Katy Perry, Firework | Music Lifts

In the 36^th edition of Music Lifts (2023), we’re uplifted by pop superstar Katy Perry performing, “Firework.”

Welcome to Music Lifts , a column that seeks to highlight songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs that exude fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity.  Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights!  So, for the 36^th edition of Music Lifts (2023), we highlight “Firework” as performed by Katy Perry.

Baby, do you know what you are? “You’re a firework !” WOO! It’s hard to believe that the Katy Perry classic, “Firework”, arrived way back in 2010! Perry experienced the biggest success of her career, as her Teenage Dream album was chocked-full of hits. “Firework” spent four weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, tallying 39 weeks total on the charts.  The song features marvelous production ( Sandy Vee and StarGate), tuneful melody, a strong vocal from Perry, and most of all, inspiring, memorable, and uplifting songwriting (Perry and Ester Dean join the production team as writers).

The inspirational, uplifting nature of “Firework” is what has always stood out to me personally.  In the first verse, Perry paints a picture of feeling worthless, and going through ample adversity. “Do you ever feel already buried deep?” she sings, adding, “Six feet under screams, but no one seems to hear a thing.”  Following these negative feelings and vibes, Perry shifts all things inspiring.  In the pre-chorus, she tells the hopeless, “You just gotta ignite the light / And let it shine / Just own the night / Like the Fourth of July.” Why? “‘Cause baby, you’re a firework / Come on show ‘em what you’re worth / Make ‘em go, ‘Awe, aw, awe’ / As you shoot across the sky-y-y!” WOO! The second verse, following the epic chorus, embraces this newfound hope and fearlessness, contrasting the mopey first verse.  Katy encourages us to open a new door! Even though the chorus is the sugar honey iced tea on this bombastic encouraging pop joint, the bridge must be mentioned in all their brightness! “Boom, boom, boom / Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon / It’s always been inside of you, you, you…” Just remember, whether it’s The fourth of July or nah, YOU own every night, darlings!

Katy Perry • Teenage Dream • Capitol • 2010

Katy Perry, Firework: Music Lifts No. 36 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Capitol; cottonbro studio, Itzel Sandoval, Neeraj Nagdeve via Pexels]