After studying musical theatre for most of her school life and while in university, Jepsen garnered mainstream attention after placing third on the fifth season of Canadian Idol in 2007.

Jepsen's sophomore studio album, Kiss, was released later that year and included the single "Good Time" with Owl City; both charted in the top ten in Canada and the United States.

The following year, she released her third studio album, Emotion, influenced by 1980s music, dance-pop and synth-pop, which included the singles, "I Really Like You", "Your Type" and "Run Away with Me".

[10][11] After graduation, Jepsen relocated to Vancouver's west side and held several jobs, including a barista, assistant pastry chef, and bartender.

[16] The singles "Tug of War" and "Bucket" peaked in the top 40 of the Canadian Hot 100, and received Gold certifications for sales of 40,000 units each.

[18][19] In the summer of 2011, Jepsen recorded material for her second studio album with Josh Ramsay, Ryan Stewart, and Tavish Crowe.

[16] Following the success of "Call Me Maybe", Jepsen recorded the top ten duet "Good Time" with Owl City, released in June 2012.

[27][28][29] The same year, Jepsen became a spokesperson and model for clothing retailer Wet Seal[30] and appeared on the fifth-season premiere episode of The CW primetime soap opera 90210.

[45] Accompanied by a music video in which actor Tom Hanks lip-synced to the song, it peaked at number 14 in Canada and the top five in the UK.

Although it was a relative commercial failure compared to Kiss, it received critical acclaim and a cult following, attracting a more mature audience to her music.

[61] The song was originally intended for Emotion, but instead appeared in the animated film Ballerina, in which Jepsen voices a supporting role.

[72] Following Dedicated Side B's release, Jepsen confirmed that she was making a "quarantine album" alongside long-time friend and songwriter Tavish Crowe, whom she wrote "Call Me Maybe" with.

[73] In May 2022, Jepsen announced at her Coachella performance the lead single from her sixth studio album, "Western Wind", which was released on May 6, 2022.

[77] In support and for the promotion of the album, Jepsen embarked on The So Nice Tour beginning in September 2022 and is scheduled to play 40 shows across North America, Europe, and Australia through March 2023.

[85][86][87] Paul Bradley of LA Weekly described Jepsen's voice as "hushed" and "flawless"[86] while Maura Johnston of Slate characterized it as "airy yet precise".

[87] Jepsen says she shares her parents' interest in folk music as a result of her upbringing, naming artists such as Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, and Van Morrison as inspirations for her debut studio album, Tug of War (2008).

[88][89] During the recording of her EP Curiosity and her second studio album, Kiss (both 2012), Jepsen said she became increasingly influenced by pop and dance music, in particular the works of Dragonette, Kimbra, La Roux, and Robyn.

[89][90][91] Her third studio album, Emotion (2015), drew from her love of 1980s pop artists including Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, and Prince.

[49][92] Jepsen has expressed admiration for Cat Power, Christine and the Queens, Tegan and Sara,[93] Bleachers, Kate Bush,[94] Bob Dylan, Sky Ferreira, Dev Hynes, Solange Knowles, Joni Mitchell, Sinéad O'Connor, the Spice Girls, Hank Williams,[92][95] and Taylor Swift.