Is Katy Perry’s “ROAR” The Current Generation’s “I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar”?

 

When I finally heard the latest hit from Katy Perry, I couldn’t help but think, “Could this be the current generation’s newest feminist anthem?”

 

Now I know what you’re thinking: but it’s Katy Perry.

To this I have two points to make:

1) Listen to the lyrics. It’s fucking inspirational and feminist subversion at it’s best. I say “at it’s best” precisely because it is a pop song — it will be heard by millions upon millions everywhere. And it encourages girls and women to be strong, confident, unafraid to speak their own minds, and perhaps most importantly, “be our own heroes.”

2) If Katy Perry were to declare herself a feminist I’d be like, “fuck yeah” because let’s face it: it would be a boon for feminism. It’s a label still riddled with negative connotations, so if she were willing to accept that label and wear it proudly like a prom queen sash, well that, ladies & gentleman, is why “I’d be like, ‘fuck yeah’.”

For those of you daring enough to watch the above video, it is super silly over the top ridonkulousness. Enjoy.

*side note: I find it interesting that as her “independence & strength” grow in the video, the less clothing she seems to be wearing. It’s almost like a women’s lib throwback, as if to say, fuck female modesty!*

Lyrics:

I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
So I sat quietly, agreed politely
I guess that I forgot I had a choice
I let you push me past the breaking point
I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything

You held me down, but I got up (hey!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, your hear that sound
Like thunder, gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up
Get ready ’cause I had enough
I see it all, I see it now

I got the eye of the tiger, the fire
Dancing through the fire
‘Cause I am a champion, and you’re gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
‘Cause I am a champion, and you’re gonna hear me roar!

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You’re gonna hear me roar!

Now I’m floating like a butterfly
Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes
I went from zero, to my own hero

You held me down, but I got up (hey!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, your hear that sound
Like thunder, gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up
Get ready ’cause I’ve had enough
I see it all, I see it now

I got the eye of the tiger, the fire
Dancing through the fire
‘Cause I am a champion, and you’re gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
‘Cause I am a champion, and you’re gonna hear me roar!

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You’re gonna hear me roar!

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You’re gonna hear me roar!

Roar, roar, roar, roar, roar!

I got the eye of the tiger, the fire
Dancing through the fire
‘Cause I am a champion, and you’re gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
‘Cause I am a champion, and you’re gonna hear me roar!

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You’re gonna hear me roar!

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You’re gonna hear me roar!

 

Lyrics via metrolyrics.com