A man of rare poetic honesty, Whitleymaintained a resolute musical integrity throughout his career. His more than a dozen albums range from raw-boned folk-rock to lush electro-blues.
Whitley was born in Houston, Texas. Though relatively unknown to the mainstream, he worked with many top named musicians throughout his career. In 1991, U2/Peter Gabriel producer Daniel Lanois and his protégé, Malcolm Burn, recorded Whitley's debut album Living With the Law (Malcolm Burn also produced 2005's Soft Dangerous Shores). In 2000, Whitley worked with Chris Wood and Billy Martin from the famed trio of Medeski, Martin and Wood, on the Perfect Day album. Others like Dave Matthews and Bruce Hornsby also appeared on 2001's Rocket House.
Whitley played a unique brand of confessional acoustic and electric blues, mixed with inspired modern rock. His lyrics often contained overt sexual references and sometimes bordered on the surreal. An avid fan of jazz saxophone legend John Coltrane, Whitley was a master of the National / Dobro, made famous by many of the great Mississippi delta blues players of the 1930's. Whitley also appeared in the concert documentary Hellhounds on my Trail - The Afterlife of Robert Johnson, with Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir, Fleetwood Mac co-founder Peter Green, jam band Gov't Mule, and blues guitarist Keb' Mo. In addition to recording his original material, Whitley has also guested on albums by Mike Watt, Rob Wasserman, Cassandra Wilson, Dave Pirner (of Soul Asylum) and Shawn Colvin.
"The notable constant has been the quality of craftmanship, and the consistent question of how Whitley's combination of super songs, muscular-but-poetic lyrics, athletic voice and rock-god guitar work hasn't earned him a wider audience." - Detroit Free Press
"The post-Hendrix explosion of whammybar wankers hasn't produced a single axeman who can compare to Chris Whitley. His eerie, bluesy voice and American gothic tunes frequently draw attention from the fact that he picks like a pissed off Doc Watson jacked through a Marshall stack" - RollingStone.com
Health and death
In fall 2005, Chris Whitley cancelled his tour due to health issues. Dan Whitley, his brother, revealed on November 11, 2005 that he was "in a comfortable warm home with hospice care at his disposal". Later that week it was revealed that he was terminally ill with lung cancer. On November 20, 2005, his death (at the age of 45) was announced by Dan Whitley and Chris' daughter, Trixie Whitley.
Perfect Day
Chris Whitley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drink Sangria in the park
And then later
When it gets dark, we go home
Just a perfect day
Feed animals in the zoo
Then later
Oh, it's such a perfect day
I'm glad I spent it with you
Oh, such a perfect day
You just keep me hanging on
You just keep me hanging on
Just a perfect day
Problems all left alone
Weekenders on our own
It's such fun
Just a perfect day
You made me forget myself
I thought I was
Someone else, someone good
Oh, it's such a perfect day
I'm glad I spent it with you
Oh, such a perfect day
You just keep me hanging on
You just keep me hanging on
You're going to reap just what you sow
You're going to reap just what you sow
You're going to reap just what you sow
You're going to reap just what you sow
Chris Whitley's song "Perfect Day" is a tribute to the simple pleasures in life. The lyrics speak of spending a perfect day with someone special, starting with drinking Sangria in the park and feeding animals in the zoo in the afternoon, watching a movie at home in the evening, and solving all the problems and spending time alone without anyone else's interference. The song is written with an upbeat tempo and Whitley's soulful voice adds depth and richness to the lyrics that express the joy of living the moment.
The tune has a dreamy, carefree spirit that reflects the singer's appreciation for life's little pleasures. The song describes how spending time with a loved one can make everything feel okay. Since the song's release in 2000, it has become an anthem for people who appreciate the beauty of simple things in life, and how it's often the little things that make life worth living. Overall, "Perfect Day" is a reminder to cherish the moments and enjoy the company of our loved ones every single day.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a perfect day
A day so perfect that nothing can go wrong
Drink Sangria in the park
Enjoying a refreshing drink in the open air
And then later
Following this activity with another enjoyable one
When it gets dark, we go home
Ending the day with the comforts of home
Feed animals in the zoo
Taking care of the wonderful animals at the zoo
A movie, too, and then home
Watching a great film before ending the day at home
Oh, it's such a perfect day
Exclaiming once again how perfect the day was
I'm glad I spent it with you
Expressing happiness at having spent the day together
You just keep me hanging on
Acknowledging the positive influence of the companion
Problems all left alone
Leaving all worries and issues behind for the day
Weekenders on our own
Enjoying the freedom of the weekend without obligations
It's such fun
Having a great time overall
You made me forget myself
Being so happy and content that one forgets all else
I thought I was
Feeling like a different, better person
Someone else, someone good
Imagining oneself as a better version than one's usual self
You're going to reap just what you sow
A warning to those who do wrong, as they will face consequences
You're going to reap just what you sow
Reiterating that actions have consequences
You're going to reap just what you sow
A final warning that actions always have consequences
You're going to reap just what you sow
Emphasizing that one's deeds will ultimately determine the outcome
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lou Reed
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aztecjericho
Love this version. Chris Whitley couldn't sing a bad song if he tried. Wish he was still alive...:-(
@MileSisters
Spent alot of perfect days listening to Chris
@GandalfDaBlack
thx for posting this!
@oxycocus
It is very good. A great cover/tribute. Lou is Lou, that's what makes it great.
@drunkenplumber15
Oh Christ, Chris, I miss you.
@poesiepiratmichl
DANKE SO EIGEN
@TheMonolake
this world is not the same wout chris
@solidheir
hahahahahahahahaahahahahaha This is perfection, all i can do is laugh. iTS tOO gOOOOD
@MintMickeyDotCom
Chris captured the somber character of Lou Reed's song. This is not supposed to be a blissfully happy song, despite what AT&T would have you believe.
@MintMickeyDotCom
@SmegUK Interpretation is bliss. :)