Summer 2017 was weird. We had the solar eclipse, the rise of TikTok's predecessor, and a musical landscape that was shifting away from the EDM-heavy "drop" era toward something a bit more groovy, organic, and honestly, a lot more fun. At the center of that shift was a song that felt like a warm breeze. When Calvin Harris dropped Feels by Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams, and Big Sean, it wasn't just another radio hit. It was a calculated risk that paid off.
People still loop this track. Why? Because it’s the perfect example of what happens when you stop trying to overproduce a pop song and just let the rhythm breathe.
The unexpected pivot of Calvin Harris
Before this track existed, Calvin Harris was the king of the "stadium shout." Think Summer or Feel So Close. He was the guy who made you want to jump until your knees gave out in a field in Las Vegas. Then, he did a total 180. He traded the synthesizers for a 1970s Fender Precision Bass and a vintage disco aesthetic.
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Feels by Katy Perry served as the centerpiece for his Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 era. It was a departure. A massive one. Harris basically invited his famous friends over to a studio that smelled like tropical coconut oil and analog gear. He wanted to capture the essence of a backyard party in Malibu, not a warehouse rave in Berlin. It worked because it felt human. You can hear the slight imperfections, the pluck of the bass strings, and the space between the notes.
Katy Perry and the "Ska-Pop" vocal
Katy Perry is a chameleon. We know this. But on Feels by Katy Perry, she did something she hadn't really explored since her very early days: she went "skank." No, not that kind. I’m talking about the rhythmic "skank" of ska and reggae. Her delivery on the hook is staccato, rhythmic, and incredibly bouncy.
"Do you mind if I steal a kiss? / A little souvenir, can I steal it from you?"
It’s catchy. It’s simple. But it’s the way she interacts with that walking bassline that makes the song. She isn't belt-screaming like she does in Roar. She’s relaxed. She sounds like she’s actually having a cocktail while recording. Most critics at the time, including those at Pitchfork and Rolling Stone, noted that this was Perry at her most effortlessly cool. She didn't need the high-budget pyrotechnics here; she just needed a solid groove.
Pharrell and Big Sean: The supporting pillars
Pharrell Williams is the glue. Honestly, is there a song Pharrell can’t make better? He handles the intro and the falsetto ad-libs that float in the background like clouds. His "Hey!" shouts are a signature, but here they feel essential to the percussion.
Then you have Big Sean.
Rap verses in pop songs can often feel tacked on. Like the label forced a collaboration to get more streams. But on Feels by Katy Perry, Big Sean actually fits the vibe. He’s not trying to drop the most aggressive bar of his career. He’s playful. He talks about "letting it catch a wave" and "lighting up the night." It’s lighthearted. It matches the sunshine-soaked production.
Why the "Funk Wav" sound changed the game
- Instrumentation: Instead of digital plugins, Harris used real instruments.
- The Tempo: It’s slow. Not ballad slow, but "walking to the beach" slow.
- The Colors: Even the music video, directed by Emil Nava, used saturated primary colors that screamed 1970s variety show.
What most people get wrong about the lyrics
A lot of people think this is just another shallow love song. On the surface? Yeah, maybe. But if you look at the context of 2017, everyone was "catching feels." It was the slang of the moment. The song captures that specific anxiety of liking someone more than you intended to. It’s about the vulnerability of losing control in a casual setting.
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"Don't be afraid to catch feels."
It’s an invitation. In a world of "situationships" and ghosting, the song actually advocates for just leaning into the emotion. It’s surprisingly wholesome for a track produced by a guy who usually makes music for dark nightclubs.
The technical brilliance of the production
If you’re a music nerd, you’ve probably noticed the mix on this track is incredibly clean. There isn't much "clutter." You have the bass, the drums, the keys, and the vocals. That’s it. By stripping away the layers, Calvin Harris made Feels by Katy Perry sound timeless. If you played this song in 1978, it would fit. If you play it in 2026, it still sounds fresh.
That is the hallmark of a great pop record.
The bassline specifically borrows from the school of Nile Rodgers and Chic. It’s infectious. It’s the kind of melody that you find yourself humming hours after the song has ended. It doesn't rely on a loud chorus to stay in your head; it relies on a consistent, hypnotic rhythm.
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Cultural impact and the "Summer Song" legacy
Every year, there’s a battle for the "Song of the Summer." In 2017, the competition was fierce. You had Despacito dominating the charts. You had Wild Thoughts by DJ Khaled. Yet, Feels by Katy Perry carved out its own niche. It was the "cool" alternative. It was the song that played at the boutique hotels and the rooftop bars.
It reached the top 10 in over 25 countries. It went multi-platinum. But its real success isn't in the numbers; it's in its longevity.
Go to any wedding or outdoor party today. When that bass kicks in, people smile. It’s a universal "feel-good" trigger. It bridged the gap between Katy Perry's massive pop fan base and the more "indie-adjacent" crowd that appreciated the funk influences.
How to use this vibe in your own life
If you're a creator or just someone who loves music, there's a lesson in Feels by Katy Perry. The lesson is: Simplify. We live in a world of over-stimulation. We have AI-generated art, 4K video, and hyper-pop that sounds like a computer crashing. Sometimes, the most radical thing you can do is go back to basics. Use a real instrument. Write a simple lyric. Let the "feels" happen naturally instead of forcing them through a filter.
Your next steps for a better playlist
To really appreciate this era of music, don't just stop at this one track. You need to build a sonic environment. Start with Feels by Katy Perry, then transition into Slide (also by Calvin Harris). Add some Thundercat for that extra bass flavor. Maybe throw in some vintage George Benson to see where the inspiration actually came from.
Listen to the track again, but this time, ignore the vocals. Focus entirely on the bass guitar. It’s a masterclass in "less is more." Once you hear the architecture of the song, you’ll realize why it’s a masterpiece of modern pop production.
Check out the official music video if you haven't seen it lately. There are actually two versions. The first one is the "Island" version which everyone knows. The second is the "Studio" version which feels like a retro TV broadcast. Both are worth a watch to see how visual aesthetics can completely change your perception of a song. Stay groovy.