How Katy Perry can make a musical comeback

#KP6 #katyperry
Today Katy Perry is still a huge celebrity but is no longer a significant player in the music industry. The last time a Katy Perry album was truly a ‘success’ was the Prism era and that was a whole ten years ago.
At a recent show of her Las Vegas residency Play, Katy hinted that KP6 was in the works. So what does that mean for the American superstar’s career; after the failure of Witness and the almost non-event that was Smile, where can she go from here?
Which genre, should Katy pursue for her next record? What mistakes from the ‘Smile’ and ‘Witness’ eras does she need to correct moving forward? Who should she collaborate with for her new sound? Or should she continue with a ‘business as usual’ approach? This mini-documentary explores these questions and more.
PS - the suggestions I’m putting forth in the video are of course subjective, If you don’t agree with them just leave yours in the comments below 👇
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______________________________________________________
00:00 Intro
00:55 Current Situation
01:37 KP6
04:48 Cohesive album
06:10 Lyrics
07:48 Collaborators
10:15 New Image
11:21 Previous Attempts
Don't forget to watch my last video about music artists who hate their own songs • Singers who HATED thei...

[@Mottita08]

As a Katycat myself I want nothing more than to see her at the top of the game again but truth is I don’t think she actually wants commercial success again. It seems like she’s happy being a throwback act living a relatively simple mom-centric life, releasing music she enjoys from time to time and I think that can be fine, she’s already a well established legend and icon of pop music and pop culture at large.

[@jonnyharvey]

Who can blame her? If I was her I think I'd rest on my laurels. She worked so hard for so long.

[@Mottita08]

@@jonnyharvey yes! She seems much more happy now than she was at the top of her game, I guess success is based on how you measure it. I think she’s focused on her Daisy and it seems to me like that’s were her current life goals are focused. Quite beautiful thing but as pop music consumers not really good news 😅 In the end, whatever makes her happy should be fine!

[@dinahrayhansen4903]

It’s not like she DON’T want it, everybody wants success, she CAN’T have it

[@Mottita08]

@@dinahrayhansen4903 who says she doesn’t already have it? The way you measure success can be very different for everyone. She’s a loving mother to a beautiful daughter with a loving partner, many friends, caring family and a big load of money to her name thanks to a culturally reseting career and Pop Music trajectory. I’m pretty sure she considers that success.

[@PleaseTakeNote]

​@@dinahrayhansen4903i agree, in the case of katy perry, pop domination isnt really on the table anymore

[@cityboy2092]

I like Katy, but I just don't see her having a big era ever again. What people forget is that even though she was huge in the early 2010's, she never really had a super dedicated fan base the same way her peers did. Like yes, people loved her songs, but they didn't seem to care much for her as a person. Most of her biggest fans were literal children (go back and look at her concerts from back then; a large chunk of the audience is parents with their very young kids). But unlike Ariana or Bieber or Taylor who made increasingly mature music for their audiences as they grew, her music always seemed stuck. Then dropping an album like Witness in 2017, the year of Migos and Travis Scott and Post Malone, just sealed her fate as an artist whose expiration date had already come. But who knows? No one expected Miley to have such a huge hit with Flowers and yet here we are. Maybe she can make something that taps into this current generation's music tastes. I know fans want her to return to the Teenage Dream sound so bad, but that is just not what's gonna get her in people's good graces

[@jorgelquintero]

She needs to go the Ray of Light route with her next album, where she sings about motherhood and self-introspection. With some dark and serious visuals.

[@jonnyharvey]

yes she definitely needs to do something more mature.

[@joshua2764]

Yessssss

[@itsallaboutaz]

After "Never Really Over" & "Harleys in Hawaii" came out, I was pretty hyped for Katy's next album, but the fact they ended up on "Smile", made no sense. They're both completely sonically and aesthetically different from "Smile" and its entire theme and sound, yet those two are clearly its stand out tracks. If she had just scrapped "Smile"'s sound and theme and followed down the track of Never Really Over and Harleys after the positive reception they got, while it may not of been a "come back" album, it would've gone down a lot better and aged well versus the almost childlike feeling album "Smile" turned out to be. It could've allowed her to explore more of a relaxed pop sound that felt more authentic and didn't involve a character. I almost wish both the singles didn't end up on "Smile" and drag them down with the album.

[@jonnyharvey]

yes Smile ended up very muddled. Its confusing to her audience and casual fans

[@MariahIsSkinnyFuckBlueLives]

I was honestly surprised “Never Really Over” wasn’t a big hit, it was really catchy and sounded current

[@bib2045]

I do think she has it in her to pull a comeback. I think brand new management, quit American idol, work with bonnie again are all vital. Pop rock is a good shout in a short run but it can also backfired as it’s not really a sound that stays on top of the trend that long.

[@jonnyharvey]

okay that's interesting. Maybe the pop-rock thing will be fleeting?

[@zoren1900]

Pop rock is sorta back

[@CK_Godoth]

​@@jonnyharveyPop rock is really strong in the Indie scene. With pop rock, there's more way for dark and in depth lyricism. And Pop Rock also give rise to many true and core fans. So I think she definitely should go for Pop Rock. It would be like Taylor Swift doing folklore and evermore to go back to her country sounds with a twist of Indie. Same thing Katy's can be like going back to her starting out sound. Now the only problem left is how to get Katy to hear all these🥲

[@koushalpant]

I'm from the future and she is indeed quitting American Idol! you manifested it lol

[@musicbydemarcus]

I fully believe in Katy Perry and her ability to make a comeback but a huge problem is I don’t think her label believes in her. They did no promo for smile, Katy and her team had to do it all. I wish she could leave capitol and go to a label who would at least do the bare minimum for her. She also needs to adapt to streaming culture. But I agree she needs to have an album album where people can take her seriously as an artist

[@jonnyharvey]

yes Capitol Records/UMG probably see her as an artist who has come to end of their life cycle. I doubt they will make her a priority in the future. Universal has other major female solo artists now.

[@123theprodigy5]

@@jonnyharvey Man, I miss Katie, her album teenage is so nostalgic.

[@myaccount-mc7ws]

i feel like the rebrand that you’re talking about was perfectly executed with never really over. it was classic katy but with a more refreshing feel to it, & the music video was something a bit more mature for her but still kept her goofy, campy, & colorful qualities that we know her for. it really could’ve been the perfect comeback but for some reason the song wasn’t really pushed much & smile didn’t come out until almost a year later. whether it was bc of the pandemic, some issues with her team, or maybe it was just never meant to be a heavily promoted song. whatever it was i feel like it was a huge missed opportunity. harleys in hawaii also went viral on tiktok for a moment but they didn’t push that song either.

[@jonnyharvey]

yes NRO felt like a good update. But as you say it wasn't really executed well for the whole campaign. She went in a few directions for the albums sounds and visuals

[@GabeLazarYT]

I actually think Smile is her best album to date. It's very well executed, sounds polished, has a little Katy quirk in it but is also mature. It sounds like she enjoyed making the album and is completely herself in her best. She managed to rebrand herself as a more adult pop star, the release of the singles and the album were just really badly managed. Had they released Never Really Over, Harley's In Hawaii and then Daisies within like 4-5 months and then the album immediately it could've performed better. Also justice for Small Talk not making it to the album and Cry About It Later and Resilient not being released properly.

[@AntonioGG2-8420]

I think that Katy can pulled a “Mariah Carey” and make the biggest comeback in music history.

[@jonnyharvey]

I hope she does 😀

[@explorewithefrain7305]

@@jonnyharveyThis didn’t age well.

[@jonnyharvey]

@@explorewithefrain7305 what didn’t age well exactly? Can you be more specific? Cause I think my career advice aged very well. She did the total opposite & it failed.

[@codenamesharp]

I've never bought a Katy Perry album but enjoyed the occasional single (E.T., Firework, Swish Swish). Then I completely fell in love with her personality when she was a guest judge on Masterchef Australia in 2020 (Hot N' Cold has been the theme song from the show's debut in 2009 to current day). She was hilarious, kind, self deprecating and so entertaining, mugging direct to camera like she was in an episode of the Office and cracking dirty puns that really showed she knows her Aussie audience. Her turn with a suggestively folded napkin to give her opinion of a dessert is unforgettable and you can tell it's a moment the contestant will treasure forever. I'd recommend any Katy fan that's not seen it check it out - MasterChef Australia: Season 12, Episode 2. RIP Jock. ❤

[@cupcakKe_express]

RIP jock

[@TheAqaqaqaqaqaq]

If she wants to come back strong; she should still do Pop, (of course) incorporate some Hip Hop and Drill beats with soft, sensual R&B vibes. While also reflecting on her Pop-Rock era from 'One of The Boys'. Plus; she should definitely have some heavy hitters on the album. Taylor Swift for one. That would be a moment fr. 🎉

[@jonnyharvey]

so you think her album should be rock & r'n'b?! A duet with Taylor would be a good idea IMHO but can't imagine Taylor would want to do it.

[@JayveeEncilay]

a mix of Dark Horse and Harleys in Hawaii you mean?

[@joenathan6478]

You can say whatever about “Witness”, but it’s her best album musically and artistically ❤❤

[@jonnyharvey]

that's cool - everyone hears music differently. It would be a boring world if we all liked the same thing.

[@dtnuh]

Honestly, I think her time is pretty much done. She had a meteoric rise, but time waits for no one. If she did make a more serious, socially conscious album, Rhythm Nation is the blueprint on how it's done in pop music. I'm not sure if she could pull something like that off though.

[@jonnyharvey]

It has been a long time now. Six years since ‘Chained’. A lifetime in pop culture

[@oscabote]

Katy is no Janet Jackson. Plus Janet was 23 when she released rhythm nation

[@dtnuh]

@@oscabote Oh I completely agree

[@user-pz1bn5rz5k]

Katy should stop making bright albums. She could try tapping into making dark aesthetic albums (like dark horse aesthetics) which could serve as a full 180 for her artistry. She should also care on being top of the game and makes lots of fan interaction to garner more fans that could potentially lead into a bigger fanbase. Also, PROMOTION. Promotion is one of the weaknesses in her career. If she is promoted enough with live performances, advertisements, billboards, and other promoting stuff can really help her be successful again.

[@user-id5er4hz8d]

I swear the only thing that killed ‘Smile’ was the clown look. It was sadly something that deflected from the content, made it look childish and on top of it appealed to our coulrophobia. I think KP needs to rethink her visual branding before she even attempts branding the music.

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes amongst other things. But definitely a visual rebrand is needed

[@kemet_nil]

The one that got away is an amazing peace of art. The video complements the music tempo and tone sooooo goood

[@jonnyharvey]

I agree - I love the video, especially at the end.

[@kristesenhansen5518]

I wouldn’t describe myself as a Katy Perry fan… However I’ve liked and enjoyed listening to all her albums. In my opinion she’s an extremely talented pop-hit-songwriter. In my opinion it would be interesting seeing her explore a more sexier seductive mature pop sound and instead of the happy-humorist-quirky sound. Maybe a true evolution of “witness sprinkled with beautiful and emotional ballads”.

[@pixelpudding3914]

This might sound weird but maybe she could make a comeback with KP0. If you don’t know, before One Of The Boys, she had 2 shelved albums, Fingerprints and A, and tracks from both would end up on OOTB. I think if she mashed A and Fingerprints together, re-recorded the songs and then released an alternate/deluxe version with the original 2004 versions, along with never before seen pictures from that time. Then, she could use that momentum to boost up KP6, and maybe she could really solidify it with a “Taylor’s Version” with the 16th anniversary of Teenage Dream. Re-record Teenage Dream, maybe release some vault tracks and name it “Sweet 16 Anniversary” or something. Also this insane, but since we’re going with the best possible chance, since Katy’s known for her videography, maybe even she could re-record the Teenage Dream MVs, along with new MVs for some of the b sides, Peacock, Circle The Drain and Hummingbird Heartbeat being the most obvious ones.

[@jonnyharvey]

I don't know that earlier album - will have to google

[@RonyChatter]

I've been a Katycat and I really want some new music from her and want to see her comeback in the music industry again but we must accept the fact that sometimes artist's have a time to rise and after that golden period is gone, you can't get the same relevancy. Katy had iconic eras and has achieved every big milestone in her career as she should and there's very little possibility of her returning after the flop of Smile. Her label has stopped believing in her, she seems to be having no plans on releasing an album and it's still all good.. We should respect her decision of not wanting to continue as a 'main pop-girl' anymore.

[@phijan]

You just made me excited for what Katy is planning to do next!!

[@jonnyharvey]

me too - I'm really curious to see what she does.

[@mexiyogi7992]

I actually really loved Witness! Chained to the Rhythm is such a gem! 💎 🎶

[@jonnyharvey]

That’s cool - everyone hears music differently

[@african_chris]

It’s my favourite album of hers. 🤌🏼🤞🏼 I really love Chained to the Rhythm. ❤

[@mexiyogi7992]

@@african_chris You know, I think it’s also my favorite album! Teenage Dream was fabulous but I listen to Witness more often!

[@portisheadthird3]

She needs a new PR team, a publicist, creative director, marketing team (with fresh, modern & smart ideas) and team up with new producers. But foremost, she needs to leave that damn record label. Like i don't even mind her being busy with American Idol since that's the only thing keeping her relevant nowadays. I would love for Katy to make an entire disco, synth-funk, nu-disco album à la Jessie Ware or Roisin Murphy + embrace maturity, motherhood and adulthood in her lyricism (Jessie Ware is the same age as Katy and those are the common themes in her newest music. Those are also the topics Madonna used to discuss around the Ray Of Light era when she was about the same age as Katy). The potential she has is insane, she just needs to play her cards right. If i didn't put an emphasis on PR team and the power that a positive image holds on an artist's likeness, let me do it right know: Why do y'all think that Taylor Swift became such a phenomenon after the pandemic? After the reputation era, Taylor's team (Tree Paine, 13 management + associates) learned that the key to an artist's success is equivalent to how the general public perceives that said artist. Taylor's team has mastered this tactic to perfection: Since the folklore era, we have been bombed with positive articles after positive articles about Taylor, all strategically posted and paid by her team to build Taylor's persona and generate public sympathy towards herself. hence her current popularity and her massive appeal.

[@cristhianduarte2137]

I think it is not fair to compare the longevity of madonna, cher, etc with today's artists like Gaga, Perry. Because back then you could had a long career. Now the industry has changed thanks to internet now one day you could be at the top and then being forgot, now we have a lot of competition.

[@jonnyharvey]

yes, that's true. that's a good point. I do mention that at the end of the video.

[@Krees82]

I liked Smile. It was a happy pop album which kept me going during the pandemic like Future Nostalgia did. But I agree with you that there was no cohesiveness - seemed like random tracks from different studio sessions thrown together. Katy still has a profile because of American Idol so she has that on her favour to mount a musical comeback. I think work with one or two primary producers or songwriters to maintain a cohesive sound and stick to a more mature pop sound.

[@grahamp.goedeck5]

SHE’S COMING I KNOW IT!!!!❤

[@jonnyharvey]

It would be great if she did!

[@jakob9585]

She needs to have a ray of light moment

[@jonnyharvey]

quite a few artists need them. Very hard to pull off though

[@gagekristofer]

Katy has just said it will be Dance in a recent interview. I think she’s taking her time and will Tour in the Fall.

[@jonnyharvey]

That will be interesting

[@sparkswolverine]

I think the era that most artists that came out around the time as Katy did have fizzled out for them. I don't think they can bounce back, maybe except for Gaga.

[@hoematica5841]

I think the truth is even she knows the world is a different place now and the music landscape is completely different too and she's ok with that. If she does release more music it will be for us OG Katy Cats, not a new younger "current" audience so we probably can expect something along the lines of her usual kitschy campy anthemic catalog because that's what we loved about her and she probably knows she can't relate to the new generation because they are in a completely different chapter of life and that's ok too. I'll be happy with a "typical" Katy Perry album for KP6, I just want it to be cohesive.

[@jonnyharvey]

that's probably what will happen. She'll do something for the core audience

[@feliciak9968]

Katy’s Top 40 career is done (save for a guest spot as a featuring artist), but that’s ok. The music business burn’s people out; with only a financial reward. I’m happy to have a bop by her once a year. As long as she’s happy.

[@jonnyharvey]

yes she is probably exhausted at this point. And who could blame her?

[@pokemonishjigglypuff]

Also, if she promotes her songs on tik tok there is a big chance her song(s) go(es) viral. Just like her songs 'Harleys in Hawaii' which is one of her biggest songs from Smile. And this can give her a big peak again.

[@DM-br7vt]

Katy could go either 2 ways. MARIAH, Glitter failed and Charmbraclet didnt do anything. However Emancipation was a massively successful comeback. Or Xtina, who after Bionic never could catch fire again even though has a good sized loyal fanbase.

[@ALEXEISASHCOV]

Katy Perry should take notes of Miley Cyrus Endless Summer Vacations. She's fitting the genre. She can be seen as more mature, still have the fun codes we known her for . Summer Anthem, folk ballad, space country, pop adult, r&b alternative, pop/rock..

[@rhinshaw11]

I love your videos thanks for sharing 🎉

[@jonnyharvey]

Thank you 😀

[@PianoHits]

There’s no reason she should ditch pop , it’s working very well for Troye and Kylie. She just needs to work with some underground producers so it’s alittle left field tone down on the belting choruses to catch the vibey music Demand. Records like Peggy Gou latest one and B.O.T.A have that underground quirky charm with pop appeal and I think Katy could pull it off, Katy is missing a very experimental album like Kylie and Madonnas 90s work with William Orbit. Rita Ora made this mistake with her latest album sticking to the formula and she has lost that appeal in her projects

[@jonnyharvey]

I will have to google those artists. I definitely don’t think she should abandon pop, just do pop with some rock influence.

[@PianoHits]

@@jonnyharvey Eliza Rose and Peggy Gou, if you love 90s house you will love them :)

[@fanstastic83]

I think Witness is her best album, but she released wrong singles to promote it. I think with hits it's all about the right place and the right time. I also think that Rise is a brilliant song, which was totally ignored by everyone. When it comes to lyrics, I don't think a pop star needs to sing about serious issues, especially politics.

[@hoematica5841]

YES! Witness was so good but not well promoted and the singles were all wrong / didn't represent the album well. I still think Witness deserves the renaissance that Artpop has received in recent years.

[@JasonB95]

Absolutely agree with this commentary. Indeed gone are the days of the Teenage Dream and Prism pop formula. Katy has to evolve her brand. She probably needs to bring some new talent into her team to help her craft an updated image. I think she can find mainstream success again if she truly wants it.

[@divatalk9011]

Never say never, if she formulated a tik tok friendly bop it's possible. The editing on American Idol is doing her no favours tho

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes American Idol has been great for her bank account, not her PR

[@RhapsodyHC]

She needs better marketing. On Witness, it was marketed as a purposeful pop album, but then Katy still made “dumb” music and music videos like Bon Appetit and Swish Swish, which clearly tried pandering to the younger generation. It was a mess of an era + her beef with Taylor didn’t help either. The album overall was more personal and experimental than it was purposeful. Then Smile, it felt like the team didn’t know what they were doing. 365’s leak hurt the single performance, which the label should’ve released it early instead of holding off. Never Really Over had potential, but was squandered by lack of promo. Then after that, they were just throwing darts to see which songs would be singles, almost like the team didn’t have confidence in Katy anymore after Witness. Smile came and went, and then she had minor success with When I’m Gone, but did well with her Vegas show. At this point, I don’t know what she will do. Maybe she will just drop music for fun now instead of aiming for success. Considering she is a mother now, and her last two eras tainted her image, as well as the label not confident in her anymore.

[@jonnyharvey]

Good points there - it’s understandable if she just wanted to retire

[@torquettalk]

Didn't a music critic recently admit that he made negative criticisms about Katy Pery especially her Witness album because he was told by his bosses to do so? That really hurt Katy's music career at that time.

[@jonnyharvey]

I didn't hear that - probably is true. But it mostly got bad reviews anyway.

[@pokemonishjigglypuff]

This is a really good analysis! I'm also convinced that she can have a big comeback again, but she needs to do a collab with a trending artist like Dua Lipa or Ice Spice or with someone that's also on top of the game (like Taylor swift) to give her that attention again. This was also the case for Lady gaga, who got another number one in 2020 with Ariana Grande

[@jonnyharvey]

Doing a duet with a more current artist would be a good idea.

[@selxeverx]

Why did youtube reccomend me this after she made her comeback

[@ethan6483]

The haircut killed her career.

[@jonnyharvey]

So many people say that. Superstition?

[@rose-en2gb]

Im definitely coming to her next tour

[@briancastillo6486]

I'm afraid with Katy going Pop-Rock in KP6 as it can be a hit (hopefully a success) or a miss (ppl would think she's being immature by mimicking Olivia's pop-rock songs) She's got an incredible deep voice so I can see an album with dark-pop, chill, trappy songs idk - the public loved Dark Horse and Harley's in Hawaii, and I'd love seeing Katy in the charts again teeheehee

[@jonnyharvey]

oh she definitely shouldn't mimic Olivia Rodrigo - she needs to put her own spin on it. I think I said that in the video.

[@enigmaticarts9197]

I love your videos and your dedication to your craft , your information is authentic and trustworthy, i just want to humbly request you plz make.a video about "gaga's evolution through her career and where she stands now " plzzzzz thanks

[@jonnyharvey]

cheers - thank you 😀 So a video covering her whole career?

[@enigmaticarts9197]

@@jonnyharvey 😌🌝❤️ yup 👍

[@jockedino4059]

I wish she would put an alternative pop rock album. She can take inspirations from these albums: Breakaway/Stronger - Kelly Clarkson Jagged Little Pill - Alanis Morisette Let Go / Underneath My Skin - Avril Lavigne Riot / Brand New Eyes / After Laughter - Paramore Songs About Jane - Maroon 5 How To Save A Life - The Fray

[@jonnyharvey]

I think they are great reference points. But maybe she doesn't have the songwriting chops to pull it off. She already worked with Glen Ballard (Jagged Little Pill) so I think that's a great suggestion.

[@m.c.connor1120]

Witness was a success for anyone else. It was just overshadowed. It still was the fastest album to reach #1, made her the highest earning female artist of 2017, and even had a #1 in the UK plus Bon Appetit having over 1B views

[@jonnyharvey]

did it have a number one in the UK? Yes it still had some success.

[@bombastic331]

I don't know what's wrong with her last few singles like 365, Harleys in hawaii, NRO, WIG they all are great but never appreciated. Specially NRO and Harleys in hawaii deserves to be song of the year. Nothing is wrong with Katy she gave us everything people just create hate for her in their mind for no reason.

[@jonnyharvey]

she seems like a really nice person. She's done amazing things in her career. I loved NRO.

[@karmAnonymous]

I'm sorry but I'm still completely shook at Witness technically being a flop. I am 27 but at the time, I totally loved the songs & videos. No lie, they are still on my current playlists 😂 i love swish swish & bon appetit.... I like basically all the songs i heard from that era. I don't understand what went wrong 🤔

[@jonnyharvey]

That’s cool - everyone hears music differently

[@karlwesneski7593]

Teenage Dream was the true deserver of the Album of the Year Grammy

[@jonnyharvey]

it was a good collection of singles but I don't know about that.

[@josephjimenez5541]

“just ask JLo” 💀💀💀

[@jonnyharvey]

I can be ice-cold.

[@mrgeraldbaez]

As much as people don't want to admit it, the only way for Katy to make a huge comeback is to work with Dr. Luke again. He understands her better than any other producer. They have great history and chemistry together. Dr. Luke would welcome her back with open arms. The holdup is just a matter of does Katy want the backlash in exchange for a potential number one single/album, which is not out of the question with Dr. Luke and his super team as her main producers. If I were a part of Katy's team, I'd say go for it now that the Kesha lawsuit is finally settled.

[@jonnyharvey]

They go back a very long way - I think they knew each other from when she worked with the Matrix. Some people just mesh & that’s okay too. They bring out the best in each other - Janet & Jam & Lewis, TLC & Dallas Austin

[@tony.hunny.bunny.69]

An albums of more songs that sound like Wide Awake, the one that got away, and Unconditionally!

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes - I second this!!! Any maybe some more country/Americana tinged songs?

[@musicmuse9829]

I agree I feel like she should go to her pop/rock roots but have a good marketing campaign behind her performances, social media also make it her own not generic

[@stephenbanks5952]

It is all about who she collaborates with. This is how Madonna and Kylie keep going. She also has to want to work hard for that success. I don't think she was really trying with Smile. She has to work hard with well chosen songwriters and producers and produce a cohesive album. With Smile she had released a lot of standalone singles in the year or so before. When the album came out I expected all fresh material but they dumped those previous singles on there too, which felt like a cop out. Some of the other tracks felt like filler too. But then she was pregnant for most of it. How focused was she? The album came out the same time she gave birth during a pandemic so promoting was out of the picture. On top of that the artwork was terrible. For someone who can look so glamorous it was a stupid decision to put her in a clown's nose. So that album was lazily put together and badly marketed and promoted. She can easily make a comeback but she needs good collaboration and she actually has to work hard and want it. I heard she only recorded 15 tracks for Teenage Dream because she didn't want to do more. Kylie (for example) will record heaps of tracks for an era and then choose the best ones. Let's see what happens when she finishes Play. If she really wants it she can make a comeback.

[@jonnyharvey]

She probably doesn't really want it and that's fine too. I wouldn't blame her- she's a mother now & has other priorities. It must have been very hard releasing a record whilst pregnant.

[@Iamchrisshorts]

I really enjoyed witness ….. maybe because I was in my mid 20s when it dropped it was perfect

[@jonnyharvey]

that's cool - everyone hears music differently

[@addadd-nk9rq]

I want to say a lot of things here in comments section, but I ll just say that I admire you so much and you really know how to speak well! You expressed all my thoughts in this video and you re so right! From Katy being a singles artist to the lack of credibility wich she faced the entire time❤ Awesome video!❤

[@jonnyharvey]

Awh, thank you 😀

[@Mitch-Alex]

There are some excellent songs on Smile, idk why it didn't get attention or love. She should totally go back to her rock sound similar to One Of The Boys. She even did it again with song Circle The Drain. I do totally agree that her albums have no cohesion and the songs are all so different.

[@rare8472]

I feel like she could definetly have a decently sized comeback album if she followed a similar sound to songs like “Harleys in Hawaii”, “The One That Got Away”, “Legendary Lovers”, and perhaps songs similar to those on One of the Boys. I do also think that she could definetly benefit from collaborating with newer artists that have risen in popularity in recent years which would allow new listeners to engage with her music, as the newer generation isn’t very familiar with her apart from a few “fabulous for a throwback” songs (iykyk). Great video, and I agreed with basically everything that you said! I truly do hope that we see at least one more great Katy Perry era in the near future, I do believe that she has it in her. 😁

[@javantenova]

Janet & Rihanna Are my favorite artist to show these girls how to EVOLVE like “This is how I’m feeling RIGHT NOW!-get into it!!” Just looking at the album covers is like a whole different person!❤️‍🔥✨🦋✨🌺

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes true, Janet is a good example (maybe with the exception of the late 2000s). She kept things interesting, she grew musically & it felt authentic.

[@peter0010]

She needs something that has a strong chorus hook, something easily transferable to a "tiktok" dance to go viral. To name just one idea.

[@jonnyharvey]

yes if she want to make it on tik-tok, she needs to go down that route.

[@peter0010]

@@jonnyharvey I mean, I personally don't use it, (bit too long in the tooth) but look at the effect it had on Kylie with Padam Padam.

[@user-cp2bi2cz3k]

I really thought Smile was a single, not a whole album!

[@imeprezime1456]

Pop-rock is perfect for her and suits her voice

[@PianoHits]

Pop rock suits her voice but she will never capture that audience now, even Demi has polarised people despite her pop rock roots

[@imeprezime1456]

@@PianoHits However she has to try because staying in the same sound as she did on last albums would be even worse. At least she should try to change something.

[@PianoHits]

@@imeprezime1456 pop dosent mean doing the same sound, I think people see pop as such a limited genre but it can borrow from so many influences and Kylie keeps proving that without needing to go rock. It’s just about incorporating genres , she is too late in her career to reestablish rock demand. Would work for Kelly Clarkson but not Katy

[@imeprezime1456]

@@PianoHits Well Katy is bery simmilar to Kelly way more than Kylie. Katy shoud at lesst try to do something like Hot n cold or Roar, more guitars and drums, and less beats and synths.

[@PianoHits]

@@imeprezime1456 actually her songs like bon appetite, feels, Harley’s in Hawaii have performed very well in recent years even though they weren’t ‘hits’ at time and they all use her breathier tone.

[@MisterWhatWhat]

She has released some good songs over the years that unfortunately didn't chart. Never Really Over should have charted higher in the US, but people are so shallow & sheepish they always follow the trend.

[@jonnyharvey]

I think NRO is a good pop song.

[@lucazsy]

I'm gonna add my 10 cents on this talk. I wish her next album doesn't have the intention to make her the biggest popstar again. I would be thrilled if it is a pop rock album with themes that connect to her fan base and still talks to the new generations, but it should not be target mainly to the new public. She should not try to compete with Olivia, Biily, Ariana or Taylor. I don't think it would work.

[@jonnyharvey]

yeah she doesn't have to play the game at that level again. But it would be good if she became a significant player again.

[@spilledbeans7000]

50K debut album sales? I don’t think she can revive her career after that 😂

[@leightonbate7516]

I am sure it was very hard to top Prism and Teenage Dream,2 great pure pop eras,I think she may have done better going the way of Taylor Swift more adult orientated pop,I also think Taylor took away some of those Katy fans who couldn't connect with the Witness album and political stance,I'll never forget Katy's Brits performance with the Trump/May effigies and being really irked by it,she can do it but she's a brand and it could be a case of she is only as good as the people she works with.

[@giuseppesenatore6053]

with the latest single released, the decision to work with Dr. Luke and the hate she is receiving, I really don't think she will return to the limelight, in fact, there is a risk that her career will be definitively killed😭

[@jonnyharvey]

@@giuseppesenatore6053 I think she has killed her career as a major music player now unfortunately. I’m sure she will still be around on TV & she’ll make albums that don’t have much impact

[@giuseppesenatore6053]

@@jonnyharvey the regret is that her career went into decline not so much for the music itself (because in any case she also managed to obtain certifications for Witness and Smile and the views of the songs are high, albeit to a lesser extent compared to the times in which she was at the top) as much as for the bad decisions she made that ruined her. This one from Dr. Luke is the worst of all. From another point of view, however, I feel like saying that, no longer having the pressure of having to release successful albums, her music can return to being more personal and more authentic, perhaps finally convincing the critics that she is a 'valid artist and not simply a product of industry

[@EnchantedTV13]

KP5 could've been her comeback if she scrapped childish and goofy Smile with nostalgic 80-90s theme.

[@jonnyharvey]

maybe- I guess we'll never know now

[@Danniidude]

Do we know how many albums she has left on her deal?

[@jonnyharvey]

Good question - I don’t know

[@blaue_sophie1317]

And now she is working with Dr. Luke again. That part of the video aged like milk😂

[@RyanConIon]

After Woman's World came out..... whatever ages worse than milk

[@robertpolnicky7702]

If taylor swift can have success with the quality she puts out I'm sure Katy can make a comeback.

[@luv_mark]

Wdym about this??

[@Juandomngz]

Are you really comparing Taylor Swift the BIGGEST STAR in the world to Katy Perry?? C'mon, i love Katy, but Taylor is at the stratosphere right now.

[@jonnyharvey]

I haven't properly listened to Katy's new stuff.

[@malcolm7447]

​@@Juandomngz Taylor can't even sing

[@chrisdonohue3843]

I'd argue that Prism was sonically and thematically cohesive. But other than that, everything is pretty much accurate.

[@jonnyharvey]

that's cool - interesting to hear different opinions.

[@user-bj5qk3op3n]

she probably wont but thats ok

[@jonnyharvey]

Yeah she has enough of a legacy

[@thedarkbaby]

@@jonnyharveywitness was katy’s Alanis era (she loved jagged little pill, so much to work with glenn ballard). Smile was her younger now and Joanne era (to rebrand her to the general public as a normal woman, just a mom). I don’t know if Katy has much freedom or even wants to be a big star anymore and release a teenage dream. She can’t do 80s disco, that’s dua’s and little outdated now. She can do maybe an acoustic/country album? White america/American idol fans love that. I don’t know if the general public want a pop rock Katy, cause she’s aged out of teen angst. Is the only option left for her is edm? I mean Katy why not just make a kids album lol 😅😅

[@explorewithefrain7305]

1 of the issues was Katy waited too long between Prizm & Witness. She should have put both albums closer together. She should have stayed working with Max & Bonnie.

[@jonnyharvey]

I read that the head of her label said that. I guess she was tired & needed time off

[@stereohype1]

Stuart Price for EP maybe? He's very good at nailing album cohesiveness. Take his work on Kylie's "Aphrodite" for example

[@jonnyharvey]

yes he's good at bringing everything together.

[@susanstorm7910]

As a diehard Katycat, I might troll her fans but she is my favorite artist. I want her back and popular again

[@jakebgoode4807]

Madonna's musical momentum ended with "4 Minutes" and Katy's with "Roar"

[@jonnyharvey]

I agree with you about Madonna. 25 years was an incredible run in fairness

[@latinoburger123]

I wouldn’t call myself a fan of hers but is VERY CLEAR that alarm bells are going off in KPs head that her status as an “A-Lister” is literally receiving its Last Rights while on life support. Gaga got the hint after ArtPop that her over the top, campy, persona was getting old & changed it while remaining uniquely Gaga and is enjoying her status as one of the greatest artists ever Katy… umm purposefully pop? GrubHub? Selling her catalog for WAY UNDERVALUED?

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes Gaga and her manager handled the Artpop situation expertly. And she did really well to maintain her career and comeback. Katy just seems lost career wise. But very rich, so I'm sure she will be fine.

[@fervelazquez5398]

Great video, would love to see this same idea but with britney spears

[@jonnyharvey]

Thank you 😀 Britney has been through so much, she seems so fragile, she probably needs to retire IMHO

[@fervelazquez5398]

@@jonnyharvey u have a point, but she seems like she wanna get back, lately it have been a lot of rumours about new music, she's allegedly gonna get paid 4 million for recording

[@aaronvillagomez3548]

i think she needs an Adele album. something that shows off her vocals and depth as well as strong lyrics which she usually has but is covered up by over production and extreme pop persona. I think a pop/soul record would be very mature and mark it as movement foreword.

[@jonnyharvey]

definitely something more mature.

[@viragogemini7403]

I want justice for when I’m gone! That song was fire!

[@jonnyharvey]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard it

[@shaunhoward6838]

She should do a single with Kylie or Christina Aguilera, Katy loves Kylie and Kylie could get her back on the charts and they would fit well in a clabb....

[@jonnyharvey]

Yeah maybe

[@UTRA456]

I don’t think she really cares about a comeback era or a another chart hit era. Hope u realize that. She just living her life as a mom now and popstar after. If she doesn’t want it it’s not gonna happen.

[@jonnyharvey]

Yes I say that at the end. She probably doesn't care anymore and that's cool too. If I was her, I would be totally over it. Trekking around the world to sell a record can't be much fun either.

[@llanieliowe794]

Could you do a video on Miley Cyrus Plastic Hearts and why it underperformed despite having some of her best work?

[@drewwhite3662]

Bonnie already said on Twitter that she's not back (minus a last minute add on) for the new album. And Dr Luke was practically confirmed as being back for the new project in a Rolling Stone article that came out last month. They've always been very good friends, she just strayed away from him to avoid backlash during the litigation, but with the drop of the allegations, only chronically online stans will care about them working together again, the GP surely won't. Especially now that's she desperately needs a smash hit and that the demand/nostalgia for her TD era is very high. Going pop rock would be a suicide since it's not what really skyrocketed her to stardom + it's a genere that doesn't last long on the charts and pops up with a couple of hits sporadically. Th only problem with her is the worng/bad/lack of promotion, something her peers labels are doing extremely well. The organic success of NRO, CTTR and HIH going viral multiple times are proof that her formula CAN still work, but she needs to be backed with good ass promo.

[@jonnyharvey]

oh thanks for this info. I follow Bonnie on Twitter, I didn't see that. I am going to google that about Dr Luke now. It wouldn't have to be pure pop rock. Miley Cyrus is doing rock tinged music at the moment and I think that could suit Katy. But it's interesting to hear other opinions. Yes she has had viral moments - need a record company behind you to give you the big push.

[@drewwhite3662]

@@jonnyharvey idk, personally I'd prefer her flopping but still doing her signature fun pop sound than a boring ass record like ESV (that also kinda tanked outside of the US, except for Flowers). Guess we'll have to wait and see, hopefully a lead will come soon, then we'll see what approach to her career she's decided to take

[@aymancatboy4987]

Witness was a huge rebrand actually. Going from TD's colorful, bubblegum sound/visuals to Witness's edgy futuristic vibe is a leap most artists wouldn't be brave enough to execute. Even sonically Witness sounded nothing like Prism and TD. I agree with the rest of the video except for this one point.

[@travishunterbrown]

I agree ONE THOUSAND PERCENT with this video!!

[@jonnyharvey]

thank you 😀

[@ChardieXCX]

Witness and Smile would have been a success only if she released Legendary Lovers/ Walking on air as a single.

[@jonnyharvey]

I love Walking on Air - that's my tune!!!!

[@stephenbanks5952]

Those tracks are from Prism. I don't get your point.

[@CarlDillynson]

It’s wild to me that her last big era was a decade ago now. Where has the last ten years gone?

[@jonnyharvey]

I know - isn't it scary? Those ten years went quick!!!

[@sphinxkat]

Tbh a lot of your suggestions just lack common sense and lived experience. You're unhappy she sings about her depression and alcoholism because she's rich (?), but that's her lived experience. She's close to 40 so she's not going to have that teenage angst to create that punk/pop sound she had. If you actually listened to Witness, you can hear the punk rock mixed in with the edm sounds. As far as Luke/Max or any of their ilk, all they really know how to do is borrow from decades past and disguise it as something new😆 If you listen to a lot of different kinds of music from different decades you can easily hear what they're borrowing...at least I can easily hear it. Max borrows heavily from current Swedish melodic metal...if only the vikings knew🤣 The leaked songs like Method to My Madness were likely axed by the executives, eventhough they are very good songs, so I don't think her instincts are bad, I think perhaps it's a bit of sabotage. I think the next album won't come out anytime soon & it will probably sound funky like Smile😉

[@jonnyharvey]

There is no need to make such personal comments. Your comments miss the point.

[@sphinxkat]

@@jonnyharvey 🤣No need to take it personal then, it's meant for learning. Did you actually say for her to work with Antonoff? I remember him eating a banana while Katy was hosting the mtv awards. He's part of the hate train against her...are you unaware of that too?

[@OfficialSpencer]

the thing is she never grew with us fans, what worked in 2010 or 2013 doesn’t always work for the next decade

[@jonnyharvey]

that's a good point. I've heard a lot of people say that

[@ChiknaBaLok-uv7tx]

The truth is since Rise in 2016, She started getting sabotaged by the industry. Also Gaga and kesha so cleverly broke her backbone that time and thrown away dr. luke from her career.

[@fedegerman1690]

Gaga was pretty over in 2014, Tony Bennet save her

[@enigmaticarts9197]

​@@fedegerman1690and see now where she stands at the top of the game , talent always wins regardless of stupid validations

[@MsElectricLover]

I can almost certainly bet that she's gonna go on a Billie Eilish type of route. Quote me. ((and I think that is NOT the right move))

[@fiercetilapia]

not jlo catching strays 😂😂

[@eyitzanthony]

i think pop/rock or country would be too big of a risk for katy. she should capitalize on the pop that made her the superstar she is, but make it more mature, think of like a confessions/fever/what's your pleasure type dance record. she can still keep her quirkiness but also make music that people could enjoy, particularly the gay community. with good collaborations, promo, single choices, etc. she could have a great comeback on her hands

[@jonnyharvey]

that's cool -interesting to hear different opinions

[@JessNukethedangthing]

She should collaborate with Linda Perry and Timbaland. Mizunderstood and Loose were incredible albums that still have a very fresh formula.

[@jonnyharvey]

I love those two albums. I think Linda Perry insulted KP in an interview

[@nathankooistra7114]

Can you make one for Ellie Goulding?

[@jonnyharvey]

Sorry but I don’t know much about Ellie Goulding. And I’ve put the channel on hiatus for a while

[@addadd-nk9rq]

As a KatyCat (btw since 2017) I almost cried at the end of the video The happiest and brightest artist of all time has the saddest story of all time...this is the conclusion😭😭😭

[@jonnyharvey]

I don't think it's a sad conclusion.... if anything I think it's a very happy ending. She happy, healthy, lovely husband and kid and she's a very, very rich lady.

[@Luisluispenalivecommx]

If one keeps focusing on the outcome, it is very likely you'll get stuck on the dream and never move on. I mean, jist look at Taylor, she's just mkaing music and look at her now, even the newbies are still fightong for her audience. Long story short, she just should put her music if she wants to, don't keep a hope, but instead get your hands on it (I'm takibg this to mysrlf as well).

[@jonnyharvey]

maybe. Perhaps.