Witness (Katy Perry album)
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Witness
| type = studio
| artist = Katy Perry
| cover = Katy Perry - Witness (Official Album Cover).png
| border = yes
| alt = Katy Perry with blonde short hair. She covers her eyes with her hands; an eyeball is visible inside her mouth as her lips are slightly parted.
| released = {{Start date|2017|06|09}}
| recorded = 2016–2017
| studio = * Australia (The Grove)
- Atlanta, Georgia (Tree Sound, Snow Problem Park Place Plaza)
- Burbank, California (Glenwood Place)
- Los Angeles (MXM, Lama Lama, Unsub, Blasé Boys Club, Green Oak, Henson Recording, The Record Plant)
- Stockholm, Sweden (MXM, Wolf Cousins)
- Santa Barbara, California (Secret Garden)
- New York (Jungle City)
| genre = *Electropop
| length = 57:28
| label = Capitol
| producer =
- Max Martin
- Ali Payami
- Shellback
- Corin Roddick
- Jeff Bhasker
- Mark Crew
- Duke Dumont
- Jack Garratt
- Oscar Holter
- Illangelo
- Ilya
- Elof Loelv
- Mike Will Made It
- Dustin O'Halloran
- Rationale
- Scooly
- Felix Snow
| prev_title = Prism
| prev_year = 2013
| next_title = Smile
| next_year = 2020
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Witness
| type = studio
| single1 = Chained to the Rhythm
| single1date = February 10, 2017
| single2 = Bon Appétit
| single2date = April 28, 2017
| single3 = Swish Swish
| single3date = May 19, 2017
| single4 = Save as Draft
| single5 = Hey Hey Hey
}}
}}
Witness is the fifth studio album by American singer Katy Perry. It was released on June 9, 2017, by Capitol Records. For the album, Perry worked with numerous producers, including Jeff Bhasker, Mark Crew, Duke Dumont, Jack Garratt, Oscar Holter, Illangelo, Ilya, Max Martin, Ali Payami and Shellback. Witness is an electropop album that delves into dance and EDM genres, with lyrics on self-empowerment and feminism. Perry described it as an album of "liberation" and "purposeful pop".
Five singles aided Witness, out of which, three were released before the album and one reached the top-ten of the Billboard Hot 100 chart: the lead single, "Chained to the Rhythm" featuring Skip Marley, peaked at number four on the Hot 100. "Bon Appétit" featuring Migos peaked at number 59, while "Swish Swish" featuring Nicki Minaj reached number 46. "Save as Draft" and "Hey Hey Hey" were released as subsequent singles on June 26, 2017 and January 12, 2018, respectively, with "Hey Hey Hey" receiving a music video. To support the album's release, Perry broadcast herself on a four-day YouTube live-stream, titled Katy Perry Live: Witness World Wide. Upon release, critics were divided towards the album. Some criticized the production and lyricism, while others welcomed the album's personal nature and singled out certain tracks for praise.
Moving 180,000 album equivalent units in its first-week, Witness debuted atop the US Billboard 200 chart, becoming Perry's third chart-topping album in the country. The album also topped the charts in Canada and Spain, while reaching number two in Australia, South Korea, Mexico, and New Zealand and the top five region in nine other territories. To promote the album, Perry embarked on her fourth concert tour, Witness: The Tour. Prior to the release of the album, Perry had not released new material in four years, with the exception of the 2016 Summer Olympics anthem, "Rise". After releasing Prism (2013) and touring in 2014–2015, Perry went on hiatus to protect her mental health and to return afresh.{{cite news|title=Grammys 2017: Katy Perry on the Meaning Behind 'Chained to the Rhythm'|url=https://www.accesshollywood.com/videos/grammys-2017-katy-perry-on-the-meaning-behind-chained-to-the-rhythm/|access-date=May 5, 2017|work=Access Hollywood|date=February 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521155145/https://www.accesshollywood.com/videos/grammys-2017-katy-perry-on-the-meaning-behind-chained-to-the-rhythm/|archive-date=May 21, 2017|url-status=live}} Perry decided to shed her on-stage persona and embrace her self-proclaimed authentic self as Katheryn Hudson, her real name. As a result, she retired her long, dark hair for a short pixie cut, and adopted her natural blonde hair color.{{cite news|title='I created this character called Katy Perry. I didn't want to be Katheryn Hudson. It was too scary'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jun/11/katy-perry-interview-witness-album-glastonbury|access-date=May 5, 2017|work=Access Hollywood|date=June 11, 2017}}
Development
Following the release of her fourth album Prism in 2013 and the end of the Prismatic World Tour in October 2015, Katy Perry told The New York Times in February 2016 that she was in the "research and development phase" of a new album.{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/katy-perry-new-music-august-2016-new-song-coming-out-after-singer-announces-2017-tour-1569009|work=International Business Times|title=Katy Perry releasing new song in August 2016?|first=Alicia|last=Adejobi|date=July 5, 2016|access-date=August 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706153732/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/katy-perry-new-music-august-2016-new-song-coming-out-after-singer-announces-2017-tour-1569009|archive-date=July 6, 2016|url-status=live}} She decided to take a hiatus after the tour concluded to "give my mental health a break" before starting to write new songs the following June. Perry felt "refreshed" after the hiatus, and had over 40 tracks "in progress" before the year ended.{{cite journal|last1=Bowles|first1=Hamish|title=Katy Perry Is Leaving Her Cutesy Style Behind and Going Androgynous, Architectural, and Political|journal=Vogue|date=April 13, 2017|url=http://www.vogue.com/article/katy-perry-interview-religion-childhood-may-vogue-cover|access-date=May 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517171052/http://www.vogue.com/article/katy-perry-interview-religion-childhood-may-vogue-cover|archive-date=May 17, 2017|url-status=live}} In August, the singer stated that she aspired to make material "that connects and relates and inspires"{{cite web|url=http://amp.cbslocal.com/2016/08/18/katy-perry-new-music-taking-chances/|title=Katy Perry Is 'Taking Chances' & 'Not Rushing' Her New Music|date=August 18, 2016|access-date=August 19, 2016|first=Sarah|last=Carroll|publisher=97.1 AMP Radio|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819125902/http://amp.cbslocal.com/2016/08/18/katy-perry-new-music-taking-chances/|archive-date=August 19, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} and told Ryan Seacrest that she was "not rushing" her fifth album, adding "I'm just having a lot of fun, but experimenting and trying different producers, and different collaborators, and different styles."{{cite web|url=http://onairwithryan.iheart.com/onair/ryan-seacrest-52241/katy-perry-reveals-shes-experimenting-with-15019828/|work=On Air with Ryan Seacrest|title=Katy Perry Reveals She's 'Experimenting' With New Album, Talks Forthcoming Shoe Collection|date=August 18, 2016|access-date=August 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920140320/http://onairwithryan.iheart.com/onair/ryan-seacrest-52241/katy-perry-reveals-shes-experimenting-with-15019828/|archive-date=September 20, 2016|url-status=dead}} The album marked a departure from long time producer and co-writer Dr. Luke.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/arts/music/katy-perry-witness-interview.html?_r=0|work=The New York Times|title=Katy Perry Woke Up. She Wants to Tell You All About It.|first=Caryn|last=Ganz|date=June 14, 2017|access-date=August 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828110143/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/arts/music/katy-perry-witness-interview.html?_r=0|archive-date=August 28, 2017|url-status=live}} In February 2017, Perry stated that the album was "definitely a new era for me" and "an era of purposeful pop" she was proud of.{{cite news|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/828726/2017-grammy-awards-katy-perry-reveals-she-was-taking-care-of-her-mental-health-during-hiatus-from-music|title=2017 Grammy Awards: Katy Perry Reveals She Was 'Taking Care' of Her Mental Health During Hiatus From Music|first=McKenna|last=Aiello|date=February 12, 2017|access-date=February 12, 2017|publisher=E!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307124129/http://www.eonline.com/news/828726/2017-grammy-awards-katy-perry-reveals-she-was-taking-care-of-her-mental-health-during-hiatus-from-music|archive-date=March 7, 2017|url-status=live}} Later that month, she told Capital FM that "I've got something swirling, but I think I want to put out some songs first before I give them the full meal."{{cite news|last1=Dinh|first1=James|title=Katy Perry Talks About How Donald Trump Inspired Her New Album|url=https://www.iheart.com/news/katy-perry-talks-about-how-donald-15588372/|access-date=May 5, 2017|publisher=iHeartRadio|date=February 22, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405003115/https://www.iheart.com/news/katy-perry-talks-about-how-donald-15588372/|archive-date=April 5, 2017|df=mdy-all}} The following May, Perry revealed to Entertainment Weekly that the album would include 15 of the 40 songs she wrote for it, and described the record as "fun and dance-y and dark and light."{{cite magazine|last1=Stack|first1=Tim|title=Katy Perry Talks 'Brave' New Album and If There's a Reaction to Taylor Swift's 'Bad Blood'|url=http://ew.com/music/2017/05/08/katy-perry-new-album/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=May 8, 2017|date=May 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520145540/http://ew.com/music/2017/05/08/katy-perry-new-album/|archive-date=May 20, 2017|url-status=live}}
The album was partially inspired by Hillary Clinton's loss in the 2016 United States presidential election. Perry, a vocal supporter of Clinton, claimed "I was definitely not okay [after the election]. I couldn't write a happy-go-lucky song. I wasn't in that place but I also don't want to preach to people because I'm not that person either. I want to empower people and lift people up."{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/music/2017/05/19/katy-perry-hillary-clinton-new-album/ |title=How the 2016 Election Affected Katy Perry and Her New Album |last=Stack |first=Tim |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=May 19, 2017 |access-date=July 16, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201225100/https://ew.com/music/2017/05/19/katy-perry-hillary-clinton-new-album/ |archive-date=December 1, 2022}}
Composition
Musically, Witness is an electropop album,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7825915/katy-perry-witness-purposeful-pop-defense|title=Katy Perry's 'Witness' Fails as 'Purposeful Pop,' But Succeeds as Future Pop|magazine=Billboard|date=June 13, 2017|access-date=June 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616114115/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7825915/katy-perry-witness-purposeful-pop-defense|archive-date=June 16, 2017|url-status=live}} containing influences of dance and EDM. As analyzed by Annie Zaleski from The A.V. Club, hooks are in short supply, replaced by grooves and atmosphere that pick and choose elements from 1990s house music, mainstream EDM, electro-tinged hip-hop, and 1980s new wave.
Witness opens with the title track, an electronic song backed by a 1990s house piano.{{cite news|url= http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/katy-perry-hoped-her-new-album-would-be-her-own-lemonade-but-its-more-homebrand-cola/news-story/b3d0e135274ac93625c8db1759e72b54|title= Katy Perry hoped her new album would be her own Lemonade... but it's more home-brand cola|newspaper= Herald Sun|date= June 8, 2017|access-date= June 17, 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170613144903/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/katy-perry-hoped-her-new-album-would-be-her-own-lemonade-but-its-more-homebrand-cola/news-story/b3d0e135274ac93625c8db1759e72b54|archive-date= June 13, 2017|url-status= live}} "Hey Hey Hey" asserts that women can be complex people with a multitude of personality traits, as noted by Annie Zaleski from The A.V. Club, "Hey Hey Hey" depicts a narrow version of femininity and success and it perpetuates irksome stereotypes about strong women. "Roulette" is an EDM song described as "explosive" by Christopher R. Weingarten from Rolling Stone. "Swish Swish" runs throughout a house-influenced beat and contains a sample from "Star 69" by Fatboy Slim which itself samples "I Get Deep" by Roland Clark.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7800969/katy-perry-and-nicki-minaj-score-with-swish-swish-listen|title=Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj Score with 'Swish Swish': Listen|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520003236/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7800969/katy-perry-and-nicki-minaj-score-with-swish-swish-listen|archive-date=May 20, 2017|url-status=live}} "Déjà Vu" is "an electro-R&B ballad about wanting to free oneself from a dead-end relationship." "Power" is an electro{{cite web |last1=Wass |first1=Mike |date=June 9, 2017 |title=Katy Perry's 'Witness': Album Review |url=https://www.idolator.com/7664420/katy-perry-witness-album-review |website=Idolator |access-date=March 19, 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |fix-attempted=yes |url=}} composition, which explores a theme of self empowerment, Jillian Males from Pitchfork noted that the song "approximates feminism by politicizing a personal struggle for control."
Artwork
Commenting on the concept of the album cover, Perry said,
"Music has allowed me to travel, which has reeducated my mind and changed my perspective on so much, so my education and my consciousness comes from my voice, and that's how I see, and that's how I witness you and that's how you witness me and that's why the eye is in the mouth."{{cite web|last1=Calvario|first1=Liz|title=Katy Perry Says Her New Single 'Swish Swish' Is an 'Anthem' Against Bullies|url=http://www.etonline.com/music/217959_katy_perry_says_her_new_single_swish_swish_is_an_anthem_against_bullies/|website=Entertainment Tonight|access-date=May 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625013857/http://www.etonline.com/music/217959_katy_perry_says_her_new_single_swish_swish_is_an_anthem_against_bullies/|archive-date=June 25, 2017|url-status=live}}
On September 29, 2017, Urban Outfitters released a limited-edition exclusive vinyl of the album with alternate cover art.{{cite web|url=https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/katy-perry-witness-limited-2xlp|title=Katy Perry - Witness Limited 2XLP|work=Urban Outfitters Official Webstore|access-date=August 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809091954/https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shop/katy-perry-witness-limited-2xlp|archive-date=August 9, 2017}}
Billboard{{'}}s Tatiana Cirisano listed the album cover as one of the worst of 2017, characterizing its "freaky alien theme" as "just a tad too horrifying".{{cite magazine |last1=Cirisano |first1=Tatiana |title=25 Best & Worst Album Covers of 2017 |url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/best-worst-album-covers-of-2017-top-25/2-/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=2022-05-22 |language=en-US |date=2017-12-27}}
Promotion
{{See also|Witness: The Tour|Katy Perry Live: Witness World Wide}}
File:Katy Perry at Madison Square Garden (36757801094).jpg at Madison Square Garden]]
In February 2017, Spotify announced that it would run a campaign to promote the album up to its release in the middle of the year.{{cite news|last1=Shaw|first1=Lucas|title=Spotify Befriends Katy Perry in Quest to Win Artists' Favor|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-02-10/spotify-befriends-katy-perry-in-quest-to-win-artists-favor?curator=MediaREDEF|access-date=March 1, 2017|publisher=Bloomberg News|date=February 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301183330/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-02-10/spotify-befriends-katy-perry-in-quest-to-win-artists-favor?curator=MediaREDEF|archive-date=March 1, 2017|url-status=live}} On May 15, Perry confirmed the album would be titled Witness and would be released through Capitol Records on June 9, 2017. She also announced that the concert tour supporting the album would be titled Witness: The Tour.{{cite web|title=Katy Perry Unveils Album Title, Announces North American Tour|url=http://radio.com/2017/05/15/katy-perry-album-title-north-american-tour/|first=Hayden|last=Wright|date=May 15, 2017|access-date=May 15, 2017|publisher=CBS Radio|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515192256/http://radio.com/2017/05/15/katy-perry-album-title-north-american-tour/|archive-date=May 15, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} It began in September 2017 and concluded in August 2018.{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3031006/katy-perry-witness-tour-delays-openers/ |title=Katy Perry Has Good News And Bad News About Her Witness Tour |first=Madeline |last=Roth |date=August 17, 2017 |access-date=August 18, 2017 |publisher=MTV News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817231246/http://www.mtv.com/news/3031006/katy-perry-witness-tour-delays-openers/ |archive-date=August 17, 2017 |url-status=dead }} Tickets purchased would include a copy of the album.{{cite web|url=https://www.katyperry.com/new-album-witness-north-american-arena-tour/|title=New Album, 'Witness', and North American Arena Tour|date=May 15, 2017|access-date=May 15, 2017|publisher=KatyPerry.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515110325/https://www.katyperry.com/new-album-witness-north-american-arena-tour/|archive-date=May 15, 2017|url-status=live}} The night before Witness came out, she hosted a live countdown for the record on her YouTube channel,{{cite news|last1=Dresdale|first1=Andrea|title=Katy Perry releases "Witness" track list, will host "WILD countdown" to album on YouTube|url=http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2017/6/2/katy-perry-releases-witness-track-list-will-host-wild-countd.html|access-date=June 12, 2017|publisher=ABC News|date=June 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611051455/http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2017/6/2/katy-perry-releases-witness-track-list-will-host-wild-countd.html|archive-date=June 11, 2017|url-status=live}} which featured the singer performing and discussing tracks on the record as well as responding to fan questions.{{cite news|last1=Seemayer|first1=Zach|title=Katy Perry Previews New Album 'Witness,' Goes Live on YouTube in 'Big Brother'-Style House|url=https://www.yahoo.com/tv/katy-perry-previews-album-apos-035900845.html|access-date=June 12, 2017|publisher=Yahoo! News|date=June 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818172736/https://www.yahoo.com/tv/katy-perry-previews-album-apos-035900845.html|archive-date=August 18, 2017|url-status=live}} To accompany the album's release, Perry also broadcast herself on YouTube with a live-stream titled Katy Perry Live: Witness World Wide for four days, concluding with a live concert on June 12.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/columns/pop/7825739/katy-perry-live-stream-monday-live-concert-james-corden-sia|magazine=Billboard|title=Katy Perry YouTube Live Stream Wraps Monday With Live Concert; James Corden, Sia & More Guests to Pop In|first=Colin|last=Stutz|date=June 9, 2017|access-date=June 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610032742/http://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/columns/pop/7825739/katy-perry-live-stream-monday-live-concert-james-corden-sia|archive-date=June 10, 2017|url-status=live}}
=Singles=
The album's lead single, "Chained to the Rhythm" featuring Skip Marley, was released on February 10, 2017.{{cite web|last1=Perry|first1=Katy|title=Chained to the Rhythm (feat. Skip Marley) – Single|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/chained-to-rhythm-feat.-skip/id1203815492|publisher=iTunes Store|archive-date=February 14, 2017|access-date=February 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214001628/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/chained-to-rhythm-feat.-skip/id1203815492}} It went on to top the charts in Hungary{{Cite web|url=http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/radios-top-40-jatszasi-lista/2017/15|title=Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ|date=April 7, 2017|access-date=April 27, 2017|publisher=Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista|language=hu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426151417/http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/radios-top-40-jatszasi-lista/2017/15|archive-date=April 26, 2017|url-status=live}} while reaching number four in the United States.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/305595/Katy%2BPerry/chart?f=379|title=Katy Perry – Chart history: The Hot 100|access-date=June 26, 2014|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629094808/http://www.billboard.com/artist/305595/Katy%20Perry/chart?f=379|archive-date=June 29, 2014|url-status=live}} "Bon Appétit" with Migos followed as the second single on April 28, 2017.{{cite magazine|last1=Tom|first1=Lauren|title=Katy Perry Unveils 'Bon Appetit' Single Art, Release Date & Migos Feature|magazine=Billboard|date=April 26, 2017|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7775316/katy-perry-bon-appetit-single-art-release-date-migos|access-date=April 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427050858/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7775316/katy-perry-bon-appetit-single-art-release-date-migos|archive-date=April 27, 2017|url-status=live}} The track reached number 59 in the United States and number 14 in Canada.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/305595/Katy%2BPerry/chart?f=793 |title=Katy Perry – Chart history: Billboard Canadian Hot 100 |access-date=June 26, 2014 |magazine=Billboard |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629090241/http://www.billboard.com/artist/305595/Katy%20Perry/chart?f=793 |archive-date=June 29, 2014 }} "Swish Swish", featuring Nicki Minaj, was released as the third single on May 19, 2017.{{cite magazine|title=Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj Score with 'Swish Swish': Listen|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7800969/katy-perry-and-nicki-minaj-score-with-swish-swish-listen|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 19, 2017|date=May 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520003236/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7800969/katy-perry-and-nicki-minaj-score-with-swish-swish-listen|archive-date=May 20, 2017|url-status=live}} The song peaked at number 46 in the United States, and number 13 in Canada. "Save as Draft" was released to American radio stations on June 26, 2017, and "Hey Hey Hey" was released in Italy as the album's fifth single on January 12, 2018.
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
| MC = 53/100{{cite web|title=Witness by Katy Perry|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/witness/katy-perry|website=Metacritic|access-date=August 22, 2020}}
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1Score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web|last1=Erlewine|first1=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|title=Witness – Katy Perry|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/witness-mw0003053053|publisher=AllMusic|date=June 8, 2017|access-date=June 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609210147/http://www.allmusic.com/album/witness-mw0003053053|archive-date=June 9, 2017|url-status=live}}
| rev2 = The A.V. Club
| rev2Score = C−{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/review/katy-perry-runs-away-her-strengths-pop-slog-witnes-256575|title=Katy Perry runs away from her strengths on the pop slog Witness|last=Zaleski|first=Annie|date=June 9, 2017|website=The A.V. Club|access-date=June 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609190437/http://www.avclub.com/review/katy-perry-runs-away-her-strengths-pop-slog-witnes-256575|archive-date=June 9, 2017|url-status=live}}
| rev3 = Consequence of Sound
| rev3score = C{{cite magazine|last1=Graves|first1=Wren|title=Album Review: Katy Perry – Witness|url=https://consequence.net/2017/06/album-review-katy-perry-witness/|magazine=Consequence of Sound|date=June 6, 2017|access-date=June 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814020838/https://consequence.net/2017/06/album-review-katy-perry-witness/|archive-date=August 14, 2017|url-status=live}}
| rev4 = The Daily Telegraph
| rev5 = Entertainment Weekly
| rev5score = B{{cite magazine|last1=O'Donnell|first1=Kevin|title=Katy Perry Is Reflective, Anxious, and Fired Up On 'Witness': EW Review|url=http://ew.com/music/2017/06/08/katy-perry-witness-review/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=June 8, 2017|access-date=June 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608200933/http://ew.com/music/2017/06/08/katy-perry-witness-review/|archive-date=June 8, 2017|url-status=live}}
| rev6 = The Guardian
| rev6Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite news|last1=Davies|first1=Hannah J.|title=Katy Perry: Witness review – edgy, new-look Perry keeps melodic flair|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jun/08/katy-perry-witness-review-edgy-new-look-perry-keeps-melodic-flair|newspaper=The Guardian|date=June 8, 2017|access-date=June 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826160126/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jun/08/katy-perry-witness-review-edgy-new-look-perry-keeps-melodic-flair|archive-date=August 26, 2017|url-status=live}}
| rev7 = NME
| rev8 = Pitchfork
| rev8score = 4.8/10{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/katy-perry-witness/|title=Katy Perry: Witness|last=Mapes|first=Jillian|date=June 8, 2017|work=Pitchfork|access-date=June 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902144021/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/katy-perry-witness/|archive-date=September 2, 2017|url-status=live}}
| rev9 = Rolling Stone
| rev9score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/review-katy-perrys-witness-w486805|title=Review: Katy Perry Navigates a Less Bombastic Pop Universe on 'Witness'|last=Weingarten|first=Christopher R.|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=June 9, 2017|access-date=June 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609125755/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/review-katy-perrys-witness-w486805|archive-date=June 9, 2017|url-status=live}}
| rev10 = Slant Magazine
| rev10Score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite web|title=Katy Perry: Witness|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/katy-perry-witness|date=June 8, 2017|access-date=June 9, 2017|first=Sal|last=Cinquemani|work=Slant Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621011149/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/katy-perry-witness|archive-date=June 21, 2017|url-status=live}}
}}
Witness was met with mixed reception from music critics.{{Cite news|title=Katy Perry On Expanding And Reframing Herself On 'Smile'|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/08/27/906431004/katy-perry-on-expanding-and-reframing-herself-on-smile|date=August 27, 2020|access-date=July 5, 2021|first1=Noel|last1=King|first2=Victoria|last2=Whitley-Berry|agency=NPR}}{{Cite news|date=July 18, 2018|title=Katy Perry suffered 'situational depression' after critics savaged Witness album|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/katy-perry-suffered-situational-depression-after-critics-savaged-witness-album/news-story/468d3e4e2e0acdb98755c21e1946d482|first=Jaclyn|last=Hendricks|access-date=July 5, 2021|agency=News.com.au}} At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 53, based on 20 reviews, which indicates "mixed or average reviews".
Hannah J. Davies of The Guardian gave the album a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, writing that the singer "still has a flair for tunes that quickly seep into the collective consciousness" and praised "Swish Swish" as "a house-fuelled banger with undeniable groove," though felt that "Perry's heartfelt ballads feel tacked on in the face of all this weirdness." Leonie Cooper from NME gave it the same rating and complimented the same track, arguing that while the album lacked subtlety, this is justified when "[delivering] important messages about female autonomy to a young audience". USA Today{{'}}s Maeve McDermott commended the album for being "sonically coherent" and noted it as a personal record, rather than the politically charged one that the marketing campaign for it had suggested.{{cite news|last=McDermott|first=Maeve|date=June 7, 2017|title=Katy Perry's 'Witness' is a fine breakup album. Why didn't she just say so?|work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/06/08/katy-perry-witness-album-review/102581188/|url-status=live|access-date=June 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805154326/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/06/08/katy-perry-witness-album-review/102581188/|archive-date=August 5, 2017}}
Idolator's Mike Wass gave Witness a score of 4 out of 5. He did not feel it had "introspection or maturity," though praised "Miss You More" as "the kind of brutally honest anthem that Katy isn't given enough credit for," and dubbed it "the album's emotional core." Wass concluded that "Witness might be overly ambitious and is definitely a couple of songs too long, but dance-pop experiments don't come much more enjoyable than this."{{cite web|last=Wass|first=Mike|date=June 9, 2017|title=Katy Perry's 'Witness': Album Review|url=http://www.idolator.com/7664420/katy-perry-witness-album-review|access-date=June 11, 2017|publisher=Idolator|archive-date=August 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829192747/http://www.idolator.com/7664420/katy-perry-witness-album-review|url-status=dead}} Kevin O'Donnell of Entertainment Weekly gave it a B rating stating, "Perry is reflective, anxious, and fired up on Witness," highlighting "Déjà Vu" and "Swish Swish" as the best tracks.
Wren Graves from Consequence of Sound gave the album a rating of C. He listed "Swish Swish", "Power", and "Déjà Vu" as essential tracks, but felt that most of the other songs were more of a "filler," and that a lack of cohesiveness with Perry's output made Witness inferior to her previous material. Giving Witness 3 out of 5 stars, Christopher R. Weingarten wrote in Rolling Stone that it was comparable to the music of Halsey and Camila Cabello, and that the songs blended "into the rest of the radio." He also did not like how Perry's voice was "devoured in effects and reverb."
Sal Cinquemani gave the same score, praising the empowerment themes within "Hey Hey Hey" and "Power", though ultimately felt that the record "lacks both the big hooks that propelled Perry's past hits up the charts and the conceptual and sonic focus to give her pop real purpose." AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the album 2 out of 5 stars, saying it felt "relentless and a shade desperate" and called the record "a conceptual muddle." He added that Witness "erodes whatever adult contemporary progress Perry made with Prism." The Daily Telegraph journalist Neil McCormick gave Witness the same rating, and panned the usage of the term "purposeful pop" for the songs. He found Witness to be musically repetitive, explaining that within the multitude of people working on the record, Perry's "individual talent" was lost making "Witness [sound like] someone trying to cover too many bases."{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/katy-perry-witness-album-review/|title=This is pop that is not fit for purpose – Katy Perry, Witness, review|last=McCormick|first=Neil|author-link=Neil McCormick|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=June 9, 2017|access-date=June 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609184116/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/katy-perry-witness-album-review/|archive-date=June 9, 2017|url-status=live}}
Writing for The Independent, Andy Gill also rated the record 2 out of 5 stars. He criticized the production of the tracks, especially the ones by Max Martin, describing them as "identical to everyone else's."{{cite news|last1=Gill|first1=Andy|title=Album reviews: Sufjan Stevens, London Grammar, Katy Perry, and more|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-reviews-katy-perry-witness-london-grammar-truth-is-a-beautiful-thing-lindsay-buckingham-a7777831.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=June 7, 2017|access-date=June 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607185922/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-reviews-katy-perry-witness-london-grammar-truth-is-a-beautiful-thing-lindsay-buckingham-a7777831.html|archive-date=June 7, 2017|url-status=live}} Mikael Wood from the Los Angeles Times shared a similar view in his analysis of the album. Wood was critical of the musical direction on Witness, the supposed "purposeful pop" being lost in the tracks and Perry's singing. He listed "Chained to the Rhythm" and "Swish Swish" as highlights.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-katy-perry-witness-review-20170607-story.html|title=Review Katy Perry is a woman of many minds on 'Witness'|last=Wood|first=Mikael|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=June 7, 2017|access-date=June 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607220733/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-katy-perry-witness-review-20170607-story.html|archive-date=June 7, 2017|url-status=live}} According to Jordan Sargent from Spin, the record "feels like it's making a bid for a level of artistic seriousness—a recognition of aesthetic vision—that Perry has never really been afforded." He felt that it indicated her "artillery of undeniable pop songs" had been "all but depleted."{{cite journal|last1=Sargent|first1=Jordan|title=Review: Katy Perry's Witness Has the Inherent Appeal of Spectacular Failure|journal=Spin|date=June 9, 2017|url=http://www.spin.com/2017/06/katy-perry-witness-review/|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610102638/http://www.spin.com/2017/06/katy-perry-witness-review/|archive-date=June 10, 2017|url-status=live}} Variety writer Chris Willman did not feel album was "the kind of obvious smash to which all of America would plainly say: Baby, you're a firework," but asserted it "counts at least as a sparkler — the kind you hold in your hand for 45 seconds in the summer, if not the enduring."{{cite journal|url=https://variety.com/2017/music/reviews/katy-perry-witness-album-review-1202458826/|first=Chris|last=Willman|title=Album Review: Katy Perry's 'Witness'|journal=Variety|date=June 8, 2017|access-date=June 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609210147/http://variety.com/2017/music/reviews/katy-perry-witness-album-review-1202458826/|archive-date=June 9, 2017|url-status=live}}
=Accolades=
| class="wikitable" |
| Publication
! Accolade ! Year ! Rank ! class="unsortable"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| Drowned in Sound
| Drowned in Sound's Favourite Albums of 2017 | {{center|2017}} | {{center|46}} | {{center|{{cite web |url=http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4151506-drowned-in-sounds-favourite-albums-of-2017 |title=Drowned in Sound's Favourite Albums of 2017 |work=Drowned in Sound |date=November 22, 2017 |access-date=November 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123140446/http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4151506-drowned-in-sounds-favourite-albums-of-2017 |archive-date=November 23, 2017 |url-status=live }}}} |
Commercial performance
In the United States, Witness debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 180,000 album-equivalent units, which included 162,000 pure album sales. It became Perry's third album to top the country's chart after Teenage Dream (2010) and Prism (2013) both debuted at number one. The record had the highest opening in the US for a female since Lady Gaga's Joanne in 2016 and became the second album by a female artist from 2017, after Halsey's Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, to open atop the chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7833967/katy-perry-witness-no-1-album-billboard-200-chart|title=Katy Perry Scores Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Witness'|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|magazine=Billboard|date=June 18, 2017|access-date=June 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619033424/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7833967/katy-perry-witness-no-1-album-billboard-200-chart|archive-date=June 19, 2017|url-status=live}} Witness dropped to number 13 on the Billboard 200 the following week, earning 28,000 album-equivalent units and selling 18,000 copies.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7850111/2pac-returns-top-40-billboard-200|title=Billboard 200 Chart Moves: 2Pac Returns to Top 40 After More Than 10 Years|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|publisher=Yahoo! Music|date=June 30, 2017|access-date=June 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630222451/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7850111/2pac-returns-top-40-billboard-200|archive-date=June 30, 2017|url-status=live}} According to Billboard, it was the country's eighth-highest performing album of the 2017 summer season, earning 431,000 album-equivalent units in the nation by September 2017.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7964594/kendrick-lamar-despacito-bruno-mars-2017-summer-report-card|title=2017 Summer Music Report Card: Kendrick Lamar, 'Despacito' & Bruno Mars Ruled|magazine=Billboard|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|access-date=September 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913090858/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7964594/kendrick-lamar-despacito-bruno-mars-2017-summer-report-card|archive-date=September 13, 2017|url-status=live}} It has sold 311,000 copies there as of August 2020.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9441173/katy-perry-career-bests-american-idol|title=Ask Billboard: Katy Perry's Career Bests, From 'One of the Boys' to 'Smile,' & Every Hot 100 'Idol' Top 10|last=Trust|first=Gary|magazine=Billboard|date=August 28, 2020|access-date=August 31, 2020}} Witness also became Perry's third album after Teenage Dream and Prism to open at number one on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling 23,000 units in its first week.{{cite web|url=http://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2017/06/18/charts-june-19-2017|title=On The Charts: June 19, 2017|publisher=FYIMusicNews|access-date=June 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622021230/http://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2017/06/18/charts-june-19-2017|archive-date=June 22, 2017|url-status=live}} The record subsequently descended to number four one week later.{{cite magazine|title=Canadian Albums|magazine=Billboard|date=July 8, 2017|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-albums/2017-07-08|access-date=July 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112221012/http://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-albums/2017-07-08|archive-date=November 12, 2017|url-status=live}} That November, it received a Platinum certification from Music Canada (MC). The album additionally entered at number one in Spain,{{cite web|url=http://www.promusicae.es/listas/semana/3439-%C3%81lbumes-semana-24-2017|title=Top 100 Albumes — Semana 24: del 09.06.2017 al 15.06.2017|publisher=Productores de Música de España|language=es|access-date=June 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627171559/http://www.promusicae.es/listas/semana/3439-%C3%81lbumes-semana-24-2017|archive-date=June 27, 2017|url-status=live}} and fell to number 13 in its second week.{{cite web|url=http://www.promusicae.es/listas/semana/3443-%C3%81lbumes-semana-25-2017|title=Top 100 Albumes — Semana 25: del 16.06.2017 al 22.06.2017|publisher=Productores de Música de España|language=es|access-date=July 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807195141/http://www.promusicae.es/listas/semana/3443-%C3%81lbumes-semana-25-2017|archive-date=August 7, 2017|url-status=live}}
In New Zealand, Witness entered the albums chart at number two. In Australia, it also debuted at number two on the ARIA Albums Chart with opening sales of 5,794 copies.{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/katy-perrys-witness-misses-out-on-third-consecutive-no-1-album-spot-in-australia/news-story/76df09288e0697c4ea5460223affe412|title=Katy Perry's Witness misses out on third consecutive No. 1 album spot in Australia|publisher=News.com.au|first=Cameron|last=Adams|date=June 18, 2017|access-date=June 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619120320/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/katy-perrys-witness-misses-out-on-third-consecutive-no-1-album-spot-in-australia/news-story/76df09288e0697c4ea5460223affe412|archive-date=June 19, 2017|url-status=live}} Selling another 2,069 the following week, it reached a total of 7,863 copies sold within the nation.{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/lorde-succeeds-where-katy-perry-failed-by-knocking-ed-sheeran-off-the-top-of-the-aria-album-chart/news-story/25b7d015bc4cb6125e7ebb067c5e24c5 |title=Lorde succeeds where Katy Perry failed by knocking Ed Sheeran off the top of the ARIA album chart |publisher=News.com.au |first=Cameron |last=Adams |date=June 25, 2017 |access-date=June 26, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625143116/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/lorde-succeeds-where-katy-perry-failed-by-knocking-ed-sheeran-off-the-top-of-the-aria-album-chart/news-story/25b7d015bc4cb6125e7ebb067c5e24c5 |archive-date=June 25, 2017 |df=mdy-all }} The record has since been certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). In Japan, the album opened at number 22 on the Oricon Albums Chart,{{cite web|title=Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2017-06-19|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/w/2017-06-19/p/3/|publisher=Oricon|access-date=August 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614164841/http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/w/2017-06-19/p/3/|archive-date=June 14, 2017|url-status=live}} and moved up to number 19 the next week. In the United Kingdom, Witness debuted at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart, where it became Perry's third top 10 album, following Teenage Dream and Prism.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/london-grammar-scoop-first-number-1-album-this-really-isnt-something-we-ever-expected-to-achieve__19433/|title=London Grammar scoop first Number 1 album: "This really isn't something we ever expected to achieve"|first=Jack|last=White|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=June 16, 2017|access-date=June 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619122902/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/london-grammar-scoop-first-number-1-album-this-really-isnt-something-we-ever-expected-to-achieve__19433/|archive-date=June 19, 2017|url-status=live}} According to the Official Charts Company, it opened with 16,153 album-equivalent units in the nation.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/official-charts-analysis-london-grammar-enter-at-no-1/068833|title=Official Charts Analysis: London Grammar enter at No.1|last=Jones|first=Alan|date=June 16, 2017|access-date=June 17, 2017|magazine=Music Week|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622155520/http://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/official-charts-analysis-london-grammar-enter-at-no-1/068833|archive-date=June 22, 2017|url-status=live}} As of July 2018, Witness has sold 900,000 copies worldwide.{{cite web|last=Berthelot|first=Théau|title=Katy Perry se confie sur les critiques et sa dépression après l'échec de "Witness"|url=https://www.chartsinfrance.net/Katy-Perry/news-107486.html|access-date=9 March 2025|language=fr|date=22 July 2018|publisher=Pure Charts|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924111654/https://www.chartsinfrance.net/Katy-Perry/news-107486.html|archive-date=24 September 2024}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 57:28
| title_width = 35%
| writing_width = 40%
| extra_width = 25%
| title1 = Witness
| writer1 = {{hlist|Katy Perry|Max Martin|Ali Payami|Savan Kotecha}}
| extra1 = {{hlist|Martin|Payami}}
| length1 = 4:10
| title2 = Hey Hey Hey
| writer2 = {{hlist|Perry|Martin|Payami|Sia Furler|Sarah Hudson}}
| extra2 = {{hlist|Martin|Payami}}
| length2 = 3:34
| title3 = Roulette
| writer3 = {{hlist|Perry|Martin|Payami|Shellback||Ferras Alqaisi}}
| extra3 = {{hlist|Martin|Payami|Shellback}}
| length3 = 3:18
| title4 = Swish Swish
| note4 = featuring Nicki Minaj
| writer4 = {{hlist|Perry|Duke Dumont|Hudson|PJ Sledge|Onika Maraj|Brittany Hazzard}}
| extra4 = {{hlist|Dumont|Sledge{{ref|c|[c]}}|Noah Passovoy{{ref|c|[c]}}{{ref|d|[d]}}}}
| length4 = 4:02
| title5 = Déjà Vu
| writer5 = {{hlist|Perry|Hayden James|Alqaisi|Thomas Stell}}
| extra5 = {{hlist|H. James|Passovoy{{ref|d|[d]}}}}
| length5 = 3:17
| title6 = Power
| writer6 = {{hlist|Perry|Jack Garratt|William Robinson}}
| extra6 = {{hlist|Garratt|Passovoy{{ref|d|[d]}}}}
| length6 = 3:46
| title7 = Mind Maze
| writer7 = {{hlist|Perry|Hudson|Corin Roddick|Megan James}}
| extra7 = {{hlist|Roddick{{ref|a|[a]}}|Rachael Findlen{{ref|d|[d]}}}}
| length7 = 4:08
| title8 = Miss You More
| writer8 = {{hlist|Perry|Hudson|Roddick|M. James}}
| extra8 = {{hlist|Roddick{{ref|a|[a]}}|Payami{{ref|b|[b]}}|Martin{{ref|d|[d]}}|Findlen{{ref|d|[d]}}|Peter Karlsson{{ref|e|[e]}}}}
| length8 = 3:54
| title9 = Chained to the Rhythm
| note9 = featuring Skip Marley
| writer9 = {{hlist|Perry|Martin|Furler|Payami|Skip Marley}}
| extra9 = {{hlist|Martin|Payami}}
| length9 = 3:57
| title10 = Tsunami
| writer10 = {{hlist|Perry|Michael Williams|Marcus Bell|Hudson|Mia Moretti}}
| extra10 = {{hlist|Mike Will Made It|Scooly|Passovoy{{ref|c|[c]}}{{ref|d|[d]}}}}
| length10 = 3:23
| title11 = Bon Appétit
| note11 = featuring Migos
| writer11 = {{hlist|Perry|Martin|Shellback|Oscar Holter|Alqaisi|Quavious Marshall|Kiari Cephus|Kirsnick Ball}}
| extra11 = {{hlist|Holter|Martin|Shellback}}
| length11 = 3:47
| title12 = Bigger Than Me
| writer12 = {{hlist|Perry|Hudson|Roddick|M. James}}
| extra12 = {{hlist|Holter|Roddick{{ref|a|[a]}}|Findlen{{ref|d|[d]}}}}
| length12 = 4:00
| title13 = Save as Draft
| writer13 = {{hlist|Perry|Noonie Bao|Dijon McFarlane|Nicholas Audino|Lewis Hughes|Elof Loelv}}
| extra13 = {{hlist|Loelv|Martin{{ref|d|[d]}}}}
| length13 = 3:48
| title14 = Pendulum
| writer14 = {{hlist|Perry|Jeff Bhasker|Hudson}}
| extra14 = {{hlist|Bhasker|Illangelo{{ref|c|[c]}}|Passovoy{{ref|d|[d]}}}}
| length14 = 4:00
| title15 = Into Me You See
| writer15 = {{hlist|Perry|Joe Goddard|Alexis Taylor|Alqaisi}}
| extra15 = Dustin O'Halloran
| length15 = 4:24}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Target / deluxe edition{{cite web |title=Katy Perry - Witness (Target Exclusive) |url=https://www.target.com/p/katy-perry-witness-target-exclusive/-/A-52525623 |publisher=Target Corporation |access-date=February 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828185923/https://www.target.com/p/katy-perry-witness-target-exclusive/-/A-52525623 |archive-date=August 28, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Witness Exclusive Deluxe CD|url=http://shop.virginemi.com/katyperry/*/Music/Witness-Exclusive-Deluxe-CD/5JG60EVW000|publisher=Katy Perry|access-date=May 21, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602081540/http://shop.virginemi.com/katyperry/*/Music/Witness-Exclusive-Deluxe-CD/5JG60EVW000|archive-date=June 2, 2017|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|title=Witness - PK Eksklusiv|url=https://platekompaniet.no/cd/witness-pk-eksklusiv/|publisher=Platekompaniet Norge|access-date=August 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828144407/https://platekompaniet.no/cd/witness-pk-eksklusiv/|archive-date=August 28, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=ケイティ・ペリー、新作『ウィットネス』の日本盤トラックリストが明らかに {{!}} NME Japan|url=http://nme-jp.com/news/38912/|website=NME.jp|access-date=June 5, 2017|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619051209/http://nme-jp.com/news/38912/|archive-date=June 19, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Witness (Deluxe Edition) KATY PERRY {{!}} JB Hi-Fi|url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/music/browse/pop/witness-deluxe-edition/448239/|publisher=JB Hi-Fi|access-date=March 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312084024/https://www.jbhifi.com.au/music/browse/pop/witness-deluxe-edition/448239/|archive-date=March 12, 2018|url-status=live}}
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 64:59
| title_width = 28%
| writing_width = 43%
| extra_width = 29%
| title16 = Dance with the Devil
| writer16 = {{hlist|Perry|Hudson|Felix Snow}}
| extra16 = {{hlist|Snow|Passovoy{{ref|d|[d]}}}}
| length16 = 3:49
| title17 = Act My Age
| writer17 = {{hlist|Perry|Hudson|Tinashe Fazakerley|Mark Crew}}
| extra17 = {{hlist|Ilya|Rationale|Crew|Passovoy{{ref|d|[d]}}}}
| length17 = 3:42}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Japan limited deluxe edition DVD{{cite web|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICC-90006|title=CDJapan : Witness (Deluxe Edition) [w/ DVD, Limited Edition]|publisher=CDJapan|access-date=June 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617035217/http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICC-90006|archive-date=June 17, 2017|url-status=live}}
| extra_column = Director(s)
| total_length = 14:26
| title1 = Chained to the Rhythm
| note1 = music video
| extra1 = Mathew Cullen
| length1 = 4:00
| title2 = Chained to the Rhythm
| note2 = making of part 1
| extra2 = Possum Hill
| length2 = 5:50
| title3 = Chained to the Rhythm
| note3 = making of part 2
| extra3 = Hill
| length3 = 4:36}}
Notes
- {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} – main and vocal producer
- {{sup|{{note|b|[b]}}}} – main and additional vocal producer
- {{sup|{{note|c|[c]}}}} – additional producer
- {{sup|{{note|d|[d]}}}} – vocal producer
- {{sup|{{note|e|[e]}}}} – additional vocal producer
Sample credits
- "Swish Swish" contains excerpts from "I Get Deep" written by Roland Clark.
- "Power" contains a sample of "Being with You" written and performed by Smokey Robinson.
Personnel
Adapted from the album liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|title=Witness|author=Katy Perry|year=2017|publisher=Capitol Records|id=00602557740905}}
{{Div col|colwidth=25em}}
- Nelson Beato – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Jeff Bhasker – producer, keyboards and drums programming (track 14)
- Cory Bice – assistant engineer (tracks 1, 2, 3, 9, 11); engineer (track 17)
- Edie Lehmann Boddicker – vocal contracting, gospel choir conducting, gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Alexandra Brown – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Denise Carite – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Charlean Carmon – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Carmen Carter – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Tom Coyne – mastering (track 9)
- Mark Crew – production, keyboards, programming (track 17)
- Aubry Delaine – additional engineering, Nicki Minaj vocal recording (track 4)
- Francesco Donadello – engineer (track 15)
- Monique Donnelly – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Duke Dumont – producer, synths, drums, programming (track 4)
- Carmel Echols – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Luke Edgemon – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Anthony Evans – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Rationale – electric guitar, bass, programming (track 17)
- Iain Findlay – vocal assistant engineering (Nicki Minaj's vocals, track 4)
- Rachael Findlen – engineer (tracks 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 14-17); vocal production (tracks: 7, 8)
- Nicole Franz – art direction
- Sia – background vocals (track 9)
- Jack Garratt – production, all instruments (track 6)
- James Alan Ghaleb – guitar (track 9)
- Serban Ghenea – mixing
- Jim Gilstrap – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Lauren Gluckman – A&R
- John Hanes – mixing engineer
- Sam Holland – engineer (track 1, 3, 9, 11, 17)
- Oscar Holter – keys (track 11, 12); production, vocal production, programming (track 12)
- Casey Hooper – guitars (track 10)
- Stephen Hybicki – engineer (track 10)
- Illangelo – additional production, additional drum programming (track 14)
- Ilya – production, programming, arranging, drums, percussion, guitars, bass, keys (track 17)
- Clydene Jackson – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Hayden James – production; guitar, bass, background vocals, synths (track 5)
- Peter Karlsson – vocal editing (tracks 1, 2, 3, 9, 11, 14); additional vocal production (track 8); percussion (track 9)
- Briana Lee – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Jeremy Lertola – assistant engineer (tracks: 1, 2, 3, 9, 11); engineer (track 17)
- David Loucks – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Elof Loelv – production, engineer, programming, drums, bass, piano, synthesizers (track 14)
- Ted Lovett – layout
- Skip Marley – featured vocals, background vocals (track 9)
- Max Martin – background vocals, programming, Prophet 6, solina (track 9), percussion; acoustic guitar (track 8); vocal production (tracks: 8, 13), executive producer
- Migos – featured vocals (track 11)
- Jamie McCrary – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Randy Merrill – mastering
- Zeke Mishanec – assistant engineer (track 4)
- Ryan Nasci – engineer (track 14)
- Dustin O'Halloran – producer, all instruments, arrangement (track 15)
- Pino Palldino – bass (track 14)
- Noah Passovoy – additional keys, programming (track 4, 10); engineer (tracks 4, 6, 10, 14, 16, 17), vocal production (tracks 5, 6, 10, 14, 16, 17); vocal editing (track 7, 12); additional production (tracks 4, 10); percussion (track 10)
- Ali Payami – acoustic guitar (track 1); drums, bass, synths, piano (tracks 1, 8, 9); additional vocal production, programming, keys, electric guitar, background vocals, production (track 8); percussion (tracks 8, 9); hand claps (track 9)
- Louis Price – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Katy Perry – background vocals (tracks 3, 9), vocals, executive producer
- Daryl McPherson – Migos vocal production
- Joshua Moreau – bass (track 10)
- Corin Roddick – production, vocal production (track 12)
- David Rudnick – front and back cover art direction
- Scooly – production (track 10)
- Aretha Scruggs – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Tony Scruggs – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Shellback – production; background vocals (track 3); keys, programming (track 11)
- PJ Sledge – keyboards (track 4)
- Felix Snow – production, vocal manipulations, programming, guitar (track 16)
- Thomas Stell – synths (track 5)
- Carmen Twillie – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Oren Waters – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Will Wheaton – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Mike Will Made It – production (track 10)
- Eyvonne Williams – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Brandon Winbush – gospel studio choir (track 14)
- Jason Woods – gospel studio choir (track 14)
{{div col end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col"|Chart (2017) !scope="col"|Peak |
| {{album chart|Australia|2|artist=Katy Perry|album=Witness|rowheader=true|access-date=June 17, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Austria|6|artist=Katy Perry|album=Witness|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Flanders|8|artist=Katy Perry|album=Witness|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Wallonia|4|artist=Katy Perry|album=Witness|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardCanada|1|artist=Katy Perry|rowheader=true|access-date=June 19, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Czech|3|date=201724|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Denmark|15|artist=Katy Perry|album=Witness|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Netherlands|8|artist=Katy Perry|album=Witness|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Finland|3|artist=Katy Perry|album=Witness|rowheader=true|access-date=June 18, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|France|4|M|url=http://www.snepmusique.com/tops-semaine/top-album-megafusion/?ye=2017&we=24|title=Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums – SNEP (Week 24, 2017)|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|artist=Katy Perry|album=Witness|rowheader=true|access-date=June 20, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Germany4|10|id=332412|artist=Katy Perry|album=Witness|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2017}} |
| scope="row"| Greek Albums (IFPI){{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.gr/charts_en.html |title=Official IFPI Charts – Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Week: 26/2017) |publisher=IFPI Greece |access-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710021532/http://www.ifpi.gr/charts_en.html |url-status=live |archive-date=July 10, 2017}}
| 4 |
|---|
| {{album chart|Hungary|17|year=2017|week=24|artist=Katy Perry|album=Witness|rowheader=true|access-date=June 22, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Ireland|5|M|url=http://www.irma.ie/index.cfm?page=irish-charts&chart=Albums|title=Irish Albums Chart: 16 June 2017|publisher=Irish Recorded Music Association|rowheader=true|access-date=17 June 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Italy|6|artist=Katy Perry|album=Witness|rowheader=true|access-date=June 17, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Oricon|19|date=2017-06-26|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2017|refname="oricon"}} |
| scope="row"|Japanese International Albums (Oricon){{cite web |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/wa/w/2017-06-26/ |title=週間 洋楽アルバムランキング|language=ja |publisher=Oricon |access-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624065538/http://www.oricon.co.jp:80/rank/wa/w/2017-06-26/ |archive-date=June 24, 2017 |url-status=live }}
| 4 |
| scope="row"|Mexican Albums (AMPROFON){{cite web |url=http://www.amprofon.com.mx/top-album.php |title=Top Album - Semanal (del 09 de Junio al 15 de Junio)|access-date=11 July 2017|language=es|publisher=Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711201001/http://www.amprofon.com.mx/top-album.php|archive-date=11 July 2017}}
|2 |
| {{album chart|New Zealand|2|artist=Katy Perry|album=Witness|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2017|refname="nz"}} |
| {{album chart|Norway|5|artist=Katy Perry|album=Witness|rowheader=true|access-date=June 17, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Poland|9|id=1087|rowheader=true|access-date=June 22, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Portugal|12|artist=Katy Perry|album=Witness|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Scotland|7|date=2017-06-16|rowheader=true|access-date=June 17, 2017}} |
| scope="row"| Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI){{cite web|url=http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparada/index.php|title=Slovak Albums – Top 100|publisher=ČNS IFPI|language=sk|access-date=June 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114071519/http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparada/index.php|archive-date=January 14, 2016|url-status=live}} Note: On the chart page, select 201724 on the field besides the word "Zobrazit", and then click over the word to retrieve the correct chart data
| 4 |
| {{album chart|Korea|78|date=2017.06.04~2017.06.10|rowheader=true|access-date=June 13, 2017|refname="kor"}} |
| {{album chart|KoreaInt|2|date=2017.06.04~2017.06.10|rowheader=true|access-date=June 13, 2017|refname="korint"}} |
| {{album chart|Spain|1|artist=Katy Perry|album=Witness|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Sweden|7|artist=Katy Perry|album=Witness|rowheader=true|access-date=June 16, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Switzerland|7|artist=Katy Perry|album=Witness|rowheader=true|access-date=June 21, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|UK|6|artist=Katy Perry|rowheader=true|access-date=June 17, 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=Katy Perry|rowheader=true|access-date=June 25, 2017}} |
{{col-2}}
=Monthly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Monthly chart performance for Witness ! scope="col"| Chart (2017) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| scope="row"|Argentine Monthly Albums (CAPIF){{cite web|url=https://www.capif.org.ar/rankings/ |title=Ventas físicas mensual – 2017 Junio |language=es |publisher=Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers |access-date=June 17, 2020 }}
| 4 |
|---|
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications and sales
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Katy Perry|title=Witness|type=album|relyear=2017|certyear=2017|award=Gold|access-date=December 11, 2017|refname=ARIA}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|artist=Katy Perry|title=Witness|type=album|relyear=2017|certyear=2017|award=Gold|access-date=October 3, 2017}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Katy Perry|title=Witness|type=album|relyear=2017|certyear=2024|award=Platinum|number=2|access-date=February 28, 2025|refname=MC}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Katy Perry|title=Witness|type=album|relyear=2017|award=Gold|certyear=2021|id=10593|access-date=September 21, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=Katy Perry|title=Witness|type=album|relyear=2017|certyear=2017|award=Gold|access-date=December 6, 2017}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=India (IMI)|award=Platinum|number=3|certref={{cite web|title=Katy Perry's Witness receives triple platinum certification in India|url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJWpmRWU4AEqdt9?format=jpg&name=medium|access-date=October 28, 2023|archive-date=October 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028190558/https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJWpmRWU4AEqdt9?format=jpg&name=medium|url-status=dead}}
|salesamount=90,000|salesref={{cite web |title=Standards - IMI |url=https://indianmi.org/awards/standards/ |website=Indian Music Industry (IMI) |access-date=April 3, 2024}}}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Katy Perry|title=Witness|type=album|relyear=2017|award=Gold|certyear=2021|access-date=September 6, 2021|id=8965}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|artist=Katy Perry|title=Witness|type=album|relyear=2017|award=Platinum|certyear=2018|access-date=September 18, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|artist=Katy Perry|title=Witness|type=album|relyear=2017|certyear=2018|award=Gold|access-date=August 4, 2018}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Katy Perry|title=Witness|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2017|certyear=2018|access-date=December 14, 2024|source=radioscope}}
{{Certification Table Entry|artist=Katy Perry|title=Witness|region=Norway|relyear=2017|certyear=2020|award=Platinum|type=album|access-date=October 29, 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Katy Perry|title=Witness|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2017|certyear=2023|access-date=May 10, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Katy Perry|title=Witness|type=album|relyear=2017|certyear=2024|award=Gold|id=8310-147-2|access-date=November 8, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Katy Perry|title=Witness|type=album|relyear=2017|certyear=2023|award=Gold|access-date=June 21, 2023|salesamount=311,000|salesref=}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|nocert=true|salesamount=900,000|salesref=}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Edition(s) ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row" rowspan=2"| Various
| June 9, 2017 | rowspan="2"| {{hlist|Standard|deluxe}} | {{hlist|CD|digital download}} | rowspan="2"|Capitol |
|---|
| August 11, 2017
| LP |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Katy Perry}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Albums produced by Ali Payami
Category:Albums produced by Illangelo
Category:Albums produced by Ilya Salmanzadeh
Category:Albums produced by Jeff Bhasker
Category:Albums produced by Max Martin
Category:Albums produced by Mike Will Made It
Category:Albums produced by Mustard (record producer)
Category:Albums produced by Oscar Holter
Category:Albums produced by Shellback (record producer)