Perfect Day

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“ You made me forget myself; I thought I was someone else, someone good. ”

—Lou Reed
For other uses, see Perfect Day (disambiguation).

"Perfect Day" is a song written by Lou Reed in 1972. Its fame was given a boost in the 1990s when it was featured in the 1996 film Trainspotting, and after its release as a charity single in 1997.

The song was originally featured on the 1972 album Transformer. The song's lyrics suggest nothing more than conventional romantic devotion, possibly alluding to Reed’s relationship with Bettye Kronstadt (soon to become his first wife) and Reed’s own conflicts with his sexuality, drug use and ego.[1] Some commentators have seen the lyrics as displaying Reed's romanticised attitude towards a period of his own addiction to heroin. Critics of this view assert that Reed never tried to conceal his drug use, so the song does not have concealed meanings of this nature. However, this popular belief of the song's meaning gave many across the United Kingdom a smile when the BBC used the song and the charity version was released.

Reed re-recorded the song for his 2003 album The Raven.

Contents

[edit] Cover versions

Several cover versions of "Perfect Day" have been recorded by various artists.

Coldplay performed the song during their performance at the 2006 Isle of Wight festival. Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls did a solo cover of the song during her 2006 "F*** The Back Row" tour. John Frusciante has also covered the song live.

[edit] Children in Need charity single

In 1997 the track was showcased by the BBC in a lengthy corporate promotion of its diverse music coverage. This version has its origins in a performance by Heather Small on the BBC2 programme Later with Jools Holland. The video was shown on BBC channels and in cinemas and won both awards and praise from commentators.

Prompted by a huge public demand the track was released in November as a charity single for Children In Need. Featuring a host of well-known singers and performers, with Reed himself opening and closing the song, it was the UK's number one single for two weeks. Selling over a million copies, the record contributed £2,125,000 to the charity's highest fundraising total in six years[2].

The release featured two additional versions of the song - one entirely sung by female performers, one by male performers. Of the title track featuring the performers listed below, Lou Reed said I have never been more impressed with a performance of one of my songs[3]. The BBC also produced a Christmas version of the accompanying music video.

In an interview with Nicky Horne, Reed said he had been told that the song was for charity, and appeared not to realize that it had also been used to promote the BBC.[citation needed]

[edit] Performers

(in order of appearance - some are singing multiple times)

[edit] Sequels

Following the success of the Perfect Day music video, the BBC produced two further similar campaigns. The first, Future Generations, in December 1998, did a similar multi-celebrity montage with favourite BBC children's programmes. The second, called Shaggy Dog Story, featured various comedians and comic actors telling a long-winded shaggy dog story, with each one sharing a line or phrase. A second, shorter shaggy dog story, entitled Mammals vs. Insects, was also broadcast on 2000-01-04.

[edit] Music Live 2000

A BBC live television event, which consisted of music programs around the clock, ended in a performance of "Perfect Day". Although watched by millions the single that was released to co-incide with the performance (and was the actual recording from the show) bombed in the charts in dramatic style, reaching #69 in mid June 2000.

The line-up, often forgotten, did include Rolf Harris and also the start and end from Lou Reed himself.

Preceded by
"Barbie Girl" by Aqua		 UK Singles Chart Number 1 single (version by Various Artists)
November 23, 1997 for 2 weeks		 Succeeded by
"Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh!" by The Teletubbies
Preceded by
"Too Much" by The Spice Girls		 UK Singles Chart Number 1 single (version by Various Artists)
January 4, 1998 for 1 week		 Succeeded by
"Never Ever" by All Saints

[edit] References

  1. ^ Bockris, Victor. Transformer: The Lou Reed Story. Simon & Schuster, August 1, 1995. (ISBN 978-0684803661)
  2. ^ Perfect Day for children - BBC News October 12, 1998
  3. ^ Children to reap what Perfect Day sows - BBC News November 21, 1997

[edit] External links

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