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Perfect (One Direction song)

{{EngvarB|date=November 2022}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}{{Infobox song

| name = Perfect

| cover = One Direction - Perfect.png

| alt =

| border = yes

| type = single

| artist = One Direction

| album = Made in the A.M.

| released = 16 October 2015

| recorded = July 2015

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length = {{duration|m=3|s=50}}

| label = {{hlist|Syco|Sony}}

| writer = {{hlist|Harry Styles|Louis Tomlinson|Jesse Shatkin|Jacob Kasher|John Ryan|Maureen Anne McDonald|Julian Bunetta}}

| producer = {{hlist|Julian Bunetta|Shatkin|AFTERHRS}}

| prev_title = Drag Me Down

| prev_year = 2015

| next_title = History

| next_year = 2015

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = One Direction EP

| type = EP

| prev_title = Live While We’re Young EP

| prev_year = 2012

| title = Perfect

| year = 2015

| next_title =

| next_year =

}}

{{External music video|{{YouTube|Ho32Oh6b4jc|"Perfect"}}}}

}}

"Perfect" is a song by British-Irish boy band One Direction. Released on 16 October 2015 as the second single from their fifth studio album, Made in the A.M., it debuted at number one in Ireland, and reached the top 10 in several countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, France, New Zealand and Australia. The song was written by members Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, along with the band's regular collaborators, Julian Bunetta and John Ryan among others.

Background and composition

In various interviews, the band members and co-writers describe differing aspects of the composition and overall meaning of the song. The song is in D major and has a tempo of 100 beats per minute. Long-time writer and producer for the band, Julian Bunetta described the writing process as "difficult" due to the writing occurring whilst the members travelled from country to country during their 2015 On the Road Again Tour.{{cite magazine|title = One Direction Collaborator Breaks Down Group's New Songs|url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/one-direction-collaborator-breaks-down-groups-new-songs-20151111|magazine = Rolling Stone|date = 11 November 2015|access-date = 8 December 2015}} Bunetta called the single "a jam" and stated that he plays it in his car frequently.{{cite web|url = https://twitter.com/julianbulian/status/650725910577041408|title = )u1!@n on Twitter: ha i dont know if i could say that. But its a jam. I play it in my car all the time|website = Twitter|access-date = 8 December 2015}}

Critical reception

Digital Spy{{'}}s Lewis Corner praised "Perfect", describing it as a "scintillating slice of '80s pop" and also said that the song was a "delicious retort" to Taylor Swift's (ex-girlfriend of band member Harry Styles) song "Style".{{Cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/album-reviews/review/a773457/one-directions-new-album-made-in-the-am-track-by-track-first-listen/|title=EXCLUSIVE: 1D's new album Made In The AM first listen|date=2015-11-09|newspaper=Digital Spy|access-date=2016-10-24}} Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone commented that the song was "a catchy ode to bad boys and the rebellious personas" while noticing that "Styles seems to directly respond to the songs Taylor Swift is rumoured to have written about him on her album 1989.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hear-one-directions-perfect-ode-to-bad-boys-162521/|title = Hear One Direction's 'Perfect' Ode to Bad Boys|magazine = Rolling Stone|date = 16 October 2015}}

Former band member Zayn Malik was less complimentary about the song; in his January 2016 cover story interview in Billboard, he said that the first single was "quite cool" but heard the second single and decided not to buy the album.{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/cover-story/6835305/zayn-malik-solo-career-one-direction-new-music|title=Zayn Malik Speaks Out in Revealing Billboard Cover Story: 'I'm Not Censoring Myself Anymore'|newspaper=Billboard|access-date=2016-10-24}}

Chart performance

In the band's native United Kingdom, "Perfect" debuted at number two. In the United States, the song became the band's sixth and final top ten hit when "Perfect" debuted at number 10 on the Billboard issue dated 7 November 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6738614/weeknd-tops-hot-100-adele-no-1-next-week|title=The Weeknd No. 1 for Sixth Week, Adele No. 1 next week?|publisher=Billboard.com}} This debut also broke The Beatles' record for the most top 10 Hot 100 debuts among bands.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6745031/one-direction-beatles-record-fifth-top-10-debut-hot-100|title=One Direction Breaks The Beatles' Record With Fifth Top 10 Debut on Hot 100|author=Gary Trust|magazine=Billboard|date=27 October 2015|access-date=29 October 2015}}

Music video

The music video was directed by Sophie Muller with additional help from actor Giovanni Ribisi{{Cite news|url=http://www.promonews.tv/videos/2015/10/28/one-direction-perfect-sophie-muller|title=One Direction 'Perfect' by Sophie Muller on Promo News|newspaper=Promo News|access-date=2016-10-24}} and premiered on Vevo on 20 October 2015. The video, filmed in black and white, depicts how the band lives while on tour, and was filmed at the Intercontinental Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City in early September 2015.{{cite web|last1=Steiner|first1=Amanda Michelle|title=One Direction cause trouble in hotel rooms in 'Perfect' music video|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/10/20/one-direction-perfect-music-video|publisher=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=26 October 2015}} The video features shots of the members as they relax in a hotel room during their 2015 tour.

Live performances

The group performed "Perfect" for the first time at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland on 16 October 2015 during the last leg of their On the Road Again Tour and continued to perform the song in their concerts until their last before their hiatus on 31 October in Sheffield, England.{{Cite web|url=http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/one-direction/2015/3arena-dublin-ireland-7bf5b208.html|title=One Direction Setlist at 3Arena, Dublin|website=setlist.fm|access-date=2016-10-24}} The band also performed "Perfect" at the 2015 American Music Awards,{{Cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/one-direction-bring-perfect-performance-to-2015-amas-20151122|title=One Direction Bring 'Perfect' Performance to 2015 AMAs|newspaper=Rolling Stone|access-date=2016-10-24}} BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge,{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0369cw6|title=One Direction, Live Lounge - BBC Radio 1|website=BBC|date=12 November 2015 |access-date=2016-10-24}} The Ellen DeGeneres Show,{{Cite web|url=http://www.fuse.tv/videos/2015/11/one-direction-drag-me-down-live-performance-ellen|title=See One Direction Perform "Drag Me Down" on 'Ellen'|website=Fuse|access-date=2016-10-24}} Jimmy Kimmel Live!,{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6770083/one-direction-jimmy-kimmel-live|title=One Direction Perform Medley of Songs on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live': Watch|newspaper=Billboard|access-date=2016-10-24}} British The X Factor{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6762544/one-direction-x-factor-uk-perfect|title=One Direction Returns to 'X Factor' U.K. to Perform 'Perfect': Watch|newspaper=Billboard|access-date=2016-10-24}} as well as Jingle Ball festivals across the United States.{{Cite web|url=http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/one-direction/2015/american-airlines-center-dallas-tx-5bf29be8.html|title=One Direction Setlist at KISS FM Dallas' Jingle Ball 2015|website=setlist.fm|access-date=2016-10-24}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.idolator.com/7616965/kiis-fm-jingle-ball-2015-one-direction-selena-gomez-the-weeknd-ellie-goulding-shawn-mendes-camila-cabello-video|title=Jingle Ball 2015: Watch Performances By 1D, Selena Gomez, The Weeknd And More {{!}} Idolator|date=2015-12-05|newspaper=Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com|access-date=2016-10-24}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/6785923/jingle-ball-2015-los-angeles-one-direction-selena-gomez-weeknd-KIIS|title=Jingle Ball L.A. Recap: One Direction's Last Gig, The Weeknd Gets Sexy & Selena Gomez Slays|newspaper=Billboard|access-date=2016-10-24}} In November 2015, the band performed the song in front of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex at the Royal Variety Performance and Ed Power from The Telegraph listed the performance as "the fifth standout moment of the night."{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/12039403/Royal-Variety-2015-review.html|title=The Royal Variety Performance 2015: the top 5 acts|newspaper=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=2016-10-24}}

Track listing

  • Digital download{{cite web|url=https://itun.es/gb/pb0z-|title=iTunes - Music - Perfect - Single by One Direction|date=16 October 2015|publisher=iTunes Store (GB)}}
  1. "Perfect" – 3:50
  • Digital EP{{cite web|url=https://itun.es/gb/RskP-|title=iTunes - Music - Perfect - EP by One Direction|date=22 October 2015|publisher=iTunes Store (GB)}}
  1. "Perfect" {{small|(Stripped)}} – 3:51
  2. "Home" – 3:14
  3. "Perfect" {{small|(Matoma Remix)}} – 3:43
  4. "Drag Me Down" {{small|(featuring LunchMoney Lewis) (Big Payno x AFTERHRS Remix)}} – 3:08

Note: "Home" was written by Jamie Scott, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne.

Charts

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=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+2015–16 weekly chart performance for "Perfect"

!scope="col"| Chart (2015–2016)

!scope="col"| Peak
position

{{single chart|Australia|4|artist=One Direction|song=Perfect|refname=aria|rowheader=true|access-date=24 October 2015}}
{{single chart|Austria|2|artist=One Direction|song=Perfect|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2015}}
{{single chart|Flanders|9|artist=One Direction|song=Perfect|rowheader=true|access-date=31 October 2015}}
{{single chart|Wallonia|21|artist=One Direction|song=Perfect|rowheader=true|access-date=25 October 2015}}
{{single chart|Canada|13|artist=One Direction|rowheader=true|access-date=27 October 2015}}
{{single chart|Czechdigital|3|year=2015|week=43|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Czech Republic|15|year=2016|week=5|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Denmark|25|artist=One Direction|song=Perfect|rowheader=true|access-date=24 October 2015}}
{{single chart|Finland|12|artist=One Direction|song=Perfect|rowheader=true|access-date=24 October 2015}}
{{single chart|France|8|artist=One Direction|song=Perfect|rowheader=true|access-date=25 October 2015}}
{{single chart|Germany|20|songid=1486267|artist=One Direction|song=Perfect|rowheader=true|access-date=25 October 2015}}
{{single chart|Ireland|1|year=2015|week=43|rowheader=true|access-date=25 October 2015}}
{{single chart|Italy|3|artist=One Direction|song=Perfect|rowheader=true|access-date=24 October 2015}}
{{single chart|Hungary|8|year=2016|week=3|rowheader=true|access-date=29 January 2016}}
{{single chart|Hungarytop10|2|year=2015|week=42|rowheader=true|access-date=30 October 2015}}
{{single chart|Billboardjapanhot100|24|artist=One Direction|rowheader=true|access-date=28 November 2015}}
scope="row" | Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard ){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/one-direction/chart-history/min/|title=One Direction Chart History (Mexico Ingles Airplay)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 12, 2021}}

| 10

{{single chart|Dutch40|31|artist=One Direction|song=Perfect|rowheader=true|access-date=25 October 2015}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|28|artist=One Direction|song=Perfect|rowheader=true|access-date=25 October 2015}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|7|artist=One Direction|song=Perfect|rowheader=true|access-date=24 October 2015}}
{{single chart|Norway|15|artist=One Direction|song=Perfect|rowheader=true|access-date=31 October 2015}}
{{single chart|Poland|11|year=2016|chartid=1902|rowheader=true|access-date=29 February 2016|refname=Poland}}
scope="row" |Portugal (AFP){{cite web |url =https://portuguesecharts.com/search.asp?search=One+direction&cat=s|title=One Direction - Portuguese Charts|access-date = 2021-02-20}}

| 28

{{single chart|Scotland|1|date=20151024|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Slovakdigital|1|year=2015|week=43|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|South Africa|5|date=2015-12-22|rowheader=true|access-date=5 January 2016}}
{{single chart|Spain|11|artist=One Direction|song=Perfect|rowheader=true|access-date=24 November 2015}}
{{single chart|Sweden|12|artist=One Direction|song=Perfect|rowheader=true|access-date=25 October 2015}}
{{single chart|Switzerland|12|artist=One Direction|song=Perfect|rowheader=true|access-date=25 October 2015}}
{{single chart|UK|2|date=20151024|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|10|artist=One Direction|rowheader=true|access-date=26 October 2015}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|22|artist=One Direction|rowheader=true|access-date=19 January 2016}}
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|10|artist=One Direction|rowheader=true|access-date=29 December 2015}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ 2024 weekly chart performance for "Perfect"

! scope="col"| Chart (2024)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

{{single chart|Billboardglobal200|94|artist=One Direction|rowheader=true|access-date=29 October 2024}}
scope="row" | Philippines (Philippines Hot 100){{Cite web |title=Philippines Hot 100 (Week of November 2, 2024) |url=https://billboardphilippines.com/chart/philippines-hot-100/11-02-2024/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241030102508/https://billboardphilippines.com/chart/philippines-hot-100/ |archive-date=October 30, 2024 |access-date=October 30, 2024 |website=Billboard Philippines |language=en-PH |issn=2984-9861}}

|26

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"

|+Year-end chart performance for "Perfect"

!scope="col"| Chart (2015)

!scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2015.htm|title=ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2015|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=6 January 2016}}

| 91

scope="row"| UK Singles (OCC){{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-singles-chart/20150104/37501/|title=End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2015|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=18 August 2019}}

| 92

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"

!scope="col"| Chart (2016)

!scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Brazil (Brasil Hot 100){{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com.br/noticias/as-100-mais-tocadas-nas-radios-jovens-em-2016/|title=As 100 Mais Tocadas nas Rádios Jovens em 2016|work=Billboard Brasil|date=January 4, 2017|access-date=September 7, 2017|language=pt}}

| 20

scope="row"| Canada (Canadian Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2016/canadian-hot-100|title=Canadian Hot 100 Year End 2016|magazine=Billboard|access-date=9 December 2016}}

| 61

scope="row"| Hungary (Rádiós Top 40){{cite web|url=http://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/radios/2016|title=Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján - 2016|access-date=7 October 2019|publisher=Mahasz}}

| 42

scope="row"| US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|title=Hot 100 Songs - Year-End 2016|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2016/hot-100-songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=8 December 2016}}

| 100

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Perfect"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2015|certyear=2020|access-date=31 December 2016}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=One Direction|title=Perfect|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|certyear=2017|relyear=2015|access-date=21 February 2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=One Direction|title=Perfect|award=Platinum|relyear=2015|relmonth=10|certyear=2021|id=9562|access-date=4 October 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|artist=One Direction|title=Perfect|award=Gold|relyear=2015|certyear=2023|access-date=3 September 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|award=Platinum|artist=One Direction|title=Perfect|certyear=2016|relyear=2015|id=3345|access-date=27 March 2016}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|artist=One Direction|title=History|type=single|award=Platinum+Gold|number=2|relyear=2015|certyear=2022|access-date=7 October 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=One Direction|title=Perfect|award=Platinum|number=2|digital=true|relyear=2015|access-date=23 December 2024|certyear=2022|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=One Direction|title=Perfect|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2024|id=one-direction-perfect|access-date=18 February 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=One Direction|title=Perfect|award=Platinum|relyear=2015|certyear=2017|access-date=2 June 2017|id=5053-2449-1}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|title=Perfect|artist=One Direction|nocert=true|relyear=2015|certyear=2016|access-date=15 December 2015|salesamount=817,000|salesref={{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7408939/ask-billboard-one-directions-career-sales|title=Billboard: One Direction's Career Sales|magazine=Billboard|access-date=19 June 2016}}}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+ List of release dates, showing region, formats, label and reference

scope="col"| Region

! scope="col"| Date

! scope="col"| Format(s)

! scope="col"| Label

! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|References}}

Worldwide

| October 16, 2015

| [CD]

| {{hlist|Columbia|Syco}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases|title=Top 40/M Future Releases - Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates ...|work=All Access|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018030431/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases |archive-date=18 October 2015 }}

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{One Direction}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2015 singles

Category:2015 songs

Category:One Direction songs

Category:Black-and-white music videos

Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles

Category:Number-one singles in Scotland

Category:Songs written by Jacob Kasher

Category:Songs written by John Ryan (musician)

Category:Songs written by Julian Bunetta

Category:Songs written by Harry Styles

Category:Songs written by Louis Tomlinson

Category:Songs written by Mozella

Category:Syco Music singles

Category:Songs written by Jesse Shatkin

Category:Song recordings produced by Jesse Shatkin

Category:Music videos directed by Sophie Muller

Category:Song recordings produced by John Ryan (songwriter)