| “ | 'LIFETIMES' is a song that I wrote inspired by my daughter; obviously I tell her 'I love you' before she goes to bed every night, but I've started telling her, 'Will you find me in every lifetime' and she says, 'Yes'. I feel found. So the other day I said, 'Will you find me in every lifetime' and she said, 'Yes, and we'll find chocolate coins together!' So I just think you can find your soulmate, it can be your best friend, your pet, your daughter, it can be your son, aunt, partner; they come in many shapes and forms and they surprise you. | ” |
—Katy about LIFETIMES.[1] | ||
"LIFETIMES" is a song by Katy Perry that is featured as the sixth track on her sixth studio album, 143. With a sound inspired by Italo house and elements of dance-pop, the song was released as the second single from the album on August 8, 2024, via Capitol Records, accompanied by an official music video directed by Stillz.
Background[]
On July 12, 2024, during an interview for Apple Music, Katy Perry played a preview of this song - along with other songs.
On July 26, 2024, during an interview on BBC's The One Show, Katy Perry confirmed that LIFETIMES would serve as the second single from 143.[2]
On July 29, 2024, Katy Perry officially announced that LIFETIMES is the second single from 143, with a release date of August 9, 2024, it was released a day earlier on August 8, 2024.[3]
Theme[]
The song convey a message of eternal love and the concept of soulmates reuniting across different incarnations. The central idea is that an incredibly strong, predestined connection—whether romantic, familial, or platonic—is so powerful that it defies the constraints of a single lifespan. The lyrics express a hopeful certainty that two people meant for each other will consistently find their way back to one another through history and time. The song reassures the listener that some bonds are simply fated to endure forever.
Katy has clarified that the song was specifically inspired by the profound, unconditional love she feels for her daughter, Daisy Dove Bloom. While many listeners might interpret the song through the lens of romantic love, Katy has emphasized that a soulmate connection can take many forms. She shared a personal anecdote that serves as the direct inspiration for the chorus: a nightly ritual where she asks her daughter, "Will you find me in every lifetime?", and the daughter replies, "Yes." Thus, the song is a heartfelt tribute to the specific, enduring bond between a parent and child, illustrating that true love always finds a way to return.
Lyrics[]
[Chorus]
I love you for, I love you for life
Lifetimes
I love you for, I love you for life
Lifetimes
[Post-Chorus]
I know you feel it, can you believe it?
I'm gonna love you 'til the end and then repeat it
I know you feel it, can you believe it?
I'm gonna love you 'til the end and then repeat it
[Verse]
The sun is always rising
Like the stars up in the sky
You and I will find each other
In every single life
[Pre-Chorus]
Baby, you and me for infinity
My eternity, my eternity
Baby, you and me for infinity
My eternity, my eternity
[Chorus]
I love you for, I love you for life
Lifetimes
I love you for, I love you for life
Lifetimes
[Post-Chorus]
I know you feel it, can you believe it?
I'm gonna love you 'til the end and then repeat it
I know you feel it (Feel it), can you believe it? ('Lieve it)
I'm gonna love you 'til the end and then repeat it
[Drop]
For life, for life
For life, for life
[Pre-Chorus]
Baby, you and me for infinity
My eternity, my eternity
Baby, you and me for infinity
My eternity, my eternity
[Chorus]
I love you for, I love you for life
Lifetimes
I love you for, I love you for life
Lifetimes
[Post-Chorus]
I know you feel it, can you believe it?
I'm gonna love you 'til the end and then repeat it
I know you feel it (Feel it), can you believe it? ('Lieve it)
I'm gonna love you 'til the end and then repeat it
[Drop]
Gonna love for life, for life
For life, for life
Music video[]
The music video, which was released alongside the song, was directed by Stillz and shot in the Balearic Islands of Spain.
Summary[]
The music video is a sun-soaked travelogue capturing Katy's carefree holiday in the Balearic Islands of Spain. It follows her from the moment she arrives by ferry, showing her frolicking on the protected dunes of S'Espalmador, swimming in the clear blue sea, and cliff-diving with friends. Throughout the clip, she sports various outfits, including a white knit bikini and a short metallic dress, while engaging in a montage of summer activities, such as riding on the back of a motorcycle across Formentera, eating paella, and enjoying water sports. The overall tone is playful, energetic, and designed to evoke the spirit of eternal, carefree love, drawing comparisons to the nostalgic, summer-themed "Teenage Dream" video.
As the sun sets, the video transitions into a lively party atmosphere, highlighting the famed nightlife of Ibiza. Katy is seen dancing at multiple bars and clubs, and at one point, she takes over a DJ booth, humorously tossing pizza slices into the ecstatic crowd. The festive scenes culminate in her leaving the island, exhausted after the long night of fun, seen drinking water and holding a vomit bag on the ferry ride back, a final humorous touch to her island adventure. The video also subtly incorporates an Easter egg for fans by revealing the track list for her album 143 on a screen at one of the venues.[4]
Controversy[]
After the video's release, the Balearic Islands' government launched an investigation when it became clear the necessary permits had not been secured. Katy's record label, Capitol Records, stated that their local production company had assured them all permits were in place and had received "verbal authority" to proceed, though officials maintained the formal authorization was never granted.
Ultimately, the production company was issued a fine of €6,001 (approximately $7,000 USD) for the "serious" offense. No additional penalties were applied, as investigators found no lasting environmental damage to the site.[5]
Gallery[]
Cover photoshoot[]
Behind the scenes[]
Trivia[]
- The song is very significant to Katy that she named her entire 2025 concert series THE LIFETIMES TOUR in honor to the song meaning. The tour featured an innovative stage design shaped like an infinity symbol to match the song's theme of eternal love.
- The song was used in the fourth season of the comedy-drama television series Hacks, in the episode entitled "Clickable Face".[6]
References[]
- ↑ https://people.com/katy-perry-reveals-how-daughter-daisy-inspired-upcoming-single-lifetimes-8685622
- ↑ https://x.com/KatyPerryChina/status/1816564243900108834
- ↑ https://x.com/katyperry/status/1817983538987475132
- ↑ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/katy-perry-143-track-list-kim-petras-21-savage-lifetimes-video-1235076680/
- ↑ https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/company-behind-katy-perrys-ibiza-filmed-lifetimes-video-under-investigation-for-failing-to-receive-shoot-clearance#:~:text=Company%20Behind%20Katy%20Perry%27s%20Ibiza,is%20part%20of%20the%20park.
- ↑ https://www.goldderby.com/article/2025/julianne-nicholson-hacks-dance-mom/
[]
v • e  | |
|---|---|
| Standard tracks | WOMAN'S WORLD • GIMME GIMME (featuring 21 Savage) • GORGEOUS (featuring Kim Petras) • I'M HIS, HE'S MINE (featuring Doechii) • CRUSH • LIFETIMES • ALL THE LOVE • NIRVANA • ARTIFICIAL (featuring JID) • TRUTH • WONDER (featuring Tius Luka) |
| Bonus tracks | I WOKE UP • HAS A HEART (featuring Daisy Bloom) • NO TEARS FOR NEW YEAR'S • OK |
| Producers | Cirkut • Dr. Luke • Stargate |
| Tour | THE LIFETIMES TOUR • Tour Merchandise |
| Extras | Editions • Album photoshoot • Merchandise |