Discovering Katy Perry

(A Creative Commons photograph of Katy Perry in concert, 2011.)

This is a weird post for me to write, but I’m just gonna come right out and say it.  I have Katy Perry fever.

It all started when I watched her documentary, Katy Perry: Part of Me, on Netflix.  I liked it so much I watched it again, and again, and, well, you see where this is going.  Now, it’s to the point that when I need to fold laundry or unwind before bed, I put on the documentary just for a little while, sit back, and relax.  I’m in love.  I love the songs, the costumes, the hair, the makeup, the dancers, all of it.

What’s weird about all this, aside from the fact that I’m 35, is that I’m not typically into pop music.  I’m more a fan of what I’d call folk-slash-country-slash-Austin music, which basically means my radio dial is permanently tuned to the local public radio station, which plays awesome music all day long.  But lately, I’m drifting over to the local pop station from time to time.  Most of my favorite musicians have a guitar, a microphone, and maybe a stool for sitting when they perform.  There aren’t tons of wardrobe changes or pink wigs, just the singers and their voices.

But there’s something about Katy Perry that really appeals to me, and while part of it is her music, I think the biggest part is her persona.  She just seems so warm and open, yet vulnerable at the same time, and I’m pretty sure that’s why so many screaming teenagers adore her, too.  Plus, she really has the ability to laugh and make fun of herself, and I love that.  Oh, and she also writes her own music and plays the guitar, which makes her a real musician, in my book.

I don’t know much about Perry, aside from how she portrays herself in the film (it was produced by her and is largely autobiographical), but what she does reveal seems genuine and true.  She comes from a very conservative background, a fact I didn’t realize until I saw the movie, and that definitely seems to affect her life, in both positive and negative ways.  And for all the hype and controversy over her songs and lyrics, it’s all very tame and fluffy, in my opinion.

Her concerts are phenomenal experiences, and she puts on a fantastic show, really reminiscent of a Broadway play.  I’ve never been to a concert that is so interactive.

And her message truly resonates with her fans, as she encourages listeners to be yourself, because you’re perfect just the way you are.  A firework.  That’s a strong point for teenagers to hear, and so many seem to take it to heart.

Katy Perry has really impressed me, and I’m hooked.  I think I need to watch that documentary again.

(And speaking of makeup, I’m collaborating with The Glamorous Housewife for the next few weeks as she explores the 1920s through the 1960s.  I researched the cosmetic trends for each decade, and I’m sharing my finds with you.)