After singing in church during her childhood, she pursued a career in gospel music as a teenager. Perry signed with Red Hill Records and released her debut studio album Katy Hudson under her birth name in 2001, which was commercially unsuccessful. She moved to Los Angeles the following year to venture into secular music after Red Hill ceased operations and she subsequently began working with producers Glen Ballard, Dr. Luke, and Max Martin. After adopting the stage name 'Katy Perry' and being dropped by The Island Def Jam Music Group and Columbia Records, she signed a recording contract with Capitol Records in April 2007.
Perry rose to fame in 2008 with her second album, One of the Boys, a pop rock record containing the controversial U.S number one song "I Kissed a Girl" and "Hot n Cold". Three subsequent albums have topped the U.S. Billboard 200. The disco-influenced Teenage Dream (2010) spawned five chart-topping U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles–"California Gurls", "Teenage Dream", "Firework", "E.T.", and "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" — a record tying her with Michael Jackson's "Bad". Its follow-up record Prism (2013) was inspired by her divorce, and incorporates pop and dance along with themes of self-reflection, everyday life, and relationships. With the music videos for its chart-topping songs "Roar" and "Dark Horse", Perry became the first artist to have multiple videos reach one billion views on Vevo. Her 2017 electropop album, 'Witness' featured a political subtext and a theme of liberation. Her sixth studio album 'Smile' followed in 2020.
Perry has nine U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number one singles and has received various awards, including four Guinness World Records, five Billboard Music Awards, five American Music Awards, a Brit Award, and a Juno Award. She has been included in the annual Forbes lists of highest-earning women in music from 2011 to 2019. Her estimated net worth as of 2016 is $125 million. Perry is one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 18 million albums and 125 million singles worldwide. In film, she released an autobiographical documentary titled "Katy Perry: Part of Me" in 2012, and voiced Smurfette in the 2011 film The Smurfs and its sequel in 2013. Her Super Bowl halftime show performance is the most watched in history. Perry also began serving as a judge on American Idol in 2018.
Swish Swish
Katy Perry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But they don't know what is what
They just strut
What the fuck?
A tiger
Don't lose no sleep
Don't need opinions
Don't you come for me
No, not today (woah)
You're calculated
I got your number
'Cause you're a joker
And I'm a courtside killer queen
And you will kiss the ring
You best believe
So keep calm, honey, I'ma stick around
For more than a minute, get used to it
Funny my name keeps comin' out your mouth
'Cause I stay winning
Lay 'em up like
Swish, swish, bish
Another one in the basket (basket, woah, basket, woah)
Can't touch this
Another one in the casket (casket, woah, casket)
Your game is tired
You should retire
You're 'bout as cute as
An old coupon expired (woah, woah)
And karma's not a liar
She keeps receipts
So keep calm, honey, I'ma stick around
For more than a minute, get used to it
Funny my name keeps comin' out your mouth
'Cause I stay winning
Lay 'em up like
Swish, swish, bish
Another one in the basket (basket, woah, basket, woah)
Can't touch this
Another one in the casket (casket, woah, casket, let's go, woah)
Swish, swish, bish
Another one in the basket (basket, woah, basket, woah)
Can't touch this
Another one in the casket (casket, woah, casket, woah)
They know what is what
But they don't know what is what
Katy Perry (woah)
They just know what is what
Young Money
But they don't know what is what (what, woah)
They just know what is what
But they don't know what is what (woah)
They just strut
Hahaha, yo
What the fuck? (Woah)
Pink Ferragamo sliders on deck
Silly rap beefs just get me more checks
My life is a movie, I'm never off set
Me and my amigos (no, not Offset)
Swiss swish, aww I got them upset
But my shooters'll make 'em dance like dubstep
Swiss, swish, aww, my haters is obsessed
'Cause I make M's, they get much less
Don't be tryna double back
I already despise you (yeah)
All that fake love you showin'
Couldn't even disguise you, yo, yo
Ran? When? Nicki gettin' tan
Mirror mirror who's the fairest bitch in all the land?
Damn, man, this bitch is a Stan
The generous queen'll kiss a fan
Ass goodbye, I'ma be riding by
I'ma tell my Biggz, yeah that's the guy
A star's a star, da ha da ha
They never thought the swish god would take it this far
Get my pimp cup, this is pimp shit, baby
I only rock with queens, so I'm makin' hits with Katy
Swish, swish, bish
Another one in the basket (and another one, and another one) (basket, woah, basket, woah)
Can't touch this (can't touch this)
Another one in the casket (and another one, and another one) (casket, woah, casket, woah)
They know what is what
Do they know?
But they don't know what is what
They just know what is what (woah)
But they don't know what is what (woah)
They just know what is what
But they don't know what is what
They just strut (woah)
What the (woah)
The song "Swish Swish" by Katy Perry is an upbeat and powerful anthem that celebrates individuality and self-confidence while taking shots at those who try to bring people down. The lyrics "They know what is what, but they don't know what is what, they just strut, what the fuck?" emphasize that despite others' opinions and judgments, people should be true to themselves and not let anyone make them feel inferior. Katy Perry then goes on to assert her dominance, proclaiming that she is unstoppable and that her haters' games are tired. She also mentions that karma will always catch up to those who try to bring others down.
The chorus of the song consists of the phrase "Swish swish, bish, another one in the basket, can't touch this, another one in the casket" which further emphasizes Katy Perry's confidence and success. The basketball references in the song create a fun and energetic vibe that matches the overall tone of the lyrics.
Overall, "Swish Swish" is a confident and empowering song that encourages listeners to be themselves and not let anyone else bring them down.
Line by Line Meaning
They know what is what
Those who oppose me are aware of the situation
But they don't know what is what
Those who oppose me lack comprehension of the situation
They just strut
These opponents are flaunting their disregard for me
What the fuck?
What is happening?
A tiger
I am a force to be reckoned with
Don't lose no sleep
I maintain a calm and confident attitude in the face of opposition
Don't need opinions
I disregard the negative opinions of my opponents
From a shellfish or a sheep
I don't seek support from weak, invertebrate followers
Don't you come for me
Don't challenge me or threaten me
No, not today (woah)
Not at this moment, or ever
You're calculated
You've thought through your strategy
I got your number
I understand your strategy
'Cause you're a joker
You're trying to be funny or frivolous
And I'm a courtside killer queen
I'm confident and strong, and I know how to win
And you will kiss the ring
You will show respect to me as the superior opponent
You best believe
You should be aware and ready for my strength and power
So keep calm, honey, I'ma stick around
Stay calm, because I'm here to stay
For more than a minute, get used to it
I'm not going anywhere anytime soon
Funny my name keeps comin' out your mouth
My opponent keeps mentioning me, even though they don't like me
'Cause I stay winning
I continue to succeed, despite the efforts of those who oppose me
Lay 'em up like
I dominate, taking down those who challenge me
Swish, swish, bish
I'm unstoppable, like a basketball player making shots
Another one in the basket (basket, woah, basket, woah)
I keep succeeding and overcoming obstacles
Can't touch this
My opponents can't stop me
Another one in the casket (casket, woah, casket)
My opponents continue to fall, while I keep rising
Your game is tired
Your strategy is old and worn out
You should retire
You should give up before you get defeated
You're 'bout as cute as
You're not impressive or effective
An old coupon expired (woah, woah)
You're worthless and not worth my time
And karma's not a liar
What goes around comes around
She keeps receipts
Karma keeps track of who deserves what
Pink Ferragamo sliders on deck
I'm living my luxurious lifestyle
Silly rap beefs just get me more checks
My opponents only make me more successful
My life is a movie, I'm never off set
My entire life is glamorous and exciting
Me and my amigos (no, not Offset)
Me and my friends are living the life, without any drama or issues
Swiss swish, aww I got them upset
I'm getting under my opponents' skin and making them angry
But my shooters'll make 'em dance like dubstep
My team will take care of my opponents and make them look foolish
Aww, my haters is obsessed
My opponents are so dedicated to trying to take me down, it's become an obsession
'Cause I make M's, they get much less
They're jealous of my success and wealth
Don't be tryna double back
Don't try to come back to me after being defeated
I already despise you (yeah)
I hate my opponent already
All that fake love you showin'
The fake support you're showing doesn't fool me
Couldn't even disguise you, yo, yo
You're not even good at pretending to like me
Ran? When? Nicki gettin' tan
I'm always busy and always succeeding, unlike my opponents
Mirror mirror who's the fairest bitch in all the land?
I'm the one who is most successful and powerful
Damn, man, this bitch is a Stan
My opponents are so obsessed with me, they're like fanatics
The generous queen'll kiss a fan
I'm a kind and gracious person, even to my fans
Ass goodbye, I'ma be riding by
I'm leaving these defeated opponents behind and continuing on my path to success
I'ma tell my Biggz, yeah that's the guy
I'm going to keep my team close, and they will always be successful with me
A star's a star, da ha da ha
I'm a true superstar, and no one can deny it
They never thought the swish god would take it this far
My opponents underestimated my power and ability
Get my pimp cup, this is pimp shit, baby
I'm living my best life and enjoying my success
I only rock with queens, so I'm makin' hits with Katy
I only work with the best, and Katy is one of them
Lyrics © PROMNITE PUBLISHING, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brittany Hazzard, Duke Dumont, Katy Perry, Onika Tanya Maraj, Percy Jr. Sledge, Roland Clark, Sarah Theresa Hudson, Maya Jane Coles, Paul Sledge, Sarah Hudson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sebastian
on Box
I was trapped in my own thoughts and couldn't escape
I was closed off to the outside world and not receiving any communication
When I took a broader perspective on my life
I was unaware of the passing of time or new beginnings
I had a realization that struck me hard
I realized that not everyone would support my choices
I was uncertain about the future
I had to let my inner desires guide me
It was an exhilarating experience
When you gain new perspective and awareness
As if seeing things for the first time
Unexpected but exciting
I started breaking free from my limited thinking and behavior
Pushing past my previous boundaries and limitations
I refused to conform to the expectations of others
I was always aware that I needed to make a change
When I stopped being passive and found inspiration
I had been living differently than before
I was determined to continue my new way of living no matter what challenges came my way
I had been living with my own weaknesses and flaws
My insecurity and lack of confidence often held me back
I reached a breaking point and needed to take action
I had to let go of my past patterns and habits that kept bringing me down
I realized that others were not supportive of my choices
I couldn't keep conforming to please others
I made a choice to live my life the way I wanted to
I was breaking free from the expectations and constraints of others
I was saying goodbye to following the crowd
I valued being clear about my intentions and goals
It only requires a small effort
I needed to identify my true desires and separate them from the influence of others
I was more deliberate with my choices and actions
When I removed the barriers that previously held me back
Embracing a new, unconventional way of living
Challenging the status quo and taking risks
John P Winder
on Dark Horse (feat. Juicy J)
Dark Horse ...