The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Hey, Dad, look at me
Think back, and talk to me
Did I grow up according to plan?
And do you think I'm wasting my time
Doing things I wanna do?
But it hurts when you disapprove all along
And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
Can't pretend that I'm alright
And you can't change me
'Cause we lost it all
Nothin' lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
I try not to think
About the pain I feel inside
Did you know you used to be my hero?
All the days you spent with me
Now seem so far away
And it feels like you don't care any more
And now I try hard to make it
I just wanna make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
I can't stand another fight
And nothing's all right
'Cause we lost it all
And nothin' lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Nothing's gonna change the things that you said
And nothing's gonna make this right again
Please don't turn your back
I can't believe it's hard just to talk to you
But you don't understand
'Cause we lost it all
And nothin' lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
'Cause we lost it all
And nothin' lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Think back, and talk to me
Did I grow up according to plan?
And do you think I'm wasting my time
Doing things I wanna do?
But it hurts when you disapprove all along
And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
Can't pretend that I'm alright
And you can't change me
'Cause we lost it all
Nothin' lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
I try not to think
About the pain I feel inside
Did you know you used to be my hero?
All the days you spent with me
Now seem so far away
And it feels like you don't care any more
And now I try hard to make it
I just wanna make you proud
I'm never gonna be good enough for you
I can't stand another fight
And nothing's all right
'Cause we lost it all
And nothin' lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Nothing's gonna change the things that you said
And nothing's gonna make this right again
Please don't turn your back
I can't believe it's hard just to talk to you
But you don't understand
'Cause we lost it all
And nothin' lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
'Cause we lost it all
And nothin' lasts forever
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Now it's just too late
And we can't go back
I'm sorry I can't be perfect
Lyrics submitted by sumblinkfan4182
Perfect Lyrics as written by Charles-andre Comeau Arnold David Lanni
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I get this song all to well...my younger sis graduated from a well-known school, and I graduated from a local community college...so like my dad ALWAYS compares me to my sister, and it gets to me since I am just as intelligent, but I didn't go to the same school my sis did...so he automatically thinks that I am not as smart.
Definitely amazing. This band means a lot to me! They never let you down. It doesn't matter what they're doing... "Cause we lost it all, nothing lasts forever, sorry I can't be perfect" Why is it that I can relate to this song too much? I always find myself asking myself if my parents feel I grew up "according to plan". It's too overwhelming. It just takes you whole. This song will always bring a tear to my eye. Je t'aime les garcons!
It was writtewn by chuck and pierre because their parents wanted them to get proper jobs, but they wanted to continue with the band.
Thats what I hears atleast.
I first heard simple plan "i'm just a kid" and i thought they were good, i heard it awhile back, then i bought the CD and right away this song caught my attention, i love it b/c i've always had problems with my dad, no matter what i do to impress him and make him notice me, i'm never good enough for him, just listening to this song makes me feel that i'm not the only one, maybe i should make him listen to it...
the first time i heard this song, it hit something in me. i completely relate to this song (and also most of the other songs on the cd). i know a lot of my friends feel the same way toward their parents i do -- that we never match up -- and this song expresses it in such a great way
this song is about parents who put so much pressure on teens to be this perfect image when all we really want is to be us. and grow up and become what we want and how we have to fight for it
AMAZING!!! "And now I try hard to make it I just want to make you proud". everybody try to do and to get their best. superior for who they love. but sometime they ask more. "I'm never gonna be good enough for you" it's so match with me :). i'm not perfect:(, but i believe that everyone is unique so nothing can replace us. let's enjoy our own way and get our crown. i love this song so much ^^
This song always catches me. It seems to sit in the back of my mind. This is always a question I want to know. Did I grow up according to plan? Of course, I know some of the answers because I'm not perfect! I'm just your average girl who tries the best she can to be average.
I cried the first time I heard this. Maybe it struck a chord with me, but whatever it was, all I could think of was "wow". It's just hte fact that so many people feel this way and they don't know how to express it, and this expresses it well...perfectly (lol).
i agree with u megs. seriously big lump in my throat when i heard this song. ok it hits a pretty big nerve but the way they describe it is just really amazing.