Josh Kelley is a singer-songwriter who was born and raised in Augusta, Geor… Read Full Bio ↴Josh Kelley is a singer-songwriter who was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia. He began his musical odyssey at the age of 11 with a guitar. He later formed a band with his younger brother, Charles, during his teenage years called Inside Blue. At 14, the band released a five-song CD that struck the attention of a major label and led him to meeting James Brown on more than a few occasions.

Arriving at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi, he had initial aspirations of being an art major, while also being a very capable golfer and a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

Kelley released his indie album Changing Faces in 2001, signing with Hollywood in 2002. Working with John Alagia as his producer, Kelley released For The Ride Home in 2003. He also made an appearance at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in 2003. The song "Everybody Wants You" was recommended to be written by a friend to not forget who he is, while "Amazing" was possibly his first critically acclaimed hit.

Josh Kelley's 2011 record, Georgia Clay, was his first Country album; his previous work was more pop. Speaking with Songfacts in a 2011 interview, Kelley explained that Gone Like That was the song that actually started his journey into Country music. He said: "I had written and presented it to my music publisher to pitch to other artists, but they liked my demo so much they encouraged me to cut it. It was the first song I wrote that gave me the confidence to pursue a career as a Country singer."

His musical guise can be recognized akin to Jack Johnson, John Mayer, or Ben Harper.

Kelley remains a supporter of Napster-like sharing peer to peer applications for independent artists who have a difficult time receiving an audience. In fact, Kelley was "found" after accidentally targeting Eric Clinger at Hollywood Records with private spam messages using the Napster program.

Perfect 10
Josh Kelley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey perfect ten
Did you stop to check him out
Hey perfect ten
Did you leave him any doubt

You know you're on your way
You can feel it in your bones
You know there'll be a day

This will make you feel alone

So don't forget the days we wrestled on the phone
Don't forget the way you liked to sing along

Don't forget the way you make me feel at home
At home when I'm alone
Home when I'm alone

Hey perfect ten
Did you find your lively place
Hey perfect ten
Did they make your lovely face

Reflection hurts your soul
You can feel it in your bones
You know there'll be a day
This will make you feel alone

Who hides the key when you're with me
Who spends the days when you're not free

When I'm feeling gone

When I need you most
You make me feel at home

Overall Meaning

The song "Perfect 10" by Josh Kelley is an ode to a woman who is incredibly beautiful and seemingly perfect, hence the title. The lyrics ask the perfect ten if she has ever stopped to check out the singer, and to consider if she has left him any doubt about her feelings for him. The perfect ten is portrayed as being comfortable in her own skin and confident in her success, but the lyrics also suggest that she may feel a sense of loneliness or vulnerability at times. This idea is further emphasized in the lines "reflection hurts your soul, you can feel it in your bones, you know there'll be a day this will make you feel alone."

Amidst these themes of beauty, confidence and vulnerability, the lyrics also reference the relationship between the singer and the perfect ten, with lines such as "Don't forget the days we wrestled on the phone, don't forget the way you make me feel at home when I'm alone." These words suggest intimacy and a strong emotional connection, highlighting the important role that the perfect ten plays in the singer's life. Overall, "Perfect 10" is a heartfelt tribute to a woman who is both stunning and influential in the life of the singer.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey perfect ten
Addressing a person he considers perfect

Did you stop to check him out
Asking if she noticed somebody else

Hey perfect ten
Continuing to address her

Did you leave him any doubt
Asking if she made it clear she's taken

You know you're on your way
Acknowledging her success and potential

You can feel it in your bones
Suggesting a strong intuition about her life path

You know there'll be a day
Anticipating struggles and challenges ahead

This will make you feel alone
Implying that she might lose her sense of self

So don't forget the days we wrestled on the phone
Reminding her of their happy times together

Don't forget the way you liked to sing along
Recalling her joyful personality

Don't forget the way you make me feel at home
Expressing his gratitude for her comforting presence