“Perfect” was the last song I wrote for The Present. It’s inspired by a saying attributed to Voltaire: “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” That kind of adage is particularly meaningful for those of us who are on the compulsive side. You know the type: people who just can’t let that email, or essay, or soufflé, or artwork out into the world until it’s absolutely flawless.

LYRICS:

“Striving to better,” Shakespeare said, “Oft we mar what’s well.”
And then there’s: “Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.”
That’s Confucious
But the truth is
Voltaire nailed it with

Don’t let the perfect be the enemy
Of the good, you never should, never should
Let the perfect be the enemy
Of the good, you never should, never should

I know that the way I stack the dirty dishes in the sink
Drives you to drink
I know it stinks
I know it stings, like

My habit of sleeping through your favorite shows
It curls your toes
just like these quotes
from the canon bros
But honey, I’m trying, I’m trying
to get to a hundred percent
(I’m trying, I’m trying)
but until I do

Don’t let the perfect be the enemy
Of the good, you never should, never should
Let the perfect be the enemy
Of the good, you never should, never should

I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying
I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying
Come on, baby, give me an “A”
(I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying)
Come on, baby, give me an “A”
(I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying)
Come on, baby, give me an “A”
For effort
(I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying)
Come on, baby, give me an “A”
For effort
(I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying)
Come on, baby, give me an “A”
For effort
For now

(I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying)

Don’t let the perfect be the enemy
(I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying)
Of the good, you never should, never should
(I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying)
Let the perfect be the enemy
Of the good, you never should, never should