"Perfect Gentleman" is the third single released from Haitian rapper Wyclef Jean's second studio album, The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book. It features a guest verse by rapper and co-writer Hope Harris. The song cites Chris Rock's spoken-word piece "No Sex (In the Champagne Room)".
"Perfect Gentleman" was released in the United States on 30 January 2001 and reached number 21 on the Billboard Rhythmic Top 40 chart; it failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Internationally, the song peaked within the top 10 in Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In the UK, the song was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
Commercial performance In the United Kingdom, "Perfect Gentleman" peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart and spent a total of 20 weeks on the chart. In 2013, the song re-appeared on the chart at number 70. In December 2017, the single was certified platinum by the BPI, denoting sales and streams of 600,000 units in Britain. The song is certified gold in Sweden—where it reached number four as well—and in New Zealand, where it peaked at number 34.
Music video The music video was shot in Washington, D.C., and features a scene outside The White House. The video shows Wyclef Jean in a large ballroom, performing the song to the crowd. It later features Jean as a college dean, outlining his plans for being the Perfect Gentleman. Harry Tait makes a guest appearance in the video.
Track listings
UK CD single "Perfect Gentleman" (LP version) – 4:09 "Perfect Gentleman" (vinyl remix featuring Xzibit and King Yellowman) – 4:38 "Perfect Gentleman" (Kelly G House mix) – 8:25 "Perfect Gentleman" (CD extra video)
UK 12-inch single A1. "Perfect Gentleman" (remix—vinyl mix featuring Xzibit and King Yellowman) – 4:38 A2. "Perfect Gentleman" (remix instrumental) – 4:38 B1. "Perfect Gentleman" (Kelly G House Mix) – 8:25 B2. "Perfect Gentleman" (Kelly G House Mix instrumental) – 8:25
UK cassette single "Perfect Gentleman" (LP version) – 4:09 "Perfect Gentleman" (vinyl remix featuring Xzibit and King Yellowman) – 4:38
European CD single "Perfect Gentleman" (radio edit) – 3:19 "Perfect Gentleman" (remix radio edit) – 3:59
Australian CD single "Perfect Gentleman" (radio edit) – 3:19 "Perfect Gentleman" (remix radio edit) – 3:59 "Perfect Gentleman" (Kelly G House mix) – 8:25 "911" (video version)
Credits and personnel Credits and personnel are taken from The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book album booklet.
Studios Recorded and mixed at The Hit Factory (New York City) Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City)
Personnel
Wyclef Jean – writing, vocals, production Jerry "Wonder" Duplessis – writing (as Jerry Duplessis), production Hope Harris – writing, vocals Joe Di Marco – additional background vocals Farel Sedeck Guerschom Jean – co-production Andy Grassi – recording, mixing, mastering Chris Gehringer – mastering Serge "Sergical" Tsai – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2001)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100)6
Year-end charts Chart (2001)PositionAustria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)75Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)84Germany (Media Control)52Ireland (IRMA)41Sweden (Hitlistan)32UK Singles (OCC)26US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)80
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United States30 January 2001Rhythmic contemporary radioColumbia27 March 2001Urban radioUnited Kingdom9 July 2001Australia29 October 2001CD
Cover versions "Perfect Gentleman" was covered by the reggae rock band Slightly Stoopid on their 2003 LP Everything You Need. Harry Tait also covered this on his acoustic album named All the Things I Love and More, which debuted at number 99 on the UK Albums Chart.
References