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.
Would you care
Katy Perry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everyone trashes you under the table
As they're smiling at your face
Cruel words like a stun gun
Life can be hum drum
Knock to the ground, oh
But if you got them talking
You know it's working
But you only get a minute or two
'Cause nobody hates you
Are you aware
You're just one note in a symphony
Nobody needs you
Nobody's there
Your name won't go down in history
Live on in infamy
But to the point
Would you care
Would you care, would you care
Get used to it, Katy
People's attention
Sure is focused on you
Your the subject of the day
They need something to speak about
No need to freak out
Tomorrow is over
Today you got them talking
Staring and stalking
You know it's working
But you only get a minute or two
'Cause nobody hates you
Are you aware
You're just one note in a symphony
Nobody needs you
Nobody's there
Your name won't go down in history
Live on in infamy
But to the point
Would you care
Mean worlds, mean words, mean thoughts, meanwhile
Don't let it get to you
Girl, don't cry
They lie
Don't let it get to you
Get used to it
Nobody hates you
Are you aware
You're just a note in a symphony
Nobody needs you
Nobody's there
Nobody, nobody, nobody
'Cause nobody hates you
Are you aware
You're just a note in a symphony
Nobody needs you
Nobody's there
Your name won't go down in history
Live on in infamy
But to the point
Would you care
But to the point
Would you care
Would you care, would you care
In this song, Katy Perry seems to be addressing the common struggles that come with fame, and the way that people in the public eye can often feel like they are constantly being criticized or judged. She acknowledges that this is just something that comes with the territory, and encourages herself (and perhaps others in similar situations) to get used to it.
The first verse talks about how people can be two-faced, praising someone to their face while bad-mouthing them behind their back. Perry seems to be expressing frustration and confusion about this aspect of fame, but at the same time acknowledges that it seems to be part of the process. She compares the harsh words she receives to a "stun gun", suggesting that they can be painful and overwhelming.
The chorus is where the song's main message comes through. Perry tells herself that "nobody hates you" and reminds herself that she is "just one note in a symphony". This seems to be a reminder to herself (and perhaps to other people in the public eye) that they are part of something larger, and that they should not take criticisms or negative comments too personally. She suggests that it doesn't matter if her "name won't go down in history" or if she doesn't always feel appreciated, because she is still making an impact in her own way.
The second verse talks more about the attention that comes with fame, but again, Perry seems to be urging herself to take it in stride. She acknowledges that people need something to talk about, and that tomorrow there will be a new subject of gossip. She encourages herself to focus on the fact that she is getting people talking and engaging with her work.
Overall, the song is a meditation on the ups and downs of being in the public eye, and the challenges that come with feeling constantly scrutinized. It is also a reminder to persevere and keep making an impact, even if it sometimes feels like nobody cares.
Line by Line Meaning
Get used to it, Katy
You should be accustomed to people talking poorly about you behind your back.
Everyone trashes you under the table
People talk badly about you without you knowing it.
As they're smiling at your face
People pretend to like you or be friendly, but aren't really.
Cruel words like a stun gun
The negative things people say hurt you deeply.
Life can be hum drum
Life can be boring or monotonous.
Knock to the ground, oh
You feel beaten down by the negativity and criticism.
But if you got them talking
If people are talking about you, it means you're making an impact.
Staring and stalking
People are paying close attention to everything you're doing.
You know it's working
The fact that people are talking about you means you're doing something right.
But you only get a minute or two
The attention you receive is fleeting and won't last forever.
Nobody hates you
Despite the negativity, there are still people who like or even love you.
Are you aware
Do you realize that you're not as hated as you may think?
You're just one note in a symphony
You're only one part of the bigger picture and not as important as you may believe.
Nobody needs you
Despite what you may think, people don't actually need you in their lives.
Nobody's there
You may feel alone, but there are still people who care about you.
Your name won't go down in history
You won't be remembered for centuries to come.
Live on in infamy
You'll be remembered, but not for the reasons you might hope.
But to the point
To sum it up.
Would you care
Do you actually care about what people are saying or are you brushing it off?
Contributed by Aria A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wishworks
OMG THIS SONG!!!!!!! This should be on her next album!!!!! And a single!!! This is why I love The Matrix.
Wishworks
This song should be on Katy's next album and made into a single. It is pure addictiveness!
Wishworks
this is my number 1 song of 2009 - nothing on the radio compares - all my friends got hooked on this when i lied and said it was her next single, didn't even care when they found out it wasn't because they love the song! so nyer. single, biatches.
Jaime Ng
THIS SONG IS ALWAYS IN MY HEAD. ALWAYS.
Rohas
i agree that this should be put on her next album and a single!!! that'd be so fucking awosme!!!!!! :D she has sooo amny good songs that didnt make it and it upsets me X3
maggieheartsyou
This song makes me so much happier when I'm down :)
katyperryrules88
it should! im so glad she is making another album!
thunderyayo
I love this song <3
Luce James
i love this song shame she didnt properly release it :( ahh well can't wait for her new album!! :D yaaay i love katy perrrryyy (L)
kitty purry
I lurves this song and katy is awesome!