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The trouble with 'I Kissed A Girl'
Published Friday, Jul 11 2008, 14:31 BST | By Nick Levine | 21 comments
Well, we've listened to 'I Kissed A Girl' quite a lot over the last few months and truth be told we just can't warm to it. We like its sound, essentially a bubblegummy take on Goldfrapp doing electro-glam, and we like its chorus, which is just as instant as you'd expect from a Max Martin/Cathy Dennis co-write. But something about 'I Kissed A Girl' just doesn't feel right.
It's got something to do with the slight whiff of desperation surrounding the track. Katy Perry has been trying to make it as a popstar for years - she released a Christian pop album back in 2001 and was dubbed 'The Next Big Thing' by a US music mag as long ago as 2004. Now that she's finally landed a major label record deal, she's hawking a single with a mildly titillating title to snare maximum publicity.
Actually, Perry comes across as the sort of girl who kisses her best mate at the school disco - while the teachers aren't looking, of course - to catch the eye of spunky Stephen Pearson from year 12. "Ain't no big deal, it's innocent," she sings at one point. Nobody's expecting Perry to live out her lyrics, but at least when Madonna plays lesbian for attention she has the decency to sound like she's enjoying it.
Haven't heard 'I Kissed A Girl'? The video appears for your viewing pleasure below:
What do you think of 'I Kissed A Girl'? Do you think it will be a hit in the UK? Use the space below to have your say.
More: Katy Perry, Music
Your Views
21 Comments
Your Responses
Vic, on October 28th, 2008
People are reading too much into this. This is JUST A SONG, not some kind of reality show. You wouldn't mind if an author that wrote some christian books also wrote an adult one, would you? The way some people are explaining they point, it sounds like they actually believe that songs are always personal. Yes, people write songs to express themselves, but some also write them to share their talent to those that like to listen to it. Just like an author.
People are reading too much into this. This is JUST A SONG, not some kind of reality show. You wouldn't mind if an author that wrote some christian books also wrote an adult one, would you? The way some people are explaining they point, it sounds like they actually believe that songs are always personal. Yes, people write songs to express themselves, but some also write them to share their talent to those that like to listen to it. Just like an author.
Anton, on October 8th, 2008
HAS ANYONE HEARD OF Jill Sobule? SERIOUS RIP OFF
HAS ANYONE HEARD OF Jill Sobule? SERIOUS RIP OFF
Xanadu, West Yorkshire, on August 1st, 2008
Hmmm, I first heard this the other week, and I can't work out if I do like it or not. It is catchy, the lyrics are easy to understand and if anything it is probably comical, but still not sure.
Hmmm, I first heard this the other week, and I can't work out if I do like it or not. It is catchy, the lyrics are easy to understand and if anything it is probably comical, but still not sure.
Marissa, London, on August 1st, 2008
I think it is brilliant. It's just a shame that it is like a guilty pleasure to listen to it because people think you are a bit weird
I think it is brilliant. It's just a shame that it is like a guilty pleasure to listen to it because people think you are a bit weird
Chloe, Dublin, on July 31st, 2008
it's all just sensationalism, she just wants to make people sit up and say "holy crap!" i'm 100% straight, have a boyfriend, blah blah blah, but i have a good few friends who are gay, and i know it really pisses them off that some girl is pretending to be gay just to sell a few records. god, she's not even bi...for anyone who thinks i'm lying, she's going out with travis from gym class heroes. yeah, she's cupid/queenie. its not actually an awful song, exploitation and sensationalism aside...
it's all just sensationalism, she just wants to make people sit up and say "holy crap!" i'm 100% straight, have a boyfriend, blah blah blah, but i have a good few friends who are gay, and i know it really pisses them off that some girl is pretending to be gay just to sell a few records. god, she's not even bi...for anyone who thinks i'm lying, she's going out with travis from gym class heroes. yeah, she's cupid/queenie. its not actually an awful song, exploitation and sensationalism aside...
Teeks, North East, on July 25th, 2008
Musically I like it, it's very catchy and it's nice to hear some proper pop doing well in the charts again. The thing that gets me about it is the double standards. A song by a male singer called "I Kissed A Guy" would never be a hit, in fact, it probably wouldn't be allowed to be released...
Musically I like it, it's very catchy and it's nice to hear some proper pop doing well in the charts again. The thing that gets me about it is the double standards. A song by a male singer called "I Kissed A Guy" would never be a hit, in fact, it probably wouldn't be allowed to be released...
Nik Bebic Melbourne, Australia, on July 24th, 2008
It's just a song people. Don't try and psychoanalyse it, just dance to it.
It's just a song people. Don't try and psychoanalyse it, just dance to it.
Chloe, Dublin, on July 23rd, 2008
isn't she going out with travee from gym class heroes? wonder what he makes of it all...the song itself isn't awful, it's the fact that it relies on shock tactics to sell itself...
isn't she going out with travee from gym class heroes? wonder what he makes of it all...the song itself isn't awful, it's the fact that it relies on shock tactics to sell itself...
Al, Salford, on July 19th, 2008
why is everyone so bothered if their parents hear the lyrics? - im sure it will be a number 1 in the uk for sure.
why is everyone so bothered if their parents hear the lyrics? - im sure it will be a number 1 in the uk for sure.
Rameez, Birmingham, on July 18th, 2008
I love the song but I can't listen to it in front of my family because of the lyrics! I love it so much that i'm having to listen to it in secret on my iPod! I hope it's a number 1 hit here in the UK.
I love the song but I can't listen to it in front of my family because of the lyrics! I love it so much that i'm having to listen to it in secret on my iPod! I hope it's a number 1 hit here in the UK.
Jaybe, London, on July 17th, 2008
Top 10.. Top Class Cathy Dennis!!!
Top 10.. Top Class Cathy Dennis!!!
Roxanne, America, on July 13th, 2008
omfg! what is the big deal? there are hardly any good bi/lez songs or bands, katy's is all about trying it out, this song wouldnt attract NEARLY so much attention if it was "i kissed a boy" quit ramblin on about it! its a neat song with a catchy beat in her fricing awesome voice thats not allhigh and squeaky like most singers today >.> miley!!! PS i do not know a single true gay singer/ band, even tatu, which is ALL about gays and bis and lezs, is not really bi or lez. hugs and kisses to everyone from and awesome BI chick, bite me :[
omfg! what is the big deal? there are hardly any good bi/lez songs or bands, katy's is all about trying it out, this song wouldnt attract NEARLY so much attention if it was "i kissed a boy" quit ramblin on about it! its a neat song with a catchy beat in her fricing awesome voice thats not allhigh and squeaky like most singers today >.> miley!!! PS i do not know a single true gay singer/ band, even tatu, which is ALL about gays and bis and lezs, is not really bi or lez. hugs and kisses to everyone from and awesome BI chick, bite me :[
Heather, Not in England that's for sure, on July 12th, 2008
I can see why this is so popular in England and even in America. It's catchy, has snarky lyrics, and has this danceable beat. But, as with you guys, I can't warm up to it. Like with "Ur So Gay", all I can scream is "FAKE LESBIAN!" By the way Katy, if you're worried if your boyfriend will mind you kissing a girl, trust me, he won't. Really.
I can see why this is so popular in England and even in America. It's catchy, has snarky lyrics, and has this danceable beat. But, as with you guys, I can't warm up to it. Like with "Ur So Gay", all I can scream is "FAKE LESBIAN!" By the way Katy, if you're worried if your boyfriend will mind you kissing a girl, trust me, he won't. Really.
Alan, Cork, on July 12th, 2008
What are you on about??? I love this song! It's gonna be huge over here.
What are you on about??? I love this song! It's gonna be huge over here.
Chris, Merseyside, on July 11th, 2008
LOL, from a Christian pop album to singing about kissing another girl? As desperate as it might seem, it's sex appeal and we all know sex sells, which is probably the reason behind the video. The songs good, I like it.
LOL, from a Christian pop album to singing about kissing another girl? As desperate as it might seem, it's sex appeal and we all know sex sells, which is probably the reason behind the video. The songs good, I like it.
Ben, Ashford, on July 11th, 2008
Of course you're right.. but who cares?! It's a good record! Why are people so offended by it?
Of course you're right.. but who cares?! It's a good record! Why are people so offended by it?
Joe, Newport, on July 11th, 2008
This song will make it to number one. Its got the potential, its catchy and I like it. To be frank, if Dizzee Rascal's new song can make it to number one in the UK, anyone can.
This song will make it to number one. Its got the potential, its catchy and I like it. To be frank, if Dizzee Rascal's new song can make it to number one in the UK, anyone can.
JJ, on July 11th, 2008
Its a grower thats for sure! I much prefer her track Hot 'N Cold. She has good voice..shame she did have to try and be controversial though just to make it!
Its a grower thats for sure! I much prefer her track Hot 'N Cold. She has good voice..shame she did have to try and be controversial though just to make it!
Ella, Essex, on July 11th, 2008
Both me and my younger sister love this song, but the only problem is neither of us want to play it when mums about, shame really. I do think however people are reading into it a little bit too much...
Both me and my younger sister love this song, but the only problem is neither of us want to play it when mums about, shame really. I do think however people are reading into it a little bit too much...
I love this song, Katy Perry is entertaining and seems like she'd be a lot of fun to hang out with. There's nothing wrong with the lyrics, people are reading too much into it. It's just a song - nothing more. Just ask the several thousand people (probably more) who bought the single...