THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

131-Lou Reed-Perfect Day.

1972-Number 10 single. It was issued as a double ‘A’ side with ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ (see also best songs 58.)

Best Bit-At 2.47. This is highly ‘addictive,’ a few plays and you will be ‘hooked.’

Lou Reed was born Lewis Allan Reed on March 2nd, 1942, in New York City, United States, he died on October 27th, 2013, from liver cancer at the age of 71, for the full solo discography of Lou Reed, and also his recordings with ‘The Velvet Underground’ see best songs 58. Lou Reed is considered to be one of the most influential artists in the history of Pop Music, with many of the all time greats including David Bowie (1947-2016) acknowledging his influence. Lou Reed suffered with many demons during his lifetime, which included drug dependency, alcoholism, and his sexuality, all of these would regularly be subjects in his songs. Although his work with The Velvet Underground (see also best songs 219 and 165) was critically acclaimed and had a cult following, it wasn’t until later years that it became appreciated by the wider general public, and it was the making of Reed’s second solo studio Album ‘Transformer’ in 1972, from where this song is taken, that turned him into a household name, and finally brought him full recognition.

‘Perfect Day’ was written by Lou Reed, and produced by David Bowie, (see also best songs 807-440-334-302-209-186-118-47-31 and 5) and Mick Ronson (1946-1993) (see also best songs 661-405 and 58) who was a member of Bowie’s backing band ‘The Spiders from Mars’ at that time. Bowie added a much more commercial sound to the music of Lou Reed that had not been there before, and Ronson arranged the strings, and was the primary session musician on the Album, contributing guitar, piano, and backing vocals.

There has always been speculation as to what ‘Perfect Day’ is really about, with many thinking that the subject matter is ‘Heroin,’ while others think it’s just Lou Reed enjoying a good day out. The drug interpretation according to the songs author Lou Reed himself is ‘laughable.’ In an interview in 2000 Reed said,’Your talking to the writer, the person who wrote it. No, that’s not true, (that the song is about Heroin use) I don’t object to that, particularly…what you think is perfect, but this guy’s vision of a perfect day was the girl, Sangria, in the park, and then you go home, real simple. I meant just what I said.’

In 1996 the song was brought to the attention of a whole new generation when it was featured in the film ‘Trainspotting,’ in the scene where the character ‘Renton’ overdoses on Heroin. In 1997 ‘Perfect Day’ was re-recorded by Lou Reed, where he was joined by many artists from the world of entertainment, who each sang sections of the song separately for an advertisement to promote the diverse musical output provided by the ‘BBC.’ This proved so popular that it was chosen for release as a single for that years ‘Children in Need’ charity song. It went on to spend three non consecutive weeks at Number 1 in the UK, and raised in excess of £2,000,000 for charity. Some of the artists who appeared on the new recording included David Bowie, Bono, and Elton John. The Jazz saxophonist Courtney Pine provided the instrumental break, and Reed’s then girlfriend and future wife ‘Laurie Anderson appears in the songs video which was commissioned by the BBC.

‘Perfect Day’ maybe about enjoying your day, but towards the end of the song Reed adds a very sombre note when he sings,’You’re gonna reap just what you sow.’ This alludes to St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians 6:7 in the New Testament, which reads, ‘Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.’

‘Oh, it’s such a perfect day, I’m glad I spent it with you. Oh, such a perfect day, you just keep me hanging on, you just keep me hanging on.’