Dark Horse
2 Joy Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah, y′all know what it is!
Katy Perry
Juicy J
Uh huh, let's rave!

I knew you were
You were gonna come to me
And here you are
But you better choose carefully
′Cause I am capable of anything
Of anything and everything

Make me your Aphrodite
Make me your one and only
But don't make me your enemy
Your enemy, your enemy

So you wanna play with magic
Boy you should know what you're fallin′ for
Baby do you dare to do this
′Cause I'm comin′ atcha like a dark horse

Are you ready for, ready for
A perfect storm, perfect storm
'Cause once you′re mine, once you're mine
There′s no going back

Hey
Hey
Hey
Hey
Hey
Hey
Hey

Mark my words
This love will make you levitate
Like a bird
Like a bird without a cage
But down to earth
If you choose to walk away
Don't walk away

It's in the palm of your hand now, baby
It′s a yes or a no, no maybe
So just be sure
Before you give it all to me
All to me
Give it all to me

So you wanna play with magic
Boy you should know what you′re fallin' for
Baby do you dare to do this
′Cause I'm comin′ atcha like a dark horse

Are you ready for, ready for
A perfect storm, perfect storm
'Cause once you′re mine, once you're mine
There's no going back

She′s a beast
I call her Karma
She eat your heart out
Like Jeffrey Dahmer

Be careful
Try not to lead her on
Shorty heart was on steroids
′Cause her love was so strong

You may fall in love when you meet her
If you get the chance, you better keep her
She's sweet as pie but if you break her heart
She′ll turn cold as a freezer

That fairy tale ending with a knight in shining armor
She can be my Sleeping Beauty
I'm gon′ put her in a coma

Now I think I love her
Shorty so bad, sprung and I don't care
She ride me like a roller coaster
Turned the bedroom into a fair

Her love is like a drug
I was tryna hit it and quit it
But lil′ mama so dope
I messed around and got addicted

So you wanna play with magic
Boy you should know what you're fallin' for
(You should know)
Baby do you dare to do this
′Cause I′m comin' atcha like a dark horse
(Like a dark horse)

Are you ready for, ready for (Ready for)
A perfect storm, perfect storm (A perfect storm)




′Cause once you're mine, once you′re mine (ohhhh)
There's no going back

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Dark Horse" by Katy Perry featuring Juicy J depict a warning to a potential lover. The song is delivered from Katy Perry's perspective as she warns the person to choose carefully because she is capable of anything and everything. She compares herself to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. She desires to be someone's one and only, but she also warns against making her an enemy.


The chorus of the song emphasizes the power dynamic between Katy Perry and her potential lover. She warns him that playing with her is like playing with magic and that he should be aware of what he's getting into. She comes at him like a dark horse, which implies that there may be secrets and hidden qualities about her that he may not expect.


The second verse introduces Juicy J, who refers to the woman in question as a "beast" and calls her Karma. He warns the listener not to lead her on because her love is strong and could potentially hurt them. He compares her to Jeffrey Dahmer, a notorious serial killer known for eating his victims' hearts. However, he also states that if they treat her well, she can be sweet as pie.


Overall, the lyrics of "Dark Horse" explore themes of power, unpredictability, and the potential consequences of romantic involvement with someone who possesses hidden qualities.


Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, y′all know what it is!
Acknowledging that the listeners are familiar with the situation at hand.


Katy Perry
Referring to the artist performing the song.


Juicy J
Acknowledging the presence of Juicy J as a featured artist.


Uh huh, let's rave!
Expressing enthusiasm and excitement for the upcoming event or performance.


I knew you were
Having prior knowledge or intuition about the person in question.


You were gonna come to me
Expecting or anticipating the arrival or presence of the person.


And here you are
Confirming the presence or arrival of the person.


But you better choose carefully
Advising the person to make a wise and thoughtful decision.


′Cause I am capable of anything
Asserting oneself as having the ability and flexibility to handle any situation.


Of anything and everything
Highlighting the wide range of possibilities or actions that can be undertaken.


Make me your Aphrodite
Requesting to be regarded or treated as a goddess of love and beauty.


Make me your one and only
Desiring to be the person's exclusive and ultimate romantic partner.


But don't make me your enemy
Warning against becoming adversaries or opponents.


Your enemy, your enemy
Emphasizing the potential negative consequences of turning into enemies.


So you wanna play with magic
Addressing the person's desire to engage in a thrilling or captivating experience.


Boy you should know what you're fallin′ for
Cautioning the person to be aware of the implications and risks involved in their actions.


Baby do you dare to do this
Challenging the person's courage and willingness to proceed with the intended course of action.


′Cause I'm comin′ atcha like a dark horse
Describing one's approach as unexpected, mysterious, and potentially powerful.


Are you ready for, ready for
Inquiring about the person's preparedness and readiness for what is to come.


A perfect storm, perfect storm
Symbolizing an intense and impactful situation or event.


'Cause once you′re mine, once you're mine
Once the person becomes romantically involved or committed, there is no turning back.


There′s no going back
Expressing the irreversibility of the decision or action taken.


Mark my words
Requesting the person to remember and take seriously the following statement or prediction.


This love will make you levitate
Indicating that the strong love between them will uplift and bring a sense of floating or euphoria.


Like a bird
Comparing the feeling of levitation to that of a free-flying bird.


Like a bird without a cage
Highlighting the freedom and liberation experienced in their love without feeling restricted or confined.


But down to earth
Despite the exhilaration, they remain grounded and practical in their relationship.


If you choose to walk away
If the person decides to end the relationship or distance themselves.


Don't walk away
Encouraging the person not to leave or abandon the love they share.


It's in the palm of your hand now, baby
Emphasizing that the person has control or influence over the current situation or outcome.


It's a yes or a no, no maybe
Simplifying the options to either a definite yes or no, eliminating indecisiveness.


So just be sure
Advising the person to be certain and confident in their choice.


Before you give it all to me
Before fully committing or investing themselves in the relationship.


All to me
Referring to giving their complete love and devotion to the artist.


She′s a beast
Characterizing a woman as fierce, powerful, and formidable.


I call her Karma
Naming her Karma, implying that she brings consequences or justice for one's actions.


She eats your heart out
Metaphorically consuming or destroying one's emotional well-being or love.


Like Jeffrey Dahmer
Drawing a dark parallel with the infamous serial killer known for his cannibalistic acts.


Be careful
Urging caution and mindfulness in one's interactions with her.


Try not to lead her on
Suggesting not to engage in romantic or sentimental behavior if not genuinely interested.


Shorty heart was on steroids
Portraying her love as incredibly intense, passionate, and powerful.


′Cause her love was so strong
Explaining the reason for her heightened emotions and attachment.


You may fall in love when you meet her
Warning that encountering her may lead to a deep emotional connection or affection.


If you get the chance, you better keep her
Encouraging the person to appreciate and hold onto the opportunity of being with her.


She's sweet as pie
Describing her as kind, gentle, and pleasant.


But if you break her heart
If the person causes emotional pain or betrayal to her.


She'll turn cold as a freezer
Portraying her as becoming emotionally distant, aloof, or even hostile towards the person.


That fairy tale ending with a knight in shining armor
Referring to the conventional happy ending of the artist being rescued by a heroic figure.


She can be my Sleeping Beauty
Viewing her as a potential love interest who can be awakened and inspired by the singer's presence.


I'm gon' put her in a coma
Expressing the desire to captivate her to the point of a metaphorical coma, where her emotions are overwhelmed.


Now I think I love her
Admitting or confessing to developing strong feelings of love for her.


Shorty so bad, sprung and I don't care
Describing her as irresistibly attractive and the artist being infatuated, without concern for the consequences.


She rides me like a roller coaster
Comparing their physical intimacy to the thrilling and unpredictable experience of riding a roller coaster.


Turned the bedroom into a fair
Transforming their sexual encounters into a sensational and enjoyable event akin to a fair or carnival.


Her love is like a drug
Equating her love to a powerful and addictive substance that provides intense pleasure or euphoria.


I was tryna hit it and quit it
Initially intending to engage in a brief and casual sexual encounter with her.


But lil′ mama so dope
Acknowledging that she is highly impressive, incredible, or exceptional in some way.


I messed around and got addicted
Accidentally and unexpectedly developing a dependency or strong attachment to her.


So you wanna play with magic
Reiterating the person's willingness to engage in an adventurous and exhilarating experience.


Boy you should know what you're fallin' for
Reminding the person to understand the implications and potential consequences of their actions.


Baby do you dare to do this
Challenging the person to courageously embark on the proposed journey or endeavor.


′Cause I′m comin' atcha like a dark horse
Portraying oneself as approaching with an unexpected and formidable presence, similar to a mysterious and powerful dark horse.


Are you ready for, ready for
Questioning the person's readiness and preparedness for what lies ahead.


A perfect storm, perfect storm
Comparing the upcoming situation or event to a combination of intense and unpredictable circumstances or phenomena.


'Cause once you're mine, once you're mine
Once the person becomes the artist's romantic partner or possession.


There's no going back
Arguing that it is impossible or difficult to return to the previous state or relationship.




Writer(s): Sarah Theresa Hudson, Lukasz Gottwald, Katy Perry, Henry Russell Walter, Jordan Houston, Max Martin

Contributed by Nolan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Agape Leone

My understanding is there was more to the case (as demomstrated in other videos I have seen on the subject, assuming they are still up.)
I think before this even went to court it was pointed out.

Here is where it is more than just a coincidence (in likelihood,) and not only that but in an insult intended manner.

"Joyful Noise" was clearly by Christian artists, the beat was at 177 BPM (that ties in.)

For those who don't know, 7 is sort of considered a signature number for God and 6 a significant number with satan.

Well, neither song sounds like the other... on the suface. But if you slow the "Joyful Noise" beat down to 166 BPM and lower the pitch proportionally (in closest key I assume)... then "Joyful Noise" and "Dark Horse" line up note for note, pattern for pattern ( at least in instrument / synth leads)...
The further depth is that (unless I am mistaken) the Katie Perry beat was made by a guy who is affiliated with 3 6 Mafia who use numerology to represent for satan (or they used to.)

So the whole thing was not only copying the material, but also doing it in a mocking / diss way. I don't know what all was presented in the case, but who knows, they may have witness accounts as well or something. To my knoweldge the beat maker who was accused never even denied any of it... to my knowledge. Or no sorry... it wasn't the beat maker but the track features a 3 6 Mafia artist (Juicy J) ...so... similar situation still



Agape Leone

@Saara Pöllönen Katy's track is listed as "132" but it is half time which is 66 BPM (the snare falls on 2 and 4 in a 4 count measure... so really tracks like that are listed as double the true BPM) same with Flame's track 154 BPM but it is half speed so 77 BPM in reality.

The first video I saw mentioned those factors, I wish I could find it. I'm trying.... assuming it is even still up.
But you can def look up the BPMs yourself and see too... Flame is def 154 (actually 77 technically) and Katy is 132 (actually 66.)
Idk why they take beats like that and classify them as double their speed. Those beats clearly build around the snare like most beats, which means two snares per 4 beat count and makes the actual speed half what is listed (not due to the snare but the snare is the obvious marker that shows how these beats are formatted.)

If you want to look into that, look up "154 BPM drum" on here and pay attention to where the snares hit... and look up "132 BPM drum" and look where the snares hit. Then you could do the same with 77 and 66...
154 BPM is more like Jungle / Drum n Bass speed music. I'll try to edit some vid links in to demomstrate this.

154 actual BPM (note the snare [or in cases what would be clap] placement)
https://youtu.be/NeuGoVSv6II

132 actual BPMs
https://youtu.be/D_von936FII

77 actual BPMs
https://youtu.be/aehB8f5l_2Y

66 actual BPMs
https://youtu.be/1kR_3y0y84g

Yea....the half speed beats will line up in timing with the standard speed beats and a lot rap stuff and pop of that nature often incorporate elements that mesh with the regular full speed instead of half for dancability I imagine... but still... the 2/4 snare / clap placement really tells you the actual speed.

I also think the half speed beats are measured at double for djing purposes because Djs will often base the larger scale criteria around probability and at large over time, the half step beats are way less dancable and less common... with generic commercial rap that is different and dub step / trap / trip hop etc as well (which I do love some roots dub step, trip hop and a little electronic trap)... but at large, if you play a half step track, unless the set is more geared toward those styles, you will likely end up mixing back over to regular speed from half at some point.



Maxime Dupré

​@Ned Like this much, and I stopped
Ester Dean, What's my name
Ester Dean - Death of us
Ester Dean - S&M
The Dream - Umbrella
Cristyle -Only girl
Andre Merritt - Disturbia
Rock City - Man Down
PartyNextDoor - Work



All comments from YouTube:

Dennis Hastings

Songs are getting more and more simple. There are bound to be collisions, but the jury decision was reversed by the judge, and rightfully so. I don't care about Katy Perry at all, but I'm a musician and I think the suit is bogus. I'd like to see the notes written out and make a comparison of that, but you'd really have to be obsessed to think that she was ripping off anything about the song by Flame.

Michael Moore

I dont think Flame is the kind of guy who can comprehend sheet music

Christian Sanchez

If it makes it any better, Perry's defense team won an appeal which overturned the first ruling and received 2 million in compensation. Sadly, Gray has said that he will appeal the appeal lol, if that makes sense.

Rypley Hollingsworth

@Christian Sanchez yea he tried and failed. They had cease and desist letter if he continued he’d be sued for defamation. Which is insanely hard to do but in this case it’d be the easiest win.

CC Hogan

I am not sure if songs really are getting simpler, or even if that is a problem. This is all about what is popular at any given time. So, back in the 30s/40s/50s for instance, chord progressions in songs tend to be different to now, (take Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square or Moon River) and yet many of the songs used similar progressions to each other, just like songs do now. Noel Coward (I think) once joked that all possible note combinations had been done by 1922 so everything since then was plagiarism. These two tracks are alarmingly different. But even with comparisons that are closer, there are so many songs now released (most independently or just uploaded on YouTube) that I think you could probably find coincidences everywhere.

8 More Replies...

K-leb

They're definitely similar, but not similar enough to warrant such a lawsuit in my opinion (although it's an opinion I think everyone should have, because it's just stupid for anyone to believe that Katy Perry's production team stole enough of a song for her to lose $550,000 and the record label $2,230,000).
Flame didn't deserve almost 3 million dollars just because of Dark Horse's existence. The exposure Flame got from this probably already improved his profits by notable amount.
Both songs kinda suck anyway.

Jean M M

The last part of this comment 😂

zteir

Rude? Like wth the beat is sick 😂

Archie Dairocas

Hahahahahahahaha can't compete with the song of BTS

Archie Dairocas

The last part of the common is the holy Grail of JUDGEMENT!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

1 More Replies...
More Comments

More Versions