Oh, such a perfect day/
You just keep me hanging on

Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” is one of the best songs about the simple pleasures of love: walking in a park, enjoying the weekend, checking out the zoo or a movie. There is something to be said for sharing simple pleasures with someone you love. There are some darker undertones to the song, such as the above lyric when he says “you just keep me hangin on”. It sounds like he is struggling mentally or emotionally.

At the end he promises the girl that she will reap what she sows. Meaning, that he appreciates the time she is putting in with him while he is struggling; he will make it up to her when he feels better. So, in a sense it isn’t a perfect day. It is a perfect day given the circumstances.

“Perfect Day” starts out with two haunting chords. The mood is slightly lighter throughout the verse—but it is still hesitant and slightly tense. By the time we get to the chorus we do feel as if the music and his mood is one of elation. The release is a nice feeling.

The song has a very nice piano arrangement that is original sounding. Reed has one of those voices like Dylan or Cohen, that is unspectacular, but good—if you allow yourself to take it in. This is one of his better vocals because he delivers it with a lot of emotion. This is probably his best vocal—either solo or in Velvet Underground.

Perfect Day Lyrics

Just a perfect day,
Drink Sangria in the park.
And then later
When it gets dark, we go home.

Just a perfect day,
Feed animals in the zoo.
Then later
A movie, too, and then home.

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.
You just keep me hanging on.

Just a perfect day,
Problems all left alone.
Weekenders on our own,
It’s such fun.

Just a perfect day,
You made me forget myself.
I thought I was
Someone else, someone good.

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,
You just keep me hanging on.

You’re going to reap just what you sow,
You’re going to reap just what you sow.
You’re going to reap just what you sow,
You’re going to reap just what you sow.

Songwriters: Lou Reed