Sara Bareilles thankful for Katy Perry song controversy

Sara Bareilles is grateful for the controversy surrounding her and fellow pop star Katy Perry's eerily similar hit singles, insisting the purported feud has only boosted interest in her song.

When the Teenage Dream hitmaker released her single Roar last August (13), fans of Bareilles were quick to point out that it had a similar beat her track Brave, which was released four months earlier.

Despite the controversy, Bareilles tells breakfast show CBS Sunday Morning that there is no bad blood between her and Perry, insisting the furor only had a positive effect.

She explains, "I can't say that I think that they don't sound similar. I've known Katy a really long time, and we're friends. It has been only really good for my song. So, thank you, Katy Perry, for that."

Ironically Bareilles and Perry will duke it out for the Best Pop Solo Performance award at the upcoming Grammy Awards on 26 January (14).