Firework (song)

"Firework" is a 2010 song by Katy Perry from her second major-label album, Teenage Dream. It was released on October 26, 2010. The song received a good review by music critics and claimed the top spot on Billboard Hot 100. The single hit top 5 on twenty charts worldwide.  It reached the top three in most of the countries where it charted, including Australia and the UK.  It topped charts in the US, Canada, and New Zealand.  In the US, it was Perry's fourth number-one song altogether and the third in a streak of five number-ones.  At the 2012 Grammy Awards, "Firework" was nominated for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.

The song was certified Diamond in the US for shipments of over 10 million copies in that country alone.

 Background   

"Firework" was written by Perry, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Sandy Wilhelm, and Ester Dean while produced by Stargate and Sandy Vee at Soapbox Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. It was recorded at Roc the Mic Studios in New York City. It was mixed at The Bunker Studios by Vee. Audio engineering was done by Carlos Oyandel and Damien Lewis. All instruments were done by Stargate and Vee. Lead and background vocals were provided by Perry. Perry said that "Firework" is her favorite song on Teenage Dream.

 Music video 
Development and release
The music video was part of a partnership with European telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom, which ran competitions to recruit fans for the video. Katy Perry started filming it on September 28, 2010. Directed by Dave Meyers and choreographed by Natricia Bernard, it was shot in Budapest. The official teaser was released on October 15, 2010, and the open casting call received a record 38,000 applicants. Perry dedicated the video to the It Gets Better Project. It was released on TwitVid, DirectLyrics, and Youku on October 28, 2010, and premiered on YouTube the same day. By January 2024, it had over 1.4 billion views.

 Synopsis 
The video begins with Perry looking down at the city from a balcony, singing as fireworks explode from her soul. These fireworks inspire young people around the city to overcome their fears. A boy stops his parents’ fight to protect his sister, a shy girl at a pool party gains the courage to join in, a leukemia patient bravely walks outside despite losing her hair, a closeted gay teen kisses his friend at a club, and a young performer uses magic to escape muggers. Eventually, the youth gather at Buda Castle, dancing and lighting up the night with their fireworks, as the camera pans up to the sky.

 Reception 
"Firework" was ranked No. 1 on MuchMusic's top 50 videos of 2010. The video won Video of the Year at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards and was also nominated for Best Female Video and Best Video with a Message.

 Charts 

 Weekly charts 
 Chart (2010–2012) Peakposition Croatia International Airplay (HRT)6Europe (European Hot 100 Singles) 9France Download (SNEP)5France Airplay (SNEP)1 Luxembourg Digital Song Sales (Billboard) 3 Mexico (Billboard Mexican Airplay) 4 Mexico Anglo (Monitor Latino) 2Romania (Romanian Top 100) 15 Venezuela Pop Rock (Record Report) 1

 Chart (2013) Peakposition

Year-end charts
 Chart (2010) Position Australia (ARIA) 24 Germany (Official German Charts) 88 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) 94 Ireland (IRMA) 9Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 75 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 17 UK Singles (OCC) 19
 Chart (2011) Position Australia (ARIA) 28 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 37 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 57 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) 32Brazil (Crowley)  14 Canada (Canadian Hot 100) 8 Croatia International Airplay (HRT)50France (SNEP) 34Germany (Official German Charts) 53Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) 26 Netherlands (Single Top 100) 38 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 31 Romania (Romanian Top 100) 88 Spain (PROMUSICAE) 32 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) 43Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 36 UK Singles (OCC)End of Year Charts 2011 UK Charts Plus  65 US Billboard Hot 100 3 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 2 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) 6 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) 19 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) 8 US Rhythmic (Billboard) 29
 Chart (2012) PositionFrance (SNEP) 133UK Singles (OCC) 187

Decade-end charts
 Chart (2010–2019) Position Australia (ARIA) 25 US Billboard Hot 100 43

All-time charts
 Chart (1958–2018) PositionUS Billboard Hot 100 205

Certifications

 Release history 
+Release dates and formats for "Firework"RegionDateFormatVersion(s)LabelUnited StatesOctober 26, 2010Contemporary hit radioOriginalCapitolUnited KingdomNovember 2, 2010Digital downloadUnited StatesNovember 16, 2010Rhythmic contemporary radioNovember 22, 2010Hot adult contemporary radioUnited KingdomDecember 2, 2010CDGermanyDecember 3, 2010FranceJanuary 24, 2011Original

 References 

Other websites

Category:2010 songs
Category:Katy Perry songs
Category:MTV Video of the Year Award