Perfect

Album: Flyleaf (2005)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Lead singer Lacey Mosley said of this song: "I had a friend who was trying to live her life a certain way that she thought was good. And then she'd make a ton of commitments about how she was gonna be and what kind of relationship she was gonna be in. And then, slowly, those standards just fell lower and lower and then she just felt worse and worse. She got really burned in her relationships and she felt really kind of worthless about herself - like she couldn't start over and she couldn't be good enough. The song is about how sometimes we're that way and sometimes we're weak. But, at the same time, God's strength is perfect when we're weak. And we can stand up in that. And that's what the song says - 'My strength is perfect in your weaknesses.' Even when we're weak, he's strong. And if his mercy, his powers are failing, that's what the message is - turn and rest, and choose life and not death, and be loved, and don't condemn yourself."
  • The chorus of this song is inspired by 2 Corinthians 12:9 which says: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Tim - PGH, PA, for above 2

Comments: 4

  • Eden from Folsom, CaYeah it has some god thrown in there. its about someone trying so hard to be perfect, when they realize they cant and they give up on themselves god is the only one who does not.

    She's only perfect through the strength of god
  • Robin from Cypress, CaI like Flyleaf and this song, but I like the message most of all.
  • Jordan from Okc, OkThere is a God trust me anyway perfect is a great song I like it!
  • Cortney from Grand Junction, CoI like this song.I like how flyleaf is like a cristian band but in alot of their songs they dont sound like it.And even though im an atheist i like flyleaf for letting people know if there is a god,hes there for you
see more comments

Editor's Picks

In The Cards

In The CardsSong Writing

Songwriters have used cards and card games to make sense of heartache, togetherness, and even Gonorrhea.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real Group

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real GroupSong Writing

The leader of the Modern A Cappella movement talks about the genre.

Songs About Movies

Songs About MoviesSong Writing

Iron Maiden, Adele, Toto, Eminem and Earth, Wind & Fire are just some of the artists with songs directly inspired by movies - and not always good ones.

Tommy James

Tommy JamesSongwriter Interviews

"Mony Mony," "Crimson and Clover," "Draggin' The Line"... the hits kept coming for Tommy James, and in a plot line fit for a movie, his record company was controlled by the mafia.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.