Cavanagh was born in Liverpool to Lorraine and Peter Cavanagh, hailed from the Liverpudlian suburb Allerton, in England, and moved to the United States in 2002. Cavanagh is a fan of Liverpool F.C., attended St Austin’s Primary School in Aigburth and graduated from McKinney Boyd High School in 2011.
Cavanagh originally auditioned for American Idol Season 10 in Austin, Texas, but was cut in the Green Mile round (Top 40). Jennifer Lopez told her that she thought she could come back and win the whole thing by practicing and improving her singing.
Months later, Cavanagh got a second chance for American Idol Season 11 and auditioned in Houston, Texas. She was only shown in the Green Mile round with fellow American Idol contestants, Shelby Tweten and Ariel Sprague. She sang "Change" by Carrie Underwood in the Sing For Your Life round and was given positive feedback by the judges.
In the semi-finals, she sang "Reflection" by Christina Aguilera and then become one of the top five female vote getters - advancing her to the Top 13. After a rough middle patch in the competition, Hollie made her comeback in the second Top 7 show, performing "Rolling In the Deep" by Adele. She remarked in a later interview that she felt her strongest performances came when she stopped relying so much on the feedback of others and trusted her gut. Following her strongest weeks in the competition, Hollie ended her American Idol journey with a respectable fourth place finish.
Hollie will be joining the other Idols in Season 11's Top 10 for their summer tour, which kicks off on July 6th, 2012 in Detroit, MI.
Perfect
Hollie Cavanagh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
once or twice.
Dug my way out,
blood and fire.
Bad decisions,
that's alright.
Welcome to my silly life.
Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood!
Mistaken, always second guessing, underestimated!
Look, I'm still around...
Pretty pretty please!
Don't you ever ever feel
Like you're less than, less than perfect
Pretty pretty please
If you ever ever feel like you're nothing you are perfect to me.
You're so mean (Your so mean)
When you talk (When you talk) about yourself, you were wrong
Change the voices (Change the voices) in your head(In the head)
Make them like you instead
So complicated, look how we all make it!
Filled with so much hatred... such a tired game
It's enough! I've done all I can think of
Chased down all my demons, I've seen you do the same.
Oh, pretty pretty please
Don't you ever ever feel
Like you're less than, less than perfect
Pretty pretty please
If you ever ever feel like you're nothing you are perfect to me
The whole world's scared so I swallow the fear
The only thing I should be drinking is an ice cold beer
So cool in line, and we try try try,
But we try too hard and it's a waste of my time
Done looking for the critics, cause they're everywhere
They dont like my jeans, they don't get my hair
Exchange ourselves, and we do it all the time
Why do we do that? Why do I do that?
Why do I do that?
Yeah, oh, oh baby, pretty please!
Pretty pretty please,
Don't you ever ever feel
Like you're less than, less than perfect
Pretty pretty please
If you ever ever feel like you're nothing, you are perfect to me Yeaaahhh...!
You are perfect, you're perfect!
Pretty pretty please, if you ever ever feel like you're nothing
You are perfect to me.
The song "Perfect" by Hollie Cavanagh speaks about the struggles and hardships that one faces in their life. The lyrics describe making mistakes and bad decisions, but being able to overcome them and come out stronger. The verse "Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood, Miss 'No way, It's all good,' it didn't slow me down" highlights the idea that even when someone is not understood or treated well, they are resilient and keep moving forward. The chorus of the song is a reassuring message to the listener to never doubt their self-worth, as perfection is not necessary and they are loved just the way they are.
Line by Line Meaning
Made a wrong turn once or twice.
I've made some mistakes and taken some wrong turns in my life, but that's okay because it's part of the journey.
Dug my way out, blood and fire.
I've fought tooth and nail to overcome the obstacles in my path and emerge victorious, even when it was painful and difficult.
Bad decisions, that's alright.
I've made some bad choices in my life, but I've learned from them and moved on, and that's okay.
Welcome to my silly life.
This is my life, full of ups and downs, mistakes and achievements, and I'm okay with that because it's uniquely mine.
Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood!
Sometimes I feel like people don't understand me or treat me unfairly, but that's just a part of life and I know I'll survive.
Miss "No way, It's all good", it didn't slow me down
Even in the face of difficult situations or negative attitudes, I try to stay positive and not let it hold me back.
Mistaken, always second guessing, underestimated!
I often doubt myself and worry that I'm not good enough, but I know I have value and potential beyond what others might see or say.
Look, I'm still around...
Despite all the challenges and setbacks, I'm still here, still fighting, still living my life to the fullest.
Pretty pretty please! Don't you ever ever feel Like you're less than, less than perfect
I want to encourage others to love and accept themselves, flaws and all, and to never believe that they are lesser for them.
If you ever ever feel like you're nothing you are perfect to me.
No matter what anyone else says or thinks, I believe that everyone has value and worth, and I want to remind others of that truth.
You're so mean (Your so mean) When you talk (When you talk) about yourself, you were wrong
It's easy to be overly self-critical, but I believe that everyone deserves compassion and kindness, especially from themselves.
Change the voices (Change the voices) in your head(In the head) Make them like you instead
I want to empower others to challenge the negative self-talk that can hold them back, and instead cultivate a positive, self-affirming inner voice.
So complicated, look how we all make it! Filled with so much hatred... such a tired game
The world can be a complex, difficult place, and it can be easy to get bogged down in negativity and divisiveness. I want to challenge that and remind people to focus on love and kindness instead.
It's enough! I've done all I can think of Chased down all my demons, I've seen you do the same.
I've faced my own inner demons and challenges, and I'm proud of what I've accomplished. I also want to acknowledge the struggles of others and inspire them to overcome their own demons.
The whole world's scared so I swallow the fear The only thing I should be drinking is an ice cold beer
Everyone feels fear and insecurity sometimes, but I don't want to let that hold me back. Instead, I want to focus on simple pleasures like enjoying a cold drink and taking life as it comes.
So cool in line, and we try try try, But we try too hard and it's a waste of my time
It's easy to get caught up in trying to fit in or meet others' expectations, but I've learned that it's not worth sacrificing my own happiness and individuality for that.
Done looking for the critics, cause they're everywhere They dont like my jeans, they don't get my hair
There will always be people who want to bring you down or criticize you, no matter what you do. I want to focus on living my life on my own terms and not worrying about their opinions.
Exchange ourselves, and we do it all the time Why do we do that? Why do I do that? Why do I do that?
It's easy to compare ourselves to others or try to fit into certain boxes, but I want to challenge that and embrace my own uniqueness and individuality.
You are perfect, you're perfect!
I want to drive home the message that everyone is perfect in their own way, and they don't need to change themselves or meet anyone else's standards to be worthy of love and respect.
Writer(s): Max Martin, Shellback Copyright: Mxm Music AB
Contributed by Josiah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Raja Vijayenthiran
New Years eve 2018. And love listening to Hollie. It was a good year on American Idol when Hollie performed.
XC
One of the best versions ever
billy handika
amazing voice!!
Lau Gameplay
perfect, a magical voice i ever wanted
birdy808
I loved her voice out of all of the contestants. Too bad the wrong one always wins. I wish people would start voting for actual talent.
Kids
She is PERFECT!
rosemarie dizon
love your version Hollie...have some more
Darrell DePue
Had to watch this after Angie got voted off. The best can't always win. Will never forget the night you sang this Hollie. Loved how you and your fans tossed it back a J'Lo. If the judges would have kept their favorites to themselves, and not have influenced 12 year olds who should'nt be voting to begin with, Hollie would have won. J'Lo wishes she was back on Idol. Nikki killed the show for good, but J'Lo started it on a mean downhill course fighting against Hollie. Take that and like it.
khyrra lamug
I love Her!!!!!!!!!!
jhon brito leon
Im a BIG fan From VENEZUELA..! TE AMO <3