Katy Perry: A Modern-day Composer Logan Hubbard Music Appreciation Semester Project

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson

d.o.b. October 25, 1984

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson d.o.b. October 25, 1984 Santa Barbara, CA

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson d.o.b. October 25, 1984 Santa Barbara, CA Stage name: Katy Perry

Parents: Keith & Mary Hudson

Career Beginnings

Career Beginnings Background

Born to two pastors for parents

Career Beginnings Background Born to two pastors for parents Very involved in parents’ ministry

Career Beginnings Background Born to two pastors for parents Very involved in parents’ ministry Attended Christian schools

Career Beginnings Background Born to two pastors for parents Very involved in parents’ ministry Attended Christian schools Solely listened to Christian and gospel music; secular music was not allowed in the home

Career Beginnings

Started singing, dancing, and performing at a young age

Career Beginnings Started singing, dancing, and performing at a young age Left high school after 1 year, took GED, and moved to Tennessee to pursue dreams of a career in music

Career Beginnings Started singing, dancing, and performing at a young age Left high school after 1 year, took GED, and moved to Tennessee to pursue dreams of a career in music 2001 (still performing as Katy Husdon): released self-titled gospel rock album

Career Beginnings End of 2001, changed surname to Perry (mother’s maiden name)

Career Beginnings Age 17, moved to Los Angeles, CA and signed to Island Records

Career Beginnings Watched VH1 and discovered Alanis Morissette

Career Beginnings Watched VH1 and discovered Alanis Morissette One of Katy’s greatest influences!

Career Beginnings 2004 – Dropped by The Island Def Jam Music Group, so she signed to Columbia Records

Career Beginnings 2004 – Dropped by The Island Def Jam Music Group, so she signed to Columbia Records Did NOT believe in Katy’s vision!

Career Beginnings 2004 – Dropped by The Island Def Jam Music Group, so she signed to Columbia Records Did NOT believe in Katy’s vision!

Career Beginnings Former Columbia Records publicity executive stole Katy’s files and brought them to Virgin Records

2008 Wrote and recorded: “I Kissed a Girl” “Hot & Cold”

2008 Wrote and recorded: “I Kissed a Girl” “Hot & Cold” “I Kissed a Girl” peaked at

2008 Wrote and recorded: “I Kissed a Girl” “Hot & Cold” “I Kissed a Girl” peaked at

2008 Wrote and recorded: “I Kissed a Girl” “Hot & Cold” “I Kissed a Girl” peaked at for 7 weeks on

2008 Wrote and recorded: “I Kissed a Girl” “Hot & Cold” “I Kissed a Girl” peaked at for 7 weeks on

This was just the beginning…

History of Music

“California Gurls” released May 11, 2010

History of Music “California Gurls” released May 11, 2010 – Peaked at #1 on Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks – Reached #1 in over 10 countries – #1 on Billboard’s 30 Summer Songs of All Time listing

History of Music “California Gurls” released May 11, 2010 – Peaked at #1 on Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks – Reached #1 in over 10 countries – #1 on Billboard’s 30 Summer Songs of All Time listing

History of Music “Firework” released October 16, 2010

History of Music “Firework” released October 16, 2010 – 3 rd consecutive single to reach #1 on Hot 100 – Has sold over 5,000,000 copies in the USA alone Making Katy the only artist with 3 songs topping in the 5,000,000 mark

History of Music “Last Friday Night”

History of Music “Last Friday Night” – Reached #1 on US Billboard Hot 100 & Canadian Hot 100 – Also reached #1 in Slovakia, Czech Republic, and top-ten positions in Austria, Ireland, Italy, and Poland – This song set a record, making Katy the 1 st female artist in history to have five #1 singles from a single album Only other person to achieve this was Michael Jackson

Listening Guide

Firework

Listening Guide Firework California Gurls

Listening Guide Firework California Gurls Teenage Dream

Listening Guide Firework California Gurls Teenage Dream Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)

Song 1: Firework

Written as a tribute to people overcoming obstacles in their lives

Song 1: Firework Written as a tribute to people overcoming obstacles in their lives Written to inspire others to find peace

Song 1: Firework Written as a tribute to people overcoming obstacles in their lives Written to inspire others to find peace Katy believes we all have a spark and a lot of times its only us that’s standing in the way of reaching our goals

Song 1: Firework :08 Section A :39 Section B – strings, cello :54 Section C1:25 Section A 1:56 Section B 2:11 Section C – faint harmony vocals 2:43 Section D 2:58 Breakdown (section c) 3:13 Peak 3:30 Section C - with Section D vocals 3:48 end

Song 2: California Gurls :07 Section A:24 Slap bass:38 Section B:53 Section C 1:24 Section A1:40 Section B1:55 Section C 2:25 Guest Feature – Snoop Dogg rap 3:03 Section C – multiple layers of vocals 3:35 descant3:54 end

Song 3: Teenage Dream :04 Section A – guitar/drum :20 Bass + Keys :35 Section B – dissonant harmony vocals :52 Section C – two high harmony 1:24 Shortened section A 1:39 Section B 1:56 Section C – faint high harmony 2:27 Section D – bridge, descending melody 2:44 Breakdown 2:51 Section C – multiple layers of vocals

Song 4: Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) :07 Section A – panned vocals :22 Section B – sung in octaves :35 Section C – several layers harmony 1:20 Section A 1:38 Section B – dissonant harmony 1:50 Section C 2:34 Breakdown – gang vocals 2:47 Sax Solo 3:02 Section C3:40 end