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

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

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.

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.