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“Main Pop Girl” Katy Perry’s long-awaited comeback single is finally here, whether it’s for better or for worse; and right now, it looks like “Woman’s World” is here for worse. Released on July 11 of this year, “Woman’s World” has quickly been regarded as one of the worst songs released this year by many.
Perry is no stranger to controversy, having been the target of criticism in the mid-2010s during the release of her Witness album. However, her most recent controversy regarding “Woman’s World” seems to take the cake. Many have criticized Perry for working with Dr.
Luke, as well as the hypocritical nature of the song. But is “Woman’s World” really that bad?
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Apply Now“Woman's World” Isn't Good
After listening to the song and watching the music video myself, I was able to decide for myself whether or not “Woman's World” is really that bad. The answer to that? It is.
Though it seems as if Perry was hoping “Woman's World” would become the feminist anthem of the 2020s, both the lyrics and the music video are failing her.
The song's lyrics are bland, especially compared to other songs released this year. If you listen to other lead singles this year, such as “yes, and?” by Ariana Grande, “Von Dutch” by Charli xcx, and more recently Kesha's “Joyride”, you'll find that these songs are all much more interesting than “Woman's World."
The lyrics to the track read less like an actual song, and more like the words to a PSA promoting feminism or the jingle in an advertisement. Many online have compared the song's pre-chorus to Charmin toilet paper advertisements.
A satirical post highlighting the similarities between “Woman's World” and Charmin Advertisements
The music video isn't much better either. Many have criticized Perry for allegedly sexualizing media icon Rosie the Riveter, who represented women's independence throughout the 1940s. The scenes in which Perry is dressed as the symbol feel overly sexual and don't come across as empowering at all.
J. Howard Miller through Wikimedia Commons
Since the music video's release, Perry has come out and said the video is satire in the caption to a behind-the-scenes video. In the video, the Teenage Dream singer explains that the video is meant to be considered slapstick. Despite that, many aren't buying it. After all, if you have to explain your joke, is it really a good joke at all?
“Woman's World” Fails at What It Does
It's not just the lyrics and music video that's under fire: Many online were quick to condemn Perry for working with music producer Dr. Luke.
Other singers such as Becky G have expressed negative feelings towards Dr. Luke, with the overall consensus being that he is not a good person.
Most notably, in 2014 pop star Kesha sued Dr. Luke for a variety of things, among them being sexual assault, gender violence, and emotional abuse. Though the case against Dr. Luke has since been settled in 2023 and Kesha has since become an independent artist, it doesn't make the accusations any less serious.
To create a song meant to uplift women, and have a man who is a known abuser work on it is hypocritical of Perry, and people aren't afraid to say so:
Some aren't so quick to judge Perry though. Many online have claimed many different reasons why Katy Perry is working on her new album 143 with Dr. Luke. The most popular explanation is that Perry has been stuck in a contract with Dr. Luke. However, despite the KatyCat's best efforts to defend Katy Perry, it's been reported that the singer willingly recruited the music producer.
With all of this in mind, it's no surprise that “Woman's World” is doing so badly. The single fell off both the global and USA Spotify Weekly Charts. Not only that, but the music video also currently has more dislikes than likes on YouTube.
What's Next for Katy Perry?
Perry's album 143 is set to release this September, but with the current state of her lead single, things aren't looking too good for KP6. All things considered, it would be no surprise to anybody if KP6 does horribly on the charts. Though Perry seemingly recruited Dr.
Luke in hopes he would recreate her previous success, it seems as if “Woman's World” could not have done worse. Despite that, all we can do is wait and see how 143 does when it comes out.