What is Katy Perry’s song ‘Dark Horse’ about?
“Dark Horse” is a song by American singer Katy Perry. It was released as a single from her 2013 album Prism. The song features rapper Juicy J. It became Perry’s ninth number-one single in the United States.
Meaning and Lyrics
The “Dark Horse” Metaphor
The song’s main idea is Perry comparing herself to a “dark horse.” A “dark horse” is someone who is not expected to succeed or win but ends up doing so and surprising people. In the song, Perry sings about being underestimated in love and relationships.
‘Cause I’m capable of anything, of anything and everything Make me your Aphrodite, make me your one and only But don’t make me your enemy, your enemy, your enemy
Perry says she could be the perfect lover (Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love). But you don’t want her as an enemy. She might seem sweet and harmless, but she’s a “dark horse” – more dangerous than expected.
Warning a Lover
Much of the song is Perry warning a potential lover. She tells them to “be careful” and “think twice” before starting a romance with her. She is “capable of anything” in love.
So you wanna play with magic Boy, you should know what you’re fallin’ for Baby, do you dare to do this? ‘Cause I’m comin’ at you like a dark horse
She warns the man that loving her is like playing with magic – exciting but risky. He should know what he’s getting into. She’s coming at him like an unexpected threat – a dark horse.
Spells and Witchcraft
The song uses spells and witchcraft as metaphors for the power of love and attraction:
Are you ready for, ready for A perfect storm, perfect storm? ‘Cause once you’re mine, once you’re mine There’s no goin’ back
Falling in love with her will be like being caught in a “perfect storm” of emotion, with “no going back.” The relationship will put him under her spell.
Rap Verse
Juicy J’s rap verse continues the theme of comparing love and attraction to magic and supernatural power:
She’s a beast, I call her Karma She eat your heart out like Jeffrey Dahmer Be careful, try not to lead her on Shawty’s heart is on steroids ’cause her love is so strong
He compares the woman to a beast and the infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, suggesting her love is predatory and all-consuming. Her attraction is so powerful it’s like her heart is on steroids.
Music and Production
“Dark Horse” blends Perry’s pop style with hip-hop and trap influences. The beat is built around a heavy, minor-key synth riff. Drums and hand claps drive the rhythm. The song’s melody is fairly simple, focusing on the atmospheric arrangement and Perry’s confident, seductive vocal delivery.
Max Martin, Cirkut, and Dr. Luke produced the song. They had collaborated with Perry on previous hits like “I Kissed a Girl,” “Teenage Dream,” and “Roar.” While most of Perry’s previous singles were upbeat pop songs, the darker sound of “Dark Horse” was a bit of a departure for her.
Songwriting
“Dark Horse” was written by Perry along with Sarah Hudson, Lukasz Gottwald, Max Martin, Henry Walter, and Jordan Houston. Perry said the song’s lyrics and theme came from her own romantic experiences:
It’s kind of a juxtaposition. It’s got me, a pop artist, with a little bit of an urban kind of hip-hop-flavored background soundtrack to it, and the lyrics are kind of witchy and dark, as if I was a witch warning this man not to fall in love with me.
Music Video
The music video for “Dark Horse” was released in February 2014. It was directed by Mathew Cullen and filmed in Los Angeles.
The video has an ancient Egyptian theme. Perry plays “Katy Patra,” a take on Cleopatra. She is a powerful, magical queen being courted by various suitors trying to win her affection. Suitors offer her gifts like a golden chariot and a giant diamond. She uses her powers to turn them to dust when she is not impressed. This fits the song’s theme of Perry having an unexpected, magical power over her lovers.
The video also features a dance routine with Perry and backup dancers dressed in Egyptian-inspired costumes. In his rap verse, Juicy J appears as a pharaoh.
The music video broke the record for most views in 24 hours on YouTube. As of 2023, it had over 3 billion views, making it one of the platform’s most-watched music videos.
Live Performances
Perry has performed “Dark Horse” live many times, including at the 2014 Grammy Awards, the 2015 Super Bowl halftime show, and her Prismatic World Tour in 2014-2015. The live performances often feature elaborate staging and costumes inspired by the music video’s Egyptian theme.
During the Super Bowl performance, Perry entered the stadium riding a giant mechanical lion. The ancient Egypt-themed set included moving platforms and a large cast of dancers. Rapper Missy Elliott joined Perry on stage as a surprise guest.
Legacy and Controversy
“Dark Horse” spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The RIAA certified it Diamond for sales of over 10 million copies in the U.S. Billboard named it the second biggest song of 2014.
2014 Christian hip-hop artists sued Perry, who claimed “Dark Horse” copied the beat from their 2008 song “Joyful Noise” without permission. In 2019, a jury found Perry liable for copyright infringement. The decision was later overturned by a judge who ruled that the allegedly copied parts were too common and short to be protected by copyright.
Despite the legal issues, “Dark Horse” remains one of Perry’s signature songs and a highlight of her Prism era. Its unique sound and mysterious theme showcased her growth as an artist beyond straightforward pop music. The song introduced Perry to a wider hip-hop audience and set the stage for further genre experimentation on her later albums.
