Four singles had already been released in the UK from the album before "Perfect Way" was issued in August 1985. It was only a minor hit in the UK (No. 48),[3] but in the US "Perfect Way" became Scritti Politti's only hit, reaching No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.[4] On other US charts, "Perfect Way" reached No. 6 on the Hot Dance/Disco chart.[5] The song was also a minor hit on the Hot Black Singles chart, where it peaked at No. 85.[6] It was also a Top 40 hit in Canada, reaching No. 32 on the RPM Singles chart.
The official music video, which mixes monochrome and colour footage, features musicians performing in the studio, intercut with close-up faces, video effects, and urban scenes, was directed by Paula Greif and Peter Kagan.[7]
Critical reception
John Leland of Spin wrote the song was, "a pretty, lightweight pop tune that skips around on a busy electronic groove as feyly as Green's ultrawimp vocals. This is extremely well crafted, but it packs all the punch of a neutered "Sussudio"."[8]
An instrumental version of the song was covered by Miles Davis on his 1986 studio album Tutu, providing a second success for the song in the US.[12] The song entered Davis' live repertoire and he was recorded playing it live many times.
^Nielsen Business Media, Inc (27 December 1986). "1986 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. p. Y-21. {{cite magazine}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
^CMJ New Music Monthly - Feb 2000 N.º 78 p 23 "... The percolating single "Perfect Way" met with US success twice (the second time thanks to Miles Davis' instrumental ..."