"
Teenage Dream" is a song by American singer
Katy Perry. It was released as the second single from her third studio album
of the same name on July 23, 2010. Perry and
Bonnie McKee wrote many songs with youthful themes in mind, but they were rejected by producers
Benny Blanco and
Dr. Luke. Blanco showed them
The Teenagers' single "Homecoming", and McKee imagined "Teenage Dream" as a throwback song to the euphoric feelings of being in love as a
teenager. They met with
Max Martin in Perry's hometown of
Santa Barbara, California and started writing the track at Playback Recording Studio, which Perry later described as a pure moment for her. After Perry recorded her vocals, McKee presented her idea and the chorus was rewritten. Perry also described the song as reminiscent of her youth while contemplating her future
marriage to
Russell Brand.