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Pendulum
Katy Perry Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You got patina, ain't so green, nah
You earned the spot, got your receipts, yeah
Funny, gotta add addendums to your dreams
Still, you never sleep, no, you never sleep, ah
Oh, you learn to dance, to bob and weave, yeah
To let that water roll off easy, yeah
You grew yourself above the weeds, taller than the trees, oh, so

Don't try and reinvent your wheel
'Cause you're too original
Baby, just stay classic
Ain't broke, ain't broke, don't fix it
Your highs, your lows, just ride it

It's a pendulum, it all comes back around
It's a pendulum, it's a pendulum
Life's a pendulum, it all comes back around
It's a pendulum, it all comes back, it all comes back

So just take those punches on the chin, yeah
Don't fight the changes in the wind, no no
'Cause you'll find your way home, oh
If you find a way to let go
Just let go

Don't try and reinvent your wheel (your wheel)
'Cause you're too original (original)
Baby, just stay classic
Ain't broke, ain't broke, don't fix it
Your highs, your lows, just ride it

It's a pendulum, it all comes back around (pendulum)
It's a pendulum, it's a pendulum (all comes back around)
Life's a pendulum, it all comes back around (pendulum)
It's a pendulum, it all comes back, it all comes back around

And there is no need to worry
The pages keep on turning
And it goes on and on, goes all the way around
And there is no need to hurry
There's a fire burnin'
'Cause it goes on and on, goes all the way around
All the way around
Hey, around
(All) all the way around (c'mon)
Ain't broke, ain't broke, don't fix it
Your highs, your lows, just ride it

It's a pendulum, it all comes back around (pendulum)
It's a pendulum, it's a pendulum
Life's a pendulum, it all comes back around, hey
It's a pendulum, it all comes back, it all comes back
It's a pendulum, it all comes back around (pendulum)
It's a pendulum, it's a pendulum (all comes back around)
Life's a pendulum, it all comes back around (pendulum)
It's a pendulum, it all comes back, it all comes back

Overall Meaning

In "Pendulum," Katy Perry sings about the ups and downs of life, likening it to a pendulum that swings back and forth. The song encourages listeners to persevere through the challenges and changes that come their way, rather than trying to reinvent themselves or fix what isn't broken.


The first verse acknowledges that life experience and hard work have given the singer a certain level of wisdom (represented by their patina), and that they have earned their place in the world. Even though they must make modifications to their dreams, they never stop pushing forward. The second verse advises not to fight against the natural ebbs and flows of life and to just let go of what is no longer serving you. The chorus ties it all together, affirming that no matter how far the pendulum swings in one direction, it will always come back the other way.


Overall, "Pendulum" is a hopeful and reassuring song, encouraging listeners to stay true to themselves and weather the storms that come their way. It speaks to the cyclical nature of life and encourages acceptance and resilience, rather than resistance or fear.


Line by Line Meaning

You got patina, ain't so green, nah
You have been through a lot, you're not naive.


You earned the spot, got your receipts, yeah
You worked hard to get where you are, and you have proof.


Funny, gotta add addendums to your dreams
It's ironic that you have to revise your dreams.


Still, you never sleep, no, you never sleep, ah
You're always working, you never take a break.


Oh, you learn to dance, to bob and weave, yeah
You learned to be flexible and adapt to changing situations.


To let that water roll off easy, yeah
You learned to let things go and not stress over them.


You grew yourself above the weeds, taller than the trees, oh, so
You overcame obstacles and rose above them to achieve success.


Don't try and reinvent your wheel
Don't try to change something that's already working for you.


'Cause you're too original
You have a unique style and shouldn't try to be someone you're not.


Baby, just stay classic
Stick to what you know and what works for you.


Ain't broke, ain't broke, don't fix it
If it's not broken, don't try to fix it.


Your highs, your lows, just ride it
Take the ups and downs in stride and don't get too high or too low.


It's a pendulum, it all comes back around
Life has its ups and downs, but they eventually balance out.


So just take those punches on the chin, yeah
Take the hits and setbacks with grace and resilience.


Don't fight the changes in the wind, no no
Don't resist change, embrace it and adapt to it.


'Cause you'll find your way home, oh
You will eventually find your place and purpose in life.


If you find a way to let go
If you learn to let go of what's holding you back.


And there is no need to worry
Don't stress over things that are out of your control.


The pages keep on turning
Life keeps moving forward, whether you're ready or not.


And it goes on and on, goes all the way around
Life is a continuous cycle of ups and downs, highs and lows.


And there is no need to hurry
Don't rush the process, everything happens in due time.


There's a fire burnin'
There's a passion and drive inside of you that keeps you going.


'Cause it goes on and on, goes all the way around
Life is a cycle that never stops.




Lyrics Ā© Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEFFREY BHASKER, KATY PERRY, SARAH THERESA HUDSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@mosesivandymanik3298

You got patina, ain't so green, nah
You earned this spot, got your receipts, yeah
Funny, gotta add addendums to your dreams
Still you never sleep, no
You never sleep, ah
Oh, you learned to dance, to bob and weave, yeah
To let that water roll off easy, yeah
You grew yourself above the weeds
Taller than the trees, oh

[Pre-Chorus]
So, don't try and reinvent your wheel
'Cause you're too original
Baby, just stay classic
Ain't broke, ain't broke, don't fix it
Your highs, your lows, just ride it

[Chorus]
It's a pendulum, it all comes back around
It's a pendulum, it's a pendulum
Life's a pendulum, it'll all come back around
It's a pendulum, it all comes back, it all comes back

[Verse 2]
So, just take those punches on the chin, yeah
Don't fight the changes in the wind, no, no
'Cause you'll find your way home, oh
If you find a way to let go
Just let go

[Pre-Chorus]
Don't try and reinvent your wheel (your wheel)
'Cause you're too original (original)
Baby, just stay classic
Ain't broke, ain't broke, don't fix it
Your highs, your lows, just ride it

[Chorus]
It's a pendulum, it all comes back around (pendulum)
It's a pendulum (all comes back around), it's a pendulum
Life's a pendulum, it'll all come back around
It's a pendulum, it all comes back, it all comes back around

[Bridge]
And there is no need to worry, the pages keep on turning
And it goes on and on, comes all the way around
There is no need to hurry if there's a fire burning
'Cause it goes on and on, comes all the way around
All the way around
Hey, around
Oh (all the way around), c'mon
Ain't broke, ain't broke, don't fix it
Your highs, your lows, just ride it

[Chorus]
It's a pendulum, it all comes back around (oh-oh)
It's a pendulum, it's a pendulum (life is, life is...)
Life's a pendulum, it'll all come back around (hey)
It's a pendulum, it all comes back, it all comes back
It's a pendulum, it all comes back around (oh-oh)
It's a pendulum (all comes back around), it's a pendulum
Life's a pendulum, it'll all come back around (pendulum)
It's a pendulum, it all comes back, it all comes back



All comments from YouTube:

@desireeluciano

This song is perfect for the end of a movie

@mischa129

Desiree Luciano or a musical

@tiongamingyt5886

Omg yes

@carolinedejesus2659

Yes absolutely !

@nurcantemizer35

OMG i did think same think on time this song+
last scene+after with beautidul font credits and i saw this comment wow

@thedarkknight646

Yeah idk how to describe it but it definitely has that upbeat quality for the rolling credits

16 More Replies...

@angelg9981

One of her most underrated songs ever

@normamalave6610

Agreed !

@jackie_0221

Honestly I think her team is sleeping on this song. It has a powerful chorus, strong vocals, strong instrumentation as well as production. - With a great music video and the right promotion, Pendulum could have been the "Roar" of this era, as in it would have been loved by the general public because of its catchy tune and empowering, anthemic lyrics.

@MrBabyBlue1993

Jacqueline this song is like like a prayer by Madonna it would be a huge hit

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