Katy Perry’s "Thinking of You" Sees Unlikely Resurgence on TikTok, Sparking Re-evaluation of Her Legacy
In a surprising turn of events, Katy Perry’s 2009 ballad "Thinking of You" has experienced a massive resurgence on TikTok, with users initially mocking the song’s theatricality before eventually embracing its emotional depth. This shift from satire to sincerity has not only shed new light on Perry’s songwriting but also underscores the complex nature of fame in the internet age.
The trend began as a lighthearted poke at Perry’s distinctive vocal delivery and emotive facial expressions, with users mimicking her performance for comedic effect. However, as the trend gained momentum, a deeper appreciation for the song’s raw vulnerability and sincerity emerged, leading to heartfelt covers and tributes. This evolution reflects a broader cultural tendency to revisit and reassess past works, often through the lens of nostalgia and newfound understanding.
Perry has acknowledged the trend, albeit with a mix of humor and restraint. During a performance on her Lifetimes Tour, she briefly sang an exaggerated snippet of "Thinking of You" before quipping, "I don’t sing like that," hinting at possible irritation beneath the surface. Despite this, the song’s resurgence has sparked a re-evaluation of her legacy, with some critics hailing her as a misunderstood powerhouse and others dismissing her as a relic of the past.
This complex dynamic, where hate and scrutiny coexist with newfound appreciation, is at the heart of what it means to be a pop star in 2025. As Rolling Stone’s Tomás Mier noted, "The campy antics mocked online…have always been central to Perry’s persona from the start." The TikTok trend surrounding "Thinking of You" exemplifies this tension, proving that pop stardom today thrives on both irony and sincerity.
As Perry navigates this chaotic, crowdsourced re-evaluation of her legacy, one thing is clear: her music continues to resonate with audiences, offering a sense of continuity in an industry often fixated on the new and the now. With "Thinking of You" finding new life in an era hungry for both irony and authenticity, Perry’s place in the cultural zeitgeist is reaffirmed, and her artistic contributions are once again being celebrated. Whether she chooses to lean into this resurgence or maintain her distance, one thing is certain – Katy Perry’s legacy is more complex, multifaceted, and enduring than ever.
