Katy Perry: ‘Swish Swish’ is an anthem against bullies… like Taylor Swift?

Katy Perry leaves The Peppermint night club

Katy Perry is still Swish-Swish-ing. That’s the name of her latest single, “Swish Swish,” which is totally about Taylor Swift, let’s be real. After Taylor devoted 1989 to her bad blood with Katy, people have been waiting to see if Katy would respond musically. And her response was this not-great song. Personally, I don’t think “Swish Swish” is the worst, but I have a high tolerance for vapid pop music, plus the lyrics are actually kind of funny in a stupid, juvenile, middle-school-beef sort of way. Anyway, last Friday, Katy appeared on the Tonight Show to chat about her album (and promote her appearance on SNL), and Fallon asked her flat-out if the song is about “anyone we know”? Katy replied:

“I think it’s a great anthem for people to use whenever someone’s trying to hold you down or bully you. It’s a liberation from all the negative that doesn’t serve you.”

[Via People]

Here’s the video:

Did Taylor Swift “bully” Katy Perry? I’m really asking, because I can’t decide. I take issue with the word “bully” in most situations involving adults, so I think my problem is mostly semantic. What Taylor did to Katy was rude, it was juvenile, it was stupid and it was Taylor’s little promotional storyline. I truly believe that people like Kendrick Lamar and Karlie Kloss should actually be ashamed of themselves for participating in “Bad Blood.” But was it bullying? Eh.

Also: Ruby Rose thinks Katy is the real bully! Dear Ruby Rose: this is not your fight. Just stop.

Melodramatic much? Also: are we ever going to get to a point where we don’t treat like Taylor Swift like she’s the most innocent blonde white child in the world? I really want to know.

The Met Gala 2017

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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27 Responses to “Katy Perry: ‘Swish Swish’ is an anthem against bullies… like Taylor Swift?”

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  1. Jessi says:

    Swifty didn’t devote 1989 to her bad blood with Katy, it was just one song lol

    • Lulu says:

      Yh I was a bit confused there lol if it’s devoted to anyone it’s Harry styles

    • Erica_V says:

      I said that on the last post about Katy & Taylor. That’s a pretty big reach to say because of one song the entire album was “devoted” to Katy. No not really.

  2. Lucy says:

    Wow. Ruby really loves drama and attention, right?

  3. MellyMel says:

    I wish people (in this case Ruby) would stop with the “underdog” narrative when it comes to T. Swift! She is not an underdog and I don’t believe she ever was one!

    • Otaku Fairy says:

      Right? Her thirsty defense of Taylor Swift has been so nauseating. Is there any other celeb out there right now besides Taylor who always has people in Hollywood rushing to defend her on Twitter and Instagram whenever she’s criticized?

  4. Chelsey says:

    Look, both of them are mean girls trying to out mean-girl the other to prove they are the most popular alpha mean-girl…but let’s not overlook the most important detail…this song bloooooows. All of Katy’s new music has been utter crap. So…none for Katy Weiners.

    • Lulu says:

      This 👏👏👏👏👏

    • Kelly says:

      Agreed! And please give me a break about her being bullied. Talk to real kids in school about what real bullying is, not this silliness between two adult mean girls. Katy is the same as Taylor, the only difference is Katy’s songs as of late really suck!

  5. Cynical Ann says:

    They’re all annoying. Team Nobody.

  6. SK says:

    In what world is Taylor Swift the underdog??? Errr… Okay Rubes. Now shhhhhhhh. Also, don’t dish out what you can’t receive! Katy is merely responding to something Tay Tay started. Sure it’s juvenile and petty but it’s probably done in a fairly mild tongue-in-cheek way because she knows it will get press and attention. Chica is business savvy – as is Swifty!

    • WeAreAllMadeofStars says:

      Yup, and I’m going to see her in December, super-excited! That is all.

  7. greenmonster says:

    shouldn’t an anthem be good and less boring?

  8. huckle says:

    All women are mean girls at one time or another or always even when they are grown. Who cares about these two and their dumb feud?

    • WeAreAllMadeofStars says:

      Yeah…I don’t really understand taking umbrage at the idea that adults can be bullies. Look at who we have as the US President, as well as many other world leaders… Look at all the people being fired from Fox News, the stories of children trying to kill themselves only to discover that their internet tormentor was actually the adult across the street that had a beef with their mother….the world is a sick and strange place.

  9. Alleycat says:

    God, how hard is Ruby trying to get an invitation to Taylors boring ass 4th of July party? Taylor Swift has never been a victim, please stop. I haven’t heard Katy’s song, and I don’t plan to, but it’s not like she’s responding to a lyrical genius either. Bad blood was one of the worst songs I have ever heard.

  10. Bridget says:

    Katy’s album must not be doing well for her to lean on this angle.

    • WeAreAllMadeofStars says:

      If the song is on the album and is being released as a single, the decisions would have had to have been made awhile ago. Also, stars make most of their money from touring. I think she can weather a so-so album or two if that’s what happens. She is still popular and people will go to see her perform her full body of work.

      • Bridget says:

        At this point, it’s the 3rd single on the album – and neither of the first 2 really took off (and didn’t Bon Apetit just come out?). I’m guessing that some maneuvering is happening here. Schedules change, new strategies happen – it’s the digital age, they don’t need to press new singles or anything.

  11. Freddy Spaghetti says:

    Katy is just as much a mean girl as Taylor, only she has no problem insulting someone’s mental illness and wearing an outfit made by a known antisemite. So maybe she’s actually a little worse.

  12. Nicole says:

    I don’t think it was bullying but it was more snake behavior. If anything it was taylor playing the innocent victim like she always does.
    And RR needs to have a SEAT. You are defending the biggest mean girl around. Girl BYE

  13. Cleo says:

    About the actual song: I tried listening to the song and it was honestly so painful, I couldn’t get through the second verse. The only decent element in it is the musical arrangement, which was drowned out by dumb lyrics and Katy’s voice, which is too sugary and poppy to mesh with the music.

    And this is from someone that enjoys her other music as fun pop.

    • LA Elle says:

      Same. Katy and Taylor are both guilty pleasures of mine, but everything from Katy’s new album has been awful. Swish Swish is just … really? Two years and this is the best you can come up with?

      Ignoring the drama behind the song, Bad Blood is a fun pop song that tackles a problem most girls face at some point. I love the anger and the aggressive approach it takes, and I would have been obsessed with it as a teenager. To me, it perfectly captures how I felt after being betrayed by friends in high school.

  14. Cheryl says:

    I guess she needs Taylor to stay relevant – because no one would be talking about her music if it were not for Taylor. Pretty pathetic.

    • WeAreAllMadeofStars says:

      Is there anyone else you can think of who has to talk about other people to get the public talking about them? Think about it for a moment.