Swish Swish
Intro: Fatboy Slim
They know what is whatBut they don't know what is whatThey just strutWhat the fuck?Verse 1: Katy Perry
A tigerDon't lose no sleepDon't need opinionsFrom a shellfish or a sheepDon't you come for meNo, not todayYou're calculatedI got your number'Cause you're a jokerAnd I'm a courtside killer queenAnd you will kiss the ringYou best believePre-Chorus: Katy Perry
So keep calm, honey, I'ma stick aroundFor more than a minute, get used to itFunny my name keeps comin' out your mouth'Cause I stay winnin', lay 'em up likeChorus: Katy Perry
Swish, swish, bishAnother one in the basketCan't touch thisAnother one in the casketVerse 2: Katy Perry
Your game is tiredYou should retireYou're 'bout as cute asAn old coupon expiredAnd karma's not a liarShe keeps receiptsPre-Chorus: Katy Perry
So keep calm, honey, I'ma stick aroundFor more than a minute, get used to itFunny my name keeps comin' out your mouth'Cause I stay winnin', lay 'em up likeChorus: Katy Perry
Swish, swish, bishAnother one in the basketCan't touch thisAnother one in the casket (Let's go)Swish, swish, bishAnother one in the basketCan't touch thisAnother one in the casketRefrain: Fatboy Slim, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry
They know what is whatBut they don't know what is what (Katy Perry, what)They just, know what is what (Young Money)But they don't know what is what (What)They just, know what is whatBut they don't know what is whatThey just strutWhat the fuck? (Yo)Verse 3: Nicki Minaj
Pink Ferragamo sliders on deckSilly rap beefs just get me more checksMy life is a movie, I'm never off setMe and my amigos, no, not OffsetSwish swish, aw, I got them upsetBut my shooters'll make 'em dance like dubstepSwish, swish, aw, my haters is obsessed'Cause I make M's, they get much lessDon't be tryna double back, I already despise you (Yeah)All that fake love you showin' couldn't even disguise youYo, yoRan? When? Nicki gettin' tanMirror, mirror, who's the fairest bitch in all the land?Damn, man, this bitch is a StanThe generous queen'll kiss a fanAss goodbye, I'ma be ridin' byI'ma tell my **** Biggz, yeah, that's the guyA star's a star, da-ha-da-haThey never thought the swish god would take it this farGet my pimp cup, this is pimp shit, babyI only rock with Queens, so I'm makin' hits with KatyChorus: Katy Perry
Swish, swish, bishAnother one in the basket (And another one, and another one)Can't touch this (Can't touch this)Another one in the casket (And another one, and another one)Outro: Fatboy Slim, Katy Perry, Both
They know what is what (Do they know?)But they don't know what is whatThey just, know what is whatBut they don't know what is whatThey just, know what is whatBut they don't know what is whatThey just strutWhat theWhat the song means
"Swish Swish" is a boastful, playful song in which Katy Perry, with a guest verse from Nicki Minaj, tells critics and rivals that she is untouchable. The whole song is built on basketball imagery. A "swish" is a shot that goes through the net without touching the rim, so each line presents Perry as a skilled winner who keeps scoring while her opponents fail. The mood stays confident and mocking from start to finish, and the chorus turns the victory into a chant.
The first verse sets the tone. Perry calls herself a tiger and dismisses people she considers unimportant, then describes her rivals as tired and past their prime. The pre-chorus and second verse add pressure: she says her name keeps coming out of her rivals' mouths and warns that karma keeps records of every wrong. The imagery of the casket in the chorus is grim, but it is delivered as a joke, meaning that her enemies are being finished off.
Nicki Minaj's verse adds luxury and competition. She uses designer fashion, a "movie" life, and sharp wordplay to show that she is wealthy, admired, and above her critics. The Fatboy Slim refrain, with its repeated "they know what is what," works as a mocking commentary on people who pretend to understand but actually don't.
Key phrases explained
- lay 'em up
- to make an easy basket or score points, as in basketball — This is the key phrase behind the song's basketball metaphor, meaning to score effortlessly.
- Swish
- the sound of a ball going cleanly through the net without touching the rim — The word becomes a chant, celebrating a perfect shot and a perfect insult.
- courtside killer queen
- a ruthless winner watching from the best seat in the arena — Perry presents herself as dominant and in control of the game.
- kiss the ring
- to show complete submission and respect to a powerful person — This idiom, popularized by mafia films, means her rivals must bow to her.
- karma's not a liar
- karma always reveals the truth and eventually delivers justice — A saying meaning that bad behavior will come back to the person who did it.
- Pink Ferragamo sliders
- pink designer sandals by the luxury Italian brand Ferragamo — Minaj uses this brand reference to show wealth and style.
Song info
- Release date
- 2017-05-19
- Album
- Witness
- Written by
- Roland Clark, Sarah Hudson, Promnite, Starrah, Duke Dumont, Katy Perry
- Produced by
- Promnite, Noah Passovoy, Duke Dumont
- Featuring
- Nicki Minaj
- Samples
- Maya Jane Coles – What They Say, Roland Clark – I Get Deep, Fatboy Slim – Star 69
