha|date=November 23, 2012|website=itunes.apple.com|access-date=July 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105094000/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/die-young-remix-feat.-juicy/id582063451|archive-date=November 5, 2013}}

1. "Die Young" (remix; featuring Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa and Becky G) – 4:02

;German CD and UK digital download{{cite web|title=Amazon.de – Die Young| website=Amazon Germany |url=https://www.amazon.de/Die-Young-Ke-ha/dp/B009ZR6UK8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1354116067&sr=8-4|access-date=November 28, 2012}}{{cite web|title=Ke$ha – Die Young – Single UK|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/die-young/id564229087|work=iTunes Store|publisher=Apple Inc|access-date=October 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928002622/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/die-young/id564229087|archive-date=September 28, 2012}}

1. "Die Young" – 3:33
2. "Die Young" (instrumental) – 3:33

;Digital download (EP){{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/die-young-ep/582983094|title=Apple Music|author=Kesha|author-link=Kesha|date=September 25, 2012|website=music.apple.com|access-date=July 25, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510203307/https://music.apple.com/us/album/die-young-ep/582983094|archive-date=May 10, 2021}}

1. "Die Young" – 3:33
2. "Die Young" (remix; featuring Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa and Becky G) – 4:02
3. "Die Young" (Dellas K extended mix) – 5:49
4. "Die Young" (Dellas K radio edit) – 3:38

;Digital download (IC & Nordh extended remix){{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/youre-gonna-die-young-ic-nordh/1037851652|title=You're Gonna Die Young (IC & Nordh Extended Remix) - Single by Ke$ha on Apple Music|author=Kesha|author-link=Kesha|date=September 11, 2015|website=music.apple.com|access-date=July 24, 2022|archive-date=July 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725012718/https://music.apple.com/us/album/youre-gonna-die-young-ic-nordh/1037851652|url-status=dead}}

1. "You're Gonna Die Young" (IC & Nordh extended remix; featuring Nervo) – 6:22

• Songwriting – Kesha Sebert, Nate Ruess, Lukasz Gottwald, Henry Walter, Benjamin Levin,
• Production, instruments, and programming – Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco, Cirkut

Credits adapted from the liner notes on BMI.{{cite web|url=https://repertoire.bmi.com/Search/Search?SearchForm.View_Count=&SearchForm.Main_Search=BMI+Work+ID&SearchForm.Main_Search_Text=14785259 |title=Repertoire Search|publisher=Broadcast Music|access-date=October 1, 2012}}

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Die Young"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|relyear=2012|certyear=2020|title=Die Young|artist=Ke$ha|type=single|award=Platinum|number=5|access-date=June 4, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|relyear=2012|certyear=2012|title=Die Young|artist=Ke$ha|type=single|digital=true|award=Platinum|access-date=January 16, 2013}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|relyear=2012|certyear=2014|title=Die Young|artist=Ke$ha|type=single|award=Gold|access-date=March 5, 2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|relyear=2012|certyear=2013|title=Die Young|artist=Ke$ha|type=single|award=Platinum|id=1965|access-date=March 25, 2013}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Mexico|artist=Ke$ha|title=Die Young|award=Platinum|certyear=2014|relyear=2012|access-date=May 16, 2014}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Ke$ha|title=Die Young|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2012|access-date=December 18, 2024|certyear=2017|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=South Korea (Circle)|nocert=yes|title=Die Young|artist=Ke$ha|type=single|salesamount= 240,300 |salesref={{cite web| url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?nationGbn=E&serviceGbn=S1020&targetTime=2012&hitYear=2012&termGbn=year| title=South Korean Gaon Chart: Online download – 2012| work=Gaon Chart| publisher=Korea Music Content Industry Association| access-date=March 28, 2015}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|relyear=2012|certyear=2024|title=Die Young|artist=Kesha|type=single|award=Gold|id=kesha-die-young|access-date=May 11, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|relyear=2012|certyear=2013|title=Die Young|artist=Kesha|type=single|award=Platinum|source=artist|access-date=May 11, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Die Young|artist=Kesha|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2012|certyear=2021|access-date=February 20, 2021|id=10809-3298-1}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|relyear=2012|certyear=2024|title=Die Young|artist=Kesha|type=single|award=Platinum|number=6|access-date=September 17, 2024|refname=RIAA}}

{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|relyear=2012|certyear=2013|title=Die Young|artist=Ke$ha|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|id=5975|streamsonly=true|access-date=September 21, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|streamsonly=true}}

• List of Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles in 2012
• List of UK top-ten singles in 2012
• List of top 10 singles for 2012 in Australia

{{Reflist}}

{{Kesha}}

{{Juicy J}}

{{Wiz Khalifa singles}}

{{Becky G}}

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Category:2012 singles

Category:RCA Records singles

Category:Kemosabe Records singles

Category:Kesha songs

Category:Number-one singles in Lebanon

Category:Songs written by Dr. Luke

Category:Song recordings produced by Dr. Luke

Category:Songs written by Benny Blanco

Category:Song recordings produced by Benny Blanco

Category:Songs written by Kesha

Category:Wiz Khalifa songs

Category:Juicy J songs

Category:Song recordings produced by Cirkut

Category:Songs written by Nate Ruess

Category:Songs written by Cirkut

Category:Becky G songs

Category:Obscenity controversies in music

Category:Songs about hippies