Top 10 Best Songs of Katy Perry

An inspiring song about self-worth and finding the spark within yourself. The strings in the intro build the tension beautifully. The chorus is a vocal explosion. Katy sings with a force that goes through marrow and bone. It's bombastic, theatrical and emotionally overwhelming. A timeless hymn for anyone who has ever felt small.

The ultimate empowerment anthem. The beat is a slow "stomp-clap" that reminds you of stadiums like in 'We Will Rock You'. It's about finding your voice and standing up for yourself. The lyrics are full of clichés ("Eye of the tiger"), but Katy delivers them with so much conviction that it works. It's grand, positive and immediately makes you feel like you can take on the whole world.

Katy's attempt at purposeful pop. Beneath the cheerful disco beat and danceable melody lies a critique of society living in a bubble and ignoring reality. The song swings, but the lyrics make you think ("So comfortable, we live in a bubble"). Skip Marley's contribution gives it a rebellious edge. In the Netherlands, this was a major radio hit.

The breakthrough that hit like a bomb. A rock-oriented pop track with a stomping rhythm. The lyrics were controversial at the time, but the hook was simply too strong to ignore. The song has a raw edge that sometimes disappeared in her later work. It sounds cheeky, challenging and bursting with attitude. The starting shot of a world career.

A style break where she traded pop for trap influences. The beat is bare, dark and mysterious. It's about a woman as a powerful, almost magical witch you shouldn't underestimate. The drop is minimalist but effective. The song has a bewitching, "witchy" atmosphere that was very innovative for a mainstream pop star at the time.

A rare moment of melancholy on her successful Teenage Dream album. The beat stays driving (through the drums), but the guitar and lyrics tell a story of deep regret and loss. The reference to Johnny Cash and June Carter gives it tragic romance. Katy sounds vulnerable here, musing about what could have been. A fan favorite because of the emotional weight.

The West Coast's answer to Jay-Z's ode to New York. This is the West Coast in a song: sunny, sexy and funky. The bass line is disco-like and warm, as if the sun is burning on your skin. Snoop Dogg adds exactly the right dose of 'cool' to the sugary sweet melody. It's a summer anthem that smells like sunscreen and melting ice cream.

A hectic synth-pop track that describes the fickleness of a relationship. The beat is nervous and fast, which intensifies the frustration of the lyrics ("You change your mind like a girl changes clothes"). The chorus is an energy injection of the highest level. It's bouncy, a bit brutal and impossible to stay still to. Perry at her most energetic.

According to many, the perfect pop song. The tempo is mid-tempo and propulsive, creating a feeling of eternal youth and nostalgia. It's about a love that makes you young again. Katy sings here less "screaming" and more melodiously. The production is crystal clear and sunny. It's the musical equivalent of driving in a convertible with the wind in your hair.

The ultimate ode to the chaos of a house party that gets out of hand. The song is full of 1980s nostalgia, complete with synthesizers and an unexpected saxophone solo (played by Kenny G in the video). The atmosphere is euphoric and carefree. It captures exactly that feeling of waking up with a hangover and vague memories, but knowing it was worth it. A dance floor banger par excellence.