Woman's World (Katy Perry song)

"Woman's World"
Single by Katy Perry
from the album 143
Released	July 11, 2024
Length	2:43
Label	Capitol
Songwriter(s)	Katy Perry Chloe Angelides Dr. Luke Aaron Joseph Vaughn Oliver Rocco Did It Again!
Producer(s)	Joseph Dr. Luke Rocco Did It Again! Oliver
Katy Perry singles chronology
"When I'm Gone" (2021) "Woman's World" (2024)
Music video
"Woman's World" on YouTube

"Woman's World" is a song by American singer and songwriter Katy Perry. It was released on July 11, 2024, by Capitol Records as the lead single from her upcoming seventh studio album, 143 (2024).

Release and promotion

Perry appearing on a promotional billboard for her song in Paris

Perry posted a fifteen-second teaser of her lip-syncing the song throughout social media on June 17, 2024. The artist also revealed the cover artwork featuring herself in a metallic "alien-like" pants designed by Victor Clavelly with a white bikini top, photographed by Jack Brigdland. She also announced that the song would be released on July 11 and made it available for pre-order and pre-save via her website and various streaming services. A week later, Perry arrived at the Hôtel Ritz Paris from a black limo prior for Paris Fashion Week while wearing a red Balenciaga custom dress featuring two trains on June 25. According to Vogue, the outfit's second train is approximately one hundred yards long showcasing the song's lyrics in white lettering. The artist later partnered with Japanese electronics company Denon for a wireless earbuds commercial with a teaser of the song.

Composition and lyrics

Perry co-wrote the song with Chloe Angelides and its producers Aaron Joseph, Dr. Luke, Rocco Did It Again!, and Vaughn Oliver. In a interview for Apple Music 1, Perry explained the meaning of the song:

"I think that people, when they think of me, they think of "Roar", they think of "Firework" sometimes they think of "I Kissed a Girl", but I think mostly they think of these kind of empowering songs,” she said. “Songs with a message, songs that are captions on t-shirts and stuff like that or things that help people get through. And I love that. I love hearing the stories and really, I write these songs from a place where I need to get through something. But so I wanted to continue with that and also, this is the first contribution I have given since becoming a mother and since feeling really connected to my feminine divine."

Critical reception and controversy

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
The Guardian

"Woman's World" received mixed to negative reviews from critics. ET Online highlighted it as an anthem for women's empowerment, showcasing Perry's vocal strength. Writing for Elle, Erica Gonzalez stated the song "explodes with dance-pop energy reminiscent of her 2000s pop hits." Em Casalena of American Songwriter was not impressed with the song, wondering if there was an insertion of artificial intelligence in the songwriting process, noting that "it seems like she’s simply taking a step back into an old formula of bubblegum pop that has worked out for her in the past. Less complex lyrics, a steady beat, etc." Alexa Camp of Slant Magazine was critical of the song, stating it is "stacked with toothless, pseudo-inspirational declarations like 'Fire in her eyes/Feminine divine/She was born to shine'." William Hughes from The A.V. Club commented that "it’s always a little strange when a song that doesn’t appear to be overtly satirical — and at least from a straight lyrical analysis, “Woman’s World” feels like a pretty straight putt, blasting platitudes over some pretty basic synth riffs—with something that’s trying to be at least a little more complex."

Perry received large amounts of criticism and backlash from social media users due to Dr. Luke's involvement in the song's production; he was previously accused by Kesha of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. Justin Curto, writing for Vulture, ironically wrote "Uh, are we lucky to be living in this woman’s world?." Daniela Berrera for Diario AS explained that the song "has received blowback from fans on social media and even in person for the apparent hypocrisy of ‘Woman’s World’ being a song about female empowerment but that it was produced by someone who has been accused of sexual assault." The author Peter Lloyd from The New York Times remarked that the song "was co-written by six people, four of whom are men. It’s produced by three men, one of whom is Dr Luke, who was accused of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse by Kesha."

Music video

The music video was directed by Charlotte Rutherford and released alongside the song. Set in a "male gaze" world, it features Perry singing the lyrics while dressed as a skimpy Rosie the Riveter and using power tools as well as drinking whiskey before being crushed by a falling anvil. After awakening in a white knit bikini and bionic legs, she goes off to explore a new world where woman now run the streets, stopping once to fuel herself with a gas pump. Perry joins Trisha Paytas in a monster truck, and they ride it until crushing a car. Perry exits the truck to walk through a nearby house and smashes through a glass door in the back. She sees another woman using a female gender symbol-shaped light for a video which she takes for herself. After being asked repeatedly "Who are you?" she screams "I'm Katy Perry" while flying away on a helicopter (with the tail number KP6143 in reference to the album).

Track listing

Digital download and streaming

1. "Woman's World" – 2:43

7-inch vinyl and CD

1. "Woman's World" – 2:43
2. "Woman's World" (instrumental) – 2:43

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Woman's World"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Version(s)	Label	Ref.
Various	July 11, 2024	Digital download streaming	Original	Capitol
	July 12, 2024	7-inch vinyl CD	Original instrumental
Italy		Radio airplay	Original