If you were alive in 2009, you couldn't escape it. That glittery, trash-pop anthem that defined a decade started with a line everyone knew by heart. "Wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy." It was the ultimate party starter. But honestly, looking back from 2026, that line hits a lot differently than it did when we were all wearing neon shutter shades and side-swept bangs.
Things have changed. A lot. Kesha isn't that naive girl in the gold car anymore, and the music industry definitely isn't the same place it was. Because of everything that's come to light over the last couple of years regarding Sean Combs, the song has undergone a massive transformation. It’s not just a "remix" anymore; it’s a statement of reclamation.
Whether you're looking for the official club remixes from the Animal era or you're trying to figure out why she’s screaming something much more aggressive on stage lately, here is the real story behind the Kesha TiK ToK other versions and why the "original" is basically becoming a relic of the past.
The Version Everyone is Talking About: The "F*** P. Diddy" Era
In April 2024, something shifted. Kesha showed up as a surprise guest during Reneé Rapp’s set at Coachella. Fans expected a nostalgia trip. What they got was a middle finger to the past. Instead of the iconic Diddy shoutout, Kesha and Rapp belted out: "Wake up in the morning like, f** P. Diddy!"* The crowd went wild. It wasn't just a random ad-lib.
You've probably seen the videos on TikTok. It was a visceral reaction to the serious legal allegations and lawsuits involving Combs that began surfacing in late 2023. For Kesha, a survivor who spent years locked in her own legal battles to reclaim her voice from producer Dr. Luke, this wasn't just a lyric change. It was personal.
Is it permanent?
Yes. Absolutely. Kesha has been very vocal on social media about this. She basically told fans that the old lyric is dead to her. She even posted on X (formerly Twitter) that she plans to re-record the song officially once she has the legal rights to her masters.
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- The "Just Me" Version: Before she went full "f*** P. Diddy," she actually tried a softer transition. During her 2023 Only Love tour, she briefly sang, "Wake up in the morning feeling just like me." It was a subtle way to distance herself before the Coachella moment made the change permanent and aggressive.
- The Radio Edit Shift: Interestingly, some iHeartRadio stations and other broadcasters started playing edited versions in late 2024 that either scrubbed the name or used the "feeling just like me" line to avoid the controversy altogether.
Diving Into the Vault: The 2009-2010 Remixes
Back when the song first dropped, the label was pushing "TiK ToK" into every corner of the globe. That meant a lot of official remixes that most casual listeners have totally forgotten about. If you're hunting for different vibes of the track, the TiK ToK (Remixes) EP is where the weird stuff lives.
The Fred Falke Remix
This is probably the most "classic" of the bunch. It’s nearly seven minutes of French house-inspired bliss. If the original is a messy house party, this version is the upscale club at 3 AM. It strips away the "grime" and replaces it with smooth basslines and shimmering synths.
Chuck Buckett’s Veruca Salt Remix
This one is... a choice. It’s got this weird, almost indie-rock-meets-electro energy. It’s much more experimental and definitely doesn't have that same "pop" polish. It’s worth a listen if you want to hear what the song sounds like when it’s been put through a blender.
The Untold Remix
This is for the dubstep fans—or at least, what dubstep sounded like in 2010. It’s darker, glitchier, and leans into the "video game" sounds that were mentioned in early reviews of the track.
The Stripped-Down and Acoustic Takes
There is a version of "TiK ToK" that most people haven't heard: the raw one.
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Early in her career, Kesha would do these acoustic sessions where she’d play the song on a guitar or with a minimal backing band. You can find some of these on YouTube from old radio station visits (like her 2010 BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend set).
Hearing "TiK ToK" without the heavy Auto-Tune and the massive wall of synths is honestly jarring. It highlights her actual songwriting. You realize the melody is incredibly solid, which is why it worked so well as a pop juggernaut. It’s less "party girl" and more "singer-songwriter who happens to be talking about brushing her teeth with Jack Daniel's."
The "Kesha's Version" Re-Recording
We can't talk about Kesha TiK ToK other versions without addressing the elephant in the room: the Taylor Swift effect.
Kesha has explicitly stated she wants to do a "Kesha's Version." In 2023, she finally split from Kemosabe Records (Dr. Luke’s label) and became an independent artist. Her 2024 single "Joyride" was her first big "I'm free" moment.
But there’s a catch. Re-recording a hit like "TiK ToK" isn't as simple as just walking into a studio. There are specific "re-recording restrictions" in old recording contracts that usually prevent an artist from doing a new version for a set number of years (often 5 to 10 years after the contract ends or the song is released).
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What will be different in the new version?
- The Opening Lyric: It will 100% feature the "f*** P. Diddy" line or a permanent "feeling just like me" variation.
- Vocal Control: Her voice has matured. The original was very processed to fit the 2009 aesthetic. A 2026 version would likely showcase her actual range.
- Ownership: This is the big one. Every time you stream the 2009 version, money goes to people she has spent a decade fighting. "Kesha's Version" would put that money in her pocket.
Why These Versions Still Matter
It’s easy to dismiss a pop song about partying as "fluff," but "TiK ToK" is a cultural landmark. It was the best-selling single in the world in 2010. It’s 12x Platinum.
The evolution of these versions tells a story of an artist growing up and taking her power back. When you listen to the Coachella 2024 live version, you aren't just hearing a pop song; you're hearing a woman who survived a notoriously toxic industry and is now rewriting her own history.
Actionable Insight for Fans:
If you want to support Kesha's current journey while still enjoying the classics, look for her live performance recordings from 2024 and 2025 on official streaming platforms or her YouTube channel. These versions reflect her current artistry and values. Keep an eye on her social media for the official announcement of the re-recording—once the legal "red tape" clears, "Kesha's Version" will likely replace the original on most fan playlists.
Until then, if you're singing along in the car, just remember: it's "feeling just like me" now. Or, you know, the other version if you're feeling spicy.
Check out Kesha's latest independent releases like "Joyride" to see where her sound is headed next, as it moves far beyond the electropop roots of 2009.