Perfect

Album: Jagged Little Pill (1995)
Play Video
  • Sometimes is never quite enough
    If you're flawless, then you'll win my love
    Don't forget to win first place
    Don't forget to keep that smile on your face

    Be a good boy
    Try a little harder
    You've got to measure up
    Make me prouder

    How long before you screw it up
    How many times do I have to tell you to hurry up
    With everything I do for you
    The least you can do is keep quiet

    Be a good girl
    You've gotta try a little harder
    That simply wasn't good enough
    To make us proud

    I'll live through you
    I'll make you what I never was
    If you're the best, then maybe so am I
    Compared to him compared to her
    I'm doing this for your own damn good
    You'll make up for what I blew
    What's the problem, why are you crying

    Be a good boy
    Push a little farther now
    That wasn't fast enough
    To make us happy
    We'll love you just the way you are
    If you're perfect Writer/s: Alanis Nadine Morissette, Glen Ballard
    Publisher: CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

  • Alex from NyNo. This song is NOT about parents supporting their children, it's sung from the perspective of abusive parents who treat their children like they're never enough. "We'll love you for who you are, if you're perfect" I'm actually in shock at how tone deaf and incorrect this article is. Awful.
  • Theresa from Murfreesboro, TnI remember hearing this song in junior high, really struck a cord with me - the lyrics are are so truthful.
  • Jailene from K-town, WaThis song reminds me of my relationship with my dad and stepmom. They're constantly pushing and pushing me to do better than I did, but what I do is (usually) my best. And how the heck can we be expected to do better than our best? Yeah. That's what I thought.
  • Loren from Wellington, New ZealandThis song is about never being good enough, no matter how hard you try. I relate it to my feelings as a teen trying to live up to my parents and God's expectations
  • Rebekah from Prince George, VaTo me the song is about tring to be perfect and can't and screw up more when you try
  • Sarah-michelle from Leeds, Englandalanis says that she started writing a song line-by-line and only realised what it was about half way through, this song became 'perfect', and literally sounds like it did when she was writing it.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Colbie Caillat

Colbie CaillatSongwriter Interviews

Since emerging from MySpace with her hit "Bubbly," Colbie has become a top songwriter, even crafting a hit with Taylor Swift.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the Song

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

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?