Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you fun tunes with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. As part of our continuing tribute to June's official birthstone, today's selection from Katy Perry shines the spotlight on pearls.
In the title track from her blockbuster 2008 album One of the Boys, Perry sings about shedding her tomboy image: “I just wanna be one of the girls, pretty in pearls. Not one of the boys.”
Later in the song, she tells a guy who used to treat her like a little sister that he may have a chance to win her heart one day, “But not until you give me my diamond ring.”
In an interview with New York radio station Z100, Perry explained that "One of the Boys" was inspired by her own experiences as an awkward teenager who suddenly transforms into a young woman.
"[It's a] coming-of-age-type song," she said. "Something happens from junior high to high school: We girls start blooming; guys start developing crushes. No longer are we playing dodge ball; we want to sit and paint our fingernails instead."
"One of the Boys" was the first track from Perry's Grammy-nominated second studio album — a release that charted in 14 countries and sold more than seven million copies worldwide.
Born Katheryn Elizabeth "Katy" Hudson in Santa Barbara, Calif., the singer changed her name in the early 2000s so she wouldn't be confused with actress Kate Hudson. The daughter of Christian pastor parents, Perry grew up singing in a church choir, where she developed an affection for gospel music. Perry was dropped by two record labels before going on to sign with Capitol Music Group in 2007.
Over the past decade, the 32-year-old Perry has become one of the most successful musical artists of all time, having sold 100 million records globally. Perry has the distinction of being the most followed celebrity on Twitter. She has 99.2 million followers, narrowly edging out Justin Bieber's 95.7 million.
Please check out the video of Perry’s 2008 live performance of “One of the Boys.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along.
“One of the Boys”
Written and performed by Katy Perry.
I saw a spider, I didn’t scream
‘Cause I can belch the alphabet
Just double dog dare me
And I chose guitar over ballet
And I take these suckers down
‘Cause they just get in my way
The way you look at me is kinda like a little sister
Your high five, your goodbyes
And it leaves me nothing but blisters
[Chorus:]
So I don’t wanna be one of the boys
One of your guys
Just give me a chance to prove to you tonight
That I just wanna be one of the girls
Pretty in pearls
Not one of the boys
So over the summer something changed
I started reading “Seventeen” and shaving my legs
And I studied “Lolita” religiously
And I walked right into school and caught you staring at me
‘Cause I know what you know
But now you’re gonna have to take a number
It’s OK
Maybe one day
But not until you give me my diamond ring
[Chorus:]
'Cause I don't wanna be one of the boys
One of your guys
Just give me a chance to prove to you tonight
That I just wanna be your homecoming queen
Pin-up poster dream
Not one of the boys
I wanna be a flower
Not a dirty weed
I wanna smell like roses
Not a baseball team
And I swear maybe one day you're gonna
Wanna make out, make out, make out with me
(Don't wanna be) don't wanna be
(Don't wanna be) don't wanna be
(Don't wanna be)
[Chorus:]
'Cause I don't wanna be one of the boys
One of your guys
Just give me a chance to prove to you tonight
That I just wanna be one of the girls
Pretty in pearls
And not one of the boys
Credit: Image by Lordnikon (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.
