Teenage Dream (Katy Perry song)

"Teenage Dream"
Single by Katy Perry
from the album Teenage Dream
Released	July 23, 2010
Studio	Conway Recording Studios, (Hollywood, California); Playback Recording Studios (Santa Barbara, California)
Genre	Electropop power pop
Length	3:47
Label	Capitol
Songwriter(s)	Katy Perry Lukasz Gottwald Max Martin Benjamin Levin Bonnie McKee
Producer(s)	Dr. Luke Benny Blanco Max Martin
Katy Perry singles chronology
"California Gurls" (2010) "Teenage Dream" (2010) "Firework" (2010)
Music video
"Teenage Dream" on YouTube

"Teenage Dream" is a song by American singer Katy Perry. It was released as the second single from her third studio album of the same name on July 23, 2010. This song was written by Perry, Bonnie McKee, Dr. Luke, Max Martin, and Benny Blanco. McKee describes "Teenage Dream" as a throwback song to the euphoric feelings of being in love as a teenager while Perry described the song as reminiscent of her youth. Musically, "Teenage Dream" is a mid-tempo pop song with a retro sound. It is styled in the genres of power pop and electropop, while taking influence from other genres such as disco and pop rock. Perry starts the song in a high-pitched voice while her vocals grow stronger as the song progresses. Lyrically, "Teenage Dream" discusses being with a lover who makes one feel young again.

Critics were initially divided about the song at release. However, the song has received retrospective critical acclaim with Glamour calling it "one of the best pop songs of all time." The song topped the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Perry's third number-one single on that chart, and her second consecutive number-one single after "California Gurls". It also reached number one in Ireland, New Zealand, and Slovakia. "Teenage Dream" entered the top ten in 13 countries in total. "Teenage Dream" has been certified eight times Platinum in the United States, six times Platinum in Australia, four times Platinum in Canada, and Gold or Platinum in eight additional countries.

A music video for the song was filmed in various locations around Perry's hometown in Santa Barbara, California and was directed by Yoann Lemoine (a.k.a. Woodkid). The video showcases Perry being in love with her high school boyfriend. Perry has performed the song on Saturday Night Live, the 2010 Teen Choice Awards, 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show, and in every one of her concert tours since the California Dreams Tour. "Teenage Dream" was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, becoming Perry's third nomination in the category. The song has been covered numerous times, appearing on American Idol, The Voice, and Glee.

Billboard ranked "Teenage Dream" among the "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time" in 2023 at number 38.^[1]