"Small Talk" was included as a bonus track on the Japanese and deluxe edition of Perry's sixth studio album "Smile". The song was a moderate hit in Australia.
Charlie Puth talked about the song in an Instagram post in July 2019. On August 6, Perry posted several pictures to her social media accounts of lines from the song, with the first reading "Isn't it weird / That you've seen me naked / We had conversations about forever / Now it's about the weather okay". The song's music video was released on August 30, 2019.
On November 29, 2019, a Black Friday Record Store Day limited edition 12" orange vinyl was released, pairing the song with Perry's previous single "Never Really Over".
Perry and her pet dog Nugget attend a dog show where they win the top prize. She sees another competitor (played by model Charley Santos) and immediately falls for him. Perry's attention is shifted to the man and she ignores her dog. Eventually he moves in with Perry and brings his dog. Perry, the man and their two dogs are seen all together at the end.
"Small Talk" debuted and peaked at number 81 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In Canada, the song peaked at number 56, while reaching number 33 in Australia. On the UK Singles Chart, it peaked at number 43, while being more commercially successful in Scotland where it entered the top 20 and peaked at number 18.
Small Talk
Katy Perry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the highs and lows and in-betweens
And now you see me and just say, "Hey"
Isn't it weird that you've seen me naked?
We had conversations 'bout forever
Now it's 'bout the weather, okay
And I just can't believe
Now just memories
We've gone from strangers to lovers to strangers
Yeah
Acting like we never met
Faking like we just forget
We were lovers
And now there's nothing left but small talk
Had every inch of your skin
There's nowhere your hands haven't been
Ain't it funny?
'Cause now there's nothing left but small talk
Isn't it wild that I know your weakness?
And everybody at the party thinks
That you're the best since sliced bread
And isn't it awkward I got a new somebody?
And honestly it'll probably be a while before we can just be friends
I just can't believe
We went from strangers to lovers to strangers in a lifetime
Now just memories
We've gone from strangers to lovers to strangers
(Small talk)
Acting like we never met
Faking like we just forget
We were lovers
And now there's nothing left but small talk
Had every inch of your skin
There's nowhere your hands haven't been
Ain't it funny?
'Cause now there's nothing left but small talk
Blah-blah-blah-blah
Blah-blah-blah-blah
Blah-blah-blah-blah
Now there's nothing left but small talk
Blah-blah-blah-blah (nothing left, nothing left, baby)
Blah-blah-blah-blah (no)
Blah-blah-blah-blah (oh no)
Now there's nothing left but small talk
And I just can't believe
We went from strangers to lovers to strangers
Acting like we never met
Faking like we just forget
We were lovers
And now there's nothing left but small talk
Had every inch of your skin
There's nowhere your hands haven't been (oh)
Ain't it funny?
'Cause now there's nothing left but small talk
Blah-blah-blah-blah
Blah-blah-blah-blah (blah-blah-blah)
Blah-blah-blah-blah
Now there's nothing left but small talk (now there's nothing left)
Blah-blah-blah-blah
Blah-blah-blah-blah (small talk)
Blah-blah-blah-blah
Now there's nothing left but small talk
In "Small Talk," Katy Perry sings about the awkwardness and small talk that ensues when two people who were once close have now become strangers. The first verse highlights the change in the relationship between the two people, emphasizing the shift from talking about their future together to discussing mundane topics like the weather. Perry then reflects on the irony of the situation: they were once intimate and knew everything about each other, yet now they act as though they're strangers. The chorus encapsulates the main message of the song, with Perry expressing disbelief that they've gone from being in love to being nothing more than small talk acquaintances.
The second verse brings attention to their shared history, with Perry knowing the other person's weakness and realizing that they're popular among their peers. However, just as easily, Perry acknowledges her new partner, and the fact that getting back to a friends' stage might take time. The second chorus repeats the message of the first – they went from being lovers to strangers – and then the song concludes with Perry and the instruments trailing off into silence, just like their relationship.
Overall, "Small Talk" touches on the idea that people can go through life transitions and no longer be the same individuals they were beforehand. It encapsulates the feeling of being a stranger to someone you were once so close to and highlights how difficult it can be to move forward and have a genuine conversation with that person.
Line by Line Meaning
Isn't it strange that you used to know me?
Isn't it strange that we were once so close, but now we're strangers?
All the highs and lows and in-betweens
We shared many experiences together, both good and bad.
And now you see me and just say, 'Hey'
Nowadays, you just acknowledge me with a simple greeting.
Isn't it weird that you've seen me naked?
Isn't it weird that we were once so intimate and vulnerable, but now we're distant?
We had conversations 'bout forever
We used to talk about our future and lifelong plans together.
Now it's 'bout the weather, okay
Now we just talk about mundane things like the weather to fill the silence.
And I just can't believe we went from strangers to lovers to strangers in a lifetime
It's hard to believe that we were once strangers, then we fell in love, and now we're like strangers again.
Now just memories
All we have left are memories of our past together.
Acting like we never met
It's like we're pretending that our past never happened.
Faking like we just forget
We try to pretend that our past doesn't matter and we can move on easily.
We were lovers
We used to be in a romantic relationship.
And now there's nothing left but small talk
Now we only have mundane and small talk left between us.
Had every inch of your skin
We were once very intimate with each other.
There's nowhere your hands haven't been
We explored each other's bodies thoroughly.
Ain't it funny?
Isn't it ironic?
Because now there's nothing left but small talk
Because now we can only talk about unimportant things.
Isn't it wild that I know your weakness?
It's weird that I know your vulnerabilities and insecurities.
And everybody at the party thinks that you're the best since sliced bread
Everyone at the party thinks highly of you.
And isn't it awkward I got a new somebody?
It's uncomfortable for me that I have a new partner now.
And honestly it'll probably be a while before we can just be friends
Realistically, it will take us some time to be able to have a platonic friendship again.
Blah-blah-blah-blah
Mundane and unimportant chatter.
Now there's nothing left but small talk
All we have left between us is trivial conversation.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charlie Puth, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Johan Jens Erik Carlsson, Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shukri2417
Katy has been a nerd , a princess , an Egyptian , an alien , an old woman , a jungle girl , a basketball player , a salad , a bride , a solider , something related to French revolution , a robot and now this !!! We stan a multipackage queen 🤩🤩
@alesonferreira6897
Yeah, bcz she CAN !
@friki_chica4903
And a burger
@JustinAniston
Something related to French revolution aka Joan of Arc and Marie Antoinette? 🤣
@MariaJesus-is5jo
Si , por eso es una de las mejores y una guerrera alucinante :)
@traylay3753
she has also been a burger i think
in taylor swifts video lol
@HollyHavens
I love Katy Perry, but...the dogs are the true stars of this video! 🌟🌟🐶🐕🐩
@thashaun
i would apreciatte so much if u guys help me reach 500 subs just click subscribe ! Im a decent/flop cover channel and wanna grow slowly... ❤
@addisongandaravlogsandvids7635
Holly Havens yasssssss queen 👸🏻
@kapilaabeykoon2245
I agree