Teenage Dream by Katy Perry

Bibliographic Information: Perry, K.  (2010).  Teenage Dream (music album).  Los Angeles, CA: Capitol Records.  ASIN: B003L77TZI. Length: 1:04:55.

Plot/Content Summary & Critical Evaluation: Pop music Diva Katy Perry’s third Album Teenage Dream is the quintessential pop album.  With its upbeat music and girlie vocals, Perry has continued the evolution of her brand of pop, which could be called “candy pop.”  She evokes youth and innocence with her pink bubble gum hair and her candy colored wardrobe, while maintaining one foot in the sexy and mysterious category.  Her unique persona is a hit with teenage fans who flock to her concerts and to buy her music.  Teenage Dream debuted and peaked at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 192,000 copies in its first week. It was later certified two times platinum by the RIAA, selling more than 2 million copies in the United States. The album has spawned five worldwide hit songs: “California Gurls” featuring American rapper Snoop Dogg, the title track, “Firework“, “E.T.“, which included a version featuring Kanye West, and “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)“. All have topped the charts in the United States and attained top-ten positions in more than twenty countries. All five singles also topped the Digital and Airplay charts, making her the first artist ever to have five number-one singles in the Airplay chart.”  (Teenage Dream (Katy Perry album) from Wikipedia, data from Billboard Magazine).

Information about the Author/Performer: Born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson in Santa Barbara, CA, in 1984, Perry grew up singing in churches.  Both of her parents are pastors.  Her career has included acting, in addition to music. (Katy Perry, 2011)

Genre/Format: Pop, Music CD

Reading Level/Interest Age: 13 and up

Why is this CD included? Hugely popular with teens, Teenage Dream was nominated for four Grammy Awards in 2011: Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, “Teenage Dream” (the song) for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and “California Gurls” (the song with Snoop Dogg) for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.

References:

Katy Perry. (2011). Wikipedia.  Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katy_Perry#cite_note-GraffBold-11

Teenage Dream (Katy Perry album). (2011). Wikipedia.  Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_Dream_%28Katy_Perry_album%29