Perfect Day
Lou Reed/Bono Lyrics
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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
The song Perfect Day by Lou Reed and Bono is a classic tune that is centered around a perfect day. The song has a happy and romantic tone to it, and it's easy to get lost in the lyrics. In the first verse, the song talks about spending a perfect day in the park with a loved one, drinking Sangria as the sun sets. The second verse depicts another perfect day at the zoo, feeding the animals, and later watching a movie together. The third verse talks about escaping problems and enjoying freedom with just the company of one’s lover. The fourth and final verse speaks of the joy one feels when they are with their loved one, and how they make each other better.
The chorus of the song repeats the declaration of the day being perfect and the person being glad they spent it with their loved one. The ending line keeps repeating the phrase, "You just keep me hanging on," which adds to the romanticism and sentimentality of the song. The last part of the lyrics, starting with “You’re going to reap just what you sow,” adds a slight twist and reminds listeners that the choices they make will have consequences in the end.
Overall, Perfect Day is a song about spending time with someone special, enjoying each other's company, and appreciating the good things in life. It’s no wonder why this song has been considered a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a perfect day
The idea of a day that is ideal and without flaws
Drink Sangria in the park
Enjoying a refreshing drink in a beautiful outdoor setting
And then later
As the day progresses, there are more adventures to be had
When it gets dark, we go home
Going home after a day out and enjoying the memories you just made
Feed animals in the zoo
Taking time to experience something new and connect with nature
A movie, too, and then home
Watching a film with company and then going home after the shared experience
Oh, it's such a perfect day
Repeating the idea that this day is truly perfect
I'm glad I spent it with you
Grateful for the person who was there to share this day with
You just keep me hanging on
The other person is important and keeps the artist motivated
Problems all left alone
For this perfect day, there are no worries or stress to distract from the enjoyment
Weekenders on our own
Spending time with someone special without the pressure of work or other obligations
It's such fun
The day is joyful and entertaining
You made me forget myself
The presence of the other person allowed the singer to let go and relax
I thought I was
The singer lost themselves in the moment and embraced the present
Someone else, someone good
The singer felt like a better version of themselves in the company of the other person
You're going to reap just what you sow
The idea that actions have consequences, and eventually what you do will come back to you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Lou Reed
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@badavi33
Lou Reed
Bono
Skye Edwards (from Morcheeba)
David Bowie
Suzanne Vega
Elton John
(Andrew Davis)
Boyzone
Lesley Garrett
(Lou Reed)
Burning Spear
Bono
Thomas Allen
(Brodsky Quartet)
Heather Small (from M People)
Emmylou Harris
Tammy Wynette
Shane MacGowan
(Sheona White) (tenor horn player)
Dr. John
David Bowie
Robert Cray
Huey Morgan (from Fun Lovin' Criminals)
Ian Broudie (from The Lightning Seeds)
Gabrielle
Dr. John
Evan Dando (from The Lemonheads)
Emmylou Harris
(Courtney Pine) (soprano saxophone player)
(BBC Symphony Orchestra)
(Andrew Davis)
(Bono)
Brett Anderson (from Suede)
Visual Ministry Choir
Joan Armatrading
Laurie Anderson
Heather Small
Tom Jones
Heather Small
Lou Reed
@simonpietroorabona8355
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
@FernandoMRoca
Performers in order of appearance; parentheses indicate mute appearance, and dividers indicate verses/sections.
Lou Reed
Bono
Skye Edwards (from Morcheeba)
David Bowie
Suzanne Vega
Elton John
(Andrew Davis)
Boyzone
Lesley Garrett
(Lou Reed)
Burning Spear
Bono
Thomas Allen
(Brodsky Quartet)
Heather Small (from M People)
Emmylou Harris
Tammy Wynette
Shane MacGowan
(Sheona White) (tenor horn player)
Dr. John
David Bowie
Robert Cray
Huey Morgan (from Fun Lovin' Criminals)
Ian Broudie (from The Lightning Seeds)
Gabrielle
Dr. John
Evan Dando (from the Lemonheads)
Emmylou Harris
(Courtney Pine) (soprano saxophone player)
(BBC Symphony Orchestra)
(Andrew Davis)
(Bono)
Brett Anderson (from Suede)
Visual Ministry Choir
Joan Armatrading
Laurie Anderson
Heather Small
Tom Jones
Heather Small
Lou Reed
@mikemills69
"Someone good...yeah"
I been in the right place but it must have been the wrong time
I'd have said the right thing but I must have used the wrong line
I'd have took the right road but I must have took a wrong turn
Would've made the right move but I made it at the wrong time
I been on the right road but I must have used the wrong car
My head was in a good place and I wonder what it's bad for
~Malcolm Rebennack...was good.
@sylvieledu
Excuse me for my bad english but I’m a french girl. Perfect Day is the most beautifull song of the world. I miss you too much Mister Lou Reed and Mister David Bowie.
@riot7435
Perfect Day was already a gem in itself but what I just heard has no name, it is literally a masterpiece
@estebangarayaldefernandez177
BOWIE WAS THE BEST OF ALL TIMES
@SPDOCS
Just a perfect day!... 💝
Keep it up that way...
Nobody should take it away!...
No matter what they say...
***( All this for the BBC - Such a good TV Channel )
@thewaterwhisperer_UK
I'm speechless. I've just stumbled over this. It's up there with Clair de Lune beautiful & priceless..... An amazing piece of music .
@theadventuresofjimmycrapol8827
Lou Reed once said in an interview that Duran Duran's version of this song was the best re-recording of any of his songs, and if could've sang it as well as Simon did, he would have, then he said "Thank you Duran Duran"
@cindyheadon9005
I just listened to Duran Duran's Cover/Version. I disagree with Lou on this occasion. There's only one person who sang this as beautifully as Lou and that's David Bowie imho.
@childwallred
When I hear this song,I know there is a creator!
@donjunior
This is probably one of the best collaborations ever. Freaking amazing.
Other than that I just can think of "We are the world".
@LessThanThree76
Bowies parts... I get a knot in my stomach, it’s so beautiful.