In 1981, Cetera released his first solo album on Warner Bros. Records. The album was a commercial failure, which Cetera has attributed to Warner Bros.' refusal to promote him as a solo artist out of fear that he would leave Chicago, who had only recently signed with the label.
In 1985, Cetera was interested in recording another solo album. He had stated his lack of interest for the extensive touring schedule of the band. When the 17 Tour concluded in late-April 1985, Chicago's management, along with several members of the band, had expressed a desire to book another tour for that summer and start work on the next Chicago album.
Cetera insisted that they take a break from touring so that he could concentrate on a solo album and spend more time with his family. After the band rejected his offer to stay in the band while recording a solo album, it was announced that Cetera and Chicago would go their separate ways in July 1985.
Almost immediately, Cetera continued his streak of success. His first single, "Glory of Love" (the theme to the movie The Karate Kid, Part II), was a US No. 1 hit in 1986, and achieved similar success throughout the world.
He has many hits, such as:
1982 - "Livin' In The Limelight" #6 (Mainstream Rock) US
1986 - "Glory of Love" #1 US, #1 (Adult Contemporary) US, #3 UK (also appears on the soundtrack to The Karate Kid, Part II)
1986 - "The Next Time I Fall" (with Amy Grant) #1 US, #1 (Adult Contemporary) US, #78 UK
1987 - "Only Love Knows Why" #24 (Adult Contemporary) US
1987 - "I Wasn't the One (Who Said Goodbye)" (with Agnetha Fältskog) #93 US, #19 (Adult Contemporary) US
1988 - "One Good Woman" #4 US, #1 (Adult Contemporary) US, #82 UK
1992 - "Restless Heart" #35 US, #1 (Adult Contemporary) US
1993 - "Even A Fool Can See" #68 US, #3 (Adult Contemporary) US
1995 - "(I Wanna Take) Forever Tonight" (with Crystal Bernard) #86 US, #22 (Adult Contemporary) US
1997 - "Do You Love Me That Much" #6 (Adult Contemporary) US
Perfect World
Peter Cetera Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stuck in the middle of nowhere
Stars shine bright when the sun goes down
It's a perfect world as long as you're there
[Chorus]
Count my blessings and save my prayers
Love waking up in the morning
And you're lying next to me
Blue sky over fields of green
I'm as happy as I've ever been
One thing makes it all so clear
It's a perfect world as long as you're there
[Chorus: x 2]
And it's where I want to be
Don't want to live near the lights of the city
I like it right where I am
Just to be part of a woman in love
With the heart of a simple man
[Chorus: x 2]
And it's where I want to be.
Ohoo... When you're next to me
I'm exactly where I want to be [Repeat: x 5]
The song Perfect World by Peter Cetera is a beautiful ode to the joys of being in love, and finding happiness in the simplest of things. The lyrics speak of a little white house in a little old town, stuck in the middle of nowhere, where the stars shine bright in the night sky. The singer declares that as long as his beloved is with him, it's a perfect world. He counts his blessings and saves his prayers, waking up each morning to the sight of sunlight shining on his lover's hair.
The chorus repeats this sentiment, with the singer declaring that he is as happy as he's ever been, and the world is perfect as long as his lover is there. He revels in the beauty of nature around him, with blue skies and fields of green, and declares that his love for his partner is what makes everything clear. The final verse speaks of his preference for simplicity over the city lights, and how being with his beloved in their little town is where he wants to be.
Overall, the song Perfect World speaks of a deep and abiding love, and the joy that comes with finding happiness in the moment, and cherishing the beauty of life's simple pleasures.
Line by Line Meaning
Little White House in a little old town
There's a small, insignificant home in a town that's equally small and insignificant.
Stuck in the middle of nowhere
This town is so isolated, it's like it's in the middle of nowhere.
Stars shine bright when the sun goes down
The only source of light is from the stars in the pitch-black sky.
It's a perfect world as long as you're there
Despite the town's insignificance and the lack of light, the world seems perfect because of the presence of a loved one.
Count my blessings and save my prayers
I realize how fortunate I am and don't need to ask for more.
Love waking up in the morning
Starting each day with love makes life worthwhile.
Sunlight shining upon your hair
Seeing the sun glint off of a loved one's hair is sublime.
And you're lying next to me
It's comforting to have a loved one by my side.
Blue sky over fields of green
The natural beauty of the world is breathtaking.
I'm as happy as I've ever been
This moment is so wonderful, I can't remember being happier.
One thing makes it all so clear
I realize that the presence of a loved one makes everything else in life more clear and meaningful.
Don't want to live near the lights of the city
I don't need flashy lights or material possessions to be happy.
I like it right where I am
I'm content in the small town with my loved one.
Just to be part of a woman in love
Being a part of a loved one's life and experiencing her love is priceless.
With the heart of a simple man
I don't need anything complex or extravagant to be happy, just the simple things in life and the love of a good woman.
And it's where I want to be
I'm happy where I am in life, with the person I love.
When you're next to me
Having a loved one close by is so important to me.
I'm exactly where I want to be [Repeat: x 5]
I'm happiest when I'm with my loved one, and being close to her is my ultimate goal in life.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIM WEATHERLY, PETER P. CETERA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
smp7777777
Little White House in a little old town
Stuck in the middle of nowhere
Stars shine bright when the sun goes down
It's a perfect world as long as you're there
Count my blessings and save my prayers
Love waking up in the morning
Sunlight shining upon your hair
And you're lying next to me
Blue sky over fields of green
I'm as happy as i've ever been
One thing makes it all so clear
It's a perfect world as long as you're there
Count my blessings and save my prayers
Love waking up in the morning
Sunlight shining upon your hair
And you're lying next to me
Count my blessings and save my prayers
Love waking up every morning
The Sun is shining upon your hair
When you're lying next to me
And it's where I wanna be
Don't wanna live near the lights of the city
I like it right where I am
Just to be part of a woman in love
With the heart of a simple man
[mhmhmhmm]
Count my blessings and save my prayers
Love waking up in the morning
Sunlight shining upon your hair
And you're lying next to me
Count my blessings and save my prayers
Love waking up in the morning
The sun is shining upon your hair
When you're lying next to me
And it's where I wanna be
Ohoo when you're next to me
I'm exactly where I wanna be
Ohoo when you're next to me
I'm exactly where I wanna be
Ohoo when you're next to me
I'm exactly where I wanna be
Ohoo when you're next to me
I'm exactly where I wanna be
Ohoo when you're next to me
I'm exactly where I wanna be
Mario Mendez
Little White House in a little old town
Stuck in the middle of nowhere
Stars shine bright when the sun goes down
It's a perfect world as long as you're there
Count my blessings and save my prayers
Love waking up in the morning
Sunlight shining upon your hair
And you're lying next to me
Blue sky over fields of green
I'm as happy as i've ever been
One thing makes it all so clear
It's a perfect world as long as you're there
Count my blessings and save my prayers
Love waking up in the morning
Sunlight shining upon your hair
And you're lying next to me
Count my blessings and save my prayers
Love waking up every morning
The Sun is shining upon your hair
When you're lying next to me
And it's where I wanna be
Don't wanna live near the lights of the city
I like it right where I am
Just to be part of a woman in love
With the heart of a simple man
[mhmhmhmm]
Count my blessings and save my prayers
Love waking up in the morning
Sunlight shining upon your hair
And you're lying next to me
Count my blessings and save my prayers
Love waking up in the morning
The sun is shining upon your hair
When you're lying next to me
And it's where I wanna be
Ohoo when you're next to me
I'm exactly where I wanna be
Ohoo when you're next to me
I'm exactly where I wanna be
Ohoo when you're next to me
I'm exactly where I wanna be
Ohoo when you're next to me
I'm exactly where I wanna be
Ohoo when you're next to me
I'm exactly where I wanna be
Keith Michaels
I remember buying this cd the day it came out. It was the only one copy the store had. I've always thought then and now that this is one of his best albums ever made. It was worth the money.
Johnny Vee
Best song ever by Peter!
Dorothy OlivioDjolivio
This song, and one clear voice is all I need to make me happy. He is the greatest singer ever.
Virginiah Wangari
every time I listens to this song I feels like heaven..so so sweet be blessed peter cetera...you are really the king of souls n blues...
Joseph Ferris
Great song and definitely a huge fan of Peter Cetera since 1987. ❤️❤️❤️
Scorpio Male
Peter Cetera was the best with Chicago but also fantastic solo!
Simone Prado
Simplesmente adoro! 🔝 🎷🎹🎻🎸
Jose Ronaldo Lopes Ronaldo
Boa noite Simone q linda música é apaixonante...
steeleworth
I love the 90s-vibe this song has... Suits his voice very well. Then again, I'm sure he could literally sing any style and sound incredible, with his unique distinct voice.
Laurie Tauchus
One of the reasons why Peter is my #1 favorite singer. I appreciate the versatility of his voice, which is a wonderful gift/blessing.