Perfect Day
|
|
"Perfect Day" is a song written by Lou Reed in 1972, made famous in the 1990s through featuring in the film Trainspotting (1996), and after its release as a charity single in 1997.
Originally featuring on the 1972 album Transformer, the song's lyrics suggest nothing more than conventional romantic devotion, but it is usually said to deal with Reed's attitude towards his own addiction to heroin, portraying it in romanticised and fond phrase.
Reed has praised cover versions of the song recorded by Duran Duran (on their 1995 album Thank You) and Kirsty MacColl (on her 1995 album Galore).
In 1997 it was featured by the BBC in a lengthy corporate advertisement of its own music coverage. The advert was shown on BBC channels and in cinemas and won both awards and praise from commentators. This version was eventually released as a charity single in November of that year for Children In Need. The charity version featured a host of well-known singers and performers, with Reed himself opening and closing the song, and was the UK's number one single for two weeks, selling over a million copies.
Quotes
"You made me forget myself; I thought I was someone else, someone good."
Performers on the 1997 Children In Need single
(in order of appearance)
- Lou Reed
- Bono
- Skye Edwards (from Morcheeba)
- David Bowie
- Suzanne Vega
- Elton John
- Boyzone
- Lesley Garrett
- Burning Spear
- Thomas Allen
- Brodsky Quartet
- Heather Small (from M People)
- Emmylou Harris
- Tammy Wynette
- Shane McGowan
- Sheona White
- Dr. John
- Robert Cray
- Huey
- Ian Broudie (from The Lightning Seeds)
- Gabrielle
- Evan Dando (from Lemonheads)
- Courtney Pine
- BBC Symphony Orchestra
- Brett Anderson (from Suede)
- Visual Ministry Choir
- Joan Armatrading
- Laurie Anderson
- Tom Jones
The CD version of the 1997 release featured three versions of the song - one with the performers listed above, one entirely sung by female performers, and one entirely sung by male performers.
External links
- MP3.com review (http://www.mp3.com/albums/290363/reviews.html)