Never Really Over (Katy Perry song)

Musical style and composition

The song is characterized by layered synths, a driving electronic rhythm, and a catchy, chorus-first structure typical of contemporary pop production. Critics and listeners have described its sound as rooted in electropop and dance-pop, with textured production that emphasizes an earworm hook and an uplifting sonic palette. The arrangement moves between verse and chorus with bright, percussive flourishes and vocal production choices that accentuate the melody.

Writing and production

Perry co-wrote the song with a team that included the German DJ and producer Zedd, Norwegian artist Dagny, the production duo Dreamlab, Hayley Werner, Gino Barletta, Michelle Buzz, and Jason Gill. Zedd and Dreamlab share production credits and helped shape the song's glossy electronic sound. The collaborative process brought together pop songwriting craft with electronic production techniques to produce a radio-ready single.

Themes and lyrics

Lyrically, "Never Really Over" addresses the emotional residue of past relationships: the recognition that feelings can persist even after the end of a romance. The words pair introspective lines about healing with an upbeat musical backdrop, creating a tension between reflective subject matter and celebratory production. This juxtaposition helped the song connect with a wide audience beyond strictly dance-floor contexts.

Release, reception, and impact

Upon release the single received substantial media attention and radio play, charting internationally in several territories and becoming a staple of summer playlists in 2019. Patrick Ryan of USA Today described it as "an undeniable earworm" and praised it as one of Perry's strongest new songs in years. The track was performed at a range of television and festival appearances and was incorporated into promotional material for the period preceding the album release.

Credits and notable facts

• Primary artist: Katy Perry
• Producers: Zedd and Dreamlab
• Songwriters: Zedd, Dagny, Dreamlab, Hayley Werner, Gino Barletta, Michelle Buzz, Jason Gill, and Katy Perry
• Related single: "365" (collaboration with Zedd)

As a pop single, "Never Really Over" is often cited for revitalizing Perry's presence on mainstream radio during that period and for its polished melding of emotive lyrics with dance-driven production. For more information on the genres associated with the song, see pages about electropop and dance-pop, and for details on Zedd's body of work visit his artist page at Zedd.