Jansen was so close to giving it up before she even began. But a year after deciding to give music a try she tried to make waves with advance copies of her EP Trauma (released summer 2006). June 12, 2009, she released her second EP, Bells, featuring single Single Girls, accompanied by a music video.
In the U.S., Jansen is a fixture in the constellation of artists associated with Los Angeles nightclub The Hotel Café — a musical haven, creative incubator, and ultimately, national launching pad for such confessional-minded artists as Sara Bareilles, Priscilla Ahn, and Joshua Radin, whom Jansen toured with in 2008 and in 2011. Jansen’s songs were used in various television shows on MTV and ABC.
Jansen, being half American, half Dutch, was invited to The Netherlands in 2009 for a series of appearances, which led to her signing with Universal Music. Debut album Bells (composed of Jansen’s two previously released EP’s 2007’s Trauma and 2009’s Single Girls, plus “Use Somebody”), has already gone platinum in Jansen’s native Holland and reached a #1 position on iTunes. Propelled by “Single Girls” and a stunning cover of Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody,” which has spent more than 6 months lodged in the Top 25 on the Dutch singles chart.
Jansen hit the road in Europe with her pal William Fitzsimmons as a member of his band as well as his support act. In 2010 she sold out both headline tours of her own in The Netherlands, after which she toured in Germany, Austria, UK as fans spread the word.
The year 2011 was yet another exciting year, with Jansen’s debut album Bells being released in the US, the rest of Europe and China, with tours set up on these continents as well.
Jansen is currently working on her next album.
Perfect
Laura Jansen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the truth is coming up hard
Feel the way you do, now,
With no excuses
'cause you're perfect just the way you are
Get the feeling that something surrounds you
Give it all up and watch it fly
'cause when you give an inch you walk that mile
And you walk mile so well
'cause when you give an inch you walk that mile
And you walk mile so well
Oh
You're everything you were ever supposed to be
You're everything you were ever supposed to be
You're everything you were ever supposed to be
Don't you see?
Those dark dreams of yours
Your drowning eyes
And that sad mouth of yours,
Filling up with lies
Don't believe them, love
When they're telling you, that you're not enough
Don't believe them, love
'cause you will not know
You're everything you were ever supposed to be
You're everything you were ever supposed to be, now
You're everything you were ever supposed to be
Don't you see?
Demons, bells and acrobats
Welcome to the circus inside, your mind
All the world is heavy, I know
Another catastrophe with every shrug of your shoulder
But you don't have to carry it no more
It's time you let it go
Just let it go, love
Let it go, love
'cause you're perfect just the way you are
And oh
You're everything you were ever supposed to be
You're everything you were ever supposed to be, now
You're everything you were ever supposed to be
You're supposed to be
It's supposed to be easy
The lyrics of the song "Perfect" by Laura Jansen are all about finding self-love and acceptance, which is something that many people struggle with. The song describes how others may try to tear you down and make you feel like you're not enough, but the truth is, you are perfect just the way you are. The opening lines describe a moment of vulnerability, where all the lights go out around you, and the truth comes out. But even in that moment, you should feel proud of who you are, without making any excuses.
The lyrics go on to describe how there may be times when you feel like giving up, and when the weight of the world feels too heavy to carry. You may have dark dreams and feel like you're drowning or filling up with lies. But the song encourages you not to believe those negative voices, and instead to believe in yourself. A key phrase in the song is "You're everything you were ever supposed to be." This is a message of self-love and acceptance that is so important for everyone to hear.
Line by Line Meaning
All the lights go down around you
The surroundings around you are getting darker, as you are faced with the reality of your situation.
And the truth is coming up hard
The truth is becoming difficult to accept, and is hitting you hard.
Feel the way you do, now,
You are feeling a certain way in this moment.
With no excuses
There is no justification for the way you feel, but that is okay.
'cause you're perfect just the way you are
You are perfect the way you are, with all your flaws and imperfections.
Get the feeling that something surrounds you
You are sensing that there is something around you or a part of your life.
Give it all up and watch it fly
Let go of everything and watch it disappear from your life.
Speak soft, dear and let it wash over you
Speak kindly to yourself and let everything flow over you, without resistance.
'cause when you give an inch you walk that mile
When you start, you have the power within you to take it further.
And you walk mile so well
You are capable of going the distance and pushing through.
Oh
An expression of wonder or awe.
You're everything you were ever supposed to be
You have achieved everything you were meant to become.
Don't you see?
Asking the listener to take notice of what is being said.
Those dark dreams of yours
Your bad thoughts or dreams that are affecting you.
Your drowning eyes
Your eyes are filled with sadness and despair.
And that sad mouth of yours,
Your mouth looks unhappy, as if you are going through a difficult time.
Filling up with lies
You are telling yourself lies about your worth or abilities.
Don't believe them, love
Do not listen to those lies or thoughts, as they are not a true representation of who you are.
When they're telling you, that you're not enough
When others are making you feel like you are not good enough.
You will not know
You cannot believe others when they say you are not enough, as only you know your true worth.
Demons, bells and acrobats
Things that are causing chaos and confusion within you or in your life.
Welcome to the circus inside, your mind
A metaphor for your thoughts and emotions, which can be overwhelming and confusing.
All the world is heavy, I know
Everything around you feels heavy and difficult to manage.
Another catastrophe with every shrug of your shoulder
Another disaster is waiting every time you try to brush it off or forget about it.
But you don't have to carry it no more
You do not have to continue living with this burden anymore.
It's time you let it go
It is time to release yourself from the burden of your worries and fears.
Just let it go, love
Encouraging the listener to let go of their worries and fears.
It's supposed to be easy
Life is not meant to be complicated or difficult; it is supposed to be simple and easy.
Contributed by Lucas J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bbbeautiful15
Love it! First heard it on The Bold and the Beautiful! Very talented artist! Amazing song and very moving!
@TheLittlePurpleBow
shes still not popular enough! cmon she deserves more publicity! spread the word people :D
@nekokami884
This song is Perfect
@heksje69
Laura...meid je maakt me hart los en geeft me een andere visie op leven met issues. Ga zo door mop, ik ben een fan vanaf nu...Mwah!
@nikkinikki14
i just heard her for the first time today and she is amazing :)
@MsLockerLuver
no dislikes :D and this video is two years old ;) hahaha great job laura!
@BIYASTTY
what a voice !!!!!! so good :)
@ddloveable
this song is PERFECT!! <3
@BMWRedheadLawStudent
lol mi amiga, and myself just heard it! 2 days ago,and we are so happy to,i will be saving this song incredible,talent the song is PERFECT. adios CEO Dominicana Pink Diamondz Records NYC Sha-Kaarii Bella Melendez
@flowerchild201
This song really just makes my brain go Brrr