Perfect

Album: Adore (1998)
Charted: 24 54
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was the second and final commercial single from Smashing Pumpkins' fourth album, Adore. Upon its release in 1998, this song received favorable reviews by most critics. Rolling Stone noted that the song "picks up on the synth-pop echoes of the 1996 Pumpkins hit '1979.'"
  • The video for this song debuted on MTV's popular show 120 Minutes on September 16, 1998.
  • The video for this song was directed by husband and wife team Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, who had previously worked with the band on four other music videos including 1996's "1979." Dayton and Faris would later go on to direct the Oscar-nominated and critically praised 2006 black comedy film Little Miss Sunshine.
  • In the video, the band can be seen performing for selected fans. The set played at the taping included heavier songs the band was not performing during regular concerts at the time, such as "Where Boys Fear to Tread," "Bodies," and "Pug."

Comments: 1

  • Jonathan from AustraliaIn the video for this song one of the characters leaves a tape on top of a car and drives away - which is what happened to some of the footage shot for the video for "1979".
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

16 Songs With a Heartbeat

16 Songs With a HeartbeatSong Writing

We've heard of artists putting their hearts into their music, but some take it literally.

Early Days of MTV

Early Days of MTVFact or Fiction

If you can recall the days when MTV played videos, you know that there are lots of stories to tell. See if you can spot the real ones.

Adele

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.

Graduation Songs

Graduation SongsFact or Fiction

Have you got the smarts to know which of these graduation song stories are real?