Ranking Katy Perry Music Videos From Worst To Best

[ALBAVEASP]

With extravagant and fancy productions snipped in short storylines, Katy Perry is notably one of the acts who revolutionized the standards of music videos in the modern platform. And in light of the Pokemon's anthemic soundtrack, Electric, channeling her Katy Hudson days as she journeys from singing in farmer's market to becoming the pop icon we know today — here are the detailed lists of Perry's videography, ranking them from worst to best.

 

Top 3 Worst Music Videos

3. Birthday (75M views)

Despite PRISM being a lighthearted album, Birthday pushes through the extremities of entertainment in offensive ways possible. Dubbed as 'The World's Worst Birthday Party Entertainers', the impressive prosthetic disguises and Perry's convincing acts have not failed the viewers to feel guilty after cracking a grin, witnessing the comedic and terrible stunts with the celebrants.

 

2. Not The End Of The World (18M views)

Embracing the resemblance with Zooey Deschanel, Perry's 'twin' sister has no qualms playing as her substitute in the short sci-fi flick, accompanying the worst track from Smile. The reference is already spoiled and old, making the music video unengaging. Also, the intentional low-budget aesthetic is so bland.

 

1. Swish Swish (640M views)

The potential of Swish Swish to save the Witness era from chart embarrassment went down eventually. The music video is trend-chase, messy and a losing streak of Perry's consistent videography — an insult to Swish's fiery and club-banging grooves.

 

Best Music Videos: Honorable Mentions

Spoiler

•  Chained To The Rhythm (674M views)

 

•  Never Really Over (141M Views)

 

•  Rise (194M views)

 

•  Unconditionally (575M views)

 

•  Dark Horse (3.0B views)

 

 

Top 10 Best Music Videos

10. This Is How We Do (759M views)

The music video is eye-candy, consisting of Perry's phenomenal fashion looks — from summer-y spandex crop tank and skirt to s-xy pepperoni pizza swimsuit. She has once again proved her undying appeal to pull off even the campiest dress, just get past those problematic cornrow braids.

 

9. Part Of Me (872M views)

Portraying a broken-hearted woman, this will not be the first time Perry had her hair cut short as she joins the marines to move on from her cheating husband. The badass and convincing training scenes are exemplary, though they might be stereotypical at some point. Nonetheless, the dedication and efforts of Perry's team are laudable, knowingly the song and music video hit closer to her heart after the divorce with Russell Brand in 2012.

 

8. E.T. (593M views)

The remix with Kanye West does not only elevate the track, but the accompanying video makes this fourth consecutive No.1 single from Teenage Dream an exceptional pop-perfect song. The cinematography and visuals are adroitly crafted while Perry is serving her alien robes out in the vacuum of space. The abrupt images of dying deer has effectively delivered weird and creepy vibes as it highlights the out-worldly nature of the music video.

 

7. 365 (135M views)

Perry can act and this music video with Zedd is the prime example to prove that. The sci-fi love story casts her as a prototype android that temporarily lives with the human subject, Zedd, under research observation. The cinematography and aesthetic of the music video can easily match the quality of most movies produced by major studios. In addition, the dark and serious tones are beautifully crafted to cinematic scenes that captivate the viewers — and that glowing android eyes are really impressive.

 

6. Bon Appétit (1.1B views)

Perry sashays away from the younger audience she usually targets following the release of her most controversial music video to date. The negative notations surrounding the pixie haircut, cannibalism and Illuminati speculations overshadowed the genius and underlying message behind the visuals. It figuratively exposes the s-xual objectification towards women and being manipulated by big companies and corporations. The concept is bold and unique as the process of preparing a five-star [Perry] Michelin is alluring enough to witness the human pie at the end of the video.

 

5. The One That Got Away (834M views)

If the song alone moves you to tears, then the music video will double that heavy feeling. This modern take to Jack and Rose's tragic love story has been a fan-favorite, not only because of how relatable it already is, but the realism with the visuals is very persuasive. The music video is well structured, from the opening with Perry's senior years to the flashbacks of her young love, and the denouement where she revisits her deceased lover. 

 

4. Wide Awake (960M views)

It shares a similar message with its sister single, Part Of Me, but ventures into Alice In Wonderland's take of moving on. The music video feels warm especially if you have seen her 2012's music documentary as she references her previous album, singles and tour. There's still a serious undertone to it, showing how Perry is able to overcome the bitter sides of separation, media exposure and self-insecurities. And the symbolism of her innocence [younger self] guiding her present self of making better decisions are something we could take as an advice.

 

3. Firework (1.3B views)

The music video lives up to the song's expectations as it distances itself from Perry's flamboyant persona. The concept has a universal appeal to it, having no complication with its intention to spread positivity. The simple yet familiar representations of domestic violence, *******uality, bullying and body image issues make the video emotional, relatable and personal, as everyone has metaphorically shoots firework out of their chests — meaning the light is always inside your heart.

 

2. Waking Up In Vegas (94M views)

Perry's extravagant and fancy visuals are actually started back in 2009 — long before she puts on the blue wig, and this dazzling music video can attest to that. The storyline does not have a heavy narrative, but is easy to remember as the Vegas couple journeys their way to gambling success. The sequence of the scenes are fun and bright as it offers Perry's showgirl appeal. And with the glamorous Elvis dress up, glitters and bright lights, you might have missed the ultimate lesson behind the music video — sometimes it takes luck to succeed, but it takes discipline to keep it.

 

1. Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) (1.3B views)

Star-studded? Check. Petty love story? Check. Quick makeover? Check. The final piece to Perry's Spotlight Award has not only cemented her status as a pop giant at the time, but also secured her influence in bubblegum aesthetic. Just within the eight minute running time, the music video delivers an entertainment pack of gimmicks — like the ridiculous love triangle between Kathy, Everett and some 'nameless jock'. It is very engaging in comedic sense as they compared their rivalry to a sword fight. And the cameo of Queen Of The Friday, Rebecca Black, gives a perfect hand performing a 30-second makeover to Kathy Beth Terry. And though Feldman and Gibson's references are kind of dated, it still suited the throwback sense of the video. To conclude, Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) is widely influenced by an 80s aesthetic that Perry admits she's obsessed with, and undoubtedly the perfect visual representation of who Katy Perry is — party best friend, goofball, retro and colorful pop star.

Spoiler

The indicated views count might be varied by the time this thread/article has been published.

What y'all think of my rankings?

[Midnight]

3, Wide Awake

2, Bon Appetit

1, E.T

Mt rankings are based more on the song, I'm not a huge fan of her videos

Won't lie it baffles me how her videos have so many views, sorryyyy Katy fans 

[ALBAVEASP]

11 minutes ago, Midnight said:

3, Wide Awake

2, Bon Appetit

1, E.T

Mt rankings are based more on the song, I'm not a huge fan of her videos

Won't lie it baffles me how her videos have so many views, sorryyyy Katy fans 

There's art and mastery behind the music videos once you get past through the 'Katy Perry' brand, if your not a fan of her. 

[Adriannn]

Here's my top 5

5. Bon Appétit

4. Wide Awake

3. Unconditionally 

2. The One That Got Away

1. E.T. 

 

By the way, am I the only annoyed one by the 'Dark Horse' music video  I love the song but the videoclip just won't do it for me. I was expecting something more in line with her Grammys performance in 2014.

[Brat]

1 California Gurls

2 ET

3 Last Friday Night

4 Bob Appitete babay 

[redacted statement]

It's a shame how hard she's fallen considering how huge and industry-leading she was, but she has bigger and better things to worry about now anyway.  Anyway, those are some good picks you got there. I actually really enjoyed Birthday back in the day, but Swish Swish is just one big cringy joke...  I was obsessed with Ancient Egypt as a kid/teen, so I really liked Dark Horse too, but now it feels like a bad caricature.  Personally, I like fantasy-themed MVs, so Wide Awake and E.T. would have to be my favorites. Half-deer Katy freaked me the F out as a kid, though.  Lemme try to make a top 5:

1. Wide Awake
2. E.T.
3. Last Friday Night (She's always looked mature for her age, so at times she's serving 'wine mom getting down with the kids' tease, but it's still a really fun watch despite that.)
4. California Gurls
5. Waking Up In Vegas (I was obsessed with this song and MV as a kid.)
6. Part of Me (So freakin' dramatic, but that's also its main charm. A very random and unexpected storyline for a main pop girl, which I commend.)
7. Hot N Cold (Simple but way too iconic not to include.)
8. Never Really Over (I just love the hippie/somewhat New Age aesthetic.)
9. Feels (Random choice, but it's a e s t h e t i c.)
10. This Is How We Do (One of her more minimalistic MVs, but it works.)

[bitbitboi]

Thanks for making this thread! Katy has iconic music videos, and people need to deal.

My favorites are "Bon Appetit", "This Is How We Do", and "Part Of Me". Oh, and I love "Never Really Over". I'm not a fan of her dramatic love story videos, I tend to pay more attention to the song than to video storyline. I can't believe you didn't include "Roar" and "California Gurls".. And omg what about "Teenage Dream"?! And to me, "Waking Up In Vegas" is waaaaay too high in your list.

[JessicaS89]

I am probably the only person on the face of the earth who can’t stand the E. T. Remix. I hate the version of the song. 

[Mexwero]

My top 3: 

3. TGIF 

2. Unconditionally 

1. E.T. 

[breathe_on_me_toxic]

Unconditionally, dark horse, teenage dream, hot and cold and bon appettit (chained to the toilet) are masterpieces

[breathe_on_me_toxic]

chained to the toilet hehe

[ALBAVEASP]

9 hours ago, bitbitboi said:

Thanks for making this thread! Katy has iconic music videos, and people need to deal.

My favorites are "Bon Appetit", "This Is How We Do", and "Part Of Me". Oh, and I love "Never Really Over". I'm not a fan of her dramatic love story videos, I tend to pay more attention to the song than to video storyline. I can't believe you didn't include "Roar" and "California Gurls".. And omg what about "Teenage Dream"?! And to me, "Waking Up In vegas" is waaaaay too high in your list.

Roar is cute & silly, and has wide appeal to wider audience, but the intentional low-budget aesthetic of the music video is very inconsistent. You can easily identify which scenes are made from studio and actual setting. Plus, the song sounds way bigger and grander than its video.

Waking Up In Vegas deserves the spot, notably the best music video from One Of The Boys era. It has lot offer like what I've mentioned with hidden context behind the glamorous music video.

[ALBAVEASP]

14 hours ago, Adriannn said:

Here's my top 5

5. Bon Appétit

4. Wide Awake

3. Unconditionally 

2. The One That Got Away

1. E.T. 

 

By the way, am I the only annoyed one by the 'Dark Horse' music video  I love the song but the videoclip just won't do it for me. I was expecting something more in line with her Grammys performance in 2014.

Same thoughts with Dark Horse. It feels like a not Katy Perry, yet a Katy Perry music video at the same time. Maybe this is the reason: