KATY PERRY: A BIOGRAPHY

BY: JENNIFER DONALDSON

BIOGRAPHY
Biography: Katy Perry Katy Perry was born on October 25, 1984 in Santa Barbara, California. She was born to very religious pastors who named her Katheryn Hudson. Growing up she wasnt allowed to listen to popular music or watch channels like MTV. The only music allowed was Christian gospel music. Perry started taking singing lessons at age nine. When she was thirteen she learned to play guitar, and like most teenagers, started to rebel against her very vigorous Christian upbringing. She decided she wanted a career in music and she pierced her own nose. In 2001 she recorded her first album. It was a gospel CD entitled, Katy Hudson. It didnt reach very many people and very shortly the label went bankrupt.

Once her first attempt failed Perry made a drastic change. Being introduced to a different kind of music by her teenage friends, she realized she wanted to focus most on her music. She got her GED and moved to Los Angeles. She began to work with Glen Ballard. At this point she was only seventeen and times were hard. It was a dark time of doing anything and everything to be able to survive. She suffered so many rejections on her way to fame. She and Ballard couldnt find anyone to sign them. Producers would be interested but nothing came of it. Until finally her year came. In 2007 Perry was signed with Capitol Records.

Her first breakout song was, Ur so gay. It became popular and was related to songs by Lily Allen. However it wasnt until her hit song, I kissed a Girl, was released that Perry started her exponential rise to stardom. The song debut in 2008 to roaring success. With that success her album, One of the Boys, made the top ten of the Billboard Top 100 list. This album also gave her a Grammy nomination for best Female Pop artist.

On the rise to stardom her personal life was definitely full of influences. She met Travis McCoy when she recorded a song in New York. Quite soon after that meeting they started a courtship. They portrayed a couple in Gym Class Heroes music video for there Cupids Chokehold music video. After a few years of casual dating each other, Perry received a very nice surprise in the form of a promise ring. A few months of joy later however, the couple broke up. After a few months apart the couple tried again to see if they could make it. Sadly it was not meant to be.

The summer of 2009 proved to be a fateful one for the young star. Perry began a romantic entanglement with British comedian Russell Brand. They met on the set of the movie Get Him to the Greek. They were seen at the MTV Video music awards together from there. Brand proposed to her New Years Eve of 2010 while they were on a vacation to India. They were married on October 23, 2010, performing a Hindu ceremony near the Ranthambhore tiger sanctuary in Rajasthan, India. With her new love by her side Perry worked on her second album titled, Teenage Dream. The album had six hit singles called, "California Gurls", "Teenage Dream", "Firework", "E.T.", Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" and "The One That Got Away". The first five made the 100 list. The One that Got away, was able to make it to number three on the list. Perrys second album is the second in history to have five number ones from one album. The only other artist to have done that was Michael Jackson with his album, Bad. She was also the first female artist to achieve this accomplishment and it was also the third album in history to yield eight top-five hits. Those singles were able to sell over two million downloads in the United States alone! This broke the previous record set by Fergie with her song The Dutchess. By January 2012, she was named the sixth best-selling digital artist in the United States!

While still pursuing her career as a performing artist, she made a little side road into acting. Her debut was made in 2011 by voicing Smurfette in the popular family film The Smurfs. The film was a huge success despite negative reviews. Perry starred again as Smurfette in the second film two years later.

Despite the upward growth of her career, Perrys personal life was going down. After only fourteen months of being with Russell Brand., he filed for divorce on December thirtieth of two-thousand eleven. The divorce was finalized in July of 2012. A year later Perry told the press that she received a text from Brand, informing her about his decision. Obviously they didnt speak again after that.
Even through this devastating time Perry remained strong and put her passion to her career. She travelled the world to continue to honor the promises she made her fans. The travelling show, which had excessive decorations and costumes, was nominated for five awards! Three of which she won. She won Choice Music: Tour for Teen Choice Awards and Favorite Tour Headliner for People's Choice Awards. Her tour experience was filmed and turned into an amazing film called Katy Perry: Part of Me.

When everything with tour was said and done, Perry took a little time to herself. By no means was she just sitting idly by. She was hard at work putting together a new album called, Prism. This album definitely is unlike her previously released albums. The fun, amusing, almost comical songs are missing from this album. It actually is looking a little darker. Perry has had a long road to travel to get to where she is now. However, those trials and those struggles made her the artist she is today. Now she is writing music that speaks to a generation. She is able to relate so well through her music to that weird, quirky, side all of us have. She is a great example to all those who wish to pursue a career in music.

Composition History Waking up In Vegas: Music video was directed by Joseph Kahn. First released in 2009. On the album One of the Boys. It was produced by Greg Wells. It was recorded at Rocket Carousel Studio. The label on it was Capitol records. The influence for the song was Perrys own experience with the wild city. Roar: This song was released in 2013. It was produced at MixStar records. It was recorded at Luke's in the Boo, Playback Recording Studio and Secret Garden Studios. Perry was undergoing therapy at this time. This song was to let certain feelings out. Firework: This song was released in 2010. The song was written by Katy Perry, Mikkel Ericksen, Tor Hermansen, Sandy Wilhelm, Ester Dean. It was produced by Stargate and Sandy Vee for Katy Perry's third album Teenage Dream. The song is very inspiring as is the music video. Part of Me: This song was released in February of 2012. This song was released as the leading single from Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection. This album was released in March 2012 as the re-release of the August 2010 album, Teenage Dream. It was written by Perry and Bonnie McKee with production and further writing by Dr. Luke, Max Martin, and Cirkut. The song is said to be directed at Perrys ex-boyfriend Travie McCoy.

Part of Me 0:00: Very short intro of beat. Sounds like a drum 0:02: The verse starts right at the beginning. She begins with a monotone melody repeating the same note. Its a simple meter beat. Not accompanied with any harmony. A very straightforward accompaniment. This is the dark part of the song. The melancholy part of the music 0:30: The music correlates with the feelings she wants to express through her lyrics. It becomes up beat. No longer monotone. Theres harmony. It becomes forte. This is where the chorus starts. Theres more instruments so the texture is more layered. The melody becomes happier and brighter. Has a definite dancing beat. 1:00: The music goes back to monotone as the second verse begins. The feeling is once again dark and depressing. She uses the fifth and the third of a chord (a minor third). The music sounds almost minor. It sounds like there might be clapping at specific times to add emphasis. 1:30: The chorus is clearly major. Once again her words portray victory. The music is more off beat than the verse. Gives you a bouncy, happy, feeling. Once again there are more instruments providing a more interesting background. 2:00: This is where the bridge begins. This is where the music feels like theres a release. The music remains upbeat and happy. The lyrics reflect her letting go. While the music feels minor the words and beat remain strong and happy. It steadily starts growing until it reaches the crescendo and the chorus begins right at the highest point. 2:30: The chorus begins again and repeats itself twice for the last minute of the song. The instruments continue to play. There are certain lines that are repeated. It seems like random lines the artist wants repeated. Theres a little variation with how they are sung. 3:00: Chorus second time through. There are lines that are sung differently. Adding some instant repeating to the lyrics.

Firework
0:00: Introduction. Very fast major chord intro. Has a happy light feel. Synthesized instruments playing as well as a drum. 0:10: Verse one begins with an ascending vocal pattern as the music and words become more intense. As well as louder in volume. Talks about loneliness and the darkness we all feel. As it gets louder you feel something changing. 0:38: Chorus starts with another ascension in her pitch. Almost sounds like a swooping motif that gradually increases in volume. It has the firework section which seems to be the highest point of the song in pitch, volume, as well as the climax. 1:25: Verse two begins. Theres no vocal harmony. Melody is simple. Uses eighth notes almost entirely. And a positive as well as major feel. This part talks of getting up and going out. 1:55: Chorus starts again with the same excited feeling as before. It sounds like shes singing along with herself to provide texture. Second half of the chorus there is a little vocal harmony giving it more depth with texture. There is a strong dancing beat. Almost like the song is calling you to action. 2:43: Bridge begins. Major key. The texture thins with just guitar and a drum. Focuses more on her voice as she paints vocally. Lyrics change during this part. 2:59: Part B of the chorus begins with violins accompanying the vocals. Texture remains thin until part B repeats again. 3:29: The bridge is intermixed with the chorus. Retains deep texture. This is the high point of the song (Climax) where is peaks in volume, pitch, and excitement. It begins to build up till the end where it ends abruptly.

Waking Up in Vegas 0:00: Timbre provides the noise of a slot machines coins coming out. 0:06: Verse one begins with a pulse like a heartbeat. Its a very simple melody. The words are telling a story. Its in major mode. There are some trills between pitches. One instrument is playing in the background. It sounds like a guitar. It is sung as though she is innocent or unsure. The voice becomes more confident and fun as the verse goes on. 0:37: Chorus begins. Melody becomes a little more complex. Monotone voice has stopped. Heart beat pulse still ensues. There are some vocals in the background that add to the harmony. This is where you hear surprise and fun in the singers voice 1:03: Verse two begins again with the monotone voice and melody. Story continues with a marriage. Talking of the high life that happens in Vegas. It sounds a lot like character singing. It really feels like a story is being told through song. 1:29: Chorus begins again. Same melody as before. Major mode. Has a very nice dancing beat. Very happy. This is where you hear some arrogance in the voice. 1:45: The bridge begins. Its an ascending vocal pattern. Has a little different feel to it than the rest of the song. More of an electric guitar. Very loud part of the song. Its a lot more staccato. Has a young party feel. 2:08: Slows down a lot. Repeats one lyric over again. Remember what you told me. Sounds like a romantic part of the song. 2:22: Chorus begins again. This time a lot more forceful. Continues to repeat lines of chorus till the end of the song. Parts of it such as the lyric, Thats what you get baby, sounds like a warning. Like I just lost everything kind of feel.

Roar 0:04: Intro begins with chimes. 0:05: Verse one begins. Lilting melody begins. Has a jungle feeling music. Talking about weakness. Has a very strong emphasis every third beat. It sounds like she is monotone till this one beat where she makes a jump. This continues for the whole verse. Very minimal instruments. More focused on her voice. Its quite loud and stays that way for the whole verse. 0:28: Chorus begins. Dynamics start to increase. Strength in the song. A lot of swooping. Theres a lot of scatting with the word Roar. It sounds conjuct because she is making jumps vocally that are all over the place. While its building you feel like you want resolution. Which comes when she sings Youre going to hear me Roar. Thats what youve been waiting for. 1:23: Verse two begins. There is a lot more strength in this second verse than in the verse. Its in major mode. Does slightly have a minor feel in the music. This part briefly mentions just standing up for yourself. Its a very fast verse.

1:33: Chorus begins again with the same feeling of building up. Waiting for the Roar. It sounds like an inverted arch. Scatting on the word Roar again. Main emphasis of this song is the word Roar Its repeated for about 30 seconds alone.
2:38: Bridge begins. Music comes to almost a complete stop. Then it starts building. Very quickly. Along with the vocals which start off low but get louder until its at its peak. 2:53: Part B of the Chorus begins with a huge emphasis. Its very happy, strong, forceful. The melody stays the same but sounds a little different because of the strength now put into it. Lots of texture provided by other vocalists. The music still seems the same as at beginning of the song but like everything else is emphasized. 3:18: The vocalists begin the scatting Roar. The main vocalist is singing over that with the word Roar. As well as pieces of the chorus. Fun finishing. No uncomfortableness 3:40: Finishes with one final Roar. Music fades. Song ends.

Bibliography
1. Katy Pery Biography. Biography.com, http://www.biography.com/people/katy-perry-562678, 19962013, February 2014. 2. Katy Perry Biography. Aceshowbiz.com, http://www.aceshowbiz.com/celebrity/katy_perry/biography_2.html, 2005-2014. February 2014. 3. Waking Up In Vegas. Ask.com, http://www.ask.com/web?q=Waking+up+in+Vegas&qsrc=0&o=10181&l=dir, 2014, February 2014. 4. Roar. Ask.com, http://www.ask.com/web?qsrc=1&o=10181&l=dir&q=Roar&qo=serpSearchTopBox , 2014, February 2014. 5. Part of Me. Ask.com, http://www.ask.com/web?qsrc=1&o=10181&l=dir&q=Part+of+Me&qo=serpSearchTopBox , 2014, February 2014. 6. Firework. Ask.com, http://www.ask.com/web?qsrc=1&o=10181&l=dir&q=Firework+Katy+Perry&qo=serpSearchTopBox , 2014, February 2014.

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