My 10 Favorite Katy Perry Songs, Ranked

Pop rock firecracker and girl mom Katy Perry makes music that sparks inspiration and transcends genre. She’s emotive, punk, pop, angelic, and dark and moody — and keeps her listeners guessing. And while she’s spending more time chasing a tiny child than touring these days, I thought I’d put together this list of my absolute favorite TOP TEN Katy Perry tunes. 

#10: “Daisies” (Smile) 

This atmospheric pop tune offered a bright spot in 2020, along with the birth of Perry’s first child: a girl with the same name as this track. 

#9: “Ur So Gay” (One of the Boys)

A hilariously angsty Perry had me at “you need SPF 45 just to stay alive” on this 2007 fan favorite. It’s one of her most brilliantly funny songs — and I wish she still wrote songs like this. 

#8: “Chained to the Rhythm” (Witness)

One of Perry’s most notable collaborations — and the lead single off the artist’s album Witness — this festive song features the one and only Skip Marley. 

#7: “California Gurls” (Teenage Dream)

This tune’s cute, a little campy, and goes well with dances in shark costumes at Super Bowl Halftime shows. Full disclosure: I wasn’t an immediate fan, so I was shocked when it grew on me. Now, every time I hear it on an early ’00s station, I crank it up. 

#6: “Firework” (Teenage Dream)

This quintessential dance-pop anthem is a favorite of kid talent shows and presidential campaigns (ahem, Hillary Clinton). But it’s also “fire” in other ways, as the kids would say. It starts off slow and low, gaining momentum slowly, then exploding into all the colors. 

#5: “Hot n Cold” (One of the Boys)

This song from Perry’s 2008 breakout album One of the Boys is as catchy as pop-rock songs can get. It’s also just four chords, and an easy win for young guitar students. I taught this song to about 10 kids between 2008 and 2013. 

#4: “Part of Me” (Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection)

I will never forget hearing this song within a few weeks of Katy Perry announcing her divorce (of former husband Russell Brand) in 2012. It’s badass and self-empowering with a soaring chorus. 

#3: “Dark Horse” (Prism) 

Katy Perry’s 2013 hit is seductive, spooky, trip-hoppy pop with a fun rap bit (courtesy of Juicy J). Perry, in interviews, said she wanted the song to have a “witchy” vibe. She definitely succeeded here. 

#2: “I Kissed a Girl” (One of the Boys)

The swagger and pomp in this catchy song got me the first time I heard it. When Perry proudly proclaims, “I kissed a girl and I liked it!” I’m like, “yes, girl! You do you!” Unlike Jill Sobule’s song of the same name, this version has lots of sex appeal. 

#1: “E.T.” (Teenage Dream)

An atmospheric, breathtaking anthem about all-consuming lust, Katy Perry’s “E.T.” blows me away every time I hear it. It’s hypnotizing, mesmerizing, and otherworldly. 

Marisa Torrieri Bloom is the founder and editor of Rockmommy.