This isn’t the first article I’ve penned over the years regarding a Katy Perry song, and it certainly won’t be the last. What’s remarkable about this particular song, titled “Electric,” however, is something rather unique for me when it comes to breaking down what I felt made a song great for me. This isn’t to say like “Electric” from Pokemon 25: The Album is one of Katy’s best songs, nor did I find the song itself memorable. What stood out to me, and what actually shocked me, was the strength of the music video. That’s saying a ton considering the blockbusters Katy Perry has had with music videos.

Another full disclosure: I am a massive fan of the Pokemon franchise. It was known to the general public for quite some time that Katy Perry and the Pokemon Company were planning a collaboration in celebration of the franchise’s 25th anniversary. It was certainly welcome news for me. Pokemon was a very important part of my childhood and continues to be a topic of great interest for me today, beyond simply nostalgia’s sake. Just that connection alone would put this song into a “guilty pleasure” category for me.

But, when the music video for “Electric” finally dropped, something I expected to be little more than a gimmick, I didn’t expect to be as blown away as I was. It wasn’t so much the song itself, which is actually pretty generic while touching on many themes Katy has done better before. It’s the music video that saves it from being a rather forgettable marketing ploy.

Delving Deeper into the Lyrics of “Electric”

For a song created for the Pokémon 25th anniversary celebration, “Electric” is a song that intertwines themes of empowerment, perseverance, and self-belief. It depicts a journey from feeling lost and confronting challenges to recognizing and embracing one’s inner strength. This theme fits in perfectly with the Pokemon anime that I grew up with in the 90’s.

The opening lines set up the songs central conflict: “In the dark when you feel lost / Wanna be the best but at what cost?” Our song’s protagonist is feeling uncertain and questioning the sacrifices needed for success.

“Big world, gotta see it all / Gotta get up even when you fall” are lyrics encouraging adventure and resilience. It suggests that experiencing life fully requires facing and overcoming setbacks. Considering this is a song meant to be set in the context of the expansive Pokemon mythos, it’s a pair of lines that certainly works on both a fictional and real life level.

With the lines “(Oh) they’ll try to bring you down / (Oh) but you’ve got the power now” the song addresses external negativity and opposition, countering it with the assertion of personal power and agency.

The chorus is an affirmation of self-belief and potential: “(I know you feel it, feel it / If you believe it then you can / There’s no reason that this life can’t be electric)” “Electric” in this context symbolizes a vibrant, energetic, and exciting life, attainable if one believes in oneself. It’s cheesy, but catchy.

The song continues with lines that acknowledge the long journey ahead. “Long road, gotta ways to go / Take a big step, but you’re not alone” reminds us that we’re all on a shared journey, encouraging us to find a support system that accompanies us, emphasizing the importance of community and shared strength.

These are probably my favorite lines from the song: “Head strong, but your heart is stronger / Stay calm walking through the fire” Such lyrics commend emotional resilience and courage in the face of adversity, suggesting that inner strength is more potent than any external force.

The song’s overall message is motivational, aiming to inspire listeners to harness their inner power, face life’s challenges head-on, and believe in their ability to lead a thrilling and “electric” life. It aligns well with the Pokémon franchise’s themes of adventure, growth, and overcoming challenges, making it a fitting tribute for the anniversary celebration.

So, thematically, “Electric” as a song is solid enough. Do keep in mind, I’m not upset that it’s meant to be rather simple and straightforward. Pokemon is still a kids’ show and video game franchise, after all. But, despite rather simplistic lyrical content, the beat is catchy enough and Katy’s singing strong enough to keep you invested.

The Artistry and Emotional Power of the “Electric” Music Video

So, how did the music video for “Electric” manage to be a shock to my system? Obviously, a song called “Electric” is going to feature the Pokemon franchise’s most recognizable and popular character, pop culture icon electric mouse Pikachu. But, for me, what really grabbed me about the video is how it features a teenage character trying hard to become a music star.

Credit to actress Meile Aspen who absolutely mirrors Katy herself as a teen. As a dedicated Katy Cat, the performance actually gave me chills. It’s also pretty neat that, at the time, her Pikachu was still in her baby form, Pichu. And, yes, I can confirm that the Pikachu is a girl, thanks to the heart shape on her tail. Yes, I’m that much of a Pokemon nerd.

Katy Perry’s music videos have long been known for their grandeur. But, for how innocent and kid friendly this was meant to be, watching the young Katy (who resembles teenage Katheryn Hudson to a tee) actually tugs at my heartstrings. For such a boilerplate pop song, the music video still haunts me just in its absolute truthiness.

These struggles were actual truth for a young Katy, and it’s very hard for people now to realize just how much of a long shot she really was before her smash hit with “I Kissed a Girl.” This a theme that Katy has hit on multiple times throughout her music catalog. She did so most recently and quite poignantly with “Daisies” on her 5th studio album, Smile.

Of course, “Daisies” was a beautiful, well-written, well-composed, and absurdly underrated song on a highly underrated record. Meanwhile, “Electric” is a song for Pokemon’s 25th anniversary and it’s not even that great of a song. It’s far from her worst work, but it’s overall quite shallow thematically. However, thanks to director Carlos Lopez Estrada’s masterwork with the music video, “Electric” has one of my favorite and most emotionally charged Katy Perry’s music videos.

For me, the music video for “Electric” is up there with the narrative power of “Part of Me” and “The One That Got Away.” While it’s certainly not on the level of her more classic videos, with Katy looking back at herself in the late 90s, at the same time that Pokemon became a worldwide phenomenon, it works fantastically well.

You could argue that this is incredibly cheesy; after all, I was never aware of Katy being a big Pokemon fan. Still, the emotional pull of a watching a kid and her Pichu overcoming the odds to make an electric musical breakthrough is told in a unique way.

Who knew that Pikachu and Katy Perry would work so well together? Perhaps, we should have seen it coming, but I certainly never did! Was it a cheap marketing ploy to hopefully pull in new fans to the Pokemon brand. That’s absolutely the case, but at least there was legitimate effort put into this, and I fully appreciate that.

If you need something to light up your day, any day, go check out the “Electric” music video on YouTube. It certainly has given me a pick-me-up on multiple occasions.

~ Amelia Desertsong