Hot n Cold by Katy Perry

Album: One of the Boys (2008)

Charted: 4 3

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Songfacts®:

This tale of a neurotic ex-boyfriend is about a real guy - an ex-boyfriend Katy Perry could never get a read on. Said Perry, "One day this person would send me a text and I would be so thrilled about it because I had been waiting for some kind of sign - a smoke signal. He would be all interested and then I would just lose him, or one day he would want to see me and then one day he wouldn't. I didn't know what was wrong with him, if he was bipolar, or if he was wearing a mood ring. I took the theme and the song kind of spilled out of me."
Perry wrote this song with the hitmakers Dr. Luke and Max Martin, with Luke producing. The song is from Perry's debut pop album, One Of The Boys, released in 2008 a few years after she gave up on gospel. It helped define her as a colorful singer with a boisterous and very catchy sound.

Max Martin and Dr. Luke were the right guys for the job - their other hits include "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson and "U And Ur Hand" by Pink.
"Hot n Cold" was Perry's second single, following her #1 hit "I Kissed a Girl" (also produced by Dr. Luke). It peaked at #3 in the US but topped the charts in many countries, including Germany (where it stayed at #1 for eight weeks), Canada, Holland, Russia and Turkey. It's was what the music media call a "halo hit," meaning it was released by a new artist soon after an initial hit. This was the early days of digital distribution, which made it possible to follow up a hit song very quickly, record companies didn't have to send out physical copies.
An upbeat song suitable for at-work listening, "Hot n Cold" rose to #9 on the Adult Contemporary chart, but not until it's 34th week on the tally. This was the longest climb to the Top 10 by a female artist in that chart's history. The only song to take longer was "Drops of Jupiter" by Train, which reached the Adult Contemporary Top 10 in its 49th week in June 2002.
Perry recorded a segment for Sesame Street where she sang a modified version of this song to a very fickle Elmo. PBS decided not to air it when they determined that the gold bustier top Perry wore was too revealing.
Perry recorded a version of "Hot n Cold" in Simlish for the computer game The Sims: Apartment: Life.
"Hot n Cold" is one of Katy Perry's most durable hits. A concert crowd-pleaser, it's a song she usually includes in her setlists.
The music video was directed by Alan Ferguson, who was also behind the lens for "Scream" by Chris Cornell and "Good As Hell" by Lizzo.

The video starts with Perry on her wedding day. When her groom gets "cold" feet, she answers with the song. Perry's videos were often filled with madcap adventure, which made them very popular and boosted her reputation as a performer intent on making sure the audience leaves with a smile.
Benny Blanco is credited as an "additional producer" on this song. He was just starting to make a name for himself, but over the next few years became a songwriter/producer on the level of Dr. Luke, whom he often worked with. Blanco ended up marrying one of his clients: Selena Gomez.

Comments: 20

Ny1I listen to this all the time! Love it!
Mr MagooThis song sounds like it's about a variety of doodles
None Of Your Bissn from None Of Your Bossiness Idk How To Spell It SorryI love the song it makes me feel like I can learn to love myself you inspired me Katey pery I love your songs
Fish_face3000 from A PlaceI loved this song so much and have had a bf like this-
Clara from CaliforniaThis song to me just isn’t about an ex to me it’s more about how my life could have different sides. Like there could be something that i can’t be sad about. But I do something else and I can’t be happy
Ri from Philly, Pai swear this is LITTERALLY about my ex! i swear men can get messy.....its why i live the single life!
Ex-supply from Love, Loveadho This song is about a narcissist. Not sure if who wrote it knows the person is one, but they are definitely a narc.
John from ThereThis song is about me when we used too see each other when I was in the USMC...This wasnt even the worst time she flipped out me or like in this video -- tried to chase me down in the church parking lot when I was in a car, of course I got the cold feet when she picked the biggest freaking church in Jacksonville NC, but I only drove to the parking lot right beside it.. I sat there in my car for about 5-15 minutes watching her flip out!! by herself on the phone lol and then I finally got up too go over and talk to her..To be honest IDK if wh did or didn't get married after that but I think we did bc I told her I just need a minute & that I only drove next door...

This is about the 2nd time I asked her to marry me, The 1st being & for a contract marrige in the USMC so I could get more money being married & be able to move off base. This time the 2nd time I asked her to marry me wasnt a legal by the STate marriage. It was only a marriage under God so I, we could have the Lord's blessing.

But this song is "i wanna say" also about the time she flew to camp lejeune USMC base NC 4days before the Grammys...well, I got scared, nervous, crowds- combat PTSD & said nooooooooooo & backed out less than 4 days before the grammys...I have never never ever seen a woman or had a woman flip out on me & get sooooo mad...and this is where the LYRICS "you said no but you really wanted to go" and I did and thats what I told her...I was like woman ever since being deployed too Iraq I hate crowds, not matter if it is the Grammy's...Woman I want to go and all I want is your support & help coaxing me along, that's all....blah blah blah fighting still, we made up & I said yes & again I said no...so then she took some fat guy... I a Marine, a normal guy from Kentucky broke it off with her 3 different times I think...I am still yet the only guy who wouldnt date katy perry for her money and fame....but we were meant for each other, we are each others true soul mates!!! matched up by God & if it wasnt for him we would have never met & she would have never picked me up @ the bar "o-house" in Jacksonville NC...that right!! I said she picked me up that night in the bar....this is all a true story otherwise I wouldnt be here a decade later telling yall.
Eduardo from Mexico City, MexicoHave you heard the version with The Baseballs? great one!
Emily from Around Chicago, IlI love this song!!! Am I the only one who stops whatever I'm doing when the song comes on to get up and dance?
Junita from Nowhereville, BcOMG! I am totally gonna burst into song at my wedding if the guy I'm marrying hesitates! LOL, hmmm... I'll probably do that even if he doesn't hesitate! LOL XD
Kayla from Ventura, CaThis song doesn't just pertain to guys though. Girls are hot and cold all the time. We're all socially bi-polar.
Mitchee from Cleveland, OhThis song can really tell how a guy can be!
Tatiana from Fredericton, NbI love this song!This song is like

totally real about boys!Dont you think so?
Madalyn from Greensburg, Pai had a ex boyfriend just like that...the picture for the single should be his fugly face. lol
Paulina from Santiago, Chile"Perry recorded a version of this song in Simlish for the computer game The Sims: Apartment: Life."

woo nice.. its a shame I dont have that game hehe

I like the beat of the song, and what it says, well its.. frustrating when living it, I supposse hehe
Abby from Doona, TxIts crazy how many girls have guy problems!
Meghan from Haight-ashbury, CaI love this song. It so true!
Don from B G, KyShe performed this on TV's TONIGHT SHOW on 10-6-08. She wore a dress with a giant strawberry on the front of it.
Rose from St.louis, Mothis is funny, because my boyfriend just broke up with me just after he told me he liked me a lot.... I love how well I can relate to her songs

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