"Mr. Perfectly Fine"
Cover artwork of "Mr. Perfectly Fine"
Promotional single by Taylor Swift
from the album Fearless (Taylor's Version)
Written2008
ReleasedApril 7, 2021 (2021-04-07)
Studio
Genre
Length4:37
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)Taylor Swift
Producer(s)
Lyric video
"Mr. Perfectly Fine" on YouTube

"Mr. Perfectly Fine"[lower-alpha 1] is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her first re-recorded album, Fearless (Taylor's Version) (2021), a re-recording of her 2008 album. Produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff, the track is a country pop and pop rock song with lyrics about the tumultuous feelings after a derailed romantic relationship, using extensive antonomasia and wordplay. Music critics picked it as an album highlight, deeming its lyrics witty and the production catchy.

"Mr. Perfectly Fine" was released for download and streaming without prior promotion on April 7, 2021, via Republic Records. It is one of the six unreleased "From the Vault" tracks on Fearless (Taylor's Version). "Mr. Perfectly Fine" peaked at number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Hot Country Songs chart. The song also reached the top 30 of charts in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Its release was accompanied by a lyric video released to Swift's YouTube channel.

Background and release

On February 11, 2021, following the dispute regarding the rights to the masters of her first six studio albums, Taylor Swift announced that the first of her re-recorded albums, Fearless (Taylor's Version), a re-recording of Swift's 2008 album Fearless, would be released on April 9, 2021. Alongside the announcement, Swift revealed she would release six songs, all dubbed "from the Vault" that did not make the 2008 album or the 2009 reissue.[1] Swift explained several reasons for the scrapping of the tracks, including not wanting too many breakup or down-tempo songs on the album, and the limitations of how many songs could fit on CDs in 2008. In her announcement of the album, Swift wrote "I've decided I want you to have the whole story. See the entire vivid picture, and let you into the entire dreamscape that is my Fearless album."[2][3] Swift originally wrote "Mr. Perfectly Fine" in 2008.[4]

On April 2, Swift uploaded a cryptic, golden-hued video to her social media accounts depicting a vault releasing scrambled words from it. Fans and news outlets decoded the scrambled letters to reveal the titles of the vault tracks.[5] Swift uploaded the official track list to her social media accounts, including the names of the five remaining "from the Vault" tracks, the next day.[6] On April 7, Swift surprise-released "Mr. Perfectly Fine" alongside a lyric video.[7][8] In the video, the lyrics appear over a man in a tuxedo enveloped in fog. "Mr. Perfectly Fine" was also included in Fearless (Taylor's Version): The Halfway Out the Door Chapter and Fearless (Taylor's Version): The From the Vault Chapter, streaming compilations released on May 13, 2021, and May 26, 2021, respectively, each featuring five other songs from Fearless (Taylor's Version).[9][10] On June 16, 2023, Swift performed "Mr. Perfectly Fine" as a "surprise song" at the Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, as part of the Eras Tour.[11]

Composition and lyrics

"Mr. Perfectly Fine" is a midtempo[12] country pop and pop rock song[6][13][14] song with elements of rock[15] and rock and roll.[16] It runs for four minutes and 38 seconds. Musically, the song is set in the key of D major with a tempo of 136 beats per minute (BPM). Swift's vocals span from G♯3 to D5.[17] Lyrically, Swift navigates the tumultuous feelings surrounding breakup compared to her "perfectly fine" estranged lover, using wordplay.[6] The first verse recalls the seemingly perfect relationship, narrating "a man who says all the rights things at the right time" before progressing into the chorus, which describes the turbulent emotions Swift faced while the subject remains unscathed.[12][18] Several media outlets and fans alike pointed out the lyric "Mr. casually cruel", resembling the lyric "So casually cruel in the name of being honest" in Swift's song "All Too Well" from Red (2012).[7][19]

Critical reception

"Mr. Perfectly Fine" received acclaim from music critics. Vulture's Zoey Haylock wrote that "Mr. Perfectly Fine" brings back memories of "your high-school heartbreak", boasting a "classic T-Swift bridge and a final, soaring chorus". Haylock dubbed the song "a 2008 time capsule" and praising the "magic and curiosity" reminiscent of the original Fearless.[20] Similarly, Madeline Crone of American Songwriter applauded the collaboration with Jack Antonoff as "breath[ing] life into a new classic" and recalled the "age-old feelings" its country-pop production provokes. Crone opined that "Mr. Perfectly Fine" reflects the skill that paved the way for the sophistication of her indie folk record Folklore and alternative rock Evermore (both 2020).[21] Writing for Rolling Stone, Claire Shaffer noted Swift's "clever wordplay", and described its sound as "a classic Swift mix of country and pop with an added rock edge".[6] Jess Cohen of E! News opined that the lyrics "don't disappoint".[7]

Billboard critic Gil Kaufman defined it as a "dreamy, mid-tempo acoustic track" and a "classic Fearless-era Taylor tale of romantic woe". He also pinpointed the wordplay—where Swift dubs the subject as "Mr. perfect face," "Mr. here to stay", "Mr. looked me in the eye and told me you would never go away", and "Mr. change of heart", painting a "portrait of a man who says all the rights things at the right time".[12] Kitty Empire of The Guardian similarly described it as a "stone cold classic Swift song" and praised its blend of the "brighter, more direct songcraft" of the Fearless era and the more subdued production of Folklore.[22] Alexis Petridis, also of The Guardian, highlighted the "relish" in Swift's voice expressed a satisfaction that mitigates her anger.[23] Billboard's Jason Lipshutz ranked it as the second-best of the six Vault songs, praising the back-to-back references to "All Too Well" from Red (2012) and "Dear John" from Speak Now (2010) as "pay[ing] homage to her grandest breakup songs."[24] In Hannah Mylrea's review of the album published in NME, she identified "Mr. Perfectly Fine" as a standout, "stuffed with swooning melodies and typically Swiftian lyrics."[25] Dani Blum's Pitchfork review of Fearless (Taylor's Version) pointed to "Mr. Perfectly Fine" as a "delightful, strumming takedown" and a highlight among the Vault tracks.[26]

In Billboard's ranking of the 50 best songs of 2021 so far, "Mr. Perfectly Fine" placed 46th, with critics from the magazine applauding its lyrics and describing the song as "vintage Taylor Swift that still feels fresh in 2021."[27]

Accolade

Awards and nominations for "Mr. Perfectly Fine"
Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2022 RTHK International Pop Poll Awards Top Ten International Gold Songs Won [28]

Commercial performance

"Mr. Perfectly Fine" debuted at number one on the Billboard Country Digital Song Sales chart dated April 17, 2021, marking Swift's 17th number one entry on the chart and replacing Swift's own "You All Over Me" from the top spot.[29][30] Upon the release of Fearless (Taylor's Version), "Mr. Perfectly Fine" skyrocketed to number two on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart from its debut at twenty, scoring Swift her 26th top-10 entry on the chart. The song drew 14.2 million streams in the US and topped Billboard Country Streaming Songs chart, marking Swift's fifth chart-topper. On the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, "Mr. Perfectly Fine" rose to number 30 from its debut of number 90, becoming Swift's 80th entry inside the top 40 of the chart, extending Swift's record for the most top-40 entries among women.[31] It debuted at number 78 on the Rolling Stone Top 100, a competitor to the Hot 100,[32] collecting 4.4 million streams and selling 42,700 units in less than two days of tracking.[33] In the next week, following the release of Fearless (Taylor's Version), the song jumped to number 11, selling 106,800 units and garnering 12.7 million streams.[34]

On the Canadian Hot 100, "Mr. Perfectly Fine" debuted at 82 on the issue dated April 17, 2021,[35] and rose to number 23 in the next week,[36] ultimately spending 4 weeks on the chart.[37] Similarly, on the Billboard Global 200, it jumped from its debut of number 114[38] to its peak of number 19.[39] It debuted at number 11 in Singapore, 15 in Ireland, 19 in Australia, 24 in Belgium, 25 in New Zealand, and 30 in the United Kingdom.

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[40]

  • Taylor Swift – vocals, songwriting, production
  • Jack Antonoff – production, acoustic guitar, backing vocals, bass, electric guitar, keyboards, percussion, programming, recording, synthesizer
  • Mikey Freedom Hart – 12-string acoustic guitar, electric guitar, guitar, pedal steel
  • Sean Hutchinson – drums
  • Michael Riddleberger – percussion
  • Evan Smith – saxophones, synthesizer
  • Randy Merrill – mastering
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing
  • John Hanes – engineering
  • Laura Sisk – recording
  • John Rooney – assistant recording
  • Jon Sher – assistant recording
  • Christopher Rowe – vocal engineering

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Mr. Perfectly Fine"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[57] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

List of release dates and formats for "Mr. Perfectly Fine"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various April 7, 2021 Republic [40][58]

Notes

  1. ↑ Subtitled "(from the Vault)" or "(Taylor's Version) (From the Vault)".

References

  1. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (February 11, 2021). "Taylor Swift Announces Re-Recorded 'Fearless' Album, 'Love Story' Single Drop". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 14, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  2. ↑ Bate, Ellie (March 26, 2021). "Taylor Swift Dropped The First Previously Unreleased Track From "Fearless" And It's A Cozy Trip Down Memory Lane". BuzzFeed News. Archived from the original on March 26, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  3. ↑ Taylor Swift [@taylorswift13] (February 11, 2021). "I'm thrilled to tell you that my new version of Fearless (Taylor's Version) is done and will be with you soon. It has 26 songs including 6 never before released songs from the vault. Love Story (Taylor's Version) will be out tonight. 💛💛 📷: Beth Garrabrant". Retrieved June 5, 2021 – via Instagram.
  4. ↑ Garvey, Marianne (April 7, 2021). "Taylor Swift surprise releases second 'From the Vault' song, 'Mr. Perfectly Fine'". CNN. Archived from the original on April 7, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Decoding Taylor Swift's chaotic Easter egg video for Fearless (Taylor's Version) vault songs". Entertainment Weekly. April 2, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021 – via MSN.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Shaffer, Claire (April 7, 2021). "Taylor Swift Releases New 'Fearless' Vault Song 'Mr. Perfectly Fine'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 Cohen, Jess (April 7, 2021). "Taylor Swift's Vault Song "Mr. Perfectly Fine" Is Here and We're So Not Fine". E! Online. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Taylor Swift Shares A New 'From The Vault' Song, 'Mr. Perfectly Fine'". Uproxx. April 7, 2021. Archived from the original on April 7, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021. Now, with no advance warning...
  9. ↑ "Fearless (Taylor's Version): The Halfway Out The Door Chapter - EP". Apple Music. May 13, 2021. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Fearless (Taylor's Version): The From The Vault Chapter - EP". Apple Music. May 26, 2021. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  11. ↑ Iasimone, Ashley (June 18, 2023). "All the Surprise Songs Taylor Swift Has Performed on The Eras Tour (So Far)". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 Kaufman, Gil (April 7, 2021). "Taylor Swift Kisses Off 'Mr. Perfectly Fine' in Latest 'From the Vault' Release: Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  13. ↑ Olivier, Bobby (April 9, 2021). "Taylor Swift's Fearless Re-Recording Is A Thrilling Timewarp". Spin. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  14. ↑ McCormick, Neil (April 9, 2021). "Taylor Swift copies her younger self – and she sounds even more Fearless today". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  15. ↑ Haylock, Zoe (April 7, 2021). "Taylor Swift Drops 'Mr. Perfectly Fine' From the Vault, Freeing Petty Taylor". Vulture. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  16. ↑ Horton, Ross (April 9, 2021). "Taylor Swift reclaims her pivotal moment by breathing new life into Fearless". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  17. ↑ Swift, Taylor (April 7, 2021). "Mr. Perfectly Fine". Musicnotes.com. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  18. ↑ Bailey, Alyssa (April 7, 2021). "Taylor Swift's 'Mr. Perfectly Fine' Lyrics Seem to be Her Most Brutal Joe Jonas Breakup Song". Elle. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  19. ↑ Dodson, P. Claire (April 7, 2021). "Taylor Swift's "Mr. Perfectly Fine" Lyrics Use a Line From "All Too Well"". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021 – via MSN.
  20. ↑ Haylock, Zoe (April 7, 2021). "Taylor Swift Drops 'Mr. Perfectly Fine' From the Vault, Freeing Petty Taylor". Vulture. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  21. ↑ Crone, Madeline (April 7, 2021). "Taylor Swift Pulls Number Two 'From the Vault', "Mr.Perfectly Fine"". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  22. ↑ Empire, Kitty (April 10, 2021). "Taylor Swift: Fearless (Taylor's Version) review – a labour of revenge, but also of love". The Guardian. Archived from the original on June 5, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  23. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (April 9, 2021). "Taylor Swift: Fearless (Taylor's Version) review – old wounds take on new resonances". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  24. ↑ Lipshutz, John (April 9, 2021). "Every 'From The Vault' Song Ranked on Taylor Swift's 'Fearless (Taylor's Version)': Critic's Picks". Billboard. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  25. ↑ Mylrea, Hannah (April 9, 2021). "Taylor Swift – 'Fearless (Taylor's Version)' review: a celebration of self". NME. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  26. ↑ Blum, Dani (April 20, 2021). "Taylor Swift: Fearless (Taylor's Version)". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  27. ↑ Billboard Staff (June 8, 2021). "The 50 Best Songs of 2021 So Far: Staff Picks". Billboard. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  28. ↑ "33rd International Pop Poll Awards – RTHK". RTHK. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Country Digital Song Sales Chart". Billboard. April 17, 2021. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Taylor Swift". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 7, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  31. ↑ Asker, Jim (April 21, 2021). "With 'Fearless (Taylor's Version),' Taylor Swift Scores First Top Country Albums No. 1 Since 'Red'". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Rolling Stone Aims a Cannon at One of Its Biggest Rivals". Vanity Fair. May 7, 2019. Archived from the original on March 5, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  33. ↑ "Top 100 Popular Songs". Rolling Stone. April 2, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Top 100 Popular Songs". Rolling Stone. April 9, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  35. ↑ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100 Chart - April 17, 2021". Billboard. April 17, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100 Chart - April 24, 2021". Billboard. April 24, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  37. ↑ "Mr. Perfectly Fine (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault) Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Billboard Global 200 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  39. ↑ "Mr. Perfectly Fine (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault) Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  40. 1 2 "Credits / Mr. Perfectly Fine / Taylor Swift". Tidal. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  41. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Mr. Perfectly Fine". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  42. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Mr. Perfectly Fine" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  43. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  44. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  46. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Mr. Perfectly Fine". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  47. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Mr. Perfectly Fine". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  48. ↑ "RIAS International Top Charts Week 15". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  49. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 202121 into search. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  50. ↑ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 15". Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  51. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  52. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  53. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  54. ↑ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  55. ↑ "Record Report Top 100 - Fecha de Publicación: Sábado 08/05/2021" (in Spanish). Record Report. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  56. ↑ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  57. ↑ "British single certifications – Taylor Swift – Mr Perfectly Fine (Taylor's Version)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  58. ↑ "Mr. Perfectly Fine (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault) digital single". Taylor Swift Official Store. Archived from the original on April 7, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
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