Perfect (One Direction song)

Did You Know?

• The music video was directed by Sophie Muller with additional help from actor Giovanni Ribisi.
• The video was filmed at the Intercontinental Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City in early September 2015.
• The song's debut at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 broke The Beatles' record for the most top 10 Hot 100 debuts among bands.

Critical reception

Digital Spy's Lewis Corner described "Perfect" as a "scintillating slice of '80s pop" and a "delicious retort" to Taylor Swift's song "Style". Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone called it "a catchy ode to bad boys and the rebellious personas" and noted that Styles seemed to directly respond to songs Swift is rumoured to have written about him. Former band member Zayn Malik said in a January 2016 Billboard interview that he heard the second single and decided not to buy the album.

Live performances

The group first performed "Perfect" at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland on 16 October 2015 during the last leg of their On the Road Again Tour, and continued performing it until their last concert before hiatus on 31 October in Sheffield, England. They also performed the song at the 2015 American Music Awards, BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, British The X Factor, and Jingle Ball festivals across the United States. In November 2015, the band performed in front of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex at the Royal Variety Performance.