Part Of Me

American culture is dominated by gender stereotypes and ‘ideal’ gender roles.  These gender roles, pressured onto Americans through the media prevent people from living their life they want to.  One of the most common and widespread gender stereotypes is that of the domesticity of women.  This gender role can be portrayed in many different ways, but the main idea is the same; Women are expected to be dependent on their boyfriend or husband.In the past few decades, women have been trying to disprove this ideology and show that women can be just as strong and independent as men.  In her song and music video “Part Of Me”, Katy Perry uses a female gaze and defies female stereotypes to show that women can be just as strong and independent as their male counterparts.

Katy Perry’s “Part Of Me” is all about becoming independent from a man.  In the chorus of “Part Of Me”, Katy sings “This is the part of me that you’re never gonna ever take away from me”.  This is in reference to her independence.  She is saying that no matter what her ex boyfriend does, he can’t take away her agency.  Agency is an important part of feminism because it allows women to be independent and to take control of their own lives.  The song lyrics and the music video project the same message.  In the music video for “Part Of Me” Katy joins the Marines after breaking up with her boyfriend.  This defies female gender roles because the military is a predominantly male thing.  The sticker she sees in the gas station reads “All women are created equal, then some join the Marines”.  Putting a female in a male dominated position is a bold way of promoting equality.  It shows that if a man can do it, than a woman can do it as well.  In the music video Katy also burns a letter that her ex boyfriend sent her, again promoting agency.

In conclusion, Katy Perry uses visual and auditory statements in “Part Of Me” to show agency and power on her own and away from her boyfriend.  This is just one of many modern day examples of female artists trying to break gender role stereotypes that have been deeply rooted in American culture.

The music video for "Part Of Me" is blocked on the OPRF servers and chromebooks, however the lyrics are posted below.

Katy Perry - Part Of Me

Days like this I want to drive away

Pack my bags and watch your shadow fade

[Standard version:] 'Cause you chewed me up and spit me out

["Complete Confection" version:] You chewed me up and spit me out

Like I was poison in your mouth

You took my light, you drained me down

But that was then and this is now

Now look at me

[Chorus:]

This is the part of me

That you’re never gonna ever take away from me, no

This is the part of me

That you’re never gonna ever take away from me, no

Throw your sticks and your stones,

Throw your bombs and your blows

But you’re not gonna break my soul

This is the part of me

That you’re never gonna ever take away from me, no

I just wanna throw my phone away

Find out who is really there for me

[Standard version:] 'Cause you ripped me off, your love was cheap

["Complete Confection" version:] You ripped me off, your love was cheap

Was always tearing at the seams

[Standard version:] I fell deep, and you let me down

["Complete Confection" version:] I fell deep, you let me down

But that was then and this is now

Now look at me

[Chorus]

Now look at me I’m sparkling

A firework, a dancing flame

You won't ever put me out again

I’m glowin’, oh, whoa

[Standard version:] You can keep the dog from me

["Complete Confection" version:] So you can keep the diamond ring

[Standard version:] I never liked it anyway

["Complete Confection" version:] It don't mean nothing anyway

In fact you can keep everything, yeah, yeah,

Except for me

[Chorus]

[Standard ending:]

This is the part of me

That you’re never gonna ever take away from me, no

This is the part of me

That you’re never gonna ever take away from me, no

Throw your sticks and your stones,

Throw your bombs and your blows

But you’re not gonna break my soul

This is the part of me

That you’re never gonna ever take away from me, no

["Complete Confection" ending:]

This is the part of me, no

Away from me, no

This is the part of me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me..., no

Throw your sticks and your stones,

Throw your bombs and your blows

But you’re not gonna break my soul

This is the part of me

That you’re never gonna ever take away from me, no