Perfect Day
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| “ | You made me forget myself; I thought I was someone else, someone good. | ” |
"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 are often considered to suggest simple, 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]
However, on a deeper reading of the song's lyrics, amongst the idealised description of a "perfect day", interposed lines such as "You just keep me hanging on", and "I thought I was someone else, someone good" suggest a far deeper yearning than just the superficial romantic clichés, and allude to the underlying and painful bitterness of nostalgia often felt even as an event is lived - an event one knows or fears to be a mere distraction or illusion.
Some commentators have further 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.
Reed re-recorded the song for his 2003 album The Raven.
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[edit] Cover versions
Several cover versions of "Perfect Day" have been recorded by various artists.
- Helen Hoffner recorded her version on her 1993 album Wild About Nothing.
- Duran Duran released "Perfect Day" as a single from their 1995 covers album Thank You; it reached #28 on the UK Singles Chart.
- Kirsty MacColl recorded her version as a duet with Evan Dando on her 1995 album Galore.
- California punk band T.S.O.L. recorded a cover for their 4 Songs - 2005 EP
- Coldplay played an acoustic version in the Isle of Wight festival in 2006 after Reed had asked them to backstage after he had finished his set but forgot to perform it himself (as Martin explained beforehand).
- Chris Whitley used it as the title song for his 2000 album Perfect Day.
- Patti Smith recorded a cover for her Two More EP
- Amanda Palmer during her 2006 "Fuck the Back Row" tour.
- Antony Hegarty recorded his version on his 2003 album "Raven," by Reed's request.
- Wolfmother played it at the Andy Warhol Up Late gig in 2008.
[edit] BBC corporate film and charity release
| “Perfect Day” | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Single by Various Artists | ||
| Released | October 3, 1997 | |
| Format | CD | |
| Length | 3:46 | |
| Label | Chrysalis / BBC | |
| Writer(s) | Lou Reed | |
In 1997 the track was showcased by the BBC in a lengthy corporate promotion of its diverse music coverage which was broadcast on BBC channels and in cinemas. It featured Lou Reed himself and other major artists in what the Financial Times described as "an astonishing line-up of world class performers".[2] In reference to the licence fee, the film ends with the message "Whatever your musical taste, it is catered for by BBC Radio and Television. This is only possible thanks to the unique way the BBC is paid for by you. BBC. You make it what it is." This message appears over the repeated words "You're going to reap just what you sow" which The Guardian described as "a none too subtle message: keep writing the cheque."[3] In response to accusations from commercial competitors that the corporation had wasted vast sums on the film it was revealed that each artist received a "token" £250 because of their belief in the BBC.[2]
Prompted by a huge public demand the track was released in November as a charity single for Children in Need. It was the UK's number one single for three weeks, in two separate spells. Selling over a million copies, the record contributed £2,125,000 to the charity's highest fundraising total in six years[4].
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[5]. The BBC also produced a Christmas version of the accompanying music video.
[edit] Performers
Performers in order of appearance (italics indicate mute appearance). Dividers indicate verses/sections.
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[edit] Tracks
The released single contained three tracks. In addition to the main mix there were two additional tracks consisting of mixes of just the female performances and the male performances respectively.
- Perfect Day '97
- Perfect Day '97 - Female Version
- Perfect Day '97 - Male Version
[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] Heart of Midlothian FC
The fans of Scottish Premier League football club, Edinburgh's Heart of Midlothian FC, adopted "A Perfect Day" as one of their football chants, with the following words:-
Just a perfect day, Bovril at Tynecastle Park, and then later when it gets dark, Mickey scores - Just a perfect day, Put Celtic fans in the zoo, And later goal number two - and then home !
Oh it's such a perfect day, I'm so glad I support you, Oh such a perfect day, You just keep me hanging on, You just keep me hanging on
Just a perfect day, Problems are left alone, Hibs are down on their own - It's such fun!!!!!!!!
Just a perfect day, You made me forget myself, I thought I was someone else - we'd scored 2 !!
Oh it's such a perfect day, I'm so glad I support you, Oh such a perfect day, You just keep me hanging on, You just keep me hanging on.
[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 |
| Preceded by Incumbent |
UK Mainstream (version by Various Artists) January 4, 1998 - January 11, 1998 |
Succeeded by "Slam Dunk (Da Funk)" by 5ive |
[edit] References
- ^ Bockris, Victor. Transformer: The Lou Reed Story. Simon & Schuster, August 1, 1995. (ISBN 978-0684803661)
- ^ a b Dunkley, Christopher. "Hard sell of the fast cut" Financial Times. 1997-10-01
- ^ Mulholland, John. "Such a perfect way to sing the praises of a licence fee; John Mulholland on how Lou Reed's anthem for doomed youth became the ultimate sales gimmick" The Guardian 1997-09-27
- ^ Perfect Day for children - BBC News October 12, 1998
- ^ Children to reap what Perfect Day sows - BBC News November 21, 1997
- Original Seeds Vol. 2, liner notes by Kim Beissel
