--- title: Katy Perry's Chained to the Rhythm Gets Subtly Political description: Listen to the newest release from the pop star, who gives a disco tune a subversive underside with lyrics hinting at our modern malaise. canonical: https://time.com/4667037/katy-perry-single-chained-to-the-rhythm/ author: Raisa Bruner article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-02-10T18:00:16.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:47:36.050Z og:title: Katy Perry Gets Subtly Political on "Chained to the Rhythm" og:description: Hear the pop star's newest song, a subversive, disco-influenced tune og:url: https://time.com/4667037/katy-perry-single-chained-to-the-rhythm/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4710b1fde0b7d9a7/6988b9accd1bba24c4703f11/katy-perry-march.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 3000 og:image:height: 1688 og:image:alt: Women's March on Washington - March og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Katy Perry Gets Subtly Political on "Chained to the Rhythm" twitter:description: Hear the pop star's newest song, a subversive, disco-influenced tune twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4710b1fde0b7d9a7/6988b9accd1bba24c4703f11/katy-perry-march.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Listen to Katy Perry's Subversive New Disco Tune "Chained to the Rhythm" > Sponsored content. 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Terms and conditions apply. * Savings buckets are a feature of Ally Bank's Savings Account. * No ATM fees from Ally Bank at Allpoint and Moneypass ATMs plus we reimburse for fees charged by other ATM owners nationwide up to $10 per statement cycle. * Early direct deposit offers eligible direct deposits up to two days sooner. * Spending buckets are a feature of Ally Bank's Spending Account. ## Video: Katy Perry Says Her Parents Voted for Donald Trump [Watch (HLS stream): Katy Perry Says Her Parents Voted for Donald Trump](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/D1SolLvY.m3u8) (0:55)  _Published 2016-11-09. Pop singer Katy Perry, who has campaigned for Hillary Clinton, told supporters of the Democratic nominee on Tuesday night that her parents voted for Donald Trump._  by [Raisa Bruner](https://time.com/author/raisa-bruner/)  ## Raisa Bruner Feb 10, 2017 6:00 PM UTC  WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: Katy Perry attends the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Noam Galai/WireImage) WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: Katy Perry attends the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Noam Galai/WireImage) Noam Galai—WireImage  by [Raisa Bruner](https://time.com/author/raisa-bruner/)  ## Raisa Bruner Feb 10, 2017 6:00 PM UTC Welcome back, Katy Perry. The blockbuster pop star [finally released her new single](http://time.com/4663794/katy-perry-chained-to-the-rhythm/?iid=sr-link1), “Chained to the Rhythm,” a disco-inflected track that represents a new direction for a singer best known for bubblegum-bright pop tunes. While upbeat on the surface, “Chained to the Rhythm” reflects a dire world of repetition and ignorance, all of us trapped like hamsters on a wheel—more on that later—feeding on a false reality. “So comfortable we’re living in a bubble, bubble/ so comfortable we cannot see the trouble, trouble,” she repeats. Perry seems to have found an outlet in her art for her increasing dedication to political activism. In recent months, she [campaigned heartily](http://time.com/4509391/katy-perry-voting-naked-get-people-to-polls-november-8th/?iid=sr-link6) for Hillary Clinton, [produced a PSA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBsImjKVof4) about anti-immigrant policies in American history and participated in the Women’s March on Washington. The song, written with hitmakers Sia and Max Martin and featuring a verse by Bob Marley’s grandson Skip Marley, hides its social commentary in plain sight, just beneath its radio-friendly sound. As for the lyric video? While quirky and cute at first glance, there’s a sinister undertone to the world of Mr. Parsons the Hamster. As a godlike human (the talented [YouTube creator Walking with Giants](http://time.com/4510677/mini-food-video/?iid=sr-link1)) painstakingly prepares minuscule meals of a hamburger and pasta in a dollhouse-sized kitchen, Mr. Parsons remains glued to an armchair, watching another hamster on a TV go round and round on his own wheel. Presented with the gourmet cuisine, he quickly defers to base instincts, making a mess of the artfully presented dishes and munching serenely on crumbling cake. “Yeah, we think we’re free/ Drink, this one is on me/ We’re all chained to the rhythm,” Perry sings, perhaps referring to the willful ignorance the entertainment-industrial complex often encourages. In contrast, her biggest statement last year was [riding into the Super Bowl](http://time.com/3690105/katy-perry-super-bowl-halftime-show-xlix/?iid=sr-link1) on a giant animatronic feline to deliver an upbeat rendition of “Eye of the Tiger.” Have we entered a new era of Katy Perry? Perhaps we’ll learn more at [Sunday night’s Grammys](http://time.com/4655730/grammys-2017-when-who-beyonce-adele/?iid=sr-link2), when she takes to the stage with a crowd of millions watching. ## Transcript And tonight my parents voted for Trump. But you know what? We will still all be sitting at the same table for Thanksgiving and this is the moment we need to remember that we all love our parents and we all love our children and I can rest easy knowing that both of my young nieces at home Will never see themselves less than equal. [ APPLAUSE ] Anything other than equal. So remember today is not just a finish line, it also marks the beginning of all the work we must come together to do. We need everyone. Gay, straight, black, white, brown, Aah! Spray ten [ APPLAUSE ] Aah! People of faith and people that just love. So, lets sing a song of unity. Lets be one nation indivisible, with a kickass president. 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