"Perfect Way" is a song written by Green Gartside and David Gamson and performed by the British pop band Scritti Politti. It was featured on the band's second and most successful studio album, Cupid & Psyche 85, released in June 1985. The song features synthesizer in its instrumentation.
Chart performance 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), but in the US "Perfect Way" became Scritti Politti's only hit, reaching No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. On other US charts, "Perfect Way" reached No. 6 on the Hot Dance/Disco chart and No. 85 on the Hot Black Singles chart. In Canada, it reached No. 32 on the RPM singles chart.
Music video 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.
The music video features singer and actress Fiona Flanagan and supermodel Veronica Webb.
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"."
Charts Weekly charts Chart (1986) Peakposition Australia (Kent Music Report) 75
Year-end charts Year-end chart (1986) Rank US Top Pop Singles (Billboard) 64
Cover versions 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.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 ..." The song entered Davis' live repertoire and he was recorded playing it live many times. Davis would make a guest appearance on Scritti Politti's next album Provision (1988), playing trumpet on the hit single "Oh Patti (Don't Feel Sorry For Loverboy)".
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