Let Her Roar

Let+Her+Roar

Taylor Alandzes

Katy Perry’s latest single, “Roar,” off of her most recently released album, Prism, is already taking off with record-breaking success. Prism continues the acclaimed achievement brought on by Perry’s previous album, the Grammy-nominated Teenage Dream that overran radio stations all over the country with number one hits such as “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” and “Firework.” Once again Perry is topping the charts with “Roar” at number one, making it her eighth single to make it to the top of the Hot 100.

Within the first week, “Roar” sold 557,024 downloads, earning it the title of the biggest Digital Song sales week of 2013. The song is captivating audiences around the world, and one look at the amusing music video will sum up why.

The music video for “Roar” is satirically hilarious. It mimics similarities to Disney’s Tarzan, taking place after a plane crash in the jungle, only this time the hero of the story is actually pop star Katy Perry. After her boyfriend is attacked by a tiger, Perry is left to fend for herself on the island full of vicious animals and unknown danger.

The video illustrates the meaning implied by the song, in that it depicts the mental and metaphorical journey from a vulnerable and co-dependent victim to a strong and self-reliant fighter.

“I went from zero/to my own hero,” Perry sings, describing the transition taking place in the video.

Although the video is extremely entertaining, almost like a movie within the song, it sometimes feels like it is taking away from the music. It’s humorous antics distract from the impact of the lyrics, so it may take a few views to fully achieve the intended effect of the song and its lyrics.

“Roar” itself is an upbeat teen anthem with catchy lyrics that will stick in the heads of listeners for hours afterwards. Perry has replicated her remarkable success once again, and continues down her path as a pop music legend without hesitation.