The Perfect Pair
2022 song by Beabadoobee
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"The Perfect Pair" is a song by Filipino-British singer Beabadoobee. It was written by Jacob Bugden and Beabadoobee, and became available as the fifth track from her second studio album Beatopia (2022) on 15 July 2022. It was later sent to adult alternative radio on 26 September 2022 as a single by Dirty Hit. Sonically, "The Perfect Pair" is a bossa nova song backed by '90s-style guitar pop. The lyrics detail two lovers' romantic distrust and uncertainty at the end of a relationship.
| "The Perfect Pair" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Beabadoobee | ||||
| from the album Beatopia | ||||
| Released | 26 September 2022[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:58 | |||
| Label | Dirty Hit | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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| Beabadoobee singles chronology | ||||
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Release and composition
"The Perfect Pair" was sent to adult alternative radio on 26 September 2022.[2] The song is 2 minutes and 58 seconds at a tempo of 146 BPM.[3] The song went viral on the video sharing platform TikTok upon its release.[4]
The song was described by The Line of Best Fit as a swingy guitar and bossa nova song that addresses romantic distrust and uncertainty.[5]
Critical reception
Pitchfork's Arielle Gordon described the song as "shimmying bossa nova" and compared it to the likes of Corinne Bailey Rae.[6] Steffanie Wang of Nylon described it as "at once familiar and a sonic mesh of new ideas".[7]
Live performances
Beabadoobee performed the album version of the song at a Tiny Desk Concert on 29 November 2022.[8]
Beabadoobee performed an acoustic rendition of the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on 5 December 2022.[9] Wearing an oversized coat, short skirt, and knee-high white boots, she was accompanied by guitarists, violinists, cellists, and drummers.[10] The performance was met with positive reception.[10][11][12] Alex Gonzales of Uproxx noted her vocals as "soft and silky",[11] and Hypebeast's Sarah Kearns said she "delivered the soft lyrics with effortless, breathy ease".[12]
Credits and personnel
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Beatopia.[13]
Charts
| Chart (2024–2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC)[14] | 89 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[15] | 19 |