Perfect Girl

### Producer

P!nk (also exec) • Kandi • MachoPsycho • Greg Kurstin • Butch Walker • Max Martin • Shellback • Chris Rojas • Josh Abraham • Mike Elizondo • Billy Mann • Willow Sage Hart

## Singles from Perfect Girl

1. "Visit Me"
Released: March 24, 2023

2. "Heaven in My Hurricane"
Released: April 7, 2023

3. "Blonde"
Released: April 21, 2023

4. "You Wish You Were"
Released: November 2, 2023

5. "Spice"
Released: November 16, 2023

6. "(You're Goin') Home Alone"
Released: November 30, 2023

***Perfect Girl*** is the seventh studio album recorded and released by RCA Records label executive and legacy artist P!nk. It was released on March 31, 2023, as both a follow-up and a sister record to her sixth studio album *Perfect Life*. Announced on March 27, 2023, the album was preceded by the release of the lead single "Visit Me" which topped the Billboard Hot Singles Chart the week prior.

*Perfect Girl* comprises fourteen all-new tracks, each showcasing P!nk's signature vocal range and songwriting abilities, and it promises to be just as sassy and biting as its predecessor. In fact, P!nk has taken it up a notch by taking direct aim at the privileged and entitled rich girls of the world. *Perfect Girl* is a sarcastic pop album that aims to shatter their superficial personas and critique their privileged lifestyles.

## Background

In February 2021, P!nk released her sixth studio album *Perfect Life*. A collection of thirteen individual songs, the album was targeted towards the privileged rich girls of the world who looked down on others for not having the same privileges that they were luckily afforded, ripping into them and tearing them down. The album was a great success, becoming P!nk's fourth number-one album, as well as being responsible for her second Diamond-certified single "Get a Life!"

Despite the success of *Perfect Life*, P!nk felt that she had not yet said everything on the subject that she wished to, and chose to start the process of recording a follow-up album. The record would be completed by the end of the same year, and scheduled for release in early 2022. However, personal circumstances delayed the release for an additional year.

> “Okay, Perfect Girl. Well, to understand Perfect Girl we have to go back to Perfect Life. Like three years ago, I think it was around December, I just looked at the state of the world and I thought to myself ‘wow? Like really? This is what life is?’ We were living through the COVID-19 pandemic and we were surrounded by idiotic Karens refusing to follow rules or get vaccinated to protect others simply for the sake of their own vanity and ego.
>
> If there’s one thing I absolutely hate, it’s stupidity. That and selfishness. And it just brought back memories to me. I’m thinking of those blonde girls in high school with the little chihuahua in their purse, who ate maybe 10 calories a day, and always had the newest things and couldn’t wait to brag about them. And then I remembered, that wasn’t just high school; they exist in the real world too. You have these pathetic losers being made into actual celebrities. The Kardashians, Paris Hilton, Christina Aguilera! Like why are we doing this, how are we allowing this? Can we fucking stop?
>
> I was angry, like really fucking angry. At myself, at the world, but mostly at these useless bitches. So I started writing about it. I wrote thirteen songs then I called some of my friends in the industry - Max, Butch, Billy and they in turn called some of their friends, and we all got together and just worked on this record. It was great. Then the album came out a few months later… and it went number-one. The lead single “Get a Life!” also went number-one and certified diamond. I felt like… I had finally said something, and the important part was that people listened.
>
> The thing is though, I had so much more to say. You can only fit so much into one album and I just wasn’t done talking about it. You know me, I fucking love to talk. So I started conceptualizing again, and by the end of the same year I had another album ready just waiting to be produced. Once again I called up some of the same people, but I also invited some newcomers along - including Kandi who I worked with a long long time ago, and who, at the time, recently became a representative of my record label. Together we created another bomb-ass record with fourteen fantastic songs, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
>
> One thing I really want people to understand is that no, these aren’t songs that I scrapped from the original album, and no, I haven’t run out of ideas and I’m not just lazily re-using the same concept. I just had more shit to say. Unlike some others, I truly care about my work. To tell the truth, this album was meant to release a year ago, but I just didn’t feel ready in myself to commit to the rough promotional cycle. I didn’t want to disrespect myself, my record or my fans by giving anything less than my best.
>
> So now we’re here. It’s finally time. I’m fucking stoked. Let’s do this shit!”
>
> P!nk, *Perfect Girl* Album Interview (The P!nk Report)

## Writing and Recording

*Perfect Girl* was written and recorded all within the month of December 2021. All songs on the album were written by P!nk, who was still raring to go after the success of her previous album *Perfect Life*. During December, P!nk enlisted help from some of the producers on *Perfect Life* who would then enlist extra help from other producers P!nk had yet to work with. P!nk would also ask new label representative and old friend Kandi for help in producing some of the record. The final cut of the album features productions from Kandi, MachoPsycho, Greg Kurstin, Butch Walker, Shellback, Max Martin, Chris Rojas, Josh Abraham, Mike Elizondo, and Billy Mann. One song on the album ("Blonde") features additional writing credits by Christina Aguilera, Kara DioGuardi and Chris E. Martin as it samples the Aguilera song of the same name.

## Musical Style and Themes

*Perfect Girl* is a sarcastic pop album that aims to shatter the superficial personas and critique the privileged lifestyles of the rich, selfish and ultra-absorbed rich women of the world. It is comprised of fourteen all-new tracks, each showcasing P!nk's signature vocal range and songwriting abilities. The album is a sonic journey that draws influences from various genres, including R&B, rock, and country, all while remaining a pop-focused album. P!nk's executive control over the album is evident through the impressive lineup of producers who contributed to the album. The final record comes out to a total length of forty-six minutes and twenty-five seconds.

### Songs

*Perfect Girl* begins with "First Message", an innovative answer-phone message-like intro that sets the stage for what's to come. The intro is cleverly juxtaposed against R&B production in the background, adding depth and complexity to the track. The album's second song, "Blonde", is a sarcastic and upbeat pure-pop number that emphasizes how being blonde is a prerequisite for being the perfect girl. P!nk pokes fun at other blonde girls, including Christina Aguilera, with a mix of contempt and stifled laughter. The track also features a sample of the "Blonde" intro by Christina Aguilera from her album of the same name. "Cardboard", the third song on the album, is another sardonic and upbeat number that explores the vanity of pretty girls and their tendency to look down on women with flatter chests. P!nk masterfully delivers lyrics that highlight the irony of their behavior and how she could never be like them.

"(You're Goin') Home Alone", the album's fourth track, is a fast-paced pop song with a circus-like sound that lambasts a childish and foolish guy who's never going to get with P!nk. The track references the movie Home Alone, drawing parallels between the protagonist and the man in question. "Rebound", the fifth song on the album, is an upbeat pop-rock anthem that celebrates getting revenge on an ex by rebounding with many people. P!nk's powerful vocals and the driving rock beat make this track an instant fan favorite. The sixth song, "Six Shots", is an appropriately heavy rock-infused track with double meanings. The track is about causing chaos in a bar by ordering six shots and getting wasted. In the midst of the drunk behavior, a creep tries to get with P!nk, and she gives him his own six shots with her gun.

"Visit Me", the number-one lead single, sits in the middle of the tracklist as track 7. The bubbly pop song has a pristine suburban vibe that invites various men to come and visit P!nk for one scandalous night. However, the bombshell drops that they'll be visiting her in jail. "Heaven in My Hurricane", also featured on *Earth, Water, Fire & Air* - a collaborative project between The Weeknd, P!nk, Rihanna, and Troye Sivan - is included on the album as track 8. The chaotic love song is a tribute to the perfect guy for bringing stability into P!nk's life and holding her down when she acts up, despite other guys who would have left long ago.

"Spice", a pop and R&B hybrid produced by P!nk's label mate Kandi, is a song that rejects the usual pick-up lines and expectations placed on women. The track rebukes the idea that women need to be sweet and asserts that there's nothing sugary about P!nk. She's all spice, and if you want it, come and give it a taste. "Suburban", a relaxed and blissful midtempo pop song, is about the traditional feeling of having made it when living in the heartland of suburbia. P!nk's sarcasm is extreme in this song as she revels in the monotony of the same bleak soccer mom routine day after day. P!nk showcases a rare moment of vulnerability in the raw piano ballad "Greatest Love". She sings genuinely about her great love and affection for her husband, despite all his shortcomings, and how there is no one who is more suited or perfect for her.

One standout track, "You Wish You Were", is a captivating guitar-based pop ballad with subtle country influences that showcases P!nk's powerful vocals. With cutting lyrics that take down a former flame who once believed himself to be flawless, this track will leave listeners stunned by its raw emotion and bone-chilling delivery. The album's penultimate track, "Next Life", is a captivating pop-rock anthem that encourages listeners to leave behind the struggles of this life and look forward to a brighter future. Referencing the album's predecessor, *Perfect Life*, this song serves as a powerful reminder to embrace the present and strive for a better tomorrow.

The *Willow's Version* of the record contains five additional songs. Produced by RCA Records label representative Kandi, “Starring Role” is a captivating dance-pop anthem with a deeper message about the realities of motherhood. P!nk shares her reflections on the life cycle of a woman, highlighting how they become the center of attention from birth until the moment they have their own child. Next up, “Stewardess” is a bold and powerful pop-rock track produced by Butch Walker and Greg Kurstin. P!nk pulls no punches as she asserts her dominance, dismissing other women in the room as "low-rent budget bitches" and insisting they serve her needs. This song was initially written for Rihanna's Distant Shores film, but fortunately, it found a perfect home on this album instead.

“Something to Remind You” is a heartfelt acoustic-driven song produced by Billy Mann, in which P!nk lays bare her vulnerable side. The track showcases her introspective musings on the importance of having someone to provide support and stability in life. With shaky vocals, P!nk questions whether she would have made it through the tough times without the love and support of her family, ultimately dedicating the track to her daughter Willow. In yet another touching tribute to her daughter, P!nk performs a special *Willow’s Version* of her second single, “Heaven in My Hurricane.” The stunning piano rendition of the song features P!nk on the keys with Willow providing support on the chord-driven accompaniment. P!nk also makes some lyrical changes to the original version of the song, reflecting on how her daughter brings stability and joy to her life.

Finally, P!nk concludes the album with the poignant “Final Message” outro, produced once again by Kandi. In this message, she reveals that while she previously declared that the perfect girl doesn't exist, she has now changed her mind. The perfect girl, she says, is her daughter Willow.

*Perfect Girl* comes to a close with the emotional and introspective outro, "Second Message." Set against a smooth R&B instrumental, this track features a poignant answer-phone message that acknowledges the futility of striving for perfection. P!nk gracefully accepts that the perfect girl ideal is unattainable but assures her fans that she is the next best thing.

## Title and Artwork

*Perfect Girl* was named after the ideal image of what women are told to aspire to be, and how the self-absorbed and vain priviliged ladies of the world see themselves. The album artwork features P!nk with her back to a mirror, attempting to sing, as the reflection in the mirror is fading showcasing that what is presented on the outside isn't always the same as what's hidden underneath. The artwork of the *Willow's Version* has the mirror image of P!nk surrounded by a collage of photos of her with her daughter Willow. This references the idea that the daughter is a reflection of the mother, and vice versa.

## Release and Promotion

*Perfect Girl* was released and distributed by RCA Records. On March 27, 2023, P!nk revealed the album alongside the album cover on her social media accounts. She would then reveal the tracklist alongside the back cover of the physical CD the following day. The album would release officially on March 31, 2023, being simultaneously available for digital purchases and on streaming services. Physical versions of the album were also released both in CD and vinyl formats.

On April 4, 2023, P!nk would announce an addition variant of *Perfect Girl* releasing on the upcoming Friday to celebrate the record's number-one debut. *Willow's Version* would include five additional tracks, mostly centered around the subject of motherhood. It is an ode to her daughter Willow.

### Singles

The album was preceded by the release of its lead single "Visit Me". "Visit Me" was released on March 24, 2023, and would become P!nk's 11th number-one single two days later. The following week, a remix of the song was issued titled the "Bedroom Kandi Club Mix" featuring additional production by Kandi. On April 3, 2023, P!nk announced that "Heaven in My Hurricane" would be released as the second single from the record that upcoming Friday. "Blonde" would be chosen as the third single from the album, being released on April 21, 2023. On Halloween, P!nk announced "You Wish You Were" as the album's fourth single, releasing on November 2, 2023, as part of the spooky season festivities. "Spice" would be chosen as the album's penultimate single, releasing on November 16, 2023, with "(You're Goin') Home Alone" closing out the era on November 30, 2023.

### Touring

*Main article: Perfect Girl World Tour*
In April 2023, P!nk would announce her latest headlining tour coinciding with the album. The Perfect Girl World Tour would span a total of 62 dates across three continents, beginning in San Diego, California on May 14, 2023. The final date would be held in Brisbane, Australia on November 1, 2023. The tour would feature all songs from the standard edition of the album, along with a multitude of P!nk's smash hits to date. Album producer Kandi would support P!nk as the opening act.

## Critical Reception

Upon release, Perfect Girl received acclaim from music critics across the industry. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from publications, the album has a weighted mean score of 74 based on 3 reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception. This was the highest critic score of the week. Critics signalled "Heaven in My Hurricane" as their favorite song from the record.

## Commercial Performance

*Perfect Girl* debuted at the top spot on the April 2, 2023 issue of the Billboard Top Albums Chart, becoming P!nk's sixth number-one album to date. It would also top all three minor charts, and become one of only seven albums at the time to have done so since the implementation of the Billboard Trending Albums Chart. For receiving 100 chart points in its first week, the album was immediately certified silver. On it's second week on the charts, *Perfect Girl* would slip two spots to number-three while holding the top spot on the Billboard Digital Albums Chart for a second week. At this time, it would receive a gold certification for bypassing 150 chart points. *Perfect Girl* would then receive a platinum certification on its third charting week as it surpassed 200 chart points. On its fourth week, *Perfect Girl* would receive a diamond certification for surpassing 300 chart points - becoming P!nk's second album to do so following *Shipwrecked*.

## Track Listing

All tracks are written solely by P!nk, except "Blonde" which is written by P!nk, Christina Aguilera, Kara DioGuardi and Chris E. Martin. It features a sample of the "Blonde" intro from the Christina Aguilera album of the same name.

***Perfect Girl*** - Standard Edition

***Perfect Girl*** - Willow's Version