Rise

General information

Artist

Katy Perry

Release Date

July 14, 2016

Recorded

2016

Genre

Electronic

Length

3:23

Label

Capitol

Songwriter(s)

Katy Perry • Savan Kotecha • Ali Payami • Max Martin

Producer(s)

Max Martin • Ali Payami

Singles chronology
Previous	Current	Next
"This Is How We Do"	"Rise"	"Chained to the Rhythm"

"Rise" is a song by Katy Perry originally intended to be featured on Witness, but then got removed and released early. Perry co-wrote the song with Savan Kotecha and its producers Max Martin, and Ali Payami. It was created as an image song for U.S. broadcaster NBC's coverage of the 2016 Summer Olympics. The song was released as a single on July 14, 2016 for streaming on Apple Music and for download on iTunes. An accompanying music video featuring footage of the Olympics was released the next day. After an Olympics-themed promotional video was released the following day, an official music video debuted on August 4, 2016.

Background and release[]

Perry stated that the track is "a song that's brewing inside me for years, that has finally come to the surface", and wanted to release it as a standalone track instead of including it on an album "because now more than ever, there is a need for our world to unite". She further added:

I can't think of a better example than the Olympic athletes, as they gather in Rio with their strength and fearlessness, to remind us how we ALL can come together, with the resolve to be the best we can be. I hope this song can inspire us to heal, unite, and rise together. I am honored that NBC Olympics has chosen to use ['Rise'] as an anthem before and during the Rio Games.

NBC also felt its message spoke "directly to the spirit of the Olympics and its athletes" for its inspirational themes.

Composition[]

"Rise" was co-written by Perry with Savan Kotecha, Ali Payami, and its producer Max Martin. It is a mid-tempo electronic song about victory and rising above opponents. Sophie Gilbert of The Atlantic wrote the song is "a languid anthem of determination that uses an echo machine and aggressive use of metaphor to evoke icons as diverse as Katniss Everdeen, Maya Angelou, and Jesus." It is a "slow-footed" song. Kevin O'Donell in a review for Entertainment Weekly noted that the song "starts with brooding atmospherics and minor-key synths before exploding into a huge chorus".

Critical reception[]

Daniel Kreps of Rolling Stone described the song as "a galvanic sequel" to "Roar". Marissa Payne from The Washington Post wrote: "Sure, it's a bit of a slow jam, but the uplifting lyrics to 'Rise' are pretty solid." The song received a mixed response from The New York Time's journalists Jon Pareles, Ben Ratliff and Jon Caramanica who deemed the song "limp", writing they feel "psyched" and "uneasy". It received an average score of 5.7/10 from Idolator's critics. Kevin O'Donell of Entertainment Weekly gave the song a B+.

Lyrics[]

I won't just survive
Oh, you will see me thrive
Can't write my story
I'm beyond the archetype
I won't just conform
No matter how you shake my core
Cause my roots, they run deep, oh

Oh, ye of so little faith
Don't doubt it, don't doubt it
Victory is in my veins
I know it, I know it
And I will not negotiate
I'll fight it, I'll fight it
I will transform

When, when the fire's at my feet again
And the vultures all start circling
They're whispering, "you're out of time."
But still, I rise
This is no mistake, no accident
When you think the final nail is in; think again
Don't be surprised, I will still rise

I must stay conscious
Through the menace and chaos
So I call on my angels
They say...

Oh, ye of so little faith
Don't doubt it, don't doubt it
Victory is in your veins
You know it, you know it
And you will not negotiate
Just fight it, just fight it
And be transformed

When, when the fire's at my feet again
And the vultures all start circling
They're whispering, "you're out of time."
But still, I rise
This is no mistake, no accident
When you think the final nail is in; think again
Don't be surprised, I will still rise

Don't doubt it, don't doubt
Oh, oh, oh, oh
You know it, you know it
Still rise
Just fight it, just fight it
Don't be surprised, I will still rise

Music video[]

A music video directed by Joseph Lee was released on July 15, 2016, in Perry's official YouTube/Vevo account, using footage from NBC to feature several players from the Olympics. Daniel Kreps of Rolling Stone wrote of the video that it is "a riveting montage of memorable moments and athletes from Olympics' past." Billboard's Gil Kaufman called the video "inspirational", saying it has a superstar power" with the presence of famous athletes. Bleacher Report's columnist Vanessa de Beaumont described it as a "moving tribute".

The official music video for Rise was released on August 4, 2016 at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time).