Bonnie McKee Shares Which No. 1 Hit She Co-Wrote For Katy Perry

Bonnie McKee could have never imagined that a simple trip to a vintage store would pave the way for her remarkable journey to having multiple number-one hits under her belt. Fresh off the disappointment of being dropped from her first recording contract, McKee found herself at a crossroads, seeking to sell her clothes at Wasteland in Los Angeles – a decision that would ultimately lead to a serendipitous encounter with none other than Katy Perry. 

As fate would have it, the two artists crossed paths in line, and Perry, already a fan of McKee's debut album ‘Trouble’, forged an instant connection. This fortuitous meeting blossomed into a cherished friendship and a prolific creative partnership, with McKee contributing her songwriting talents to Perry's highly acclaimed second album, ‘Teenage Dream.'

Also Read: Katy Perry Says ‘I’m Pregnant With My Next Album’ After Exit From ‘American Idol’

However, it was her collaboration with Perry and the renowned hitmakers Lukasz Dr. Luke Gottwald, Max Martin, and Benny Blanco that propelled McKee to new heights. Together, they co-wrote some of the most iconic and chart-topping anthems of the ‘Teenage Dream’ era, including ‘Teenage Dream’, ‘Last Friday Night’, ‘California Gurls’, ‘Part of Me’, and ‘Wide Awake’ – all of which soared to the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, solidifying McKee's status as a songwriting powerhouse. 

Riding the wave of their incredible success, McKee and Perry reunited to craft another number-one smash, ‘Roar’, as well as the hit singles ‘Birthday’ and ‘Legendary Lovers’ for Perry's album ‘Prism’. McKee vividly recalls the surreal transformation that unfolded in her life, sharing, "I suddenly went from being completely broke, not having a car, my cell phone turned off, not having hot water and digging for Taco Bell money to house-hunting in Hollywood Hills. It was really surreal." 

The creation of ‘Roar’ holds a special significance for McKee, as it stemmed from a deeply personal and empowering moment of self-reflection. "It was kind of my '8 Mile' moment, where I had to look in the mirror and be like, 'You only get one shot.' I was like, 'OK, I have a great idea, and I need to share this because I think it's going to take this on to the next level. I'm going to be a team player,'" McKee explains, "and then Katy and I wrote the rest together." 

The songwriting dynamo delves into the profound meaning behind ‘Roar’, describing it as a "feminist anthem, but it's also just a song for anyone who feels oppressed or not empowered in whatever situation they may be in."

-Sushmita Sarkar