early response to Dark Horse aside (and that would've been partially avoided had they not had it a pre-release track), just imagine if they had gone:

Roar - #1

Legendary Lovers - Different, unique, and would pique people's interest. It would've done 10x better than Unconditionally, and I think it would've been a #1 contender - #1

Dark Horse - GP spoke; instant #1.

Walking On Air - Radio PD's favorite; coming off 3 #1's it also would've been a #1 contender because it would have the fans and radio support. - #1

Birthday (with a good video) - Maybe would not have gone to #1 on it's own even with a good video, but it would've gotten close because coming off 4 #1's it would have momentum. They could've done some tricks. - #1

seriously, if it was planned out this way, it would rival the TD era, no doubt.

Just stop. Legendary Lovers wouldn't have done any better than Unconditionally
I would've gone straight from Roar to Dark Horse considering the latter was stable on iTunes.

if Dark Horse and Walking On Air were not pre-release tracks, the public would not have heard it before Legendary Lovers. and lol @ you thinking it wouldn't have done better than Uncle. ANYTHING would've.

Birthday wouldn't go #1. Top 10 with a good video. But I totally agree, instead of talking about how impossible it is to have another TD era they could have just paid more attention to the singles choices because the music was clearly there. DH as a second single could significantly boost album sales. She would be pulling TTAL numbers with Roar -> DH -> LL, the next ones woulnd't have so much effect so it could be fan favourites WoA/TIHWD/ Birthday.

LL is going to flop. I don't know why it's so hyped up, it's too risky, especially as a 6th single She should just finish the era already and start recording new material on the road. TIHWD is one of her catchiest singles and if it didn't become a hit, nothing else on the album will imo

I know that. I said that. But at that point, they would've done some tricks to at least try, like a discount, remixes, etc. It still would've rivaled the TD era had they had someone who actually listens to the radio and listened to the album plenty of times repeatedly to know the exact order in which it should've gone. Not this "switcheroo" crap we're getting right now, where no one knows what they're doing. Who are these people?

Her team declined but I think Katy is also to blame. Let's be real. Unconditionally, TIHWD and This Moment (which was a serious contender) are all her solo-written songs. Her ego was also important factor.

this is also true. I think next era, her label will have "some" more control. Seriously, if she thinks that This Moment is a single contender than she needs a reality check. I know it's probably a good one to "sing" and such, but it would be the worst bomb ever.

what she needs are chart geeks on her team.

Seriously, this next single discussion is so old now. There's no other option but LL and y'all have to accept that! LL HAS THE ONLY CHANCE TO REVIVE THIS ERA!

I hate Tuesdays!

PRISM is outside of the top 50 in the US, she might even release her next album

Well, that's kind of the point. She has nothing left to lose so why not release a song a lot of fans want to see a video for? I mean, I know that's not good business, but it's a nice thing she could do for the fans after releasing songs they didn't really want.

Nothing will revive this era They just need to assess if people would be there for a final single because if not, they won't waste money beating that dead horse.

She already released the song that fans asked for and it was TIHWD instead of WoA which was preferred by the radio.
people on ATRL =/= all KatyKats

Nothing will save this era after BD , but perfect single choice would be like:

1.Roard
2.DH (too strong single
3.LL
4.TIHW
5.WOA
6.UNCLE

The vitriol for "Birthday" is absurd. People who didn't like it then wanted this as a single, and people who don't like it now blame "Birthday" for this flopping .

Everyone but her fans on this forum still enjoy "Birthday," even some of the snarkiest critics (also, Pitchfork).

"Birthday" did not harm this era in any shape or form. It probably would've had a better chart run with a better video, but for the zillionth time, it was the follow-up to "Dark Horse." Whatever single followed up that song in normal course to keep album sales stable was never going to overshadow it.

tell the true tea.

Birthday was a Pop Top 10 hit. Nothing else needs to be said.

Kworb his impact.

IMO tihwd would have done much better than BD ,with the ama performance and all that stuff - but that's just me. I can see TIHWD going top 10 right after DH.

Im gonna find capitols managers and threaten them and there familes so they release LL an WOA just so all of you would stop the arguing!



I wonder how much of a difference a real bday video would have made

********. The music video is the worst I've watched in my entire life and it killed the era.

Birthday is waaaaaayyyyy better >>>>>>>> than TIHWD tho.