Genre Trip hop Label Capitol | Length 3:39 | |
 | ||
Released November 20, 2007 (2007-11-20) Format CD single
digital download Recorded 2007 at Rocket Carousel Studio (Los Angeles, CA) | ||
"Ur So Gay" is a song released by American singer Katy Perry. She co-wrote the song with its producer Greg Wells while Drew Pearson served as the track's engineer. It was Perry's first major label release, and was later placed on her major label debut, One of the Boys. Capitol Records offered the song as a free download on their website. The song failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100.
Contents
Background and composition
When asked about the song, Perry said it was about a metrosexual boy named Greg. The song "wasn't meant to be a big single or show what the album is going to be all about. That was for my Internet bloggers, so I'm not coming out of nowhere." Perry's A&R representative Chris Anokute confirmed this by saying that they had no plans for radio coverage but just wanted to put this "novelty" song out online as an introduction to see "what the attraction was". As expected, sales were low, but Anokute said the single did well in terms of building a press story. For the release of the single, Perry's label told her to include a cover. She originally wanted to cover a Queen song, but couldn't think of one that was particularly club-worthy. While at a club with her friends, The Outfield's "Your Love" was played. Perry said that when the song came on, every girl in the place went onto the dance floor, and she wanted to have that same effect.
"Ur So Gay" is styled in the genre of trip hop, and moves at a moderate pace. According to digital sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Sony-ATV Music Publishing, the song is written in the key of E minor and the tempo is at 80 beats per minute. Perry's vocal's in "Ur So Gay" span from the lower note of E3 to the higher note of D#5.
Promotion and reception
The song's lyrics have been described in a positive review as "eighteen different kinds of wrong". The song itself has been described as an "emo-bashing anthem that's either horribly homophobic, a sly piece of social commentary or, possibly, both." The Tampa Bay Times wrote that the "boyfriend-skewering..... isn't homophobic, but it does pummel straight guys who can't handle her edge."
Some critics, however, conclude the song is homophobic. Ugo.com says the song settles for "catchphrase-homophobia" while Allmusic describes the lyrics as "gay-bashing".
Music video
The video was directed by Walter May. In the video, Perry plays the song in front of a bright cartoon-like background with clouds that have smiley faces on them. The characters in the video are played by Fashion Royalty dolls.
Track listings
- "Ur So Gay" – 3:39
- "Use Your Love" – 3:01
- "Ur So Gay" – 3:39
- "Ur So Gay" (Remix) – 5:53
- "Use Your Love" – 3:01
- "Lost" – 4:20
- "Ur So Gay" (Instrumental) – 3:38
- "Ur So Gay" (Junior Sanchez Club Instrumental) – 5:55
- "Ur So Gay" (Acapella) – 3:15
- "Ur So Gay" – 3:39
- "Ur So Gay" (Junior Sanchez Club Remix) – 5:54
- "Use Your Love" – 3:03
- "Lost" – 4:20