Critics were initially divided about the song at release. However, the song has received retrospective critical acclaim with Glamour calling it "one of the best pop songs of all time." The song topped the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Perry's third number-one single on that chart, and her second consecutive number-one single after "California Gurls". It also reached number one in Ireland, New Zealand, and Slovakia. "Teenage Dream" entered the top ten in 13 countries total. "Teenage Dream" has been certified eight times Platinum in the United States, six times Platinum in Australia, four times Platinum in Canada, and Gold or Platinum in eight additional countries.
A music video for the song was filmed in various locations around Perry's hometown in Santa Barbara, California and was directed by Yoann Lemoine (a.k.a. Woodkid). The video showcases Perry being in love with her high school boyfriend. Perry has performed the song on Saturday Night Live, the 2010 Teen Choice Awards, 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show, and in every one of her concert tours since the California Dreams Tour. "Teenage Dream" was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, becoming Perry's third nomination in the category. The song has been covered numerous times, appearing on American Idol, The Voice, and Glee.
Perry described the process "a very pure moment for me" and continued saying, "[It was] where I started my creative juices. And also it kind of exudes this euphoric feeling because everybody remembers what their teenage dreams were — all the girls that were on your poster walls." After she recorded the vocals, McKee pulled Luke and Martin aside and told them her idea, to which they responded, "Well why didn't you say that in the first place?". The chorus was rewritten, and the line "Skin tight jeans" was taken from the early "trying me on" version. When the final version was finished, McKee said, "We were all so pumped that it had paid off. I remember Max sitting back and saying 'I wish we could bottle this feeling'. It was really magical." Perry commented that even though the song was rewritten many times, she was "so happy to finally get somewhere that we all agreed on" after it was finished. During an interview in June 2010, Perry confirmed "Teenage Dream" as the second single from the album, and said that the song was about "kind of like feeling that way when you were a teenager: really emotional, really invested..... It's intense being in love and being a teenager." After confirming that "Teenage Dream" was also the title of the album, she explained that it was a throwback to her teenage years, as she thought back to her youth while contemplating marriage to her boyfriend Russell Brand. She added, "To me, this year is pretty heavy. I am going to be getting married and putting out this record, and there is so much going on that it's nice to think of those young dreams."
Teenage Dream
Katy Perry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without any make-up on
You think I'm funny
When I tell the punch line wrong
I know you get me
So I'll let my walls come down, down
Before you met me
But things were kinda heavy
You brought me to life
Now every February
You'll be my Valentine, Valentine
Let's go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance until we die
You and I
We'll be young forever
You make me feel like I'm living a, teenage, dream
The way you turn me on
I, can't, sleep
Let's run away
And don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
My, heart, stops
When you look at me
Just, one, touch
Now baby I believe
This, is, real
So take a chance
And don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
We drove to Cali
And got drunk on the beach
Got a motel and
Built a fort out of sheets
I finally found you
My missing puzzle piece
I'm complete
Let's go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance until we die
You and I
We'll be young forever
You make me feel like I'm living a, teenage, dream
The way you turn me on
I, can't, sleep
Let's runaway
And don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
My, heart, stops
When you look at me
Just, one, touch
Now baby I believe
This, is, real
So take a chance
And don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
I'ma get your heart racing
In my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me
In my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
You, make, me feel like I'm living a, teenage, dream
The way you turn me on
I, can't, sleep
Let's runaway
And don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
My, heart, stops
When you look at me
Just one touch
Now baby I believe
This, is, real
So take a chance
And don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
I'ma get your heart racing
In my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me
In my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight (tonight, tonight, tonight)
"Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry is a song about young love and the magic it has on a girl's life. In the song, the singer talks about her significant other and how he brings out the best in her. She says that he thinks she is pretty without makeup and finds her funny even when she messes up the punch line. She feels she can let down her walls around him and that he has made her life meaningful. The couple goes on adventures together and tries to live life to the fullest, with no regrets. They both believe they have found something special in each other and want to cherish it.
The lyrics "You make me feel like I'm living a teenage dream" refer to the intensity and excitement of teenage love. It's a love that makes both people feel invincible, like nothing can stop them. The phrase "skin-tight jeans" is symbolic of how the relationship fits perfectly, as if it were meant to be. The song's chorus is catchy and upbeat, giving the listener a sense of carefree happiness.
Overall, "Teenage Dream" is a song about the beauty and magic of young love. It reminds us all of the excitement and energy that comes with a new relationship, where everything seems possible.
Line by Line Meaning
You think I'm pretty
Without any make-up on
You are attracted to my natural beauty and don't care if I'm not wearing any makeup.
You think I'm funny
When I tell the punch line wrong
You find my sense of humor endearing, even when I mess up a joke.
I know you get me
So I'll let my walls come down, down
I feel understood by you and trust you enough to let my guard down.
Before you met me
I was alright
But things were kinda heavy
You brought me to life
Now every February
You'll be my Valentine, Valentine
I was doing fine before we met, but I didn't realize how much better life could be until you came along. Now Valentine's Day will always be special because of you.
Let's go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance until we die
You and I
We'll be young forever
Let's live in the moment and enjoy each other's company without worrying about regrets. We can dance until we're tired, and together we'll feel young forever.
You make me feel like I'm living a, teenage, dream
The way you turn me on
I, can't, sleep
Let's run away
And don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
You light up my world and make me feel like a teenager in love. I'm so infatuated with you that I can't even sleep. Let's leave our problems behind and run away together, never looking back.
My, heart, stops
When you look at me
Just, one, touch
Now baby I believe
This, is, real
So take a chance
And don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
My heart skips a beat every time you look at me, and I believe that what we have is real. Let's take a risk and chase after love, without ever looking back.
We drove to Cali
And got drunk on the beach
Got a motel and
Built a fort out of sheets
I finally found you
My missing puzzle piece
I'm complete
We went on an adventure to California and had fun drinking on the beach. We found a motel and made a fort out of sheets. It's like I finally found the missing piece of myself and feel complete with you next to me.
I'ma get your heart racing
In my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me
In my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
I'm going to be sexy for you and wear my skin-tight jeans, making your heart race. Let's make each other's teenage dreams come true by letting you put your hands on me.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benjamin Joseph Levin, Bonnie Leigh McKee, Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, Lukasz Gottwald, Martin Max Sandberg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LuForce1980
My Daughter Died of Cancer
On December 8th 2012...
Buried 12/12/12
I Never got a chance to Thank Katy Perry for a Video she made for my daughter to lift her Spirits during the time she was fighting her Cancer in 2011-2012...
In the video Katy Perry made for her she acknowledged her and said that she heard she was sick and also heard that her song (Firework) was my daughters favorite song so she sang that song to her ...
My daughter of course was ecstatic when she saw her favorite singer singing her favorite song...
They ended playing this Katy Perry Song at her Funeral...
There was a Million People at her Funeral...I've never seen so many people in my life at a Funeral... And the procession to get to the Cemetery was as if she was the President getting escorted there. Shutting down Highways and Stopping any traffic...
My Daughter was a Special Angel...
There is a Part in Katy Perry's song (Firework) that she sang to my daughter where she says...
(You're Original Cannot Be Replaced)
I ended up putting these words and this quote on my daughters Gravestone...
If Anyone out there has any connections to Katy Perry please tell her I said Thank You with all my Heart...
To My Daughter...
See You Soon Best Friend.
@soppa4239
the biggest mistake we did as kids was wish we were older.. now we wish we were young again...
@p.7489
Right. My parents always told me adult life isn’t all that’s cracked up to be. And to enjoy being a child. Being an adult stinks 😷.
@kieranreynolds5896
Yeah I'm 14 and I ain't gonna miss my childhood I hate it, atleast being a adult you have a job meaning you got a purpose atleast other than being another mouth to feed
@tanaazchannel875
Yes
@bluedaylight1243
Its not for me, i think my teen hood is really a mess and i really hate where i live. Also im really looking forward to get out from this place, idc if it cost my teenage years
@tylerbruno07
Kieran Reynolds same because I want a chance to live for myself in life
@milsy2091
This was 10 years ago and now shes pregnant. Time sure flies by.
@dannymazariegos3284
MilMil for real
@ita2552
wait what
@aguinmox3043
Irish potatoes sorry bro no more sexy petite katy anymore