Katy Perry's "Rise" Is Olympic Gold | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Katy Perry's "Rise" Is Olympic Gold

Now is the time to come together.

14
Katy Perry's "Rise" Is Olympic Gold
mtv

Friday morning; I open my phone to find the new Katy Perry single, released sometime in the night. Typically I wouldn't jump to listen to a new song on the rise, but this one was different. The song, "Rise" was chosen by NBC to be the anthem of the 2016 Summer Olympics. So, I quickly clicked played and was absolutely hypnotized. The song, while slow, leaves the listener with misty eyes and goose bumped skin. There are several elements including sound, message, and under lying themes that make you want to hit play over and over again. If you haven't heard it yet, I encourage you reader to listen before continuing:

This song is the first we've heard of Perry since her immensely successful album Prism in 2013, and does not disappoint. The video packed with footage of the athletes leaves even the most un-athletic (like myself) believing they can do it. It reminds me that not only are the successful, but that they are Olympians. They are the ones that say "One more time," and while I write from my desk drinking my coffee are training, sweating, and mentally preparing. Not only are they the strongest, they are the ones who rose above their circumstances, which to me is the heaviest theme behind the track.

Perry herself has gone through several life altering events, and has learned that some times life can be less than kind. And yet, she continues to produce music that inspires people to look inside themselves for strength, to take hold and move past whatever is bringing the listener down.

The opening lines "I won't just survive, oh you will see me thrive," hold incredible power when they are allowed to sink in. There truly is such a distinction between the two words surviving and thriving, although sometimes it seems as if they are interchangeable in today's world. There's more to this world than going through the motions and simply making it through the day. We are to grasp every day, and to turn it into a happiness we created for ourselves, our spirits alive.

In this song, I also see hints of the Olympics as a metaphor for the world. The Olympics are a time in which every nation, race, religion, and orientation can come together to celebrate something glorious. While the world may seem far from united some times, the song calls for a change. Now is the time to come together. Perry eloquently calls her listeners to again, rise above struggles and prejudice to stand as one. Remember, that while there is darkness, there is still always hope.

My favorite line is "Oh, ye of so little faith, don't doubt it, don't doubt it." To me, this speaks to my religious beliefs of a higher power that I can rely on. To a wider audience, this is the importance of believing in yourself. In the video, I believe people connect with the athletes because we as humans all understand struggle. People will tear you down, some will build you up but ultimately it's up to you. You are the one who can take those reverberations when shaken to your core, and use them to fuel your fire to thrive.

So, thank you Katy, for not only a gorgeously somber song, but for the inspiration to strive for greatness.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
student sleep
Huffington Post

I think the hardest thing about going away to college is figuring out how to become an adult. Leaving a household where your parents took care of literally everything (thanks, Mom!) and suddenly becoming your own boss is overwhelming. I feel like I'm doing a pretty good job of being a grown-up, but once in awhile I do something that really makes me feel like I'm #adulting. Twenty-somethings know what I'm talking about.

Keep Reading...Show less
school
blogspot

I went to a small high school, like 120-people-in-my-graduating-class small. It definitely had some good and some bad, and if you also went to a small high school, I’m sure you’ll relate to the things that I went through.

1. If something happens, everyone knows about it

Who hooked up with whom at the party? Yeah, heard about that an hour after it happened. You failed a test? Sorry, saw on Twitter last period. Facebook fight or, God forbid, real fight? It was on half the class’ Snapchat story half an hour ago. No matter what you do, someone will know about it.

Keep Reading...Show less
Chandler Bing

I'm assuming that we've all heard of the hit 90's TV series, Friends, right? Who hasn't? Admittedly, I had pretty low expectations when I first started binge watching the show on Netflix, but I quickly became addicted.

Without a doubt, Chandler Bing is the most relatable character, and there isn't an episode where I don't find myself thinking, Yup, Iam definitely the Chandler of my friend group.

Keep Reading...Show less
eye roll

Working with the public can be a job, in and of itself. Some people are just plain rude for no reason. But regardless of how your day is going, always having to be in the best of moods, or at least act like it... right?

1. When a customer wants to return a product, hands you the receipt, where is printed "ALL SALES ARE FINAL" in all caps.

2. Just because you might be having a bad day, and you're in a crappy mood, doesn't make it okay for you to yell at me or be rude to me. I'm a person with feelings, just like you.

3. People refusing to be put on hold when a customer is standing right in front of you. Oh, how I wish I could just hang up on you!

Keep Reading...Show less
blair waldorf
Hercampus.com

RBF, or resting b*tch face, is a serious condition that many people suffer from worldwide. Suffers are often bombarded with daily questions such as "Are you OK?" and "Why are you so mad?" If you have RBF, you've probably had numerous people tell you to "just smile!"

While this question trend can get annoying, there are a couple of pros to having RBF.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments