Perfect Day
L.ou Reed Lyrics
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i burn to deliver, i turn every stone
i drown in your river, i stole just to own
i froze just to shiver, i bled to the bone
i tore down your picture, i screamed to be alone
this is not my perfect day, this is not my perfect day, this is not my perfect day, this is not my perfect day
i watch your religion, i heard somebody call
i woke to find no reason, i saw you count them all
i jumped up a mountain, i left to see me fall
i shot my new weapon, i aimed it at your wall
i love to remember, i felt to be feared
i broke down forever, i'm not the answer here
i'm not the answer here, i'm not the answer here
this is not my perfect day, this is not my perfect day, this is not my perfect day, this is not my perfect day
The lyrics of "Perfect Day" by Lou Reed is a complex portrayal of the singer's frustration and struggle to achieve his perfect day. The first stanza alludes to his desperation to impress someone, possibly a lover or a friend, by burning every bridge and turning every stone just to own something valuable. He is ready to hurt himself emotionally and physically by freezing, bleeding, and screaming just to show his independence and individuality. The phrase "this is not my perfect day" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing that the singer's actions are not the result of his desired outcome.
The second stanza portrays the singer as a disconnected observer of society. He watches people's religions, hears the voices demanding him to conform, but he cannot find a reason to do so. He jumps off mountains, shoots weapons, and recalls the feeling of being feared, but none of these actions bring him closer to his perfect day. The last lines of the song, "I'm not the answer here," is a clear indication that the attempts at self-destruction and rebellion were not successful in finding what he seeks.
Overall, the song is a dark, introspective view of the singer's disillusionment and inability to find satisfaction in life. The verses are brutally honest and showcase Reed's skill in crafting powerful imagery that resonates with the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
this is not my perfect day
Things aren't quite going my way today and it's far from perfect.
i burn to deliver, i turn every stone
I have an intense desire to succeed and will stop at nothing to achieve my goals.
i drown in your river, i stole just to own
I am lost in my obsession for you, willing to do whatever it takes to possess you.
i froze just to shiver, i bled to the bone
I have experienced pain and suffering, both physical and emotional, to the point of exhaustion.
i tore down your picture, i screamed to be alone
I am desperate to break free from you and the memories that haunt me.
i watch your religion, i heard somebody call
I observe your beliefs and customs while also hearing someone try to influence you.
i woke to find no reason, i saw you count them all
I woke up with no sense of purpose, while watching you meticulously tally up your accomplishments.
i jumped up a mountain, i left to see me fall
I took on a daunting challenge, only to enjoy the thrill of danger and the potential failure.
i shot my new weapon, i aimed it at your wall
I test out my new weapon of choice, targeting your barriers and defenses.
i love to remember, i felt to be feared
I relish in the memory of being in control and wielding power over others.
i broke down forever, i'm not the answer here
I have finally reached my breaking point and realized that I am not the solution to the problem.
i'm not the answer here
I cannot fix or solve whatever issue we are facing.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ROBERIOPIZZA
Just a perfect day
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 a movie, too
And then home
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
@RiverRat_1977
@barneyhansford411 Ronno composed, arranged (orchestrated), and conducted all of the piano and string parts, as well as playing that entire, lovely, and melancholic piano masterpiece that frames the entire song… Bowie only wrote most of the the lyrics and outlined some basic chords that Ronson filled in… not only with the full layout of the song, but he wrote the sheet music as well, which includes arranging all of the individual instruments, with their separate compositions within the song…
Ronno also knew how to arrange the placement of all the different instruments in the studio for the proper balance of sound since he was a professionally trained musician, composer, and instrumental arranger (he also played the violin and mandolin). Ronno contributed to the lyrics as well according to Angie B!! Mick also did this to most of the other songs on the album, and only for a few bucks… thinking he was doing a favor for a friend and would be looked after and treated as an equal… but Bowie knew how to take advantage of him (just like he did to the Spiders…)
Ronno also engineered most of the entire album (and parts of others), yet his name doesn’t show up on one credit since Bowie claimed them all for his own greedy narcissistic self!! Ronno gave Bowie his image during the Spiders from Mars period!! So without Mick Ronson David Bowie wouldn’t have received all the the attention and accolades he got… which were mostly due to Ronno… who (along with the other Spiders) was unceremoniously fired like a day labourer!!
The D.A. Pennebaker movie shows everything Ronno did to encourage Bowie, and Bowie always played with him side by side as equal frontmen, when Ronno was the whole package behind the scenes!! Sometimes when I hear this song it angers me that Ronno didn’t get the credits, royalties, and the professional respect he deserved from Bowie. So whenever I hear this song (especially in Trainspotting) I think of Mick Ronson as the real mastermind behind the scenes!! (Brian Eno would never let Bowie take advantage of him, especially in such a disrespectful way)!!
Bowie was just a leach!! He didn’t even visit his ‘friend’ and former partner when he was dying of cancer and begging friends for small jobs to keep a roof over his family’s head!! It’s a shame he was so disrespected by Bowie, as Ronno should’ve been one of the great composers and arrangers like John Williams, John Barry, Michael Kamen, etc. But Bowie deliberately held Ronno back and also wouldn’t let other people in his organization tell Ronno how much of an asset he was and what he really deserved and the position he held in creating David Bowie’s image and career!!
The documentary “Beside Bowie” brings everything into the light, only it wasn’t made until after Mick had passed away (Ian Hunter was there helping to take care of his mate and make sure he had an income)! David Bowie didn’t even attend Ronno’s funeral, nor contribute a single penny to support Mick’s family and the monument they felt he deserved as recognition for his musical contributions that brought an element of fame to the small eastern seaside town of Kingston upon Hull in the County of Yorkshire in Northern England!
@curlyfm
I love how that song is so positive yet there is undertones of misery.
A perfect reflection of life. Reap just what you sow.
Positive outlook, and attitude - good things are abound.
Negative outlook - bad things await.
You are the master of your own destiny
@nutbastard
It doesn't matter, but I had a perfect day today. It wouldn't be notable but I can't remember the last time I had one. Today was one.
I wrote a whole long post about why today was perfect but it was a bit too self indulgent. Suffice to say, my last year and change has been astronomically shitty. I'm pretty sure I saved my relationship with the love of my life today.
It can happen, no matter how shit your life is. Every once in a while, you get a perfect day.
Step 1: Show up
Step 2 is up to you.
UPDATE: I did not in fact save my relationship. She's gone. I ruined it. I guess I reap just what I sow.
@holipinieo1
It's so strange how a song called "Perfect Day" is one that I find myself wanting to listen to when my day is everything but perfect.
@joseph78355
False hope. The emotional and mental maggot.
@a.bourne6386
exactly
@jimbee01028
what other kind of hope is there???
@annagodel951
Omg same
@kyleashcraft86
Its about a perfect day of doin heroin in central park in NYC
@SuperDevolution
"You made me forget myself. I thought I was someone else, someone good" might be the most relatable lyric in history.
@igotthepowers
Good point, really fucking brilliant. And so relatable!
@adrianramsey1369
It hit home
@ferdinandreinheimer1080
oh yeah, that's the undisputed truth !