Katy Perry changed the game with Teenage Dream. Honestly, it’s rare to see an album produce five number-one singles, but while "California Gurls" was the summer banger, The One That Got Away Perry fans actually hold dear is the one that guts you every time. It’s the sixth single. It didn't hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100—it peaked at number three—but it arguably has more staying power than the tracks that topped the charts. Why? Because it’s real. It’s about that universal ache of "what if."
We’ve all had that person. The one who liked the same obscure bands, the one you shared a Mustang with, or maybe just the person who saw you before you became whoever you are now. Perry tapped into a collective vein of nostalgia that wasn’t just about bubblegum; it was about regret.
The Story Behind the Lyrics and That June Carter Reference
People always ask who the song is actually about. While Perry has been linked to several high-profile relationships, she famously dedicated a performance of the song to her ex-husband, Russell Brand, during her Part of Me documentary. However, the lyrics themselves feel more like a composite of youthful mistakes. When she sings about "the June to your Cash," she’s referencing the legendary love story of June Carter and Johnny Cash. It’s a heavy comparison. It suggests a bond that’s supposed to be eternal, which makes the eventual fallout feel even more like a tragedy.
The song mentions a tattoo. Specifically, "In another life, I would make you stay / So I don't have to say you were the one that got away." It’s simple. It’s direct. It avoids the flowery metaphors of indie folk and just hits you with the blunt reality of losing someone because you were too young or too stupid to hold on.
Interestingly, the production by Dr. Luke and Max Martin is surprisingly restrained for a 2010s pop track. You have that pulsing beat, but the acoustic guitar drives the sentiment. It feels like a precursor to the more "authentic" shift we saw in pop later in the decade.
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Why the Music Video Changed Everything
If the song is a punch to the gut, the music video is a full-on knockout. Directed by Floria Sigismondi, who has worked with everyone from David Bowie to Björk, it features a heavily aged Perry looking back on her life. It’s cinematic.
The video co-stars Diego Luna. You might know him from Andor or Y Tu Mamá También. His chemistry with Perry in those flashbacks—the painting, the arguing, the frantic driving—makes the ending genuinely devastating. When he goes over the cliff, it’s not just a breakup; it’s a permanent loss. That’s a distinction a lot of people miss. The "one that got away" isn't always someone who just moved to a different city. Sometimes, it’s someone who is gone forever.
The Chart Stats and the "Almost" Record
Let's talk numbers because they matter in the context of Perry's career peak. At the time, Teenage Dream was tied with Michael Jackson’s Bad for the most number-one singles from a single album. If The One That Got Away Perry had reached the top spot, she would have officially broken the King of Pop's record.
Capitol Records tried everything. They released a remix featuring B.o.B. They put out an acoustic version that actually highlighted Perry’s vocal range better than the original. They even dropped the price of the song on iTunes to 69 cents. It didn't work. It stayed at number three.
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- Peak Position: 3
- Weeks on Chart: 36
- Release Date: October 2011
But here is the thing: nobody listens to "E.T." on a loop when they’re crying in their car ten years later. They listen to this. The "failure" to reach number one actually cemented the song's legacy as the "alt-hit" for the fans. It felt more personal because it wasn't the biggest song in the world for five minutes; it was the song that stayed in your head for a decade.
The Legacy of the Acoustic Version
If you haven't heard the acoustic version, you’re missing the heart of the track. Stripping away the synth-pop layers reveals a very vulnerable vocal performance. Perry isn't known for being a "technical" powerhouse like Adele, but she has a specific grit in her lower register that sells heartbreak.
In this version, the line "Talk about our future like we had a clue" hits differently. It’s a realization of naivety. Experts in pop theory often point to this song as the bridge between the "Campy Katy" of One of the Boys and the more introspective (though less commercially successful) Witness era. It showed she could do more than just wear cupcake bras; she could write a legacy ballad.
Common Misconceptions About the Song
Some people think the song is about Josh Groban. Perry once called him "the one that got away" in an interview with James Corden during a live stream. Groban's response? He was flattered but noted that they were never in a serious enough relationship for it to be "that" deep.
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Then there’s the Travie McCoy theory. He was her boyfriend right before she exploded into superstardom. The lyrics about "summer after high school" don't quite fit their timeline, but the emotional weight of being with someone before the fame changed everything certainly aligns with their story.
The truth is likely a mix. Most songwriters take a feeling from one person and a specific detail—like a Radiohead shirt—from another. It makes the song more relatable because it’s a mosaic of everyone’s regrets, not just hers.
How to Apply the Lessons of the Song to Real Life
Music is great, but what do we actually do with the feeling of "the one that got away"? It’s easy to romanticize the past. We forget the fights and remember the painting sessions.
- Acknowledge the Idealization: We often miss a version of ourselves that existed with that person, not necessarily the person themselves.
- The "Another Life" Fallacy: Perry sings about making them stay in another life. In reality, relationships end for practical reasons. If they were meant to be there, they would be.
- Use the Energy: Take that regret and pour it into your current relationships. Don't let the next one become a song title.
What’s Next for Your Playlist?
If you’re diving back into the 2010s nostalgia, don't just stop at the radio edits. Check out the "The One That Got Away" 7-inch vinyl if you can find it; the B-side acoustics are legendary among collectors.
Also, look into Floria Sigismondi’s other music videos. Seeing how she framed the "Old Katy" vs. "Young Katy" gives you a much deeper appreciation for the visual storytelling that defined that era of pop music. It wasn't just about selling records; it was about building a world where even the most famous person on earth could feel as lonely as a teenager in a small town.
Actionable Steps:
- Listen to the Acoustic Version: Compare it to the album version to see how production changes the emotional intent of the lyrics.
- Watch the Documentary: Katy Perry: Part of Me provides the raw context of her marriage falling apart while she had to perform these upbeat songs.
- Analyze the Lyrics: Look at the specific cultural markers (Johnny Cash, Radiohead) and see how they ground the song in a specific time and place.