Perri's debut single, Jar of Hearts, was released independently in June 2010 and charted in North America following exposure on So You Think You Can Dance.

She then signed with Atlantic Records in July 2010 and released her debut studio album, Lovestrong in May 2011.

In 2011, Perri contributed the single A Thousand Years to the soundtrack album to the hit film, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1; the song charted well internationally and domestically, and being certified Diamond by RIAA.

Head or Heart was released in March 2014 as Perri's second studio album.

Its lead single, Human, was a moderate hit, reaching the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and being certified 3× Platinum by RIAA.