Perfect 10

Album: Quench (1998)
Charted: 2
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Perfect 10" is a duet where Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott throw out a series of innuendoes about body image: women worry about clothing sizes and men fret about penis length. But because Heaton and Abbot have a loving relationship, each considers the other beautiful even though they don't conform to modern stereotypes of physical perfection.

    Paul Heaton: "I'm going out with somebody I know who will love me if I'm bald or gray and I would love her in the same situation, not if she was bald or gray - obviously I would hate her. Be all right if she was overweight or whatever." (transcribed from 100 Most Annoying Songs on BBC 3)
  • This was used as the theme song of the British ITV television drama series Fat Friends. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for above 2
  • Cause we love our love in different sizes
    I love her body, especially the lies
    Time takes its toll, but not on the eyes
    Promise me this, take me tonight


    Speaking to The Guardian, Paul Heaton explained: "The jousting of the lyric is that they're kidding themselves and each other about their bodies. He especially loves the way she doesn't tell the truth about hers – he finds that shyness quite endearing."
  • The Beautiful South released "Perfect 10" as the lead single from Quench. Heaton and Beautiful South guitarist Dave Rotheray wrote all the songs on the album.
  • Quench was the Beautiful South's third and last album to top the UK charts.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien Songs

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien SongsSong Writing

The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Ed Roland of Collective Soul

Ed Roland of Collective SoulSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Shine," "December," "The World I Know" and other Collective Soul hits.