"Perfect" is a song by Canadian rock band Simple Plan. It was serviced to US radio on August 25, 2003, and officially released as the fourth and final single from their debut studio album, No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls (2002). The single's B-side, "Happy Together", is a cover of the 1967 Turtles song and was previously being featured in the soundtrack of the 2003 film Freaky Friday. "Perfect" became a top-40 hit in the band's native Canada as well as in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
Background and composition "Perfect" was written by the band with music composer Arnold Lanni. Regarding the lyric "Hey dad, look at me" and "I'm sorry I can't be perfect", drummer Chuck Comeau stated that this song "is his idea", to tell his parents that he is not perfect, he cannot be perfect because Comeau's parents were not supportive of his career choice, so in the song Comeau tells that he made it and he is not perfect and he cannot be perfect. Bassist and backing vocalist David Desrosiers also stated that this song was "about him" before he starts an acoustic version of the song. In another song of Simple Plan titled "Problem Child" (also sequel-alike for Perfect) from their fifth studio album Taking One for the Team (2016), Comeau stated that "Problem Child" is "a part 2 of Perfect". Comeau also stated that this song is about his brother who supports him in his music career.
Chart performance "Perfect" became Simple Plan's biggest hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 24. It was also a top-10 hit in Australia, peaking at number six, and reached number 14 in New Zealand. In 2005, the song become band's first top-10 single on the Canadian Singles Chart, peaking at number five.
Music video In the music video of the single, directed by Liz Friedlander, the band are playing on the roof of a house. Throughout the video, it shows how teens are trying to escape such pressure by letting everything out and realizing that they cannot keep their pain in any longer.
Track listing Standard CD single "Perfect" (radio version) "Perfect" (acoustic) "Happy Together"
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2003–2005)PeakpositionCanada (Nielsen SoundScan)5Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS)13Canada Hot AC Top 30 (Radio & Records)28
Year-end charts Chart (2004)PositionAustralia (ARIA)32US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)80US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)29
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesAugust 25, 2003Contemporary hit radioLavaNovember 10, 2003Hot adult contemporary radioAustraliaApril 5, 2004CD
References