Katy Perry's 2010 single "California Gurls" is one of my least favorite songs ever. Every second of it feels excruciating, from the dull, banal lyrics, to forced catchiness of the chorus. When it became the biggest song in the country for two solid months, I wondered what the hell all of us were thinking, and it took it is a surefire sign that society as I knew it was crumbling before my eyes.
Katy Perry's 2011 single "The One Got That Away" is one of my favorite pop songs of the last few years. Everything about that song just works for me, from the instantly memorable chorus, to the relatable lyrics about "making out to Radiohead." It just strike same as a rare gem amidst a lot crap (including most of Katy Perry's other songs), and when it made to #3 on the Billboard charts, it felt completely deserved.
It's kind of odd that two pop songs, by the same artist, both designed for the sole purpose of becoming radio hits could affect me is such completely opposite ways. After all, pop music is nothing more that a continuing attempt to grab listener's attention with a mindless-but-entertaining 3-minute song. Sure, there's plenty of artists who take it to a higher level (Michael Jackson, Prince, and Madonna all come to mind), but the majority of pure pop artists are all trying to do the same thing: entertain us with a tasty piece of bubblegum.
So, why do the results vary so much. How is it possible to succeed so triumphantly, and fail so miserably, especially in a genre that really isn't particularly ambitious? It's not really a question with a definitive answer; some pop songs work, and some don't. more importantly, plenty of songs work for some people and fail miserably for others. The goal is just to get as many people as possible to like it.
It's worth noting, mainstream pop might be the most polarizing genre in music. All music is subjective, but we tend reach a consensus on certain things. In rock, most critics would generally agree to a standard of "Radiohead good, Nickelback bad," while most hip-hop critics would probably agree to a principle of "Kanye good, Soulja Boy bad." But in pop music, that doesn't really happen. Taylor Swift is a genius to some, and hack to others. the same goes for Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Ke$ha, and everyone else. No one really agrees on much in the world of pop.
It mostly comes down what you're looking for. If memorable, catchphrase style lyrics work for you, a song like "Tik Tok" is right up your alley, because lines about feeling like P. Diddy. and brushing your teeth with Jack Daniels can't help but be memorable, even if they aren't particularly meaningful. Maybe you're searching for a memorable melody or hook, in that case, "You Belong With Me," or "Poker Face" fit that criteria.
Pop music will always be divisive, despite it's inherently inoffensive nature. It's the music that should unite the most that ends up driving the harshest wedge between us. As the only axiom goes "what might be right for you, might not be right for some." Except the Black Eyed Peas, they're just horrible.
Call Me Maybe is pop genius.