Katy Perry’s first husband, Russell Brand introduced her to a book known as On the Road by Jack Kerouac.

While she hadn’t read the entire novel when she wrote the song, “Firework”, there was a certain passage in the book that led her to write the number one hit. 

That specific part of the book reads, “The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time.”

Katy IS a Firework

Katy reports, in an interview on YouTube, that Russell told her this part of the book reminds him of her. 

How? You may ask. Because of her glowing, exciting, buzzing, and fizzing demeanor, of course. 

According to Katy herself, this is her whole vibe: “I want to make people go ‘Argh’ in so many different ways. I want to be a living firework.” 

What is the song all about?

As much as we hear the popular song during the 4th of July weekend and despite its reference to literal fireworks, it turns out it’s more about self-discovery as you can tell by the video.

The video was ultimately dedicated to the It Gets Better Project, which is an empowering nonprofit that benefits members of the LGBTQ community who may be struggling. 

Firework in life and death

The last truth about this high-profile song is rather dark. Katy, herself, has said that once she passes away she would like for her ashes to be made into a firework as her last “hurrah”. 

The idea of the world ever losing Katy is terribly sad, but could you truly see her leaving any other way? 

She is such a vibrant being, I can absolutely see her “going out with a bang.” 

A hypothetical firework in life and a literal firework in death.