Nobody's Perfect

Album: Cole World: The Sideline Story (2011)
Charted: 61
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song features Cole reflecting on the way his life has changed for the better since signing to Jay Z's Roc Nation label. "Remember when I used to be stressed over D'wanna/ Now a nigga only texting, get stressed over Rihannas/ I'm talking 10s and better," he raps.
  • It features rapper/singer Missy Elliott singing on the hook. Cole said during a listening session for Cole World that he wrote the chorus for her after she became familiar with him through his sampling of her song "Best Friend" on his Friday Night Lights mixtape.
  • Cole told Artist Direct that the collaboration was done at the last minute for the album. He recalled: "I had four days left to turn it in, and it happened fast. She was super cool, super humble and she worked with me. We went and laid it down at the studio and I hit her back, asking her if she could try one more thing, but she had already left the studio. She actually turned around and came back."
  • The lyrics reference an Aaliyah song title. Cole told Billboard magazine: "I felt like the album needed something that you could just ride to. I ended up doing the beat and writing the raps and I'm like 'This really does sound like an old Aaliyah song,' so I was like 'Ahh, Missy!'"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"They're Playing My Song

Dean's saga began with "Ariel," a song about falling in love with a Jewish girl from New Jersey.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.