Teenage Dream: My Top 5 Katy Perry Songs

After a failed attempt to release a self-titled gospel album in 2001 and a couple of unreleased albums in-between, Katy Perry (Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson) swept onto the music scene in 2008, captivating fans with a combination of great dance music, breathy lyrics and a cute pin-up girl persona. Destined for success and determined to carve a name for herself in music history, this California girl has sold more than 5 million copies of her first album, "One of the Boys," has topped the charts in more than 25 countries and, according to her website, has sold more than 22 million digital tracks and mobile products around the world.

So what's so special about Katy Perry? Is she another Lady Gaga clone? A Madonna wannabe? Maybe a Gwen Stefani cookie cutout? In truth, she doesn't seem to be any of those. She's consistently releasing songs that, despite my attempts to resist, are nothing short of infectious. Here are 5 great examples of why you should give Katy Perry a listen.

My Top 5 Katy Perry Songs (in no particular order):

1. California Gurls (feat. Snoop Dogg) - Touted the summer anthem of 2010, California Gurls is a catchy song that blends a great pop tune with fun lyrics and the slick sounds of popular rapper, Snoop Dogg. Don't mistake this for a rap song, though - Snoop keeps it nice and mellow, showing his appreciation for the West Coast girls. There was talk about pulling the original version, after rumors flooded the web about Rondor (the company that owned the rights to the popular Beach Boys song "California Girls") possibly suing Perry, but these turned out to be false.

The video for California Gurls is also very creative, taking the viewers on a trip through Candyland with Snoop Dogg, of course, cast as the Candyman. With strategically-placed cupcakes, suggestive whipped creamings and a nearly naked Katy Perry reclining on a cotton candy cloud, it's a fun romp through what has to be every boy's dream.

2. I Kissed a Girl - This was Katy Perry's first big hit and, as much as I didn't want to get hung up on it, I couldn't get this song out of my head. It was everywhere - on the radio, playing in all the car stereos, playing in stores that I shopped in. In the end, I gave in. Who can resist this thumping sweet song about girl/girl curiosity? It felt so wrong, it felt so right...yeah, you'll be singing it too.

3. Hot n Cold - I swear, listening to this song, Katy and I have dated some of the same guys. The tale of a "love bi-polar," this is a great song with a bouncy beat and lyrics that most people can relate to. It's a pretty generic breakup song, whether you're looking for one about a rather tumultuous relationship or a partner that just won't make a commitment. The video for this one is good for a laugh as well - let's just say it takes Bridezilla to a whole new level.

4. Like the Movies - This is one of Perry's slower songs and isn't quite as catchy as the earlier listed songs, but I really like the message in this one. Singing about waiting for the right boy, I find this a good song because it (hopefully) sends the message out to younger girls that it's alright to wait and not to rush into relationships. I find it a good song, because it's not singing about abusive relationships and it's not singing about having just found the love of her life - it's a song about being with a boy and realizing he's just not the one... and being okay with that.

5. Ur So Gay - This is kind of a mean song, in some ways, but I've always found it kind of funny too. According to Perry, she wrote this song for an ex-boyfriend that continually stole her jeans and her eyeliner. The chorus of the song, "Ur so gay...and you don't even like boys," kind of sums it up. I think just about every girl out there has known a boy that they could dedicate this song to.

Katy Perry is a definite talent to be reckoned with and, with her new Teenage Dream on the horizon, fans are looking for a whole slew of great dance hits and pop songs they can dance to and sing along with. If you like a good beat or enjoy lyrics that are sure to give you a laugh, this California-bred brunette is sure to knock your socks off.

Sources:

Personal experience as a dj
Katyperry.com - The artist's website