Ke$ha Calls Bob Dylan Cover 'An Emotional Purging'

Pop singer sings 'Don't Think Twice, It's All Right' for Amnesty International anniversary album.
By Jocelyn Vena


Ke$ha
Photo: Getty Images

<P>It's hard to associate Ke$ha with songs about anything other than hot guys, body glitter and partying. But she's defying her usual topics of interest for human rights organization Amnesty International. The singer is one of the many musicians on the org's <i>Chimes of Freedom</i> compilation of Bob Dylan's music, out January 24. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:720838" width="240" height="211"></div><p> When MTV News spoke with K-Dollar Sign last week about her all-star remix of "Sleazy," she also opened up about switching gears vocally and emotionally for her version of Dylan's classic "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right." "I mean, I think it's pretty well known that he's one of, if not my most, favorite artists of all time and ... one of the most amazing lyricists as well &#8212; the original storyteller," she explained. "So I love Bob Dylan and this was just, like, a dream. When they asked me to do a cover, I was just, like, salivating and going through all my records. It was so fun. It was the best homework assignment you could possibly have." K's version of Dylan's song is a slow-burning, heartbreaking ode to the already heartbreaking classic, where she channels Dylan through lyrics like "Still I wish there was somethin' you would do or say/ To try and make me change my mind and stay/ We never did too much talkin' anyway/ So don't think twice, it's all right." </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:642810" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Ke$ha had originally intended to record another Dylan track, but when she heard that someone else had their sights set on it, she settled on "Don't Think Twice," prompting a catharsis she could never have imagined. "This song was kind of an accident. I sat down and this is the first take that I ever sang," she recalled. "I just sat down on my bed for the first time after months of being on tour and I just started crying, and it was kind of like an emotional purging, and you can hear it on the record." In addition to Ke$ha and her contribution, the album will feature 75 other Dylan classics recorded by nearly 80 artists including Adele, Miley Cyrus, "Glee" star Darren Criss, My Chemical Romance, Evan Rachel Wood and Sugarland. The album pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International.</p>

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'The Hobbit' Is Going To Be 'Amazing,' Star Says

Benedict Cumberbatch tells MTV News working with Peter Jackson was 'extraordinary.'
By Kara Warner


Benedict Cumberbatch
Photo: MTV News

For those who have been keeping tabs on the comings and goings surrounding Peter Jackson's return to Middle-earth in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," there is a unique level of excitement building around the film. The die-hard Jackson fans and "Lord of the Rings" loyalists are eager to see anything helmed by the Oscar-winner, particularly when it involves a faithful adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's beloved book, which has a different tone and fanbase from "LOTR."

This excitement level is not just for fans like us, but everyone involved with the production as well. When MTV News caught up with rising star Benedict Cumberbatch recently, who is playing not one but two roles in the film, he was full of praise for Jackson as well as his friend/co-star Martin Freeman.

"I was very lucky [to work] with Pete," Cumberbatch told us at Elton John's Oscar-viewing party. "As far as the experience, what an extraordinary one it was because at the time I was in my work; I was in isolation with him and this incredible tag team. And at the very cool place with that technology doing mo-cap for two characters, Smaug the dragon and another character, which will remain nameless, and it was an awful lot of fun."

Cumberbatch went on to say that he hasn't seen any finished shots from the film since he worked mainly by himself doing voice-over work and movements for the characters.

"It's a sort of wonderful ongoing process," he said. "I spent a lot of time recording voice as well as doing movements. So, it was sort of freeing; it was fun. It was like playing a game. It's going to be an amazing film; it's going to be a real treat. I watched 'The Lord of the Rings' again before I started working, and the way those films grow in depth of craft on every level are extraordinary. Their mark is for that."

The "War Horse" actor admitted that the only trouble he had while on set was keeping a straight face when he saw his friend and "Sherlock" co-star Martin Freeman in costume as lovable Hobbit Bilbo Baggins.

"It was great. I got to hang out with him, and I kept a straight face for a bit and then I started giggling because I know Martin, I don't know Bilbo," Cumberbatch said with a grin. "For Martin to be sitting there playing Bilbo is amazing. He's going to be amazing, he's going to be fantastic in this film."

What are you looking forward to most in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"? Leave your comment below! Check out everything we've got on "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Brahim Zaibat Has REPORTEDLY Proposed Marriage To Madonna

RUMOR has it that Madonna‘s much younger toyboy back-up dancer Brahim Zaibat has proposed marriage to her … but, apparently, she has yet to respond with a yes or no. Now, this is all speculatative rumor so let’s not jump the gun here … but I suppose the timing is about right. Maddy and Brahim [...]

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P!nk Begins Work On A New Album

Popstar P!nk took some time off in the past couple of years to rekindle her marriage to husband Carey Hart and to have baby Willow Sage. But, after her time away from the spotlight, it would appear that Ms. Alecia Moore is ready to get back to work. P!nk updated her official Twitter profile with [...]

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Justin Bieber Gets Surprise 18th Birthday Present on Ellen DeGeneres Show (VIDEO)

Happy Birthday, Justin Bieber!! Can you believe he’s now 18 years old? Time flies, eh? The Biebs appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres show (which will air Thursday) to make a big announcement but also got one helluva surprise birthday present from his manager Scooter Braun. Wowzers, check out the video below!! You know, I really love this kid. I can’t say enough good things about him. Who can forget what he did just recently on Valentine’s Day? He flew 6-year-old cancer patient Avalanna Routh and her family out to New York so they could spend the day together. She had been campaigning on Facebook for a chance to meet the Biebs. He complied with her wish. That story just warmed my heart! Anyhoo, Justin taped an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show today that will air on his 18th birthday, Thursday, March 1st. He had a big announcement to make. Drumroll please… Justin: My big announcement is that on March 26th my first single is coming out and it’s called “Boyfriend.” Ellen: That’s exciting. Why is it called “Boyfriend”? Justin: Basically I’m talking to this girl if I was your boyfriend I would never let you go. Ellen: Did you [...]

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Taylor Swift 'Fascinated' By Acting

'I would want to have the time, the ability and the love for something,' she tells MTV News of choosing roles.
By Azia Celestino, with reporting by Kara Warner


Taylor Swift
Photo: MTV News

Although pop/country superstar Taylor Swift has her hands full with a very successful music career — be it grabbing Grammys or working on a song for the "Hunger Games" soundtrack, don't rule her out for a full-fledged crossover into acting.

Swift recently went from recording songs to sound effects when she took on the role of Audrey in "The Lorax."

"What people don't think about with character acting in the voice-over form [is] you're making a lot of sounds," Swift told MTV News recently about her experience in the latest Dr. Seuss movie, which also features the voices of Zac Efron, Betty White and Danny DeVito. "It's very different from when you're singing songs that you wrote. With this, you're sitting there in a booth by yourself having conversations with no one."

The cast of the movie recorded their parts in different places, which made acting out dialogue even more of a challenge. But a part in "The Lorax" seems to be a premeditated change of pace for the pop star. "Acting is something I've been fascinated by my entire life," she said.

The singer said she has been reading scripts in her free time for the past five years but hasn't been quick to accept a role. "I would want to have the time, the ability and the love for something, the love for a character to where I could really make that commitment to it."

Taylor is known for writing lyrics that reveal her feelings about love and heartbreak, and you can probably expect the same passion if she makes a move to the big screen.

Check out everything we've got on "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Audrina Patridge: Chateau Nightclub Knockout

Enjoying another night out in Sin City, Audrina Patridge hosted an evening at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens on Saturday night (March 3) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

With entertainment provided by DJ Casanova, "The Hills" star partied the night away in a bright orange mini skirt, grey tank top and black strappy heels.

The Vegas soiree comes after the glamorous lollipop licking brunette hosted the grand opening of the newest Sugar Factory location at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on the previous night.

Overjoyed to finally open their doors, the folks at the new Sugar Factory took to their Twitter page to post a message about the grand opening, which read, "We are so excited to celebrate the grand opening of the new @SugarFactory at @MGMGrand with @AudrinaPatridge this Friday #OhhYeah."

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Angelina Jolie Plays Mommy While Brad Pitt Supports '8'

After hitting up the local McDonald's to fuel up for the day, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt went their separate ways on what was a busy Saturday afternoon (March 3) for the Tinseltown power couple.

As for the "Salt" actress, Miss Jolie was relegated to mommy mode while being spotted at the El Capitan Theatre to watch the Disney film "The Secret World of Arrietty" with Shiloh, Vivienne and Knox.

Meanwhile, the "Moneyball" hunk tended to a cause in which he believes in by partaking in the one-night reading of '8' presented by The American Foundation For Equal Rights & Broadway Impact.

Taking place at The Wilshire Ebell Theatre, '8' was written by Dustin Lance Black while documenting the landmark federal trial of California’s Proposition 8.

With the live reading held in support of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, other stars joining in on the effort included George Clooney, Matt Bomer, John C. Reilly and a trio of "Glee" stars in Chris Colfer, Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison.

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