Released August, 1998 (UK) Recorded 1998 Label Mercury Records | Format CD single Length 3:37 | |
Genre Pop rock, alternative rock | ||
"Perfect 10" is a song by The Beautiful South, released in 1998. It reached number two in the UK charts. The song also appeared on their album Quench.
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 though his partner is a little on the large side ("but she wears a 12") that 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:
"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"."
This song also features in an episode of sitcom Phoenix Nights, where compere Jerry St Clair sings it in his own style.
"Perfect 10" also featured as the theme song of UK television series Fat Friends.
Paul Weller guested on guitar.