Katy Perry Regretted Writing This Forgotten 2017 Diss Song

Diss tracks are alive and well among pop girlies, but the art of a good diss usually comes with a bit of discretion. Most artists try not to stir too much attention in the press, keeping things subtle rather than outright confrontational. Still, Katy Perry made her message pretty clear with her 2017 single “Swish Swish.”

Framed as an empowerment anthem about rising above negativity, the song still carries a sharp throw aimed at an unnamed opponent. Its kitschy, EDM-driven sound marked a shift from her earlier bubblegum pop style. In a way, the sleek production alone suggested that “Swish Swish” was meant to make a statement. However, as time passed, Perry seemed to reconsider her intentions with “Swish Swish,” and said that the song is just another chapter in her pop career.

“Swish Swish” Was Meant to Be an Anti-Bullying Anthem

Released as part of Perry’s fifth album Witness, at first impression, “Swish Swish” sounds like the sound a basketball makes when it goes through the basket — and that’s the point. Like the competitive, “I’m the man” spirit of the sport, “Swish Swish” is an anthem about standing up against your haters. Amidst the release of the single, Perry explained that the song is “a great anthem for people to use whenever somebody’s trying to hold you down or bully you.” Although she doesn’t explicitly name names, listeners have linked the song to one particular artist: Taylor Swift.

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Back in 2013, Perry and Swift found themselves in a pickle over their background dancers. This dispute is widely believed to have inspired Swift’s “Bad Blood,” with “Swish Swish” often seen as a response. For context, three of Swift’s dancers allegedly left her in the middle of her Red World Tour and chose to work for Perry on her Prismatic World Tour, since they already had history together. In a Rolling Stone interview, although Swift didn’t mention anyone by name, she recalled that a former friend “did something so horrible,” to the point that the person “tried to sabotage an entire arena tour.”

Katy Perry Buried the Hatchet with Taylor Swift — and Changed the Lyrics to “Swish Swish”

Concept-wise, “Swish Swish” is a cross between the anthem Perry proclaims it to be and a full-on diss track. At one point, Perry positions herself as the bigger person, comparing herself to “a tiger” that doesn’t lose sleep or need opinions from a shellfish or a sheep. On the other hand, she still calls out her opponent, seemingly putting them in their place with lines like “you’re a joker / and I’m a courtside killer queen.” Don’t forget the playful basketball references, including “your game is tired / you should retire” — one of the small details that connects the song to the title.

However, all pop star feuds eventually come to an end. The first gleaming hope of reconciliation occurred when Perry changed the line “don’t you come for me” to “God bless you on your journey, oh baby girl” during a live performance. But what really sealed the deal was when Perry appeared in Swift’s music video for “You Need to Calm Down,” dressed in a hamburger costume alongside Swift’s french fry outfit. Reflecting on the feud in 2020, Perry explained that “gossip and lies, they take the elevator, but the truth takes the stairs, and it just takes time […] they will tell my story.”

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Katy Perry’s “Swish Swish” Performance on ‘Saturday Night Live’ Left Quite the Impression

The drama surrounding “Swish Swish” wasn’t the only reason it became a mid-2010s tabloid obsession. On May 20, 2017, Perry performed the track as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live. But the spotlight didn’t stay on her for long. Instead, her backup dancers stole the show, with many of them drag performers and club personalities, walking down the stage like it was a ballroom. As the performance built toward its finale, viral Instagram personality Russell Horning, a.k.a. Backpack Kid, made a surprise appearance, enthusiastically performing his signature “floss” dance (Fornite later popularized the move).

Perry’s Saturday Night Live performance was praised for promoting LGBTQ+ inclusivity in mainstream media. With the message of “Swish Swish” coming across a resistance to those who oppose the community, it felt especially fitting. However, Perry’s advocacy has also been seen as ironic, given her track record of choosing to work with a known producer accused of sexual assault. On one hand, it is commendable that she aims to promote a positive message and embrace inclusivity. On the other hand, it’s contradictory of Perry to simultaneously preach empowerment and collaborating with a questionable industry figure.