What makes Who You Love by Katy Perry notable?

'Who You Love' reached number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing Perry's ability to cross genres and appeal to diverse audiences. The duet format with Mayer also highlighted a new direction in her career, focusing on introspective lyrics amidst a backdrop of pop sensibility. Released in 2013, 'Who You Love' came as a collaboration between Katy Perry and John Mayer during her commercial peak following the success of 'Teenage Dream'. At this point, Perry had established herself as a prominent pop figure, transitioning into more mature themes in her music while experimenting with different sounds.

How many songs are on Who You Love?

Who You Love has 1 track, running approximately 4 minutes.

Who You Love

Katy Perry · 2013

4 min · 1 track · pop music

A tender ballad blending acoustic guitar with heartfelt vocals that explore the complexities of love.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Who You Love — The title track encapsulates the album's core theme of unconditional love, featuring poignant harmonies between Perry and Mayer that deepen its emotional impact.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

51 /100

Foothills

Higher than 34% of albums we've rated

The song's duet format and acoustic arrangement create an intimate exploration of love.

What we noticed

The song features a duet structure where Katy Perry and John Mayer alternate lines, creating a conversational dynamic.
Acoustic guitar predominates throughout the track, providing a warm, intimate backdrop to the vocals.
The arrangement builds gradually, with layered harmonies introduced in the chorus to enhance emotional impact.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A solid collaboration that showcases a new direction but isn't a standout in her catalog.
Themes: unconditional love· intimate harmonies· tender balladry
Career context: Released in 2013, 'Who You Love' came as a collaboration between Katy Perry and John Mayer during her commercial peak following the success of 'Teenage Dream'. At this point, Perry had established herself as a prominent pop figure, transitioning into more mature themes in her music while experimenting with different sounds.
Stylistic neighbors: Lady Gaga· Demi Lovato· Rihanna