Katy Perry's brand new single "Chained to the Rhythm" was released in a controversial and remarkable way when it was performed at the 2017 Grammy. After a long hiatus from her last 2014 Grammy, "Chained to the Rhythm" -- released just two days before these awards -- was loaded with political messages.
From the costumes she used, Perry's was already very political. As reported by TV Line, she wore a funky white pantsuit, white sneakers, and an armband that read "persist." She then stood in front of a backdrop of clouds and flowers, and sang her new single "Chained to the Rhythm." White fences were depicted besieging her but she succeeded in making an armband and escaped.
On the other hand, Vanity Fair connected Perry's appearance with the previous week major incident when Elizabeth Warren -- a member of Democratic Party, and a senior U.S. Senator from Massachusetts -- was silenced on the Senate floor in a speech criticizing Jeff Sessions, a member of Republican Party. At that time, the Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell justified the silencing, "She [Warren] was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted." Soon, this harsh statement was protested by women and supporters across America and social media. Most likely Katy Perry joined in the call for 'persistence' and showed this political message explicitly through her outfit and new single "Chained to the Rhythm" in the Grammy Awards.
However, that was only one of many political messages Perry brought at the Grammy stage. As a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton, one of the former US presidential candidates, Perry chose a white pantsuit outfit. As known to many, this is Clinton's preferred fashion statement. Vanity Fair added that white color is also the official color of the suffragette movement.
At the end of the show, an image of the United States Constitution was also projected as Perry joined hands with the grandson of Bob Marley, Skip. He is featured on "Chained to the Rhythm" and covered a bit of her hit "Teenage Dream" in Perry's early Grammy stage. The words "We the people" were especially visible. Before Perry left the stage, she did not forget to declare, "No hate!"
Although the official music video for "Chained to the Rhythm" has not been released yet, on February 9, 2017, Perry issued a lyric video that seems bubbly wherein a man's hand preparing mini food for a couch-potato hamster was shown. At first glance, her disco-inspired tune sounded upbeat, but apparently, it was also loaded with political messages. With lyrics about many people are so comfortably "living in a bubble" that "can not see the trouble," this song does not sound like the usual happy-go-lucky Perry songs. "...all of my songs have meanings," emphasized Perry in CBS red carpet pre-show, "They've never been one dimensional."
