Tuesday, March 22, 2011

KATY PERRY
TOP 11:FIREWORK

"Firework" is a song by American recording artist Katy Perry. The song was written by Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Sandy Wilhelm, Ester Dean, and produced by Stargate and Sandy Vee for Perry's second studio album, Teenage Dream (2010). The song was released on October 16, 2010 byCapitol Records as the third single from the album. The song is a self-empowerment anthem with inspirational lyrics, and was considered by Perry as the most important song for her on Teenage Dream.
"Firework" received good reviews from music critics, with some noticing its catchy melody and danceable beat and comparing it to songs by English bandColdplay. The song was commercially successful, reaching the top spot on Billboard Hot 100 and the top 5 on twenty charts around the world. The song was certified 2x platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for the shipment of two millions copies across United States. On the week ending of January 8, 2011, "Firework" sold 509,000 digital downloads in the US, which is the second highest amount ever sold by a female artist, only behind Kesha's "Tik Tok", who sold 610,000 copies in a week, and fourth highest overall.
An accompanying music video, directed by Dave Meyers, was released on October 28, 2010. It portrayed Perry singing and dancing around Budapest, with intercalating scenes of shy teenagers become confident in themselves. An open casting call for the music video drew an unprecedented 38,000 applicants. On MuchMusic's top 50 videos of 2010, "Firework" reached the top position. The music video was said to be a more upbeat take on Christina Aguilera's message in "Beautiful". The song is third consecutive number-one single of the same album, the last singer who got this done was Monica in 1998.

Background

"Firework" was written by Perry, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Sandy Wilhelm, and Ester Dean while produced by Stargate and Sandy Vee at Soapbox Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. It was recorded at Roc the Mic Studios in New York City. It was mixed at The Bunker Studios by Vee. Audio engineering was done by Carlos Oyandel and Damien Lewis. All instruments were done by Stargate and Vee. Lead and background vocals were provided by Perry.[1] Perry said that "Firework" is her favorite song on Teenage Dream.[2] She explained that:
"People are coming back and almost adopting it as their own anthem, and it's hard, I think, to write an anthem that's not cheesy, and I hope that this could be something in that category. I hope this could be one of those things where it's like, 'Yeah, I want to put my fist up and feel proud and feel strong. But I also don't want to be cheesy, it's a fine line, and I think 'Firework' ... would be like the opus or my one song — if I had to pick a song to play — 'cause it has a great beat. But it also has a fantastic message."[2]

[edit]Composition

"Firework"
A sample of Katy Perry's "Firework" features Perry singing over a catchy melody and danceable beat.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.
"Firework" is a song with a catchy melody and danceable beat.[3] The song is composed in the key of A♭ major and is set in time signature ofcommon time with a tempo of 126 beats per minute. Perry vocal range spans from A♭♯3 to E♭5.[4] According to Perry, "Firework" is influenced by Jack Kerouac's novel, On the Road.[5][6]

[edit]Critical reception

The song received generally positive reviews and was called a surprise favorite in Teenage Dream. The track is her best-reviewed single to date.Slant Magazine stated that the song is "not an actively painful listen. Sure, the would-be inspirational lyrics ('Baby you're a firework/Come on show them what you're worth') are nonsensical, and the vocal lines, which sound like they were written for someone like Leona Lewis, are well beyond Perry's capabilities, but the chorus gains some momentum and the song would work well enough in a club setting that you could forgive its otherwise glaring weaknesses."[7] Both Bill Lamb from About.com and Allmusic chose "Firework" among the top tracks on the album,[8] with Lamb stating that the song "is a towering anthem that was aimed directly at lifting self esteem", in a review specifically for the single, Lamb continued to praise the song, stating that "it is a straightforward, economical self-esteem anthem. The song wastes no time in getting to the point and gives razor sharp focus to its message. As a result, it is a perfect pop record being catchy, highly melodic and designed to make every listener feel good. Effervescent pop singles rarely get better than this".[9][3] Nick Levine of Digital Spy gave the song five out of five stars writing, "It's [...] a straight up self-empowerment anthem wrapped in a Coldplay-on-poppers club banger from the Stargate team."[10] PopMatters wrote that "Firework" is "the record's last hurrah; though nothing particularly memorable...'Firework' has at least a bit of staying power".[11] The Washington Post described the song as "too mushy".[12]

[edit]Chart performance

In the United States, "Firework" debuted at position fifty-seven on the issue dated November 6, 2010.[13] It peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Perry's fourth number-one single in the US and third number-one single from the album.[14] This made Perry the first female artist since Monica in 1998-1999 to have three consecutive singles from an album top the chart. It so far spent four non-consecutive weeks at number-one on the Hot 100.[14] The song topped on Hot Dance Club Songs, Pop chart and Adult Pop Songs.[15] On the week ending January 8, 2011, "Firework" sold 509,000 digital downloads in the US which is the second highest amount ever sold by a female artist only behind Kesha's "Tik Tok", who sold 610,000 copies in a week, and fourth highest overall.[16] The song was certified two platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for the shipment of two millions copies across United States.[17] Since digital release, over 3,722,000 copies have been sold. The song is Perry's fifth single to do so, making her the artist with the most singles to sell 3 million copies or more.[18] In Canada, "Firework" debuted at number 51 on the Canadian Hot 100 issue dated November 6, 2010[19] and reached at number one on December 18, 2010.[20]
On October 31, 2010, "Firework" debuted at number 37 in Australia on the official ARIA Singles Chart[21] and moved to number 15 the next week.[22] It peaked at number three and was certified three times platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for sales over 210,000 copies.[23][24] The song debuted at number 34 in New Zealand on October 4, 2010[25] and reached at number one.[26] The song entered at number five on the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number three.[27] It has been certified platinum for the shipment of 600,000 copies.[28] Across Europe, the song reached the top five in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, while reaching the top ten in France and the Netherlands.[29]

[edit]Music video

Katy Perry dancing with others at theBuda Castle with fireworks bursting from them.
The video is part of a huge cross-promotional deal with European telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom. Deutsche Telekom hosted a series of activities and competitions from which fans around Europe will be recruited to be in the video.[30] MTV reported that Perry started filming the video on September 28, 2010.[2] The video was directed by Dave Meyers and shot in Budapest.[31] The official teaser trailer of the music video was released on October 15, 2010.[32] An open casting call for the music video drew an unprecedented 38,000 applicants.[33] The video was released on TwitVid, DirectLyrics and Youku on October 28, 2010. It premiered on October 28, 2010 on Vevo YouTube, with a current view-count of more than 140 million. It was presented in the anamorphic widescreen 2.35:1 aspect ratio.
The video's message has been described as a "more upbeat take on Christina Aguilera’s message in, 'Beautiful'".[34] Perry opens the video gazing down upon the city from a balcony. As she sings into the night, fireworks shoot from her chest (heart) and soon inspire young people throughout the city to overcome their fears and insecurities, in the process igniting their own fireworks. A shy overweight girl, playing the role of wallflower at a pool party, finds the courage to shed her clothes and jump in the pool. A leukemia patient at a children's hospital proves to herself that she can show herself out on the street and in public despite her loss of hair. A struggling young performer walking home in a dark alley uses tricks from his magic act to win over a group of street thugs who were trying to rob him. A boy confronts his fighting parents and pushes them apart because their shouting is upsetting his little sister. A young man finds the courage to approach the guy he is interested in and kisses him, igniting his firework within. Soon the youth of the city are converging upon the courtyard of Buda Castle, dancing and lighting up the night with their own fireworks.
On November 5, 2010, the British media and entertainment website Digital Spy reported that the video had been partially censored for British Television; the kiss between the two men, despite only being about a second long and the video being used as part of the 'It Gets Better' campaign,[35] was said to be pixelated out.[36] However, British music channel audiences have reported this information to be incorrect.[37] On MuchMusic's top 50 videos of 2010, "Firework" was ranked #1.[38]

[edit]Live performances

Perry performed "Firework" on the Late Show with David Letterman on August 24, 2010.[39] On October 17, 2010 she performed the song on The X Factor in the United Kingdom,[40] followed by a performance of the song at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 held in Madrid, Spain on November 7, 2010. Perry also performed the song again in the United Kingdom, this time on the chat showPaul O'Grady Live on November 12, 2010, the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards on November 14, 2010 and at the American Music Awards of 2010. She performed "Firework" at the 2010 annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show which aired on November 30, 2010.[41] Perry's performance of "Firework" on Willkommen bei Mario Barth aired on December 4, 2010 in Germany, a performance that was recorded in October 2010.[42] She appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show on December 8, 2010 to perform an acoustic version of the song.[43] Also she performed the song in the VH1 Divas 2010 show as the closing of the event. Perry also performed the acoustic version on the 12th Annual A Home for the Holidays on CBS.

[edit]Track listing

  • Digital download[44]
  1. "Firework" – 3:47
  2. "Firework" (Music video) - 3:55
  • German CD single[45]
  1. "Firework" – 3:48
  2. "Firework" (Instrumental) – 3:48

[edit]Personnel

Credits adapted from the album liner notes.[1]

[edit]Charts and certifications

[edit]Charts

Chart (2010–11)↓Peak
position↓
Australian Singles Chart[23]3
Austrian Singles Chart[29]3
Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders)[29]5
Belgian Singles Chart (Wallonia)[29]5
Brazilian Hot 100 Airplay[46]10
Brazilian Hot Pop Songs[47]2
Canadian Hot 100[20]1
Czech Airplay Chart[48]4
Danish Singles Chart[29]14
Dutch Top 40[29]6
European Hot 100 Singles[15]9
Finnish Singles Chart[29]18
French Singles Chart[29]7
German Singles Chart[49]4
Hungarian Airplay Chart[50]2
Irish Singles Chart[51]2
Italian Singles Chart[29]4
Japan Hot 100[15]46
New Zealand Singles Chart[26]1
Norwegian Singles Chart[29]2
Polish Airplay Chart[52]3
Romanian Top 100[53]15
Scottish Singles Chart[54]3
Slovak Airplay Chart[55]2
Spanish Singles Chart[29]14
Swedish Singles Chart[29]4
Swiss Singles Chart[29]3
UK Singles Chart[27]3
US Billboard Hot 100[15]1
US Adult Contemporary[15]7
US Adult Pop Songs[15]1
US Hot Dance Club Songs[15]1
US Pop Songs[15]1

[edit]Year-end charts

Chart (2010)Position
Australian Singles Chart[56]24
Germany (Media Control AG)[57]88
Hungarian Airplay Chart[58]94
Ireland Singles Chart[59]9
New Zealand Singles Chart[60]17
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[61]19

[edit]Certifications

CountryCertification
Australia3× Platinum[24]
GermanyGold[62]
ItalyGold[63]
New Zealand2× Platinum[64]
SwitzerlandGold[65]
United KingdomPlatinum[28]
United States2× Platinum[17]

[edit]Chart precessions and successions

[show]Order of precedence

[edit]Radio add dates and release history

[edit]Radio add dates

CountryDateType
United StatesOctober 26, 2010[66]Mainstream airplay
November 16, 2010[67]Rhythmic airplay

[edit]Release history

CountryDateFormatLabel
United KingdomNovember 2, 2010[44]Digital downloadCapitol Records
GermanyDecember 3, 2010[45]CD single
FranceJanuary 24, 2011[68]
United StatesFebruary 1, 2011[69]

[edit]See also

[edit]References

  1. ^ a b (2010) Album notes for Teenage Dream by Katy Perry [Liner Notes]. Capitol Records.
  2. ^ a b c Vena, Jocelyn (2010-09-30). "Katy Perry Tweets About 'Sparkling' New Music Video - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.
  3. ^ a b "Katy Perry - Firework - Review of the Single Firework by Katy Perry". Top40.about.com. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
  4. ^ "Katy Perry Firework – Digital Sheet Music". Music Notes. EMI Music Publishing. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  5. ^ "Katy Perry talks "Firework"". KatyPerryMusic on Youtube. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
  6. ^ "Review of the Single Firework by Katy Perry". about.com. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
  7. ^ "Katy Perry: Teenage Dream | Music Review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  8. ^ Thomas, Stephen (2010-08-24). "((( Teenage Dream > Review )))". allmusic. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  9. ^ "Katy Perry - Teenage Dream - Review of the Teenage Dream Album by Katy Perry". Top40.about.com. 2010-08-24. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  10. ^ Levine, Nick (16 October 2010). "Music - Singles Review - Katy Perry: 'Firework' - Digital Spy".Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  11. ^ Leftridge, Steve (October 4, 2010). "Katy Perry: Teenage Dream". PopMatters. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  12. ^ Richards, Chris (August 24, 2010). "Album review of 'Teenage Dream' by Katy Perry". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
  13. ^ "The Billboard Hot 100: Week Ending of November 06, 2010". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. Retrieved 2011-02-03.
  14. ^ a b Silvio Pietroluongo (2010-12-08). "Katy Perry's 'Firework' Shines Over Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-02-03.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h "Katy Perry - Chart History". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2011-03-05.
  16. ^ Keith Caulfield (2010-12-29). "Taylor Swift Gets Christmas Boost on Billboard 200, Foxx Earns Highest Debut". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-02-03.
  17. ^ a b "RIAA – Gold & Platinum: California Gurls". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
  18. ^ "Week Ending Feb 6, 2011: Songs: Katy Stands Alone - Yahoo! Chart Watch". New.music.yahoo.com. 2011-02-09. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  19. ^ "Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  20. ^ a b "Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  21. ^ "Single Top 50 - 31/10/2010". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  22. ^ "Single Top 50 - 07/11/2010". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  23. ^ a b "Single Top 50 - 05/12/2010". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  24. ^ a b "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2011 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  25. ^ "Single Top 40 - 04/10/2010". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  26. ^ a b "Single Top 40 - 15/11/2010". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  27. ^ a b "Katy Perry – Firework – UK Singles Chart". The Official Charts Company. ChartStats. Retrieved 2011-03-05.
  28. ^ a b "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Katy Perry - Firework (song)". Ultratop 50. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2011-03-05.
  30. ^ "Katy Perry, Deutsche Telekom To Launch 'Firework'". Billboard.biz. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  31. ^ "Sneak Peek of Katy Perry's "Firework" Music Video". KatyPerryMusic.
  32. ^ "YouTube - Katy Perry "Firework" Official Teaser Trailer (HD)". KatyPerryMusic.
  33. ^ "Katy Perry's Video Made In Budapest". Xpatloop.com. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  34. ^ Madenski, Hallie (10 December 2010). "15 Worst Songs of 2010". Chicks With Guns Magazine (CWG). Retrieved 5 January 2011.
  35. ^ "It Gets Better Project". It Gets Better Project. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
  36. ^ "Katy Perry’s ‘Firework’ video censored « Katy Perry at Katy Perry Source | Katy-Perry.us • Your hottest & most up-to-date for anything and everything about Katy Perry". Katy-perry.us. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
  37. ^ 18:37. "Gay kiss censored out of Katy Perry's Firework video - Page 2 - Music - Digital Spy Forums". Digitalspy.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
  38. ^ "Your Top 50 Picks of 2010". MuchMusic.com. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  39. ^ Bain, Becky (25 August 2010). "Katy Perry Performs On ‘Letterman’—And Live On The Web! | Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com". Idolator. Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  40. ^ "X Factor: Katy Perry performs Firework in a sparkly catsuit | Mail Online". Daily Mail. 17 October 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  41. ^ Mapes, Jillian (30 November 2010). "Katy Perry Brings 'Firework' to Victoria's Secret Fashion Show". Billboard. Retrieved 12 December 2001.
  42. ^ "Katy Perry: TV-Premiere mit neuer Single bei "Mario Barth"". Klatsch-tratsch.de. 3 December 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
  43. ^ "Watch Katy Perry Perform 'Firework'". AOL Inc. December 8, 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
  44. ^ a b "Firework - Single by Katy Perry - Download Firework - Single on iTunes". iTunes Store. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
  45. ^ a b "Firework: Katy Perry: Amazon.de: Musik" (in Deutsch). Amazon.de. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
  46. ^ Brasil Hot 100 Airplay. 2. Billboard Brasil. Fevereiro de 2011. ISSN 977-217605400-2.
  47. ^ Brasil Hot Pop & Popular Songs. 2. Billboard Brasil. Fevereiro de 2011. ISSN 977-217605400-2.
  48. ^ "RADIO TOP100 Oficiální – Katy Perry Firework – Czech Republic". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry'. IFPIcr.cz. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  49. ^ "Chartverfolgung > Katy Perry > Firework". Media Control Charts. Musicline.de. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  50. ^ "Hungary Singles Chart 2011. 1. hét". Mahasz. Mahasz.hu. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  51. ^ "Chart Track". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  52. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Music Charts. Retrieved 2011-02-03.
  53. ^ "Topul celor mai difuzate 50 de piese la radio in Romania". Romanian Top 100. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  54. ^ "Archive Chart". Scottish Singles Top 40.
  55. ^ "SNS IFPI". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. IFPIcr.cz.
  56. ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2010". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2010-01-09.
  57. ^ "VIVA Single Jahrescharts 2010 - 2010" (in Deutsch). Viva. Media Control Charts. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  58. ^ "MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 2010" (in hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
  59. ^ "Best of 2010". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  60. ^ "Annual Top 50 Singles Chart 2010". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  61. ^ "2010 Year-end UK Singles". BBC (BBC Online). 2010-12-26. Retrieved 2010-12-26.
  62. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank" (in Deutsch). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  63. ^ "Certificazioni ONLINE - week 03/2011" (in Italian). FIMI. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
  64. ^ "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". RadioScope. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  65. ^ "Awards 2011" (in Deutsch). Swiss Music Charts. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
  66. ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases | Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release". Allaccess.com. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  67. ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases | R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates |". Allaccess.com. Retrieved 2010-12-02.
  68. ^ "Firework : Katy Perry en CD Single" (in French). Fnac.com. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  69. ^ "Firework: Katy Perry". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
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