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TL;DR:

  • Jason Derulo got the beat for “Trumpets” from an obscure producer working from a bedroom.
  • The lyrics of “Trumpets” reference Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” bra.
  • “Trumpets” became an international hit.
Katy Perry with a microphone
Katy Perry | Christopher Polk/Getty Images

One of Katy Perry‘s most iconic music videos is “California Gurls.” In the video, she wears a red bra that shoots whipped cream. During an interview, Jason Derulo explained how this bra inspired his hit song “Trumpets.”

Jason Derulo got the beat for ‘Trumpets’ from an obscure producer who was working out of his bedroom

During a 2014 interview with Billboard, Derulo explained how the beat to “Trumpets” came to be. He received the beat from an unknown producer named Jon Bellion. Bellion didn’t have a studio at the time, so Derulo came to work with him in his bedroom. 

Derulo said Bellion was grateful to be able to work with him. “I thought the experience was actually really dope,” Derulo revealed. “It’s a change of pace. I’m not really a crazy, superficial kind of dude.”

Jason Derulo mentioned the bra Katy Perry wore in the ‘California Gurls’ music video because she’s one of his favorite artists

Derulo pays homage to various artists in the lyrics of “Trumpets.” Specifically, he names Coldplay, Kanye West, and Perry. In one line, he asks his lover “Is it weird that your bra reminds me of a Katy Perry song?” 

During a 2014 interview with ABC News Radio, Derulo explained the reference. “It is up for interpretation, but for me, it was such a big thing, y’know, the Candy Girl look,” he said, laughing. “The bra, I mean, that was an epic moment in pop culture! And Katy Perry’s one of my favorite artists, so I had to throw in that.”

Subsequently, Derulo explained the meaning of “Trumpets.” “It’s a fun love song,” he opined. “It’s talking about how beautiful this girl is and how, when she walks into a room, I hear symphonies in my head, or when she gets undressed, I hear music and trumpets. And it’s the ultimate compliment ’cause music is my everything, you know?”

Derulo said “Trumpets” reflected his relationship to music. “I live, breathe and eat music,” he adds. “So the ultimate compliment is to compare her to music or to hear music when I see her.” 

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The way fans from the United States and the United Kingdom reacted to ‘Trumpets’ 

“Trumpets” became a modest hit in the United States. The track reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for 32 weeks. Derulo released the song on his album Talk Dirty, which was exclusively released in the U.S. Talk Dirty reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200, lasting on the chart for 63 weeks.

The Official Charts Company reports “Trumpets” was even more prominent in the United Kingdom. It reached No. 4 in the U.K., staying on the chart for 25 weeks. In the U.K., the song appeared on Derulo’s album TattoosTattoos hit No. 5 and remained on the chart for 31 weeks.

“Trumpets” was a hit and it wouldn’t be the same without one of Perry’s iconic fashion choices.