Katy Perry – Who Am I Living For? Lyrics - Genius

2025, In ReviewFeaturedChartsVideosPromote Your MusicSign Up4Who Am I Living For?Katy PerryProducerTricky StewartTrack 23 onKaty Perry CATalog (Collector’s Edition Boxset) Aug. 24, 20101 viewer27.4K views40 ContributorsTranslations

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Who Am I Living For? Lyrics

“Who Am I Living For?” is a song in which Katy battles with her religious upbringing and struggles to come to terms with who, or what, she’s living her life for. The song is heavily laced with Biblical and… Read More [Intro]Yeah-eh, yeah, yeah[Verse 1]I can feel a Phoenix inside of meAs I march alone to a different beatSlowly swallowing down my fearYeah, yeahI am ready for the road less traveledSuiting up for my crowning battleThis test is my own cross to bearBut I will get there[Pre-Chorus]It's never easy to be chosen, never easy to be calledStanding on the frontline when the bombs start to fallAnd I can see the heavens, but I still hear the flamesCalling out my name[Chorus]I can see the writing on the wallI can't ignore this warAt the end of it allWho am I living for?[Verse 2]I can feel this light that's inside of meGrowing fast into a bolt of lightningI know one spark will shock the worldYeah yeahSo I pray for favor like EstherI need your strength to handle the pressureI know there will be sacrificeBut that's the priceSee Katy Perry LiveGet tickets as low as $89You might also like[Pre-Chorus]It's never easy to be chosen, never easy to be calledStanding on the frontline when the bombs start to fallAnd I can see the heavens, but I still hear the flamesCalling out my name[Chorus]I can see the writing on the wallI can't ignore this warAt the end of it allWho am I living for?I can see the writing on the wallI can't ignore this warAt the end of it allWho am I living for?[Refrain]At the end, at the endWho am I living for?At the end, at the endWho am I living for?[Bridge]Heavy is the head that wears the crownDon't let the greatness get you downHeavy is the head that wears the crownDon't let the greatness get you downOh, oh, yeah[Chorus]I can see the writing on the wallI can't ignore this warAt the end of it allWho am I living for?I can see the writing on the wallI can't ignore this warAt the end of it allWho am I living for?[Outro]At the end, at the endWho am I living for?At the end, at the endWho am I living for?4EmbedCancel

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AboutSong Bio3 contributors

“Who Am I Living For?” is a song in which Katy battles with her religious upbringing and struggles to come to terms with who, or what, she’s living her life for. The song is heavily laced with Biblical and Theological imagery, it references the biblical story of Esther, while retaining the overall theme of the struggle between living for the world and living for God.

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Ask a questionWhat did Katy Perry say about "Who Am I Living For?"?Genius Answer1 contributor

“Who Am I Living For” is probably one of the most introspective songs on the record. You know, a song that is about my own personal convictions and the thoughts that raced in my mind every day concerning my upbringing and my future. And you know at the end of it all, you know, what do I want written at the end of it all? Who am I or what do I want to achieve? And hopefully it’s more than just all this, and so, I guess that’s just kinda putting my heart on my sleeve and singing it for the world you."

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+3Who produced “Who Am I Living For?” by Katy Perry?When did Katy Perry release “Who Am I Living For?”?Who wrote “Who Am I Living For?” by Katy Perry?Katy Perry CATalog (Collector’s Edition Boxset) (2023)Katy Perry

1. 1. One of the Boys
2. 2. I Kissed a Girl
3. 3. Waking Up In Vegas
4. 4. Thinking Of You
5. 5. Mannequin
6. 6. Ur So Gay
7. 7. Hot N Cold
8. 8. If You Can Afford Me
9. 9. Lost
10. 10. Self Inflicted
11. 11. I’m Still Breathing
12. 12. Fingerprints
13. 13. A Cup of Coffee
14. 14. I Think I’m Ready
15. 15. Teenage Dream
16. 16. Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
17. 17. California Gurls
18. 18. Firework
19. 19. Peacock
20. 20. Circle the Drain
21. 21. The One That Got Away
22. 22. E.T.
23. 23. Who Am I Living For?
24. 24. Pearl
25. 25. Hummingbird Heartbeat
26. 26. Not Like the Movies
27. 27. The One That Got Away (Acoustic)
28. 28. Part of Me
29. 29. Wide Awake
30. 30. Dressin’ Up
31. 31. E.T. (Remix)
32. 32. Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) [Remix]
33. 33. Tommie Sunshine’s Megasix Smash-Up
34. 34. Roar
35. 35. Legendary Lovers
36. 36. Birthday
37. 37. Walking On Air
38. 38. Unconditionally
39. 39. Dark Horse
40. 40. This Is How We Do
41. 41. International Smile
42. 42. Ghost
43. 43. Love Me
44. 44. This Moment
45. 45. Double Rainbow
46. 46. By the Grace of God
47. 47. Spiritual
48. 48. It Takes Two
49. 49. Choose Your Battles

Teenage Dream (2010)Katy PerryTeenage Dream: The Complete Confection (2012)Katy PerryTeenage Dream (North American Digital Deluxe Edition) (2010)Katy PerryTeenage Dream (Japanese Edition) (2010)Katy PerryTeenage Dream / One Of The Boys (Box Set Limited Edition) (2012)Katy PerryTeenage Dream (Deluxe Edition) (2010)Katy PerryExpand CreditsReleased onAugust 24, 2010ProducerTricky StewartWritersTricky Stewart, Katy Perry, Monte Neuble, Brian “B-LUV” Thomas & I Am GhostPublisherWhen I’m Rich You’ll Be My Bitch, Warner Music Group, RZE Music Publishing, Universal Music Group & D-Nique PublishingDrum ProgrammerTricky Stewart & Brian “B-LUV” ThomasKeyboardsTricky Stewart & Monte NeubleVocal EffectsAndrew WuepperAssistant Mixing EngineerGiancarlo LinoMixed AtLarrabee Sound StudiosLabelCapitol RecordsCopyright ©Capitol RecordsPhonographic Copyright ℗Capitol RecordsComposerTricky Stewart, Katy Perry, Monte Neuble & Brian “B-LUV” ThomasMixing EngineerJaycen JoshuaRecording EngineerAndrew Wuepper, Chris “TEK” O’Ryan & Brian “B-LUV” ThomasGuitarBrent Paschke & Michael ThompsonVocal ProducerKuk HarrellWho Am I Living For? TranslationsKaty Perry - Who Am I Living For? (Traduzione Italiana) by Genius Traduzioni Italiane & Katy Perry - Who Am I Living For? (Český překlad) by Genius České překladyTagsElectronicPopUSAIn EnglishNew Wave (Rock)SynthwaveMidtempoBubblegum DanceBubblegum PopTeen PopElectropopDance-PopSynth-PopExpand CommentsAdd a commentSign Up And Drop Knowledge 🤓Genius is the ultimate source of music knowledge, created by scholars like you who share facts and insight about the songs and artists they love.Sign Up