Taylor Swift is Reportedly Obsessed with Beating Katy Perry's Record for #1 Singles from One Album

Source: Taylor Swift is “obsessed” with getting more No. 1 hits than Katy Perry and is making an aggressive push to get songs from her album “1989” promoted to beat her pop rival’s record.

“She wants seven No. 1s,” said an industry source, adding, “Katy tied Michael [Jackson]’s record for having five No. 1s from a single album, and Taylor wants to beat Katy. She wants to be the greatest.”

Swift set out to woo media and radio promoters by having intimate listening sessions at her Tribeca apartment before she released the album last October. “She knows all the radio execs by name and how to work a room. She’s a complete pro,” said the source.

Another phase in the Taylor Swift, Katy Perry rivalry. And I love it. Tay is obsessed with being the best, and it just so happens that her relatively new enemy is standing in the way of winning. And she doesn't just want to beat her by 1 song, she's gotta beat her by 2. Love it. That extra #1 single probably accounts for the fact that "The One That Got Away" shoulda been a sixth #1 for Katy Perry off of Teenage Dream. So I don't know what Tay's other singles will be off of 1989, but we can break down who won the first five matchups of singles. Also, I don't know if "Wildest Dreams" is #1 yet but it probably will be at some point. That would tie the record.

Leading Single: Katy Perry's "California Gurls" (ft. Snoop Dogg) vs. Taylor Swift's "Shake it Off"

Verdict: I was obviously a big fan of "Shake it Off" when it first came out, and while I still jam the fuck out to it when it comes on, it's just not as good as other songs on the album, or "California Gurls." So "California Gurls" it is.

Second Single: Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" vs. Taylor Swift's "Blank Space"

Verdict: Considering "Teenage Dream" might be the best song of all time, and "Blank Space" isn't even top 5 on 1989, it's "Teenage Dream" in a landslide.


Third Single: Katy Perry's "Firework" vs. Taylor Swift's "Style"

Verdict: This is probably the tightest match up of all. "Firework" is an absolute jam, but "Style" is the best song on 1989 and is in the running for best song of all time. So "Style" it is. 

Fourth Single: Katy Perry's "E.T." (ft. Kanye West) vs. Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood" ft. Kendrick Lamar

Verdict: I didn't know whether to use the version with or without Kendrick Lamar because the version with him isn't actually on the album or even the deluxe edition of it. But it's the version for the video and the version that's always on the radio so I'm using that one. Either way I think KP takes this battle too. Just a better overall chorus I think. Love both songs, but "E.T." gets the nod. 

Fifth Single: Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)" vs. Taylor Swift's "Wildest Dreams"

Verdict: It's another Katy Perry JAM vs. T-Swift's soft side which makes it tough. Tay puts together some of the best slow, soft songs there are, but KP might be THE best jam-creator in the world. It's crazy, but I think KP wins this one as well with "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)."

I love Taylor Swift as you all know, but doing this head to head analysis of Teenage Dream vs 1989, it really makes you appreciate just how good Teenage Dream actually was. The songs that came out from that album are just absurdly good. I think if Taylor Swift picked her singles a little better (I can name at least 6 songs on the original album version that are better than "Shake it Off," "Blank Space" and "Bad Blood"), she may have come out on top in one or two more of these battles, but with what she put out, KP takes 4 out of 5. Obviously if Tay releases a sixth single and it goes to #1 she wins, it's over, she got 6. But for now, they're tied at 5. And between these 5 #1s, Katy Perry has the edge overall. 

Some bonus KP jammage for you since this should've gone to #1 too. It's honestly better than "Last Friday Night," "E.T." and maybe even "Firework." God what an album.