Perfect 10 (song)

"Perfect 10" is a song by The Beautiful South, released in 1998 as the first single from their sixth studio album, Quench. It debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart, selling 89,000 copies during its first week of release,[1] and is the band's last top-ten single to date. It received a Gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry in 2013 for shipments of more than 400,000 copies. Paul Weller guested on guitar.[2] Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim helped with arrangement.

"Perfect 10"
Single by The Beautiful South
from the album Quench
ReleasedSeptember 1998
Recorded1998
Length3:37
LabelMercury Records
Songwriter(s)
The Beautiful South singles chronology
"Liars' Bar"
(1997)		 "Perfect 10"
(1998)		 "Dumb"
(1998)
Music video
"Perfect 10" on YouTube

Analysis

The verses of the song—sung alternately by Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott—are made up of a series of innuendos using clothing sizes and penis length to illustrate a loving relationship between two people who don't conform to modern stereotypes of physical perfection. The male vocal shows that although his partner is a little on the large side ("but she wears a 12"), she is a 'perfect 10' in his eyes. He also states, "the anorexic chicks, the model 6, they don't hold no weight with me," preferring instead to, "hold something I can see."

Likewise, the female vocal references penis size in several places, suggesting that "XXL" is unnecessary ("Every penny don't fit the slot") and that even when all her partner has to offer is "a poor poor 4, there ain't no man can replace."

The chorus to the song is sung by both male and female vocals, and confirms the theme of a happy and accepting relationship beyond ideas of conventional beauty, with Heaton and Abbott stating:

"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."

Critical reception

Daily Record described "Perfect 10" as a "great" and "bitter-sweet" pop single, noting that is their 43rd hit.[3]

Charts and certifications

"Perfect 10" was seen as a 'tour classic' by The Beautiful South and it has been stated by Dave Stead that, "There are certain songs you just can't leave out...I think we would be lynched if we didn't play "Keep It All In", "Don't Marry Her" and "Perfect 10"."[14] This song also features in an episode of sitcom Phoenix Nights, where compere Jerry St Clair sings it in his own style. "Perfect 10" was the theme song of UK television series Fat Friends.

References
  1. Jones, Alan (3 October 1998). "Chart Commentary" (PDF). Music & Media. p. 10. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  2. Discogs.com - Quench
  3. "Chart Slot". Daily Record. 16 October 1998. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  4. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15 no. 41. 10 October 1998. p. 14. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  5. "Offiziellecharts.de – The Beautiful South – Perfect 10". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  6. "Íslenski Listinn (22.1–29.1. 1999)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 22 January 1999. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  7. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Perfect 10". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  8. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  9. "Swedishcharts.com – The Beautiful South – Perfect 10". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  10. "Swisscharts.com – The Beautiful South – Perfect 10". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  11. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  12. "Best Sellers of 1998 – Singles Top 100". Music Week. 16 January 1999. p. 7.
  13. "British single certifications – Beautiful South – Perfect 10". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  14. "Welcome Home". This Is Hull. 23 May 2006.
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