Fairground Attraction – “Perfect”:
Acoustic Pop with a Flirt and a Snap
Released on 21 March 1988 as the debut single from The First of a Million Kisses, “Perfect” by Fairground Attraction arrived like a spring breeze — light, confident, and joyfully out of step with the synth-laden landscape of late-’80s pop. A bracing blend of folk, skiffle, and jazz-inflected swing, the song’s irresistible acoustic groove and playful lyrics quickly made it a sensation.
It wasn’t flashy — but it was flawless in its simplicity.
A Song That Swings Without Trying
Written by Mark E. Nevin and sung by the luminous Eddi Reader, “Perfect” is a wry love song about wanting something real, not idealized. “It’s got to be perfect / It’s got to be worth it…” she sings, not with pressure, but with charm — suggesting that “perfect” isn’t polished, but genuine, messy, and fun.
The arrangement, produced by Kevin Moloney and the band, leans on jangly guitar, upright bass, brushed drums, and snap-happy rhythm, landing somewhere between a sidewalk café and a vintage radio.
Against the Grain, Straight to the Top
In a musical landscape ruled by power ballads and drum machines, Fairground Attraction stood out with their acoustic, genre-blending sound. Their sonic influences pulled from rockabilly, folk, and jazz, yet it never felt retro for its own sake. “Perfect” somehow sounded like 1958 and 1988 all at once.
That bold choice paid off — because when everything else was loud, this quiet confidence turned heads.
Chart Success and Instant Recognition
“Perfect” steadily climbed the UK Singles Chart, eventually landing at No. 1 on 8 May 1988, where it stayed for one week. Its appeal wasn’t limited to the UK: it also topped the charts in Australia, Ireland, and South Africa, and reached the Top 5 in Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, and West Germany. In the U.S., it charted modestly, peaking at No. 80 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 31 on Adult Contemporary, and No. 23 on Modern Rock Tracks.
The B-sides varied by format, featuring tracks like “Mythology”, “Falling Backwards”, and “Mystery Train” — charming acoustic cuts that fleshed out the band’s aesthetic.
At the 1989 BRIT Awards, “Perfect” won British Single of the Year, and its parent album The First of a Million Kisses won British Album of the Year — a rare double honor.
The Video: Playful and Understated
Directed by Peter Christopherson, the official music video matches the song’s effortless charm. Filmed in full color aboard a boat cruising the Thames and around wintry London streets, it captures the band goofing off, lip-syncing, and mugging for the camera. No effects, no storyline — just a joyful sense of camaraderie and authenticity that mirrors the track’s breezy rhythm.
A One-Hit Wonder with Lasting Shine
Though often labeled a one-hit wonder, Fairground Attraction had another UK Top 10 hit with “Find My Love” later that year. However, internal tensions led to their breakup in 1990, and the band never recorded a second studio album. Eddi Reader would go on to a successful solo career, occasionally revisiting “Perfect” — though she’s admitted it was originally included to lighten a rather melancholic set.
That little spark of lightness, though, became their calling card. “Perfect” continues to appear in commercials, rom-com soundtracks, and feel-good playlists around the world.
It was cheeky. It was acoustic. And it was exactly what it said on the label.