The Best Katy Perry Songs have defined pop music for over a decade with their infectious beats and empowering messages.
Katy Perry’s ability to create hits that resonate with listeners has made her one of the most successful pop artists of all time.
From anthems of self-expression to love ballads, her songs have become staples in music charts around the world.
In this post, we’ll dive into the Best Katy Perry Songs, highlighting the tracks that have shaped her incredible career.
Join us as we explore her most memorable hits that continue to inspire and entertain fans worldwide.
1. “Chained to the Rhythm” by Katy Perry featuring Skip Marley (2017)
About this song:
- Album: Witness
- Released: 2017
- Artist: Katy Perry featuring Skip Marley
- Genre: Dance-pop, Disco, Dancehall
- Key Lyric: “Turn it up, it’s your favorite song. Dance, dance, dance to the distortion.”
Released in 2017, “Chained to the Rhythm” marked a shift in Katy Perry’s music toward more socially conscious themes.
The song was co-written with Sia and Max Martin, exploring the idea of people being caught up in distractions and societal complacency.
It became an anthem of awakening, encouraging listeners to look beyond the surface and challenge the status quo.
The collaboration with Skip Marley added a reggae influence, giving the track a unique rhythmic flair.
“Chained to the Rhythm” was praised for blending catchy pop beats with a deeper, more reflective message.
2. “Thinking of You” by Katy Perry (2008)
About this song:
- Album: One of the Boys
- Released: 2008
- Artist: Katy Perry
- Genre: Soft Rock
- Key Lyric: “’Cause when I’m with him, I am. Thinking of you (Thinking of you, thinking of you).”
Released in 2008, “Thinking of You” was one of Katy Perry’s early ballads from her debut album One of the Boys.
The song reflects the pain of longing for a past relationship while being with someone new, a deeply emotional theme for Katy.
Written by Perry herself, the song marked a departure from her playful hits and showcased her more vulnerable side.
The soft rock influence added a nostalgic feel, setting it apart from the upbeat pop tracks on the same album.
“Thinking of You” demonstrated her ability to blend personal reflection with a strong melodic structure, appealing to fans looking for heartfelt content.
3. “Firework” by Katy Perry (2010)
About this song:
- Album: Teenage Dream
- Released: 2010
- Artist: Katy Perry
- Genre: Dance-pop
- Key Lyric: “’Cause baby, you’re a firework. Come on show ’em what you’re worth.”
“Firework,” released in 2010, became one of Katy Perry’s biggest anthems, known for its message of self-empowerment.
Co-written by Perry and a team including Stargate and Ester Dean, the song was inspired by the idea of embracing inner strength.
It encourages listeners to rise above their insecurities and show the world their true potential, making it a motivational anthem.
The song’s explosive chorus and upbeat production helped it top charts worldwide and become a fan favorite.
“Firework” has since been celebrated as one of Katy Perry’s most uplifting tracks, embodying her optimistic and inspiring approach to pop music.
4. “Bon Appétit” by Katy Perry featuring Migos (2017)
About this song:
- Album: Witness
- Released: 2017
- Artist: Katy Perry featuring Migos
- Genre: Dance-pop, Trap-pop, Electronic, Eurodisco
- Key Lyric: “’Cause I’m all that you want, boy. All that you can have, boy.”
“Bon Appétit” was released in 2017 as the second single from Witness and was co-written by Katy Perry with Migos providing a guest feature.
The song mixes food-related metaphors with themes of desire and seduction, giving it a playful yet provocative tone.
Its blend of pop, trap, and electronic sounds created a unique soundscape that was both catchy and experimental for Perry.
Although it garnered mixed reviews for its suggestive lyrics, the song’s upbeat nature and club-ready production made it popular in dance scenes.
The collaboration with Migos added a trap twist to Perry’s style, giving the song an edge that distinguished it from her previous work.
5. “E.T.” by Katy Perry featuring Kanye West (2010)
About this song:
- Album: Teenage Dream
- Released: 2010
- Artist: Katy Perry featuring Kanye West
- Genre: Electronic, Hip Hop
- Key Lyric: “Kiss me, ki-ki-kiss me. Infect me with your lovin’, fill me with your poison.”
“E.T.” was released as a single in 2010, featuring a collaboration between Katy Perry and Kanye West.
The song delves into themes of alien love and otherworldly attraction, creating an ethereal and futuristic vibe.
Co-written by Perry, it became a standout track from Teenage Dream due to its dark, electronic production and haunting vocals.
The song’s hypnotic beat and unconventional subject matter set it apart from mainstream pop at the time.
“E.T.” reached global success, solidifying Perry’s versatility and ability to push boundaries in pop music.
6. “Not Like the Movies” by Katy Perry (2010)
About this song:
- Album: Teenage Dream
- Released: 2010
- Artist: Katy Perry
- Genre: Pop Soul
- Key Lyric: “If it’s not like the movies. That’s how it should be, yeah.”
Released in 2010, “Not Like the Movies” is a reflective ballad from Perry’s Teenage Dream album.
The song explores the theme of love not living up to idealized expectations, a metaphor for how reality differs from fairy tales.
Written by Perry, it reflects her personal insights into romantic disillusionment, expressed through a soft, melodic composition.
The minimalistic production highlights Perry’s vocals, allowing the emotional weight of the lyrics to resonate deeply with listeners.
Its sentimental tone set it apart from the album’s more upbeat tracks, making it a heartfelt closing piece.
7. “Hot N Cold” by Katy Perry (2008)
About this song:
- Album: One of the Boys
- Released: 2008
- Artist: Katy Perry
- Genre: Pop, Dance-pop
- Key Lyric: “’Cause you’re hot, then you’re cold. You’re yes, then you’re no.”
“Hot N Cold” was one of Perry’s earliest hits, released in 2008 from her debut album One of the Boys.
The track addresses a tumultuous relationship, using contrasting metaphors to capture the unpredictability of love.
Written by Perry and Dr. Luke, its catchy chorus and playful lyrics helped it become a staple of late-2000s pop music.
The song’s infectious energy and relatable themes quickly resonated with fans, making it a commercial success worldwide.
Its dance-pop production made it an upbeat anthem, and its popularity solidified Perry’s place in the pop music scene.
8. “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry featuring Juicy J (2013)
About this song:
- Album: Prism
- Released: 2013
- Artist: Katy Perry featuring Juicy J
- Genre: Trap, Hip Hop, Pop Rap, Electropop
- Key Lyric: “So you wanna play with magic? Boy, you should know what you’re fallin’ for.”
“Dark Horse” was released in 2013 as part of Perry’s Prism album, featuring rapper Juicy J.
The track merges hip-hop and trap influences, creating a darker and more mysterious vibe compared to Perry’s previous singles.
The lyrics warn of the power and unpredictability of love, with Perry portraying a seductive, almost supernatural allure.
Its experimental production, co-written with Dr. Luke and Max Martin, helped the song stand out and reach massive commercial success.
The blend of genres, coupled with Perry’s entrancing vocals, made it one of her most distinctive tracks to date.
9. “Never Really Over” by Katy Perry (2019)
About this song:
- Album: Smile
- Released: 2019
- Artist: Katy Perry
- Genre: Electropop, Dance-pop
- Key Lyric: “Two years and just like that. My head still takes me back.”
Released in 2019, “Never Really Over” was part of Perry’s Smile album, and became an instant hit with its infectious energy.
The song delves into the complexities of lingering emotions after a relationship, exploring how love can feel unresolved.
Co-written with Zedd, its high-energy electropop production makes it both danceable and deeply relatable.
Perry’s ability to combine personal vulnerability with an upbeat sound helped “Never Really Over” connect with audiences globally.
The song marked Perry’s return to her signature pop sound, earning praise for its catchy melodies and emotional depth.
10. “The One That Got Away” by Katy Perry (2010)
About this song:
- Album: Teenage Dream
- Released: 2010
- Artist: Katy Perry
- Genre: Pop, Chamber Pop
- Key Lyric: “We’d keep all our promises. Be us against the world.”
“The One That Got Away” was released as the sixth single from Perry’s 2010 Teenage Dream album, reflecting on lost love and missed opportunities.
The ballad explores the pain of regret and the lasting impact of a relationship that didn’t work out, written by Perry alongside Max Martin and Dr. Luke.
Its chamber pop sound, with strings and soft vocals, gave the track a wistful, emotional tone, different from the album’s other singles.
The nostalgic lyrics and haunting melody made the song resonate with listeners, becoming one of Perry’s more sentimental hits.
It showcases her talent for capturing both the joy and sorrow of love, solidifying her status as a versatile pop artist.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Best Katy Perry Songs showcase her versatility, creativity, and undeniable impact on pop music.
Each track reflects her unique ability to connect with listeners through catchy melodies and powerful messages.
From party anthems to heartfelt ballads, Katy Perry’s music continues to inspire fans worldwide.
These songs highlight her journey as an artist and her influence in shaping modern pop.
Explore the Best Katy Perry Songs and rediscover the magic behind her iconic sound.