Susan Boyle: Perfect Day
Susan Boyle finds “perfect” way to follow up her smash of a debut with Lou Reed tune and concept video
After a blockbuster debut from Susan Boyle’s debut album I Dreamed a Dream during Thanksgiving week last year, the UK songstress is under lots of pressure to repeat her previous success with her sophomore album The Gift(Syco/Sony); expected to hit stores on Nov. 9. “Perfect Day,” a rendition of Lou Reed’s 1972 ballad, marks the first single to be selected for the new release. The song shifts away from the Broadway rock of Reed’s original and delves deeply into entrancing strings, a heavenly chorus and Boyle’s operatic performance.
The imagery of the companion video is, at best, cinematically therapeutic. Far stronger than some of those tranquil DVDs nestled on end caps at Walmart. After Boyle walks through the dark and gloomy grimness of the night in the opening sequences, she sings the uplifting chorus (“Oh it’s just a perfect day/I’m glad I spend it with you…You just keep me hangin’ on”) to a euphoric scene of rainbows, green meadows and with the morning sun piercing through the clouds. Every note that follows produces hope and inspiration of brighter days ahead. At the end, her hands ascend in a worshipful majesty as if she’s found refuge in crossover gospel (“You’re gonna reap just what you sow”).
Analysts may be doubtful that Boyle will command the same type of sales domination of her debut, but “Perfect Day” will surely wash away most of those doubts.
J MATTHEW COBB
Absolutely Superb!!
A pleasure to watch and of course as usual Boyle’s vocals are amazing.