2010's Song of Summer Shows That Katy Perry Is No One-Hit-Wonder

Katy Perry had a lot riding on the first single from her 'Teenage Dream' album, mainly whether she could live up to the buzz created off of her 'I Kissed a Girl' breakout. 'California Gurls' proved she had another monster hit in her, arguably a bigger smash than the one that launched her into stardom.

The single was supposed to be released right before the Memorial Day weekend, but an early leak forced Perry and team to release it in early May. It went on to dominate the Billboard charts for six straight weeks.

When previewing the song for Rolling Stone in early spring, Perry said that the single would act as a response to Jay-Z's New York anthem 'Empire State of Mind.'

"It's so great that "Empire State of Mind" is huge and that everyone has the New York song, but what the f---? What about LA? What about California? It's been a minute since we had a California song and especially from a girl's perspective. We took the references of Prince, which is always a great reference, and some of the '90s, almost house music references," said Perry.

To make it official, Perry called on that master of LA hip hop, Snoop Dogg to provide backing raps. While looking for which West Coast rappers she wanted to target, she searched on Wikipedia and came across Snoop's name. "I bought 'Gin and Juice' when I moved to Los Angeles, when I was finally allowed to buy CDs on my own," said Perry.

Once the official music video for 'California Gurls' premiered in June, it was obvious that subtle was not in Perry's vocabulary. The video showed Perry, in bright blue and lavender hair, is capped by rockets shooting from Perry's chest. The eye-catching clip was a monster YouTube success, with the official clip being viewed over 41 million times since its release.

'California Gurls' Official Music Video

'California Gurls' Lyrics

Snoop
Greetings, loved ones
Let’s take a journey

Katy
I know a place
Where the grass is really greener
Warm, wet and wild
There must be something in the water
Sippin’ gin and juice
Laying underneath the palm trees (undone)
The boys break their necks
Trying to creep a little sneak peek (at us)

You could travel the world
But nothing comes close to the golden coast
Once you party with us
You’ll be falling in love o o o o

California gurls
We’re unforgettable
Daisy Dukes, bikinis on top
Sun-kissed skin so hot
We’ll melt your popsicle
Oh oh oh oh
California gurls
We’re undeniable
Fine fresh fierce
We got it on lock
West Coast represent, now put your hands up
Oh oh oh oh

Sex on the beach
We don’t mind sand in our stilettos
We freak in my Jeep
Snoop Doggy Dogg on the stereo oh oh

You could travel the world
But nothing comes close to the golden coast
Once you party with us
You’ll be falling in love o o o o
Chorus
California gurls
We’re unforgettable
Daisy Dukes, bikinis on top
Sun-kissed skin so hot
We’ll melt your popsicle
Oh oh oh oh
California gurls
We’re undeniable
Fine fresh fierce
We got it on lock
West Coast represent, now put your hands up
Oh oh oh oh

Snoop
Toned tan fit and ready
Turn it up cuz it’s getting heavy
Wild Wild West Coast
These are the girls I love the most

I mean the ones, I mean like she’s the one
Kiss her, touch her, squeeze her buns
The girl’s a freak, she drive a Jeep and live on the beach
I’m okay, I won’t play
I love the bait just like I love LA
Venice Beach and Palm Springs
Summertime is everything
Homeboys bangin’ out
All that ass hangin’ out
Bikinis, zucchinis, martinis, no weenies, just a king and a queenie
Katy my lady (yeah)
Lookie here, baby
I’m all up on ya
Cuz you’re representin’ California

California gurls
We’re unforgettable
Daisy Dukes, bikinis on top
Sun-kissed skin so hot
We’ll melt your popsicle
Oh oh oh oh
California gurls
We’re undeniable
Fine fresh fierce
We got it on lock
West Coast represent, now put your hands up
Oh oh oh oh

California
California

Snoop
California gurls, man
California
California
I really wish you all could be California gurls