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{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = Walking on Air
| name = Walking on Air
| cover =
| alt =
| border = yes
| border = yes
| type = promo
| type = promo
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| album = [[Prism (Katy Perry album)|Prism]]
| album = [[Prism (Katy Perry album)|Prism]]
| released = September 30, 2013
| released = September 30, 2013
⚫
| studio = {{ubl|Apmamman and [[MXM Studios]]|(Stockholm, Sweden)|[[Conway Recording Studios]]|(Hollywood, California)}}
| recorded =
⚫
| studio = {{ubl|Apmamman and [[MXM Studios]]|([[Stockholm]], Sweden)|[[Conway Recording Studios]]|([[Hollywood]], [[California]])}}
| venue =
| genre = {{hlist|[[Deep house]]|[[Disco music|disco]]}} <!-- Sourced in the "Composition" section. -->
| genre = {{hlist|[[Deep house]]|[[Disco music|disco]]}} <!-- Sourced in the "Composition" section. -->
| length = 3:42
| length = 3:42
| label = [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
| label = [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
| writer = {{hlist|Katy Perry|[[Klas Åhlund]]|[[Max Martin]]|Adam Baptiste|Caméla Leierth}}
| writer = {{hlist|Katy Perry|[[Klas Åhlund]]|[[Max Martin]]|Adam Baptiste|Caméla Leierth}}
| producer = {{hlist|Åhlund|Max Martin}}
| producer = {{hlist|Klas Åhlund|Max Martin}}
| misc = {{External music video|header=Audio video|type=song|{{YouTube|t4D5egXVqSg|"Walking on Air"}}}}
| misc = {{External music video|header=Audio video|type=song|{{YouTube|t4D5egXVqSg|"Walking on Air"}}}}
}}
}}
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==Production and release==
==Production and release==
"Walking on Air" was produced and programmed by Swedish record producers [[Klas Åhlund]] and [[Max Martin]]. It was recorded and engineered at Apmamman and [[MXM Studios]], located in [[Stockholm]], Sweden, and Conway Recording Studios in [[Hollywood]]. It was engineered by Michael Illbert, Peter Carlsson, and Sam Holland, and assisted by Cory Bice. Serban Ghenea later mixed the song at MixStar Studios, in [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]]. Background vocals were provided by Sabina Ddumba and the Tensta Gospel Choir.<ref name="LinerNotes"/>
"Walking on Air" was produced and programmed by Swedish record producers [[Klas Åhlund]] and [[Max Martin]]. It was recorded and engineered at Apmamman and [[MXM Studios]], located in [[Stockholm]], Sweden, and Conway Recording Studios in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]]. It was engineered by Michael Illbert, Peter Carlsson, and Sam Holland, and assisted by Cory Bice. Serban Ghenea later mixed the song at MixStar Studios, in [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]]. Background vocals were provided by Sabina Ddumba and the Tensta Gospel Choir.<ref name="LinerNotes"/>


In a press release on August 20, 2013, [[PepsiCo]] announced a partnership with Perry to promote her fourth studio album ''[[Prism (Katy Perry album)|Prism]]'': the company announced a social "[[Twitter|tweet]]-to-unlock" voting program, where fans could unlock song titles and their respective lyrics, by tweeting the hashtag #KATYNOW. The chosen tracks for the campaign were "Walking on Air" and "[[Dark Horse (Katy Perry song)|Dark Horse]]". Once tweets voting for each song reached a certain number, their respective samples were unlocked and fans could start to vote for which one they wanted to have an early release on digital retailers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pepsi And MTV Team Up With Global Superstar Katy Perry For Special Finale Performance From Undisclosed Location in Brooklyn During The 2013 'MTV Video Music Awards'|url=http://www.pepsico.com/PressRelease/Pepsi-And-MTV-Team-Up-With-Global-Superstar-Katy-Perry-For-Special-Finale-Perfor08202013.html|publisher=[[PepsiCo]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=August 20, 2013}}</ref> The winner was "Dark Horse", which was released on September 17, 2013 on the [[iTunes Store]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Lee, Christina|title=Katy Perry Will Drop 'Dark Horse' (Featuring Juicy J) As Her Next 'Prism' Single|url=http://www.idolator.com/7480598/katy-perry-next-prism-single-dark-horse-juicy-j|work=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]|access-date=January 10, 2014|date=August 26, 2013}}</ref> However, after the release of the aforementioned song, the iTunes release of "Walking on Air" was announced, slated for September 30.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wass|first=Mike|title=Katy Perry Will Release 'Walking on Air' As A Promo Single on September 30|url=http://www.idolator.com/7485016/katy-perry-walking-on-air-promo-single|website=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=September 17, 2013}}</ref> One year later, on October 28, 2014, the song was issued to Russian [[contemporary hit radio]] format through [[Universal Music Group]].<ref name="RUS"/>
In a press release on August 20, 2013, [[PepsiCo]] announced a partnership with Perry to promote her fourth studio album ''[[Prism (Katy Perry album)|Prism]]'': the company announced a social "[[Twitter|tweet]]-to-unlock" voting program, where fans could unlock song titles and their respective lyrics, by tweeting the hashtag #KATYNOW. The chosen tracks for the campaign were "Walking on Air" and "[[Dark Horse (Katy Perry song)|Dark Horse]]". Once tweets voting for each song reached a certain number, their respective samples were unlocked and fans could start to vote for which one they wanted to have an early release on digital retailers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pepsi And MTV Team Up With Global Superstar Katy Perry For Special Finale Performance From Undisclosed Location in Brooklyn During The 2013 'MTV Video Music Awards'|url=http://www.pepsico.com/PressRelease/Pepsi-And-MTV-Team-Up-With-Global-Superstar-Katy-Perry-For-Special-Finale-Perfor08202013.html|publisher=[[PepsiCo]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=August 20, 2013}}</ref> The winner was "Dark Horse", which was released on September 17, 2013 on the [[iTunes Store]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Lee, Christina|title=Katy Perry Will Drop 'Dark Horse' (Featuring Juicy J) As Her Next 'Prism' Single|url=http://www.idolator.com/7480598/katy-perry-next-prism-single-dark-horse-juicy-j|work=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]|access-date=January 10, 2014|date=August 26, 2013|archive-date=August 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826191404/http://idolator.com/7480598/katy-perry-next-prism-single-dark-horse-juicy-j|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, after the release of the aforementioned song, the iTunes release of "Walking on Air" was announced, slated for September 30.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wass|first=Mike|title=Katy Perry Will Release 'Walking on Air' As A Promo Single on September 30|url=http://www.idolator.com/7485016/katy-perry-walking-on-air-promo-single|website=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=September 17, 2013|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054408/http://idolator.com/7485016/katy-perry-walking-on-air-promo-single|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Music and lyrics==
==Music and lyrics==
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|filename=Katy_Perry_-_Walking_on_Air.ogg
|filename=Katy_Perry_-_Walking_on_Air.ogg
|title="Walking on Air"
|title="Walking on Air"
|description=A 19-second sample of the song's pre-[[Chorus (song)|chorus]], where Perry sings "Just when I think I can't take anymore, we go deeper and harder than ever before" over a [[deep house]]-styled instrumental.<ref name="LinerNotes">{{cite AV media notes|title=Prism|others=Katy Perry|year=2013|publisher=[[Capitol Records]]|location=United States}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lindner|first=Emilee|title=Katy Perry's New Lyrics: What We Learned!|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1712861/katy-perry-lyrics-dark-horse-walking-on-air.jhtml|publisher=[[MTV]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=August 22, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Sam">{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7486643/katy-perry-walking-on-air-stream|title=Katy Perry Goes Deep House in New 'Prism' Track "Walking on Air"|first=Sam|last=Lansky|work=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]|date=September 30, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2013}}</ref>
|description=A 19-second sample of the song's pre-[[Chorus (song)|chorus]], where Perry sings "Just when I think I can't take anymore, we go deeper and harder than ever before" over a [[deep house]]-styled instrumental.<ref name="LinerNotes">{{cite AV media notes|title=Prism|others=Katy Perry|year=2013|publisher=[[Capitol Records]]|location=United States}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lindner|first=Emilee|title=Katy Perry's New Lyrics: What We Learned!|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1712861/katy-perry-lyrics-dark-horse-walking-on-air.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825001651/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1712861/katy-perry-lyrics-dark-horse-walking-on-air.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 25, 2013|publisher=[[MTV]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=August 22, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Sam">{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7486643/katy-perry-walking-on-air-stream|title=Katy Perry Goes Deep House in New 'Prism' Track "Walking on Air"|first=Sam|last=Lansky|work=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]|date=September 30, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2013|archive-date=September 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930135542/http://www.idolator.com/7486643/katy-perry-walking-on-air-stream/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|format=[[Ogg]]}}
|format=[[Ogg]]}}


Composed in the key of [[F-sharp minor|F♯ minor]], "Walking on Air" is a [[deep house]]<ref name="Sam"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wass |first1=Mike |title=Lost Hit: Katy Perry's "Walking On Air" Should Have Been A Single |url=https://www.idolator.com/7908218/lost-hit-katy-perrys-walking-on-air-should-have-been-a-single?view-all |website=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]] |access-date=March 18, 2020 |date=March 17, 2020}}</ref> and [[disco]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lipshutz |first1=Jason |title=Katy Perry's 'PRISM': Track-By-Track Review |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/review/5763162/katy-perrys-prism-track-by-track-review |website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=March 18, 2020 |date=October 21, 2013}}</ref> song set in a [[Common time|4/4]] [[time signature]] at a moderately fast [[tempo]] of 128 [[beats per minute]]. The melody spans the tonal range of E<sub>3</sub> to E<sub>5</sub>, while the music follows the [[chord progression]] of F♯m–E–C♯m–D.<ref name="MusicNotes">{{cite web|title=Katy Perry 'Walking on Air' Sheet Music|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0125992|website=MusicNotes|publisher=Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc.|access-date=December 17, 2013}}</ref> Throughout the song, various elements of [[1990s in music|90s]] [[Eurodance]] and [[disco]] music can be heard.<ref name="Hampp">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5680043/katy-perry-prism-fall-music-preview-2013|title=Katy Perry, 'Prism': Fall Music Preview 2013|first=Andrew|last=Hampp|work=Billboard|date=September 30, 2013|access-date=October 1, 2013}}</ref> The track opens with Perry singing in her [[Register (music)|lower register]] over [[staccato]] [[Synthesizer|synths]] until the song's "propulsive" beat begins.<ref name="Gil">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1714765/katy-perry-walking-on-air.jhtml|title=Katy Perry Makes 'Angels Cry' On New 'Prism' Track|first=Gil|last=Kaufman|publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=September 30, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2013}}</ref> The singer has cited [[CeCe Peniston]]'s "[[Finally (CeCe Peniston song)|Finally]]" and [[Crystal Waters]]' "[[100% Pure Love]]" as inspirations for the sound she was aiming for with this song.<ref name="pick">{{cite web|last=Trust|first=Gary|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5687255/katy-perrys-future-prism-hits-industry-picks|title=Katy Perry's Future 'Prism' Hits: Industry Picks|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=September 9, 2013}}</ref> Perry's vocals near the end of "Walking on Air" were also compared to those of [[Christina Aguilera]].<ref name="Hitfix"/>
Composed in the key of [[F-sharp minor|F♯ minor]], "Walking on Air" is a [[deep house]]<ref name="Sam"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wass |first1=Mike |title=Lost Hit: Katy Perry's "Walking On Air" Should Have Been A Single |url=https://www.idolator.com/7908218/lost-hit-katy-perrys-walking-on-air-should-have-been-a-single?view-all |website=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]] |access-date=March 18, 2020 |date=March 17, 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and [[disco]]<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Lipshutz |first1=Jason |title=Katy Perry's 'PRISM': Track-By-Track Review |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/review/5763162/katy-perrys-prism-track-by-track-review |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=March 18, 2020 |date=October 21, 2013}}</ref> song set in a [[Common time|4/4]] [[time signature]] at a moderately fast [[tempo]] of 128 [[beats per minute]]. The melody spans the tonal range of E<sub>3</sub> to E<sub>5</sub>, while the music follows the [[chord progression]] of F♯m–E–C♯m–D.<ref name="MusicNotes">{{cite web|title=Katy Perry 'Walking on Air' Sheet Music|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0125992|website=MusicNotes| date=October 4, 2013 |publisher=Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc.|access-date=December 17, 2013}}</ref> Throughout the song, various elements of [[1990s in music|90s]] [[Eurodance]] and [[disco]] music can be heard.<ref name="Hampp">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5680043/katy-perry-prism-fall-music-preview-2013|title=Katy Perry, 'Prism': Fall Music Preview 2013|first=Andrew|last=Hampp|magazine=Billboard|date=September 30, 2013|access-date=October 1, 2013}}</ref> The track opens with Perry singing in her [[Register (music)|lower register]] over [[staccato]] [[Synthesizer|synths]] until the song's "propulsive" beat begins.<ref name="Gil">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1714765/katy-perry-walking-on-air.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930124945/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1714765/katy-perry-walking-on-air.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 30, 2013|title=Katy Perry Makes 'Angels Cry' On New 'Prism' Track|first=Gil|last=Kaufman|publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=September 30, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2013}}</ref> The singer has cited [[CeCe Peniston]]'s "[[Finally (CeCe Peniston song)|Finally]]" and [[Crystal Waters]]' "[[100% Pure Love]]" as inspirations for the sound she was aiming for with this song.<ref name="pick">{{cite magazine|last=Trust|first=Gary|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5687255/katy-perrys-future-prism-hits-industry-picks|title=Katy Perry's Future 'Prism' Hits: Industry Picks|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=September 9, 2013}}</ref> Perry's vocals near the end of "Walking on Air" were also compared to those of [[Christina Aguilera]].<ref name="Hitfix"/>


Written by Perry, [[Klas Åhlund]], [[Max Martin]], Adam Baptiste, and Caméla Leierth, "Walking on Air" discusses a love "so strong that even heaven is jealous".<ref name="Hitfix"/> Gil Kaufman from [[MTV]] commented on the song's composition: "Between her wailing diva vocals, a gospel choir that kicks in during the final minute and the driving beat, Perry has captured a unique sound that both recalls the classic 1970s disco era as well as the EDM thump of today's clubs."<ref name="Gil"/> [[HitFix]] writer Melinda Newman opined that the song was "redolent of '90s dance thumpers and is light as cotton candy and just as enjoyable", adding that it would "make you long for [[C+C Music Factory]]".<ref name = "Hitfix">{{cite web|last=Newman|first=Melinda|title=Katy Perrys new dance track, Walking on Air will have you floating|url=http://www.hitfix.com/news/katy-perrys-new-dance-track-walking-on-air-will-have-you-floating#~ojrxFUJrdIBfdC|website=[[HitFix]]|access-date=October 6, 2013|date=September 30, 2013}}</ref> The song was also described as evoking the music of Swedish singer [[Robyn]], an artist of whom Perry is a fan.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|title=Katy Perry's 'Prism' Album Preview: 10 Things You Need to Know|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5687099/katy-perrys-prism-album-preview-10-things-you-need-to-know|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=September 6, 2013}}</ref>
Written by Perry, [[Klas Åhlund]], [[Max Martin]], Adam Baptiste, and Caméla Leierth, "Walking on Air" discusses a love "so strong that even heaven is jealous".<ref name="Hitfix"/> Gil Kaufman from [[MTV]] commented on the song's composition: "Between her wailing diva vocals, a gospel choir that kicks in during the final minute and the driving beat, Perry has captured a unique sound that both recalls the classic 1970s disco era as well as the EDM thump of today's clubs."<ref name="Gil"/> [[HitFix]] writer Melinda Newman opined that the song was "redolent of '90s dance thumpers and is light as cotton candy and just as enjoyable", adding that it would "make you long for [[C+C Music Factory]]".<ref name = "Hitfix">{{cite web|last=Newman|first=Melinda|title=Katy Perrys new dance track, Walking on Air will have you floating|url=http://www.hitfix.com/news/katy-perrys-new-dance-track-walking-on-air-will-have-you-floating#~ojrxFUJrdIBfdC|website=[[HitFix]]|access-date=October 6, 2013|date=September 30, 2013|archive-date=October 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002190722/http://www.hitfix.com/news/katy-perrys-new-dance-track-walking-on-air-will-have-you-floating#~ojrxFUJrdIBfdC|url-status=dead}}</ref> The song was also described as evoking the music of Swedish singer [[Robyn]], an artist of whom Perry is a fan.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|title=Katy Perry's 'Prism' Album Preview: 10 Things You Need to Know|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5687099/katy-perrys-prism-album-preview-10-things-you-need-to-know|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=September 6, 2013}}</ref>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
[[File:Katy Perry - The Prismatic 18.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Perry performing "Walking on Air" on her Prismatic World Tour.]]
[[File:Katy Perry - The Prismatic 18.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Perry performing "Walking on Air" on her Prismatic World Tour.]]
Sal Cinquemani from ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' was very positive of the song: he described it as "surprisingly soulful, throwback" to 1990s deep house, although he noted that Åhlund decided to give Perry a different sound from the Euro electro-pop he had produced for ''[[Body Talk (Robyn album)|Body Talk]]'' (2010).<ref>{{cite web|last=Cinquemani|first=Sal|title=Katy Perry: Prism|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/katy-perry-prism|website=[[Slant Magazine]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=October 17, 2013}}</ref> [[Greg Kot]] from ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' deemed the single a "catchy [[Pop music|pop]] tune",<ref>{{cite web|last=Kot|first=Greg|title=Katy Perry, 'Prism' album review|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-10-20/entertainment/chi-kate-perry-prism-review-20131020_1_katy-perry-russell-brand-album-review|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=October 20, 2013}}</ref> while Randall Roberts from the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote that the song's "euphoria" was "infectious",<ref>{{cite web|last=Roberts|first=Randall|title=Review: Hits pack Katy Perry's 'Prism'|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-katy-perry-prism-review-20131022,0,6156766.story|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=October 22, 2013}}</ref> and Rob Harvilla from ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' classified it as "delicious".<ref>{{cite web|last=Harvilla|first=Rob|title=Katy Perry Grows Up and Bums Us Out on Her Shrewd, Tepid 'Prism'|url=https://www.spin.com/2013/10/katy-perry-prism-capitol/|work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=October 22, 2013}}</ref> Also, Elysa Gardner from ''[[USA Today]]'' recommended readers to download "Walking on Air".<ref>{{cite web|last=Gardner|first=Elysa|title=Review: Katy Perry's 'Prism' honors spirit and flesh|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/10/18/katy-perry-prism-album-review-listen-up/2978993/|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=October 21, 2013}}</ref>
Sal Cinquemani from ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' was very positive of the song: he described it as "surprisingly soulful, throwback" to 1990s deep house, although he noted that Åhlund decided to give Perry a different sound from the Euro electro-pop he had produced for ''[[Body Talk (Robyn album)|Body Talk]]'' (2010).<ref>{{cite web|last=Cinquemani|first=Sal|title=Katy Perry: Prism|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/katy-perry-prism|website=[[Slant Magazine]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=October 17, 2013}}</ref> [[Greg Kot]] from ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' deemed the single a "catchy pop tune",<ref>{{cite web|last=Kot|first=Greg|title=Katy Perry, 'Prism' album review|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/10/20/katy-perry-prism-album-review/|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=October 20, 2013}}</ref> while Randall Roberts from the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote that the song's "euphoria" was "infectious",<ref>{{cite web|last=Roberts|first=Randall|title=Review: Hits pack Katy Perry's 'Prism'|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-katy-perry-prism-review-20131022,0,6156766.story|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=October 22, 2013}}</ref> and Rob Harvilla from ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' classified it as "delicious".<ref>{{cite web|last=Harvilla|first=Rob|title=Katy Perry Grows Up and Bums Us Out on Her Shrewd, Tepid 'Prism'|url=https://www.spin.com/2013/10/katy-perry-prism-capitol/|work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=October 22, 2013}}</ref> Also, Elysa Gardner from ''[[USA Today]]'' recommended readers to download "Walking on Air".<ref>{{cite web|last=Gardner|first=Elysa|title=Review: Katy Perry's 'Prism' honors spirit and flesh|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/10/18/katy-perry-prism-album-review-listen-up/2978993/|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=October 21, 2013}}</ref>


Other reviews were mixed. Writing for ''[[The Guardian]]'', Alexis Petridis criticized ''Prism'' for not having anything "sonically adventurous", noting that the album mainly had 1990s pop-house in its songs, giving the example of the "jangling piano riff" present on "Walking on Air", but still found those melodies to be stronger than the ones found on [[Jessie J]]'s second studio album ''[[Alive (Jessie J album)|Alive]]'' (2013).<ref>{{cite web|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|title=Katy Perry: Prism&nbsp;– review|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/oct/17/katy-perry-prism-review|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=October 17, 2013}}</ref> In a mixed to positive review of the song, Will Hermes from ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' described the song as "frothy".<ref name = "RollingStonesongreview">{{cite web|last=Hermes|first=Will|title=Katy Perry, Walking on Air|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/walking-on-air-20131010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108030237/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/walking-on-air-20131010|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 8, 2013|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=October 10, 2013}}</ref> Marah Eakin from ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' commented that "when Perry does stretch [.....] she tends to falter", and mentioned "Walking on Air" and "[[Dark Horse (Katy Perry song)|Dark Horse]]" as examples.<ref>{{cite web|author=Eakin, Marah|title=Katy Perry: Prism|access-date=January 5, 2014|url=http://www.avclub.com/review/katy-perry-iprismi-104560|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=October 22, 2013}}</ref> [[Consequence of Sound]]'s Chris Bosman described the song as a "vanilla re-interpretation of [[Hercules and Love Affair]]".<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Bosman, Chris|title=Album Review: Katy Perry&nbsp;– Prism|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2013/10/album-review-katy-perry-prism/|magazine=[[Consequence of Sound]]|access-date=January 5, 2014|date=October 21, 2013}}</ref>
Other reviews were mixed. Writing for ''[[The Guardian]]'', Alexis Petridis criticized ''Prism'' for not having anything "sonically adventurous", noting that the album mainly had 1990s pop-house in its songs, giving the example of the "jangling piano riff" present on "Walking on Air", but still found those melodies to be stronger than the ones found on [[Jessie J]]'s second studio album ''[[Alive (Jessie J album)|Alive]]'' (2013).<ref>{{cite web|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|title=Katy Perry: Prism&nbsp;– review|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/oct/17/katy-perry-prism-review|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=October 17, 2013}}</ref> In a mixed to positive review of the song, Will Hermes from ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' described the song as "frothy".<ref name = "RollingStonesongreview">{{cite magazine|last=Hermes|first=Will|title=Katy Perry, Walking on Air|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/walking-on-air-20131010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108030237/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/walking-on-air-20131010|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 8, 2013|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=October 10, 2013}}</ref> Marah Eakin from ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' commented that "when Perry does stretch [.....] she tends to falter", and mentioned "Walking on Air" and "[[Dark Horse (Katy Perry song)|Dark Horse]]" as examples.<ref>{{cite web|author=Eakin, Marah|title=Katy Perry: Prism|access-date=January 5, 2014|url=http://www.avclub.com/review/katy-perry-iprismi-104560|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=October 22, 2013}}</ref> [[Consequence of Sound]]'s Chris Bosman described the song as a "vanilla re-interpretation of [[Hercules and Love Affair]]".<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Bosman, Chris|title=Album Review: Katy Perry&nbsp;– Prism|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2013/10/album-review-katy-perry-prism/|magazine=[[Consequence of Sound]]|access-date=January 5, 2014|date=October 21, 2013}}</ref>


Helen Brown from ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' classified "Walking on Air" as a "forgettable bit of Nineties rave nostalgia",<ref>{{cite web|author=Brown, Helen|title=Katy Perry, Prism, review|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopreviews/10386191/Katy-Perry-Prism-review.html|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=October 17, 2013|access-date=January 5, 2014}}</ref> while James Reed from ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' deemed it "buoyant",<ref>{{cite web|author=Reed, James|title=Perry shows many colors on 'Prism'|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2013/10/20/perry-shows-many-colors-prism/fIMiSxHkP3V3r4yN5Z8r4H/story.html|work=[[Boston Globe]]|access-date=January 5, 2014|date=October 21, 2013}}</ref> and [[ABC News]] music writer Mesfin Fekadu called it "irresistible".<ref>{{cite web|author=Fekadu, Mesfin|title=Music Review: Katy Perry Plays It Safe on 'Prism'|url=https://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=20636044|access-date=January 5, 2014|date=October 21, 2013|publisher=[[ABC News]]}}</ref> Kyle Anderson from ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' described the track as a "[[David Guetta]]-esque blast of dancefloor adrenaline".<ref>{{cite web|author=Anderson, Kyle|title=Katy Perry's latest 'Prism' track is club thumper 'Walking on Air': Hear it here|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2013/09/30/katy-perry-new-song-walking-on-air-prism/|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=January 5, 2014|date=September 30, 2013}}</ref> Sam Lansky from website [[Idolator (website)|Idolator]] wrote that the song was "pleasurable",<ref>{{cite web|author=Lansky, Sam|title=Katy Perry's 'Prism': Album Review|url=http://www.idolator.com/7489676/katy-perry-prism-review|work=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]|access-date=January 5, 2014|date=October 22, 2013}}</ref> while Trent Wolbe from ''[[The Verge]]'' said it was a "triumphant ode" to various artists from the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[The Verge]]|access-date=January 5, 2014|date=October 23, 2013|title=Get real: Katy Perry lets go of the teenage dream with 'Prism'|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/10/23/4877672/get-real-katy-perry-lets-go-of-the-teenage-dream-with-prism}}</ref>
Helen Brown from ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' classified "Walking on Air" as a "forgettable bit of Nineties rave nostalgia",<ref>{{cite web|author=Brown, Helen|title=Katy Perry, Prism, review|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopreviews/10386191/Katy-Perry-Prism-review.html|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=October 17, 2013|access-date=January 5, 2014}}</ref> while James Reed from ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' deemed it "buoyant",<ref>{{cite web|author=Reed, James|title=Perry shows many colors on 'Prism'|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2013/10/20/perry-shows-many-colors-prism/fIMiSxHkP3V3r4yN5Z8r4H/story.html|work=[[Boston Globe]]|access-date=January 5, 2014|date=October 21, 2013}}</ref> and [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] music writer Mesfin Fekadu called it "irresistible".<ref>{{cite web|author=Fekadu, Mesfin|title=Music Review: Katy Perry Plays It Safe on 'Prism'|url=https://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=20636044|access-date=January 5, 2014|date=October 21, 2013|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref> Kyle Anderson from ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' described the track as a "[[David Guetta]]-esque blast of dancefloor adrenaline".<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Anderson, Kyle|title=Katy Perry's latest 'Prism' track is club thumper 'Walking on Air': Hear it here|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2013/09/30/katy-perry-new-song-walking-on-air-prism/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=January 5, 2014|date=September 30, 2013}}</ref> Sam Lansky from website [[Idolator (website)|Idolator]] wrote that the song was "pleasurable",<ref>{{cite web|author=Lansky, Sam|title=Katy Perry's 'Prism': Album Review|url=http://www.idolator.com/7489676/katy-perry-prism-review|work=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]|access-date=January 5, 2014|date=October 22, 2013|archive-date=October 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022193841/http://www.idolator.com/7489676/katy-perry-prism-review|url-status=dead}}</ref> while Trent Wolbe from ''[[The Verge]]'' said it was a "triumphant ode" to various artists from the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[The Verge]]|access-date=January 5, 2014|date=October 23, 2013|title=Get real: Katy Perry lets go of the teenage dream with 'Prism'|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/10/23/4877672/get-real-katy-perry-lets-go-of-the-teenage-dream-with-prism}}</ref>


==Commercial performance==
==Commercial performance==
On the week ending October 7, 2013, "Walking on Air" debuted at number 12 on the [[New Zealand Singles Chart]].<ref name="nzchart2">{{cite web|url=http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=2281|title=NZ Chart: Week of October 7, 2013|work=Charts.org.nz|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=October 3, 2013}}</ref> In Australia, the song charted on the [[ARIA Digital Track Chart]] at number 18.<ref name="aria">{{cite web|url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/chart/singles/1623|title=ARIA Digital Tracks Chart|date=October 7, 2013|access-date=October 7, 2013|publisher=ARIA Charts|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110184620/http://www.ariacharts.com.au/chart/singles/1623|archive-date=January 10, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> On the week ending October 19, 2013, "Walking on Air" debuted at number 34 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and debuted at number eight on ''Billboard'' [[Hot Digital Songs]] with 113,000 downloads.<ref name="Billboard">{{cite news|last=Trust|first=Gary|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5748210/lordes-royals-remains-atop-hot-100|title=Lorde's 'Royals' Remains Atop Hot 100|work=Billboard|date=October 10, 2013|access-date=October 10, 2013}}</ref> As of November 2013, the song has sold a total of 150,000 copies in the United States.<ref name="Total sales as of November 2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/5819941/katy-perry-rides-in-on-a-dark-horse-her-aptly-titled-unexpected?|title=Katy Perry Rides in on A 'Dark Horse,' Her Aptly Titled, Unexpected Hit|work=Billboard|access-date=December 12, 2013|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=December 11, 2013}}</ref>
On the week ending October 7, 2013, "Walking on Air" debuted at number 12 on the [[New Zealand Singles Chart]].<ref name="nzchart2">{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2013-10-04|title=NZ Chart: Week of October 7, 2013|work=Charts.org.nz|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=October 3, 2013}}</ref> In Australia, the song charted on the [[ARIA Digital Track Chart]] at number 18.<ref name="aria">{{cite web|url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/chart/singles/1623|title=ARIA Digital Tracks Chart|date=October 7, 2013|access-date=October 7, 2013|publisher=ARIA Charts|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110184620/http://www.ariacharts.com.au/chart/singles/1623|archive-date=January 10, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> On the week ending October 19, 2013, "Walking on Air" debuted at number 34 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and debuted at number eight on ''Billboard'' [[Hot Digital Songs]] with 113,000 downloads.<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine|last=Trust|first=Gary|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5748210/lordes-royals-remains-atop-hot-100|title=Lorde's 'Royals' Remains Atop Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|date=October 10, 2013|access-date=October 10, 2013}}</ref> As of November 2013, the song has sold a total of 150,000 copies in the United States.<ref name="Total sales as of November 2013">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/5819941/katy-perry-rides-in-on-a-dark-horse-her-aptly-titled-unexpected?|title=Katy Perry Rides in on A 'Dark Horse,' Her Aptly Titled, Unexpected Hit|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 12, 2013|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=December 11, 2013}}</ref>
In Italy, the single debuted at 20.<ref name="Walking On Air in Italia Total sales as of November 2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.fimi.it/classifiche#/category:digital/id:1658|title=Classifica settimanale WK 40 (dal 2013-09-30 al 2013-10-06)|work=[[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana]]|access-date=March 10, 2018|date=December 11, 2013}}</ref>
In Italy, the single debuted at 20.<ref name="Walking On Air in Italia Total sales as of November 2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.fimi.it/classifiche#/category:digital/id:1658|title=Classifica settimanale WK 40 (dal 2013-09-30 al 2013-10-06)|work=[[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana]]|access-date=March 10, 2018|date=December 11, 2013}}</ref>


==Live performances==
==Live performances==
[[File: Katy Perry Play at Resorts World, Las Vegas - 51809339758.jpg |thumb|upright|Perry performing "Walking on Air" on [[Play (concert residency)|Play]]]]
On September 30, 2013, Perry performed "Walking on Air" during her headlining set of the 2013 [[Apple Music Festival|iTunes Festival]] at the [[Roundhouse (venue)|Roundhouse]].{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} On October 12, 2013, the singer performed the song again on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', where she was the musical guest of the episode. She wore a "'90s schoolgirl outfit" composed of a plaid skirt, knee socks and a white crop top. Kelci Shipley from [[MTV]] wrote that Perry "caught a case of retro fever for her performance of 'Walking on Air'".<ref>{{cite web|last=Shipley|first=Kelci|title=Katy Perry Walks on Air For 'Saturday Night Live' Performance: Watch!|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1715514/katy-perry-saturday-night-live-walking-on-air.jhtml|publisher=[[MTV]]|access-date=December 12, 2013|date=October 13, 2013}}</ref> On her 29th birthday, October 25, 2013, Perry performed the song at [[Lakewood High School (Colorado)|Lakewood High School]] in [[Lakewood, Colorado]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Sher|first=Lauren|title=Katy Perry Celebrates 29th Birthday With Special 'Roar' Concert at Colo. High School|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/katy-perry-roar-concert-winning-high-school-birthday/story?id=20675666|publisher=[[ABC News]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=October 25, 2013}}</ref> On May 25, 2014, she performed it in [[Glasgow]] at [[BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend]].{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} "Walking on Air" was added to the setlist of Perry's first [[concert residency]] ''[[Play (concert residency)|Play]]'' (2021–2022) in a [[Medley (music)|medley]] with her 2021 collaboration with [[Alesso]] "[[When I'm Gone (Alesso and Katy Perry song)|When I'm Gone]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/katy-perry-play-las-vegas-residency-1277175/|title=Katy Perry Sings in a Toilet, Toasts a Giant Mask, and Plays the Hits at Vegas Residency|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|first=Mark|last=Gray|date=December 30, 2021|access-date=January 2, 2022}}</ref>
On September 30, 2013, Perry performed "Walking on Air" during her headlining set of the 2013 [[Apple Music Festival|iTunes Festival]] at the [[Roundhouse (venue)|Roundhouse]].{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} On October 12, 2013, the singer performed the song again on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', where she was the musical guest of the episode. She wore a "'90s schoolgirl outfit" composed of a plaid skirt, knee socks and a white crop top. Kelci Shipley from [[MTV]] wrote that Perry "caught a case of retro fever for her performance of 'Walking on Air'".<ref>{{cite web|last=Shipley|first=Kelci|title=Katy Perry Walks on Air For 'Saturday Night Live' Performance: Watch!|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1715514/katy-perry-saturday-night-live-walking-on-air.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013195532/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1715514/katy-perry-saturday-night-live-walking-on-air.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 13, 2013|publisher=[[MTV]]|access-date=December 12, 2013|date=October 13, 2013}}</ref> On her 29th birthday, October 25, 2013, Perry performed the song at [[Lakewood High School (Colorado)|Lakewood High School]] in [[Lakewood, Colorado]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Sher|first=Lauren|title=Katy Perry Celebrates 29th Birthday With Special 'Roar' Concert at Colo. High School|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/katy-perry-roar-concert-winning-high-school-birthday/story?id=20675666|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|access-date=December 17, 2013|date=October 25, 2013}}</ref> On May 25, 2014, she performed it in [[Glasgow]] at [[BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend]].{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} "Walking on Air" was added to the setlist of Perry's first [[concert residency]] ''[[Play (concert residency)|Play]]'' (2021–2022) in a [[Medley (music)|medley]] with her 2021 collaboration with [[Alesso]] "[[When I'm Gone (Alesso and Katy Perry song)|When I'm Gone]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/katy-perry-play-las-vegas-residency-1277175/|title=Katy Perry Sings in a Toilet, Toasts a Giant Mask, and Plays the Hits at Vegas Residency|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|first=Mark|last=Gray|date=December 30, 2021|access-date=January 2, 2022}}</ref>


==Credits and personnel==
==Credits and personnel==
Line 60: Line 57:


'''Recording locations'''
'''Recording locations'''
*Recorded at Apmamman and MXM Studios <small>([[Stockholm]], Sweden)</small>; Conway Recording Studios <small>([[Hollywood]], [[California]])</small>
*Recorded at Apmamman and MXM Studios <small>([[Stockholm]], Sweden)</small>; Conway Recording Studios <small>([[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], California)</small>
*Mixed at MixStar Studios <small>([[Virginia Beach, Virginia]])</small>
*Mixed at MixStar Studios <small>([[Virginia Beach, Virginia]])</small>


'''Personnel'''
'''Personnel'''
*[[Songwriting]]&nbsp;– [[Katy Perry]], [[Klas Åhlund]], [[Max Martin]], Adam Baptiste, Caméla Leierth
*Songwriting&nbsp;– [[Katy Perry]], [[Klas Åhlund]], [[Max Martin]], Adam Baptiste, Caméla Leierth
*[[Production (music)|Production]]&nbsp;– Klas Åhlund, Max Martin
*[[Production (music)|Production]]&nbsp;– Klas Åhlund, Max Martin
*Engineering&nbsp;– Michael Illbert, Peter Carlsson, Sam Holland
*Engineering&nbsp;– Michael Illbert, Peter Carlsson, Sam Holland
Line 70: Line 67:
*[[Audio mixing (recorded music)|Mixing]]&nbsp;– Serban Ghenea
*[[Audio mixing (recorded music)|Mixing]]&nbsp;– Serban Ghenea
*Mixing engineer&nbsp;– John Hanes
*Mixing engineer&nbsp;– John Hanes
*[[Singing|Lead vocals]]&nbsp;– [[Katy Perry]]
*Lead vocals&nbsp;– [[Katy Perry]]
*Background vocals&nbsp;– [[Sabina Ddumba]], Tensta Gospel Choir
*Background vocals&nbsp;– [[Sabina Ddumba]], Tensta Gospel Choir
*Programming&nbsp;– Klas Åhlund, Max Martin
*Programming&nbsp;– Klas Åhlund, Max Martin
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|-
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardeurodigital|16|artist=Katy Perry|access-date=April 08, 2014|rowheader=true}}
{{singlechart|Billboardeurodigital|16|artist=Katy Perry|access-date=April 08, 2014|rowheader=true}}
⚫
|-
{{singlechart|Finnishdownload|23|artist=Katy Perry|song=Walking on Air|rowheader=true|access-date=August 14, 2022}}
|-
|-
{{singlechart|France|25|artist=Katy Perry|song=Walking on Air|access-date=October 9, 2013|rowheader=true}}
{{singlechart|France|25|artist=Katy Perry|song=Walking on Air|access-date=October 9, 2013|rowheader=true}}
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|-
|-
|}
|}

== Certifications ==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Walking on Air"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|artist=Katy Perry|title=Walking on Air|region=Australia|relyear=2013|certyear=2023|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=November 25, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true | noshipments=true}}


==Release history==
==Release history==
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! scope="row"| Various
! scope="row"| Various
| September 30, 2013
| September 30, 2013
| [[Music download|Digital download]]
| Digital download
| [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
| [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Walking On Air release date source 1">{{cite web|last=Wass|first=Mike|title=Katy Perry Will Release 'Walking on Air' As A Promo Single on September 30|url=http://www.idolator.com/7485016/katy-perry-walking-on-air-promo-single|website=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]|access-date=October 4, 2013|date=September 18, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Walking On Air release date source 2">{{cite web|last=Corner|first=Lewis|title=Katy Perry confirms 'Walking on Air' release: "Mark your calendars"|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a516748/katy-perry-confirms-walking-on-air-release-mark-your-calendars.html|website=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=October 5, 2013|date=September 19, 2013}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="Walking On Air release date source 1">{{cite web|last=Wass|first=Mike|title=Katy Perry Will Release 'Walking on Air' As A Promo Single on September 30|url=http://www.idolator.com/7485016/katy-perry-walking-on-air-promo-single|website=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]|access-date=October 4, 2013|date=September 18, 2013|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054408/http://idolator.com/7485016/katy-perry-walking-on-air-promo-single|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Walking On Air release date source 2">{{cite web|last=Corner|first=Lewis|title=Katy Perry confirms 'Walking on Air' release: "Mark your calendars"|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a516748/katy-perry-confirms-walking-on-air-release-mark-your-calendars.html|website=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=October 5, 2013|date=September 19, 2013}}</ref>
⚫
|-
! scope="row"| Russia
| October 28, 2014
| [[Contemporary hit radio]]
| [[Universal Music|Universal]]
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="RUS"/>
|}
|}


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[[Category:2013 songs]]
[[Category:2013 songs]]
[[Category:American house music songs]]
[[Category:Deep house songs]]
[[Category:Deep house songs]]
[[Category:Eurodance songs]]
[[Category:Eurodance songs]]

Latest revision as of 07:58, 20 November 2024

"Walking on Air"
Promotional single by Katy Perry
from the album Prism
ReleasedSeptember 30, 2013
Studio
Genre
Length3:42
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Klas Åhlund
  • Max Martin
Audio video
"Walking on Air" on YouTube

"Walking on Air" is a song recorded by American singer Katy Perry for her fourth studio album, Prism (2013), included as its fourth track. It was released to digital retailers on September 30, 2013, by Capitol Records, as the record's second promotional single, following the release of "Dark Horse". The song was part of a poll promoted by Pepsi, along with "Dark Horse", where fans could vote for which song they wanted to become the first promotional single from Prism. Inspired by CeCe Peniston and Crystal Waters, "Walking on Air" is a deep house and disco song influenced by 1990s Eurodance.

Music critics felt "Walking on Air" was a catchy track, but were ambivalent towards its musical composition. The track entered multiple charts, reaching the top 20 in Canada, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, and Spain as well as the top 30 in Belgium and France. Perry promoted "Walking on Air" with several live performances, including at the 2013 iTunes Festival and Saturday Night Live.

Production and release

[edit]

"Walking on Air" was produced and programmed by Swedish record producers Klas Åhlund and Max Martin. It was recorded and engineered at Apmamman and MXM Studios, located in Stockholm, Sweden, and Conway Recording Studios in Hollywood. It was engineered by Michael Illbert, Peter Carlsson, and Sam Holland, and assisted by Cory Bice. Serban Ghenea later mixed the song at MixStar Studios, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Background vocals were provided by Sabina Ddumba and the Tensta Gospel Choir.[1]

In a press release on August 20, 2013, PepsiCo announced a partnership with Perry to promote her fourth studio album Prism: the company announced a social "tweet-to-unlock" voting program, where fans could unlock song titles and their respective lyrics, by tweeting the hashtag #KATYNOW. The chosen tracks for the campaign were "Walking on Air" and "Dark Horse". Once tweets voting for each song reached a certain number, their respective samples were unlocked and fans could start to vote for which one they wanted to have an early release on digital retailers.[2] The winner was "Dark Horse", which was released on September 17, 2013 on the iTunes Store.[3] However, after the release of the aforementioned song, the iTunes release of "Walking on Air" was announced, slated for September 30.[4]

Music and lyrics

[edit]
"Walking on Air"
A 19-second sample of the song's pre-chorus, where Perry sings "Just when I think I can't take anymore, we go deeper and harder than ever before" over a deep house-styled instrumental.[1][5][6]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Composed in the key of F♯ minor, "Walking on Air" is a deep house[6][7] and disco[8] song set in a 4/4 time signature at a moderately fast tempo of 128 beats per minute. The melody spans the tonal range of E3 to E5, while the music follows the chord progression of F♯m–E–C♯m–D.[9] Throughout the song, various elements of 90s Eurodance and disco music can be heard.[10] The track opens with Perry singing in her lower register over staccato synths until the song's "propulsive" beat begins.[11] The singer has cited CeCe Peniston's "Finally" and Crystal Waters' "100% Pure Love" as inspirations for the sound she was aiming for with this song.[12] Perry's vocals near the end of "Walking on Air" were also compared to those of Christina Aguilera.[13]

Written by Perry, Klas Åhlund, Max Martin, Adam Baptiste, and Caméla Leierth, "Walking on Air" discusses a love "so strong that even heaven is jealous".[13] Gil Kaufman from MTV commented on the song's composition: "Between her wailing diva vocals, a gospel choir that kicks in during the final minute and the driving beat, Perry has captured a unique sound that both recalls the classic 1970s disco era as well as the EDM thump of today's clubs."[11] HitFix writer Melinda Newman opined that the song was "redolent of '90s dance thumpers and is light as cotton candy and just as enjoyable", adding that it would "make you long for C+C Music Factory".[13] The song was also described as evoking the music of Swedish singer Robyn, an artist of whom Perry is a fan.[14]

Critical reception

[edit]
Perry performing "Walking on Air" on her Prismatic World Tour.

Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine was very positive of the song: he described it as "surprisingly soulful, throwback" to 1990s deep house, although he noted that Åhlund decided to give Perry a different sound from the Euro electro-pop he had produced for Body Talk (2010).[15] Greg Kot from Chicago Tribune deemed the single a "catchy pop tune",[16] while Randall Roberts from the Los Angeles Times wrote that the song's "euphoria" was "infectious",[17] and Rob Harvilla from Spin classified it as "delicious".[18] Also, Elysa Gardner from USA Today recommended readers to download "Walking on Air".[19]

Other reviews were mixed. Writing for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis criticized Prism for not having anything "sonically adventurous", noting that the album mainly had 1990s pop-house in its songs, giving the example of the "jangling piano riff" present on "Walking on Air", but still found those melodies to be stronger than the ones found on Jessie J's second studio album Alive (2013).[20] In a mixed to positive review of the song, Will Hermes from Rolling Stone described the song as "frothy".[21] Marah Eakin from The A.V. Club commented that "when Perry does stretch [.....] she tends to falter", and mentioned "Walking on Air" and "Dark Horse" as examples.[22] Consequence of Sound's Chris Bosman described the song as a "vanilla re-interpretation of Hercules and Love Affair".[23]

Helen Brown from The Daily Telegraph classified "Walking on Air" as a "forgettable bit of Nineties rave nostalgia",[24] while James Reed from The Boston Globe deemed it "buoyant",[25] and ABC News music writer Mesfin Fekadu called it "irresistible".[26] Kyle Anderson from Entertainment Weekly described the track as a "David Guetta-esque blast of dancefloor adrenaline".[27] Sam Lansky from website Idolator wrote that the song was "pleasurable",[28] while Trent Wolbe from The Verge said it was a "triumphant ode" to various artists from the 1990s.[29]

Commercial performance

[edit]

On the week ending October 7, 2013, "Walking on Air" debuted at number 12 on the New Zealand Singles Chart.[30] In Australia, the song charted on the ARIA Digital Track Chart at number 18.[31] On the week ending October 19, 2013, "Walking on Air" debuted at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and debuted at number eight on Billboard Hot Digital Songs with 113,000 downloads.[32] As of November 2013, the song has sold a total of 150,000 copies in the United States.[33] In Italy, the single debuted at 20.[34]

Live performances

[edit]
Perry performing "Walking on Air" on Play

On September 30, 2013, Perry performed "Walking on Air" during her headlining set of the 2013 iTunes Festival at the Roundhouse.[citation needed] On October 12, 2013, the singer performed the song again on Saturday Night Live, where she was the musical guest of the episode. She wore a "'90s schoolgirl outfit" composed of a plaid skirt, knee socks and a white crop top. Kelci Shipley from MTV wrote that Perry "caught a case of retro fever for her performance of 'Walking on Air'".[35] On her 29th birthday, October 25, 2013, Perry performed the song at Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Colorado.[36] On May 25, 2014, she performed it in Glasgow at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend.[citation needed] "Walking on Air" was added to the setlist of Perry's first concert residency Play (2021–2022) in a medley with her 2021 collaboration with Alesso "When I'm Gone".[37]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from Prism liner notes.[1]

Recording locations

Personnel

  • Songwriting – Katy Perry, Klas Åhlund, Max Martin, Adam Baptiste, Caméla Leierth
  • Production – Klas Åhlund, Max Martin
  • Engineering – Michael Illbert, Peter Carlsson, Sam Holland
  • Engineering assistant – Cory Bice
  • Mixing – Serban Ghenea
  • Mixing engineer – John Hanes
  • Lead vocals – Katy Perry
  • Background vocals – Sabina Ddumba, Tensta Gospel Choir
  • Programming – Klas Åhlund, Max Martin

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2013—2014) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA Digital Track Chart)[31] 18
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[38] 35
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[39] 44
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[40] 30
Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia Dance)[40] 26
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[41] 12
CIS (TopHit)[42] 189
Denmark (Tracklisten)[43] 35
Euro Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[44] 16
Finland Download (Latauslista)[45] 23
France (SNEP)[46] 25
Ireland (IRMA)[47] 13
Italy (FIMI)[48] 20
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[49] 47
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[50] 12
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[51] 15
UK Singles (OCC)[52] 80
US Billboard Hot 100[53] 34

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "Walking on Air"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[54] Gold 35,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Walking on Air"
Territory Date Format Label Ref.
Various September 30, 2013 Digital download Capitol [55][56]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Prism (Media notes). Katy Perry. United States: Capitol Records. 2013.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^ "Pepsi And MTV Team Up With Global Superstar Katy Perry For Special Finale Performance From Undisclosed Location in Brooklyn During The 2013 'MTV Video Music Awards'". PepsiCo. August 20, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  3. ^ Lee, Christina (August 26, 2013). "Katy Perry Will Drop 'Dark Horse' (Featuring Juicy J) As Her Next 'Prism' Single". Idolator. Archived from the original on August 26, 2013. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  4. ^ Wass, Mike (September 17, 2013). "Katy Perry Will Release 'Walking on Air' As A Promo Single on September 30". Idolator. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  5. ^ Lindner, Emilee (August 22, 2013). "Katy Perry's New Lyrics: What We Learned!". MTV. Archived from the original on August 25, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  6. ^ a b Lansky, Sam (September 30, 2013). "Katy Perry Goes Deep House in New 'Prism' Track "Walking on Air"". Idolator. Archived from the original on September 30, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  7. ^ Wass, Mike (March 17, 2020). "Lost Hit: Katy Perry's "Walking On Air" Should Have Been A Single". Idolator. Retrieved March 18, 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (October 21, 2013). "Katy Perry's 'PRISM': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  9. ^ "Katy Perry 'Walking on Air' Sheet Music". MusicNotes. Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc. October 4, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  10. ^ Hampp, Andrew (September 30, 2013). "Katy Perry, 'Prism': Fall Music Preview 2013". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  11. ^ a b Kaufman, Gil (September 30, 2013). "Katy Perry Makes 'Angels Cry' On New 'Prism' Track". MTV News. Archived from the original on September 30, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  12. ^ Trust, Gary (September 9, 2013). "Katy Perry's Future 'Prism' Hits: Industry Picks". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  13. ^ a b c Newman, Melinda (September 30, 2013). "Katy Perrys new dance track, Walking on Air will have you floating". HitFix. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
  14. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (September 6, 2013). "Katy Perry's 'Prism' Album Preview: 10 Things You Need to Know". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  15. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (October 17, 2013). "Katy Perry: Prism". Slant Magazine. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  16. ^ Kot, Greg (October 20, 2013). "Katy Perry, 'Prism' album review". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  17. ^ Roberts, Randall (October 22, 2013). "Review: Hits pack Katy Perry's 'Prism'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  18. ^ Harvilla, Rob (October 22, 2013). "Katy Perry Grows Up and Bums Us Out on Her Shrewd, Tepid 'Prism'". Spin. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  19. ^ Gardner, Elysa (October 21, 2013). "Review: Katy Perry's 'Prism' honors spirit and flesh". USA Today. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  20. ^ Petridis, Alexis (October 17, 2013). "Katy Perry: Prism – review". The Guardian. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  21. ^ Hermes, Will (October 10, 2013). "Katy Perry, Walking on Air". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 8, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  22. ^ Eakin, Marah (October 22, 2013). "Katy Perry: Prism". The A.V. Club. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  23. ^ Bosman, Chris (October 21, 2013). "Album Review: Katy Perry – Prism". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  24. ^ Brown, Helen (October 17, 2013). "Katy Perry, Prism, review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  25. ^ Reed, James (October 21, 2013). "Perry shows many colors on 'Prism'". Boston Globe. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  26. ^ Fekadu, Mesfin (October 21, 2013). "Music Review: Katy Perry Plays It Safe on 'Prism'". ABC News. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  27. ^ Anderson, Kyle (September 30, 2013). "Katy Perry's latest 'Prism' track is club thumper 'Walking on Air': Hear it here". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  28. ^ Lansky, Sam (October 22, 2013). "Katy Perry's 'Prism': Album Review". Idolator. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  29. ^ "Get real: Katy Perry lets go of the teenage dream with 'Prism'". The Verge. October 23, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  30. ^ "NZ Chart: Week of October 7, 2013". Charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  31. ^ a b "ARIA Digital Tracks Chart". ARIA Charts. October 7, 2013. Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  32. ^ Trust, Gary (October 10, 2013). "Lorde's 'Royals' Remains Atop Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  33. ^ Trust, Gary (December 11, 2013). "Katy Perry Rides in on A 'Dark Horse,' Her Aptly Titled, Unexpected Hit". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  34. ^ "Classifica settimanale WK 40 (dal 2013-09-30 al 2013-10-06)". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. December 11, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  35. ^ Shipley, Kelci (October 13, 2013). "Katy Perry Walks on Air For 'Saturday Night Live' Performance: Watch!". MTV. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  36. ^ Sher, Lauren (October 25, 2013). "Katy Perry Celebrates 29th Birthday With Special 'Roar' Concert at Colo. High School". ABC News. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  37. ^ Gray, Mark (December 30, 2021). "Katy Perry Sings in a Toilet, Toasts a Giant Mask, and Plays the Hits at Vegas Residency". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  38. ^ "Katy Perry – Walking on Air" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  39. ^ "Katy Perry – Walking on Air" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  40. ^ a b "Katy Perry – Walking on Air" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  41. ^ "Katy Perry Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  42. ^ Katy Perry — Walking on Air. TopHit. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  43. ^ "Katy Perry – Walking on Air". Tracklisten. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  44. ^ "Katy Perry Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 08, 2014.
  45. ^ "Katy Perry: Walking on Air" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  46. ^ "Katy Perry – Walking on Air" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  47. ^ "Chart Track: Week 41, 2013". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  48. ^ "Katy Perry – Walking on Air". Top Digital Download. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  49. ^ "Katy Perry – Walking on Air" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  50. ^ "Katy Perry – Walking on Air". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  51. ^ "Katy Perry – Walking on Air" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  52. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  53. ^ "Katy Perry Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  54. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  55. ^ Wass, Mike (September 18, 2013). "Katy Perry Will Release 'Walking on Air' As A Promo Single on September 30". Idolator. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
  56. ^ Corner, Lewis (September 19, 2013). "Katy Perry confirms 'Walking on Air' release: "Mark your calendars"". Digital Spy. Retrieved October 5, 2013.

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