Perfect
¼òµ¥¼Æ»®(Simple Plan) Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Verse 1]
Hey, Dad, look at me,
Think back and talk to me,
Did I grow up according to plan?
And do you think I'm wasting my time,
Doing things I wanna do?
But it hurts when you disapprove
All along.

[Pre-Chorus]
And now I try hard to make it,
I just want to make you proud.
I'm never gonna be good enough for you.
I can't pretend that I'm alright,
And you can't change me!

[Chorus]
'Cause we lost it all, nothing lasts forever,
I'm sorry, I can't be
Perfect.
Now it's just too late, and we can't go back,
I'm sorry, I can't be
Perfect.

[Verse 2]
I try not to think
About the pain I feel inside.
Did you know you used to be my hero?
All the days you spent with me,
Now seem so far away.
And it feels like you don't care
Anymore.

[Pre-Chorus]
And now I try hard to make it,
I just want to make you proud.
I'm never gonna be good enough for you.
I can't stand another fight.
And nothing' alright!

[Chorus]
'Cause we lost it all, nothing lasts forever,
I'm sorry, I can't be
Perfect.
Now it's just too late, and we can't go back,
I'm sorry, I can't be
Perfect.

[Bridge]
Nothing's gonna change the
Things that you said.
And nothing's gonna make this
Right again!
Please don't turn your back, I
Can't believe it's hard just to talk to you,
But you don't understand!

[Chorus]
'Cause we lost it all, nothing lasts forever,
I'm sorry, I can't be
Perfect.
Now it's just too late, and we can't go back,
I'm sorry, I can't be
Perfect.
'Cause we lost it all, nothing lasts forever,
I'm sorry, I can't be
Perfect.
Now it's just too late, and we can't go back,

I'm sorry, I can't be
Perfect.

Overall Meaning

In "Perfect," Simple Plan addresses the struggles of living up to parental expectations and the resulting pain and frustration. The song is directed towards the lead singer's father, with him asking, "Did I grow up according to plan?," highlighting the pressure he feels to meet his father's expectations. The pre-chorus emphasizes the singer's desire to make his father proud, yet he knows he can never be good enough. The chorus is thematically the most significant aspect of the song, with the title "Perfect" ironically implying that it is an unattainable goal. Simple Plan acknowledges that nothing lasts, indicating that the relationship between father and son is likely broken, and there is no going back.

The second verse highlights the emotional distance between father and son and how the singer's father was once his hero but is no longer there for him. The bridge talks about how painful it is to hear critical words from a loved one and how it affects the dynamics of the relationship. The final chorus emphasizes that it is too late to change the situation, and the song ends with the singer repeating, "I'm sorry, I can't be perfect."

Line by Line Meaning

Hey, Dad, look at me
I want your attention and approval

Think back and talk to me
Recall our past, and let's have a conversation about it

Did I grow up according to plan?
Was I the child you wanted me to be?

And do you think I'm wasting my time, Doing things I wanna do?
Are my pursuits unworthy or unimportant to you?

But it hurts when you disapprove All along.
Your disapproval has been painful for me, even if you didn't realize it

And now I try hard to make it, I just want to make you proud.
I am working diligently to succeed, and I desire your pride and recognition

I'm never gonna be good enough for you.
I understand that I will never measure up to your expectations

I can't pretend that I'm alright, And you can't change me!
I cannot fake happiness or change who I am to please you

'Cause we lost it all, nothing lasts forever, I'm sorry, I can't be Perfect.
Our relationship has deteriorated, and I cannot meet the unrealistic standards of perfection you have set for me

Now it's just too late, and we can't go back, I'm sorry, I can't be Perfect.
Our bond is damaged beyond repair, and I cannot become the flawless child you desire

I try not to think About the pain I feel inside.
I attempt to suppress the emotional suffering you have caused me

Did you know you used to be my hero?
You were once my role model and someone I admired

All the days you spent with me, Now seem so far away.
Our past memories together feel distant and unattainable now

And it feels like you don't care Anymore.
I sense that you are indifferent toward me now

I can't stand another fight. And nothing' alright!
I cannot bear another argument, and everything feels wrong

Nothing's gonna change the Things that you said.
Your hurtful words have left a lasting impact on me

And nothing's gonna make this Right again!
Our relationship cannot be fixed or restored to its former state

Please don't turn your back, I Can't believe it's hard just to talk to you, But you don't understand!
I implore you not to reject me, but it's difficult to communicate with you because you don't comprehend my perspective

'Cause we lost it all, nothing lasts forever, I'm sorry, I can't be Perfect.
Our relationship has been irreparably harmed, and I cannot improve or become the perfect child you want

Now it's just too late, and we can't go back, I'm sorry, I can't be Perfect.
Our connection is now beyond repair, and I cannot achieve the unattainable level of perfection you demand

'Cause we lost it all, nothing lasts forever, I'm sorry, I can't be Perfect.
Our relationship has fallen apart, and I am sorry that I cannot be the flawless child you desire

Now it's just too late, and we can't go back, I'm sorry, I can't be Perfect.
Our bond is damaged beyond repair, and I cannot become the perfect child you long for

Contributed by Jeremiah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Khải Bầu Trời

2y↑1

I found a love for me
Oh, darling, just dive right in and follow my lead
Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet
Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me
'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love
Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow
Your heart is all I own
And in your eyes, you're holding mine
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favourite song
When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight
Well, I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know
She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home
I found a love, to carry more than just my secrets
To carry love, to carry children of our own
We are still kids, but we're so in love
Fighting against all odds
I know we'll be alright this time
Darling, just hold my hand
Be my girl, I'll be your man
I see my future in your eyes
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song
When I saw you in that dress, looking so beautiful
I don't deserve this, darling, you look perfect tonight
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song
I have faith in what I see
Now I know I have met an angel in person
And she looks perfect
I don't deserve this, you look perfect tonight