Last March, Katy Perry promised that “my music is about get real f&#*ing dark,” which I assumed meant the music for her next album … not the immediately subsequent and wholly silly “Wide Awake” video where Katy tried and failed to go full goth. Now Katy is prepping us for the upcoming release her upcoming album, Prism. The record doesn’t even come out until October 22. That won’t stop Katy from promoting nonstop for the next few months. The first step in that direction is the release of her first single, “Roar.” If you haven’t heard it yet, here is the rather annoying “lyric video” (basically an emoji-filled texting conversation) that features an appearance by Katy’s cat, Kitty Purry:
Yes, Katy is still taking her angst out on ol’ Russell Brand while tossing in tons of boxing imagery and continually screeching, “I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me ROAR.” How dark. The thing is … the song sounds like a very inferior version of Sara Bareilles’ “Brave,” doesn’t it?
HuffPo points out that Katy praised Sara’s “Brave” back in May when she was likely writing and recording Prism, so it stands to reason that Katy was either consciously or unconsciously influenced by Sara’s single. I don’t know. There are times when I inadvertently employ single words or catchphrases that have been coined by other writers after I’ve heard or read them many times, and then I want to kick myself after realizing that it makes me seem like a poseur. But Katy seems to be copying not only lyrical style but also the complete attitude, sound, and feel or Sara’s song, doesn’t she? It’s a tough call to make.
In addition to preparing for the eventual release of Prism, Katy has also recorded a duet called “Who You Love” with her snuggledouche, John Mayer. The song will appear on John’s new album (Paradise Valley) due out next Tuesday. Damn, I thought his record came out months ago.
For those who felt slighted by Katy’s lyrical video, here are some photos of Katy on the set of the official “Roar” video last week. They’ll probably have a quick turnaround on this vid, so we’ll soon get to see Katy dance around in her jungle outfit with elephants and monkeys. Something to look forward to, I guess.
Photos courtesy of WENN
I have listened to ROAR on repeat all day yesterday and during this morning’s workout, then found out about BRAVE and had THAT on repeat since (it’s 4pm local time). I must say, I prefer BRAVE, but I also enjoy the medley/remix? of the two.
This song does sound like something ive heard before. But I like it overall.
Definite similarities.
I really like Sara’s work- not that song as much though.
Her worst song to data.
Meh, the verse sounds more like The Lumineers to me. She’s just sampling a lot of pop songs and making an amalgamation. It’s a catchy song, but not her best. I’ve been bopping around my room fist pumping to Applause all morning. So, Roar is kind of out for me already.
She totally ripped off Brave. Boo Katy!
This song is clearly better than that gaga crap
I personally think this song sucks! Obviously, I’m not a fan of hers. So, far, for me, this is probably one of her worst songs.
Eye roll X 1,000,000.
Move on Katy.
i must admit i do like some of Katy’s songs especially ‘fireworks’ but to think that she actually has quite a decent voice and she is not 14,so why does she make such vapid music?
I haven’t listened to these two songs to compare, but I do know that Katy Perry’s song E.T. sounds like Tatu’s song All the Things She Said, so it wouldn’t surprise me if she ripped off Sara.
I don’t hear the “Brave” similarities (a song I LOVE, btw). “Roar,” like most of the smashes on Katy’s last album, were co-writted by Bonnie McKee. I also heard an interview with Katy with Elvis Duran (from Z100 NYC) where she said she initially intended to go dark with this album, but then decided to “let the light in,” hence the album title “Prism.” “Let the light in” is industry speak for “make a pop album that’s accessible to the listeners.”
I get bored with the song halfway through. The teens will love the lyric video and that’s her biggest audience anyway, so smart move.
Katy – Roar 0:08-0:56
Sara – Brave 0:11-0:42
Okay. Honestly, I checked out within the first fifteen seconds. Right when she sings the oh so original “if u dont stand for something youll fall for anything” seriously, ive heard that used way too much. Barf. She goes on to sing shes the “eye of the tiger” ?? Jhc. I just cant.
Those are some similar songs.
Can katy please stop getting mileage out of her marriage to Brand? At this point, she’s been talking about it and singing about it longer than they were married. Yes, we know he wamted you to give up part of your career. Yes, we know he was probably getting around at the end. But we alsp have yet to see any self awareness on katy’s part about her own behavior, including her hard partying while being married to someone who ia famously in recovery. We get it. That marriage wasn’t the fairytale she thought it would be and is bitter about it. But no one’s marriage is a fairy tale, and it’s time for her to grow up.
Agreed. And it annoys me that nobody (except on this site!) ever calls her out for continuing to milk the divorce. She’s been cashing in on it for a year and a half, and meanwhile Russell has mostly been totally classy about it and not said a thing against her. But then he made one joke at a gig in London recently about “thinking of other people during sex” and it got blown up all over the internet, with everyone saying what a total pig he is and how bad it is that he talked about her. First of all he didn’t even really talk about HER, he talked about being married, and second of all, that’s the ONLY time he’s even remotely talked crap about her. Why does she get a pass, and he’s the villain?
They sound a bit similar but not too much so imo.
Definitely prefer Sara’s ‘Brave’
I thought the same thing when I heard Roar…I thought I was the only one
It’s eerie. And it’s weird she actually admitted to liking the song. I like Brave more because Bareilles is just a better singer and it fits her better. Plus Katy Perry might be able to copy Brave, but she can NEVER copy a song like Gravity. Perry can’t make me cry 🙂 so at least Perry knows her limited range.
Katy Perry’s song is better than Gaga’s.
The music in Roar does sound similar to Brave, but that’s the only real similarity.
Musically Roar sounds very similar to Brave and has that folksy Lumineer’s quality as well. The lyrics are different although both are empowerment anthems. I MUCH prefer Brave vocally and musically – both have so much more substance. As for “going dark,” KP will have to try much harder. Quick note – Rihanna’s Stay was written/co-written by the same team that wrote many tunes for Lana Del Rey, that style is unmistakable and the similarity is understandable. But when KP and Bonnie McKee write a song so identical to Sara’s you have to really question her integrity.
BTW – Why are people commenting on GaGa’s song? The question is how does Roar compare to Brave.
Total rip off. Shame on you, Katy!
This.
I think they sound unbelievably similar, and am curious to know what KP’s defense will be, now that this has become a widely reported story on the internet.
One of the worst things about Katy Perry is her hypocrisy and how disingenuous she is about her own fame. Remember how she claimed in multiple interviews that fame is “gross” and she hates the celebrity aspect of it? She tries to say she’s just all about the music. But this situation is a perfect example of how fake that sentiment is. Even if “Roar” is widely considered to be a ripoff of “Brave,” KP’s song will be the one that everyone knows, the one that makes all the money and hits #1 on the charts. And why is that? Because of the “fame” that KP claims to hate, not because her song is superior. If she really didn’t care about fame, she wouldn’t have a gold semi-truck out there promoting her new album; she wouldn’t be releasing a new perfume or promoting PopChips/Adidas/The Sims/etc.; she wouldn’t be doing all these interviews with coy quotes about her failed marriage to generate interest in her music. It’s all carefully cultivated to make her seem interesting to pop culture audiences. Her music is a distant second to her image in terms of what makes her successful.
If she admitted that, I would still dislike her, because I don’t care for people who are more about image than substance, but I would at least have more respect for her for being honest.
Katy Perry doesn’t have an original bone in her body.. Nice boobs tho
Yah sure they sound very similar. just heard each one for the first time and i gotta say i like roar better…sorry!
I hate this song. It’s just so annoying. And you know they will stick it to you for months now.
I dont give a damn about katy perry she can sing for the life of her. She dosent sing she talks what new look is she going for? Its still the same shitty music besides all her crap is all chopped up songs from different songs..
Blue wig or not she sucks majorly and the new song is a total rip off.
I dont give a damn about katy perry she can sing for the life of her. She dosent sing she talks what new look is she going for? Its still the same sh%&y music besides all her crap is all chopped up songs from different songs..
Blue wig or not she sucks majorly and the new song is a total rip off.