Katy Perry ‘ROAR’ – Song Meaning

Katy Perry's latest smash 'ROAR' celebrates the idea of being against the ropes in life, throwing haymakers until you make contact and come out the victor! Lyrically, the singer extends a boxing metaphor throughout and borrows from an '80s rock song.

Perry also said she wrote 'ROAR' during a period when her heart hurt after she and her BF broke up. Uh, while she doesn't explicitly say who it's about, we can make the leap and think she must be talking about her on-off BF John Mayer.

Here's our assessment of 'ROAR.'

"I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything."

Perry's assessment is that she wasn't firm on anything, so she was susceptible to falling, perhaps for things she shouldn't -- like in love... with a fellow musician. We can't help but think that her shattered marriage to Russell Brand is referenced here, as well, since the line has a negative connotation. We interpret the notion of falling for everything as falling for someone else's BS.

"I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire / 'Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me ROAR / Louder, louder than a lion / 'Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me ROAR."

'Eye of the Tiger' is a song by Survivor, which was huge in the '80s and used in 'Rocky III.' It focuses on triumphing over anything and anyone in life that hurts you. The lion is the king/queen of the jungle, and Perry is using that metaphor to the fullest. But it's so easy to relate to, and that's why fans have responded so fervently.

"Now I’m floating like a butterfly / Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes."

Perry references boxing again, this time paraphrasing Muhammad Ali, who said he floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee. She definitely kept things consistent with her metaphors and the line is one of hope and of strength. Yes, heartache and heartbreak sucks. But dusting yourself off and rebounding can and will happen.

That's how we "read" Katy Perry's 'ROAR.'

PopCrushers, tell us your take on the song and these lyrics. Do you agree with us or do you do you have a different song meaning?

Watch the Katy Perry 'ROAR' Video