Katy Perry's New Single Struggles on the Charts
Katy Perry’s anticipated comeback has hit a snag with her latest single, “Woman’s World,” debuting at a disappointing number 63 in the US and 47 in the UK charts. The track is the lead single from her upcoming album, “143,” set to release in September.
Critics and fans alike have not been kind to “Woman’s World.” Social media reactions have been harsh, and the song’s feminist message has been criticized as outdated. The Guardian questioned, “what regressive, warmed-over hell is this?”, while The Cut remarked that Perry seems “stuck in 2016,” and Rolling Stone bluntly asked, “Did Katy Perry release the worst comeback single of all time?”
The lyrics of “Woman’s World” celebrate women as sisters, mothers, champions, and superheroes, all while emphasizing their sexiness and confidence. The chorus proclaims, “It’s a woman’s world, and you’re lucky to be living in it.”
The music video has also faced backlash. Featuring Perry dressed as Rosie the Riveter, it shows women in skimpy outfits dancing at a construction site, using urinals, wielding sex toys, and Perry being hit by an anvil, which then gives her bionic legs. YouTuber Trisha Paytas makes a cameo, dragging a monster truck. Perry later described the video as “satire,” “slapstick,” and “very on the nose” in a behind-the-scenes Instagram post.
The Guardian’s Laura Snapes noted that Perry seems unable to compete with current pop stars like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Charli XCX, who are praised for their inventiveness, self-awareness, and depth—qualities Perry once had but now seems to lack.
Adding to the controversy, Perry’s choice to collaborate with producer Dr. Luke has drawn criticism, especially given the song’s theme of female empowerment. Dr. Luke was accused of abuse by singer Kesha, leading to a highly publicized legal battle that was settled last year. Kesha’s reaction to Perry’s announcement of their collaboration was a cryptic “lol” on Twitter, which was widely interpreted as a jab.
Katy Perry once dominated the charts, with her 2010 album “Teenage Dream” producing five number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, she has had five number-one singles over a decade. Her last album, “Smile,” released in 2020, received mixed reviews but still reached the top five in both the UK and US charts, with its lead single “Daisies” peaking at number 37 in the UK.
As fans await the release of “143,” Perry faces a critical juncture in her career, with “Woman’s World” setting a challenging tone for her comeback.
