Perfect Day ( Lou Reed song ) - wikipedia Perfect Day ( Lou Reed song ) `` Perfect Day '' Single by Lou Reed from the album Transformer A-side `` Walk on the Wild Side '' Released November 17, 1972 Recorded August 31, 1972 at Trident Studios, London Genre Pop Length 3 : 46 Label RCA Songwriter ( s ) Lou Reed Producer ( s ) David Bowie Mick Ronson Lou Reed singles chronology `` Walk on the Wild Side '' / `` Perfect Day '' ( 1972 ) `` Satellite Of Love '' ( 1973 ) `` Walk on the Wild Side '' / `` Perfect Day '' ( 1972 ) `` Satellite Of Love '' ( 1973 ) `` Perfect Day '' is a song written by Lou Reed in 1972. It was originally featured on Transformer, Reed 's second post-Velvet Underground solo album, and as a double A-side with his major hit, `` Walk on the Wild Side ''. Its fame was given a boost in the 1990s when it was featured in the 1996 film Trainspotting and after a star - studded version was released as a BBC charity single in 1997, that became the UK 's number one single for three weeks. Reed re-recorded the song for his 2003 album The Raven. A version by Duran Duran reached number 28 on the UK Singles Chart in 1995. Contents 1 Recording and composition 2 In other media 3 Personnel 4 BBC corporate film and charity release 4.1 Performers 4.2 Sequels 4.3 Music Live 2000 5 Duran Duran version 5.1 Personnel 6 Susan Boyle version 6.1 Conflict with Lou Reed 6.2 Live performances 6.3 Chart performance 7 Vatican tweet 8 See also 9 References 9.1 Notes 9.2 Sources 10 External links Recording and composition The original recording, like the rest of the Transformer album, was produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson ( who also wrote the string arrangement and played piano on the track ). The song begins in its verse, which is a progression of major triads in descending perfect fifths, starting however on a minor triad. The song then moves into the chorus, which is written in the parallel major key to the verse. The song has a sombre vocal delivery and a slow, piano - based instrumental backing. The song was written after Reed and his then fiancée ( later his first wife ), Bettye Kronstad, spent a day in Central Park. The lyric is often considered to suggest simple, conventional romantic devotion, possibly alluding to Reed 's relationship with Bettye Kronstad and Reed 's own conflicts with his sexuality, drug use and ego. Some commentators have further seen the lyrical subtext as displaying Reed 's romanticized attitude towards a period of his own addiction to heroin. This popular understanding of the song as an ode to addiction led to its inclusion in the soundtrack for Trainspotting, a film about the lives of heroin addicts. In other media The song has featured in commercials such as an AT&T advertisement which ran during the 2010 Olympics, and an advertisement by Sony for the launch of the PlayStation 4 in October 2013, two weeks before Reed 's death. The song has also appeared incidentally in TV shows including Fear the Walking Dead and Gotham. It was also covered in the 2017 TNT series Will. Personnel Lou Reed - vocals Mick Ronson - piano, string arrangements David Bowie - keyboards Trevor Bolder : trumpet Herbie Flowers : tuba Klaus Voormann - bass John Halsey - drums BBC corporate film and charity release `` Perfect Day '' Single by Various Artists Released November 17, 1997 Format CD single Recorded Length 3 : 46 Label Chrysalis, BBC Songwriter ( s ) Lou Reed Producer ( s ) The Music Sculptors, Mark Sayer - Wade & Tolga Kashif & Simon Hanhart In 1997, a version of the song was showcased by the BBC in a lengthy corporate promotion of its diverse music coverage which was broadcast on BBC channels and in cinemas. It featured Lou Reed himself and other major artists in what the Financial Times described as `` an astonishing line - up of world class performers ''. In reference to the licence fee, the film ends with the message `` Whatever your musical taste, it is catered for by BBC Radio and Television. This is only possible thanks to the unique way the BBC is paid for by you. BBC. You make it what it is. '' This message appears over the repeated words `` You 're going to reap just what you sow '' which The Guardian described as `` a none too subtle message : keep writing the cheque. '' In response to accusations from commercial competitors that the corporation had wasted vast sums on the film it was revealed that each artist received a `` token '' £ 250 because of their belief in the BBC. Prompted by huge public demand the track was released on November 17, 1997, as a charity single for Children in Need, and Reed said, `` I have never been more impressed with a performance of one of my songs. '' It was the UK 's number one single for three weeks, in two separate spells. The record contributed £ 2,125,000 to the charity 's highest fundraising total in six years, and, as of November 2016, has sold 1.54 million copies. The release featured two additional versions of the song : one entirely sung by female performers, one by male performers. The BBC also produced a Christmas version of the accompanying music video. In Ireland, the song was also a huge success, remaining at number one for seven weeks, and becoming that year 's Christmas number one. Performers Performers in order of appearance ; parentheses indicate mute appearance, and dividers indicate verses / sections. Lou Reed Bono Skye Edwards ( from Morcheeba ) David Bowie Suzanne Vega Elton John ( Andrew Davis ) Boyzone Lesley Garrett ( Lou Reed ) Burning Spear Bono Thomas Allen ( Brodsky Quartet ) Heather Small ( from M People ) Emmylou Harris Tammy Wynette Shane MacGowan ( Sheona White ) ( tenor horn player ) Dr. John David Bowie Robert Cray Huey Morgan ( from Fun Lovin ' Criminals ) Ian Broudie ( from The Lightning Seeds ) Gabrielle Dr. John Evan Dando ( from The Lemonheads ) Emmylou Harris ( Courtney Pine ) ( soprano saxophone player ) ( BBC Symphony Orchestra ) ( Andrew Davis ) ( Bono ) Brett Anderson ( from Suede ) Visual Ministry Choir Joan Armatrading Laurie Anderson Heather Small Tom Jones Heather Small Lou Reed Sequels Following the success of the `` Perfect Day '' music video, the BBC produced three further similar campaigns. The first, Future Generations, in December 1998, did a similar multi-celebrity montage with favourite BBC children 's programmes. The second, called Shaggy Dog Story, featured various comedians and comic actors telling a long - winded shaggy dog story, with each one sharing a line or phrase. A second, shorter shaggy dog story, entitled Mammals vs. Insects, was also broadcast on 4 January 2000. Seventeen years after `` Perfect Day '' 's release, the BBC produced a campaign for their new music division where 27 musicians ( labelled `` The Impossible Orchestra '' ) covered the Beach Boys ' `` God Only Knows ''. The only person to appear in both campaigns is Sir Elton John. The cover was parodied on a 1997 special Harry Enfield and Chums, as well as by Matt Lucas and David Walliams. The single inspired Sony Music to release a various artists compilation album, Perfect Day, in early 1998. It reached number 7 in the UK Compilation Chart. It featured Reed 's original version of the song instead of the Various Artists version. Music live 2000 A BBC live television event in 2000, which consisted of music programs around the clock, ended in another round - robin performance of `` Perfect Day ''. Although watched by millions, the recording of the show that was released as a single was not a chart success, reaching only number 69 in mid-June 2000. This line - up included Rolf Harris and a beginning and ending performance from Lou Reed himself. Duran Duran version `` Perfect Day '' Single by Duran Duran from the album Thank You B - side `` The Needle and the Damage Done '', `` Come Up and See Me ( Make Me Smile ) '' Released March 13, 1995 Length 3 : 53 Label EMI, Capitol -- DD 20 Songwriter ( s ) Lou Reed Producer ( s ) Duran Duran Duran Duran singles chronology `` Too Much Information '' ( 1993 ) `` Perfect Day '' ( 1995 ) `` White Lines '' ( 1995 ) `` Too Much Information '' ( 1993 ) `` Perfect Day '' ( 1995 ) `` White Lines '' ( 1995 ) Music video `` Perfect Day '' on YouTube A cover version of `` Perfect Day '' was the first single from the Duran Duran covers album Thank You. It reached number 28 on the UK Singles Chart in 1995. The song featured a rare appearance by Duran Duran 's first drummer Roger Taylor. He also appeared in the video and in a promotional appearance on Top of the Pops. The music video was filmed in February 1995 by director Nick Egan, and first aired in March. It shows clips of the band performing, interspersed with surreal images. The single was released in several versions, including numerous different remixes of the title track and other Duran Duran songs. In addition to the single and the Thank You album, the song also appeared in Duran Duran 's Singles Box Set 1986 -- 1995, released in 2004. On Duran Duran 's episode of Behind the Music, Reed described the Duran Duran version as being potentially the best rerecording of any of his songs. Personnel Duran Duran : Simon Le Bon -- vocals Nick Rhodes -- keyboards John Taylor -- bass guitar Warren Cuccurullo -- guitar With : Roger Taylor -- drums Tessa Niles -- backing vocals Also credited : John Jones, Anthony J. Resta, Bob St. John -- additional production and engineering David Richards -- mixing Mark Tinley -- additional programming Susan Boyle version `` Perfect Day '' Single by Susan Boyle from the album The Gift Released 8 November 2010 Length 4 : 31 Label Syco / Columbia Records Songwriter ( s ) Lou Reed Producer ( s ) Steve Mac Susan Boyle singles chronology `` I Dreamed a Dream '' ( 2010 ) `` Perfect Day '' ( 2010 ) `` I Know Him So Well '' ( 2011 ) `` I Dreamed a Dream '' ( 2010 ) `` Perfect Day '' ( 2010 ) `` I Know Him So Well '' ( 2011 ) Scottish recording artist Susan Boyle covered the song on her second album The Gift and also released it on 8 November 2010 as a single. Conflict with Lou Reed In September 2010, Susan Boyle had to cancel a performance on America 's Got Talent at the last minute. She had planned to sing `` Perfect Day '', but two hours before the show, she was told that Lou Reed had intervened, refusing her permission to perform his song and to include it on her forthcoming album The Gift. As she and her choir did n't have time to rehearse another number, she decided to cancel her performance. A couple of days later, representatives of Lou Reed stated that he had nothing to do with the decision and that it was just a licensing glitch. A couple of weeks later, Lou Reed agreed not only to let her include the song on The Gift, but also to produce her music video of the song. It was shot on the banks of Loch Lomond and premiered on 7 November 2010. Live performances On 19 November 2010 she performed the song on Children in Need. She also performed this again at the 82nd Royal Variety Performance, performed on the 9 December 2010. Chart performance Chart ( 2010 ) Peak position Belgium ( Ultratip Flanders ) 32 UK Singles ( The Official Charts Company ) 124 Vatican tweet Soon after Reed 's death in 2013, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, the Vatican 's culture minister, made news by tweeting lyrics from the song : 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 Because the song is thought by some to be drug - related, the cardinal later clarified that he did not condone drug use. See also 1970s portal List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 1990s List of number - one singles of 1997 ( Ireland ) References Notes Jump up ^ O'Hagan, Sean ( October 27, 2013 ). `` Lou Reed : Six of his greatest songs ''. The Guardian. Retrieved February 4, 2016. Jump up ^ Bockris, Victor ( 1995 - 08 - 01 ). Transformer : The Lou Reed Story. Simon & Schuster, August 1, 1995. ( ISBN 978 - 0684803661 ) Jump up ^ Nick Walker. `` Blurred vision at the Beeb ''. The Independent. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 07. Jump up ^ Barrett, Annie. `` AT&T Olympics Commercials : Pick Your Trip '', Popwatch.EW.com, February 18, 2010 Jump up ^ Guy Longworth ( October 15, 2013 ). `` '' Perfect Day '' TV Spot Debuts, 30 Days Til PS4 ``. Playstation. Retrieved September 19, 2016. Jump up ^ Matthew Chernov ( 2015 - 09 - 20 ). `` Fear The Walking Dead Recap : Episode 104 -- Not Fade Away ''. Variety. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 07. Jump up ^ `` Gotham : `` Damned If You Do... '' Review ``. IGN. 2015 - 09 - 21. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 07. ^ Jump up to : Dunkley, Christopher. `` Hard sell of the fast cut '', Financial Times, 10 October 1997 Jump up ^ Mulholland, John. `` Such a perfect way to sing the praises of a licence fee ; John Mulholland on how Lou Reed 's anthem for doomed youth became the ultimate sales gimmick '', The Guardian, 27 September 1997 Jump up ^ `` Children to reap what Perfect Day sows '', BBC News, 21 November 1997. Jump up ^ `` Perfect Day for children '', BBC News, 12 October 1998 Jump up ^ Myers, Justin ( 17 November 2016 ). `` The biggest selling Children in Need singles ranked ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Chart Log UK ''. Zobbel.de. Retrieved 22 September 2015. Jump up ^ NME : Lou Reed made Susan Boyle cry over ' America 's Got Talent ' refusal Published 9 September 2010. Retrieved 2010 - 12 - 27 Jump up ^ `` Lou Reed - Reed Not To Blame For Susan Boyle 's Perfect Day Snub ''. Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 2013 - 03 - 29. Jump up ^ NME : Lou Reed lets Susan Boyle cover ' Perfect Day ' after all Published 22 September 2010. Retrieved 2010 - 12 - 27 Jump up ^ NME : Lou Reed creates ' intimate ' video for Susan Boyle 's ' Perfect Day ' cover Published 7 November 2010. Retrieved 2010 - 12 - 27 Jump up ^ ( 1 ) Jump up ^ ( 2 ) Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Susan Boyle -- Perfect Day '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratip. Jump up ^ `` Chart Log UK : Chart Date 20.11. 2010 ''. Zobeel.de. Retrieved 2014 - 03 - 31. Jump up ^ Pulella, Philip. `` Vatican 's ' culture minister ' tweets Lou Reed song ''. Reuters. Retrieved 19 November 2014. Sources Original Seeds Vol. 2, liner notes by Kim Beissel External links MP3.com review Line - by - line list of singers Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Preceded by `` Barbie Girl '' by Aqua UK Singles Chart number - one single Various artists version 29 November 1997 ( two weeks ) Succeeded by `` Teletubbies say `` Eh - oh ! '' '' by Teletubbies Preceded by `` Too Much '' by Spice Girls UK Singles Chart number - one single Various artists version 10 January 1998 ( one week ) Succeeded by `` Never Ever '' by All Saints Lou Reed Discography Studio albums Lou Reed Transformer Berlin Sally Ca n't Dance Metal Machine Music Coney Island Baby Rock and Roll Heart Street Hassle The Bells Growing Up in Public The Blue Mask Legendary Hearts New Sensations Mistrial New York Magic and Loss Set the Twilight Reeling Ecstasy The Raven Hudson River Wind Meditations Collaborations Le Bataclan ' 72 ( with John Cale and Nico ) Songs for Drella ( with John Cale ) The Stone : Issue Three ( with John Zorn and Laurie Anderson ) Lulu ( with Metallica ) Live albums Rock ' n ' Roll Animal Lou Reed Live Live : Take No Prisoners Live in Italy Live in Concert Perfect Night : Live in London American Poet Animal Serenade Berlin : Live At St. Ann 's Warehouse The Creation of the Universe Compilations Walk on the Wild Side : The Best of Lou Reed Rock and Roll Diary : 1967 -- 1980 City Lights Walk on the Wild Side & Other Hits Different Times : Lou Reed in the ' 70s The Best of Lou Reed & The Velvet Underground A Retrospective Perfect Day Retro The Definitive Collection The Very Best of Lou Reed Legendary Lou Reed NYC Man ( The Ultimate Collection 1967 -- 2003 ) The Essential Lou Reed Singles `` Walk on the Wild Side '' `` Satellite of Love '' `` Vicious '' `` Sweet Jane '' `` Street Hassle '' `` September Song '' `` The Original Wrapper '' `` No Money Down '' `` Dirty Blvd. '' Box sets Between Thought and Expression : The Lou Reed Anthology Related articles The Velvet Underground John Cale Nico Metal Machine Trio Live at Montreux 2000 Loureedia Children in Need Telethons 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Charity singles `` Almost Seems ( Too Late to Turn ) '' ( 1985 ) `` Heroes '' ( 1986 ) `` Perfect Day '' ( 1997 ) `` Especially for You '' ( 1998 ) `` Love Me '' ( 1999 ) `` Never Had a Dream Come True '' ( 2000 ) `` Have You Ever '' ( 2001 ) `` Do n't Let Me Down '' / `` You and I '' ( 2002 ) `` I 'm Your Man ( 2003 ) `` I 'll Stand by You '' ( 2004 ) `` A Night to Remember '' ( 2005 ) `` Downtown '' ( 2006 ) `` Headlines ( Friendship Never Ends ) '' ( 2007 ) `` Do Ya / Stay with Me '' ( 2008 ) `` The Official BBC Children in Need Medley '' ( 2009 ) `` Love You More '' ( 2010 ) `` Teardrop '' ( 2011 ) `` Something New '' ( 2012 ) `` How Long Will I Love You '' ( 2013 ) `` Wake Me Up '' ( 2014 ) `` Take Me Home '' ( 2015 ) `` All We Needed '' ( 2016 ) `` Fields of Gold '' ( 2017 ) Related articles Pudsey Bear Children in Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall Children in Need Rocks Manchester Children in Need Rocks 2013 Comic Relief Susan Boyle Discography Studio albums I Dreamed a Dream The Gift Someone to Watch Over Me Standing Ovation : The Greatest Songs from the Stage Home for Christmas Hope A Wonderful World Singles `` Wild Horses '' `` I Dreamed a Dream '' `` Perfect Day '' `` I Know Him So Well '' `` Enjoy the Silence '' `` Unchained Melody '' `` The Winner Takes It All '' `` You 'll See '' Other songs `` Who I Was Born to Be '' Television I Dreamed a Dream : The Susan Boyle Story Susan Boyle : An Unlikely Superstar Theatre I Dreamed a Dream ( musical ) Concert tours Susan Boyle in Concert Duran Duran Nick Rhodes John Taylor Roger Taylor Simon Le Bon Stephen Duffy Simon Colley Andy Wickett Alan Curtis Jeff Thomas Andy Taylor Warren Cuccurullo Sterling Campbell Studio albums Duran Duran Rio Seven and the Ragged Tiger Notorious Big Thing Liberty Duran Duran Thank You Medazzaland Pop Trash Astronaut Red Carpet Massacre All You Need Is Now Paper Gods Live albums Arena Live at Hammersmith ' 82 ! A Diamond in the Mind : Live 2011 Compilations, EPs and remixes Carnival Master Mixes Decade : Greatest Hits Greatest Night Versions : The Essential Duran Duran Strange Behaviour Singles Box Set 1981 -- 1985 Singles Box Set 1986 -- 1995 The Essential Collection From Mediterranea with Love Singles `` Planet Earth '' `` Careless Memories '' `` Girls on Film '' `` My Own Way '' `` Hungry Like the Wolf '' `` Save a Prayer '' `` Rio '' `` Is There Something I Should Know ? '' `` Union of the Snake '' `` New Moon on Monday '' `` The Reflex '' `` The Wild Boys '' `` A View to a Kill '' `` Notorious '' `` Skin Trade '' `` Meet El Presidente '' `` I Do n't Want Your Love '' `` All She Wants Is '' `` Do You Believe in Shame ? '' `` Burning the Ground '' `` Violence of Summer ( Love 's Taking Over ) '' `` Serious '' `` Ordinary World '' `` Come Undone '' `` Too Much Information '' `` Perfect Day '' `` White Lines '' `` Out of My Mind '' `` Electric Barbarella '' `` Someone Else Not Me '' `` ( Reach Up for The ) Sunrise '' `` What Happens Tomorrow '' `` Nice '' `` Falling Down '' Other songs `` Night Boat '' `` New Religion '' `` The Chauffeur '' Videography Duran Duran Video 45 Duran Duran Dancing on the Valentine Sing Blue Silver Arena ( An Absurd Notion ) 6ix by 3hree Decade : Greatest Hits Greatest Live from London Live at Hammersmith ' 82 ! Related artists Arcadia Neurotic Outsiders The Devils The Power Station Swahili Blonde TV Mania John Frusciante Related articles Discography Awards and nominations Reportage Duran Duran concert tours Duran Duran 's charity concert at Villa Park 1983 Drum Yasmin Le Bon Amber Le Bon Book Kirsty MacColl Studio albums Desperate Character Kirsty MacColl Kite Electric Landlady Titanic Days Tropical Brainstorm Compilations Galore Notable singles `` They Do n't Know '' `` Keep Your Hands Off My Baby '' `` There 's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He 's Elvis '' `` You Still Believe in Me '' `` Terry '' `` A New England '' `` Days '' `` Do n't Come The Cowboy With Me Sonny Jim ! '' `` Walking Down Madison '' `` Soho Square '' With The Pogues `` Fairytale of New York '' Related articles Ewan MacColl Steve Lillywhite Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Perfect_Day_(Lou_Reed_song)&oldid=840448784 '' Categories : 1972 singles 1995 singles Songs written by Lou Reed Lou Reed songs 1997 singles 1998 singles 2010 singles UK Singles Chart number - one singles Irish Singles Chart number - one singles Kirsty MacColl songs Duran Duran songs Patti Smith songs Children in Need singles All - star recordings Song recordings produced by David Bowie Susan Boyle songs 1972 songs American pop songs Hidden categories : Articles with hAudio microformats All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from January 2014 Singlechart usages for Flanders Tip All articles with specifically marked weasel - worded phrases Articles with specifically marked weasel - worded phrases from January 2017 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Български Čeština Deutsch Ελληνικά Español فارسی Français Italiano עברית ქართული Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk nynorsk Polski Русский Suomi 7 more Edit links This page was last edited on 9 May 2018, at 23 : 28. 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Question: who sang it's such a perfect day
Answer: Lou Reed