Perfect (The Smashing Pumpkins song)
"Perfect" is a song by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. It was the second single from their fourth album, Adore (1998). It was the final commercial single from the album, although "Crestfallen" and "To Sheila" were subsequently released as promotional singles.
"Perfect" | ||||
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US/UK CD1 cover | ||||
Single by The Smashing Pumpkins | ||||
from the album Adore | ||||
Released | September 7, 1998 | |||
Recorded | 1997 | |||
Genre | Synth-pop | |||
Length | 3:22 | |||
Label | Virgin | |||
Songwriter(s) | Billy Corgan | |||
Producer(s) | Billy Corgan, Flood, Brad Wood | |||
The Smashing Pumpkins singles chronology | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
UK CD single 2 |
Critical reception
Upon release, the song received positive reviews. Rolling Stone notes that the song "picks up on the synth-pop echoes of the 1996 Pumpkins hit 1979."[1] Feldman of website Musiccritic.com called the single "an irresistible slice of candy-coated pop"[2] while website Rockmusicreview.com praised it for its "glimmering shine."[3]
Music video
To expand on the similarities between "Perfect" and "1979", the band released a music video which continued the story of the characters in "1979". They were able to find and use four out of the five original actors from the "1979" video, including Giuseppe Andrews. The fifth was in jail.[4] The same crew of directors was hired, which consisted of husband-and-wife team Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. It was the fifth and final collaboration between the two and The Smashing Pumpkins.
The conclusion of the video, in which a tape falls off a car and is crushed, is probably a reference to the fate of the first tapes of the "1979" music video, which had to be re-taped because they were left on the roof of a car and destroyed when the car drove off.[5]
The video also contains footage of the band performing at The Masque in L.A. for selected fans.[6] The set played at the taping included heavier songs the band was not performing during regular concerts at the time, such as "Where Boys Fear to Tread", "Bodies", and "Pug".
The video debuted on MTV's 120 Minutes on September 16, 1998.
Track listing
All songs written by Billy Corgan, except "Summer", written by James Iha. Drums provided by Joey Waronker.[7]
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Perfect" | 3:27 |
2. | "Summer" | 3:14 |
3. | "Perfect" (Nellee Hooper Mix) | 4:14 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Perfect" | 3:23 |
2. | "Perfect" (Perfecto Mix) | 7:00 |
3. | "Daphne Descends" (Kerry B. Mix) | 3:53 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Album Version" | 3:23 |
2. | "Nellee Hooper Mix" | 4:14 |
3. | "Nellee Hooper Instrumental" | 4:12 |
4. | "Perfecto Mix" | 7:00 |
5. | "Electro Breakbeat Mix" | 6:02 |
6. | "Perfecto Dub" | 7:04 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Perfect" | 3:23 |
2. | "Summer" | 3:14 |
3. | "Daphne Descends" (Kerry B. Mix) | 3:53 |
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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References
- "Smashing Pumpkins Adore Album Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
- "Smashing Pumpkins - Adore - Album Review @ Music-Critic.com : the source for music reviews, interviews, articles, and news on the internet". Retrieved August 23, 2015.
- "Smashing Pumpkins - Adore / Album Review / Rock Music Review". Retrieved August 23, 2015.
- Band commentary, "Perfect". Greatest Hits Video Collection.
- "Another Round: The Smashing Pumpkins – "1979"". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
- Smashing Pumpkins - The Making of 'Perfect' (With Commentary). YouTube. January 14, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
- https://www.discogs.com/The-Smashing-Pumpkins-Adore/release/1745880
- "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7039." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
- "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 6976." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
- "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 7919." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
- "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15 no. 39. September 26, 1998. p. 9. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
- "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (30.7.–6.8. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). July 31, 2019. p. 11. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
- "Charts.nz – The Smashing Pumpkins – Perfect". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
- "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
- "Smashing Pumpkins: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
- "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
- "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
- "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
- "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
- "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
- "RPM's Top 100 Hits of '98" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 68 no. 12. December 14, 1998. p. 20. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
- "RPM's Top 50 Alternative Tracks of '98". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 3, 2019.