“Perfectly” by FKA Twigs: Unpacking the Poetry Behind the Music
FKA Twigs – Perfectly : Embracing Your Beautiful Mess
Ever feel like you’re constantly running a race you can’t win? That endless pressure to have the perfect career, the perfect relationship, the perfectly clean apartment… all while smiling and pretending it’s effortless? It’s exhausting, right? You keep telling yourself, “I’ll get it all done tomorrow,” pushing the weight of expectations to a future version of yourself who’s magically more capable. Well, what if I told you there’s a song that perfectly captures this feeling and then flips it on its head, turning it into a beautiful anthem of self-acceptance? Let’s dive into the quiet power of “Perfectly” by FKA Twigs, because there’s so much more to this track than its dreamy soundscape.
Diving Deep into FKA Twigs’ ‘Perfectly’
Right from the get-go, FKA Twigs puts a voice to that feeling of procrastination born from pressure. She’s not just putting off chores; she’s postponing her entire being. When she sings:
Another day, leave it all to another day
Leave it all to another day, another me
And when I’m done, they’ll say I did it perfectly
It’s so relatable it almost hurts. It’s this fantasy we create where a future ‘us’ will handle everything flawlessly. The key line here is that last one: “they’ll say I did it perfectly.” This whole struggle isn’t just for us; it’s about the performance for an invisible audience. It’s about seeking that external validation, that pat on the back that says, “Wow, you really have it all together.”
The Sanctuary of the Mind
But then, the song shifts. It moves from the external world of expectations to the internal world of acceptance. This is where things get really interesting. She creates this gorgeous, vivid image of her inner space:
A sky of blue, a sea of green
A messy room, fits perfectly
Inside my head I have the best time
This is the heart of the song for me. That “messy room” isn’t a flaw; it “fits perfectly.” She’s telling us that chaos can be comfortable. Her mind is a sanctuary where the mess isn’t just tolerated, it’s part of the beauty. While the outside world demands order and perfection, her inner world is a vibrant, safe space where she can just be. It’s a powerful reminder that our own headspace is the one place we can truly control and find peace in.
The Anthem of Letting Go
Just when you’re settling into this calm, dreamy vibe, she hits you with a dose of raw, unapologetic honesty. The repeated chant of:
Fucked up, I know I will
La-la-la, let it go
This isn’t pessimistic; it’s incredibly liberating! It’s the sound of someone dropping a massive weight they’ve been carrying. She’s not just accepting that she might mess up; she’s stating it as a fact. “I know I will.” And instead of agonizing over it, she pairs this admission with a carefree “La-la-la, let it go.” It’s a radical act of pre-forgiveness. It’s about breaking the cycle of anxiety over future mistakes by simply deciding, right now, that it’s okay. It’s a choice to find joy in the face of inevitable imperfection.
The Evolution to Radical Self-Love
If the first half of the song is about accepting the mess, the final section is about falling completely in love with it. The tone shifts from acceptance to celebration. The lyrics become a cascade of self-affirmation, and it’s absolutely beautiful.
I love it all and it all loves me
The sweetest call, all over me
Another world and a stronger me
I think that I did it perfectly
Do you see that change? She’s not just saying “I think I’m okay.” She’s saying, “I think that I did it perfectly.” The perfection she was chasing from “they” in the beginning? She found it within herself, by her own definition. She’s not just a person anymore; she’s “a masterpiece, in hyperbole.” It’s this idea that her existence, with all its flaws and chaos, is a work of art. The love is no longer one-sided; it’s a mutual relationship: “I love it all and it all loves me.” That’s the ultimate goal, isn’t it? To feel so at home in your own skin that you feel the universe is loving you right back.
The message here is so profoundly kind. It’s a quiet rebellion against the loud demands of modern life. “Perfectly” is a gentle reminder to stop outsourcing your self-worth. It encourages you to build a rich, forgiving inner world where your “messy room” is a throne room. The song teaches us that true perfection isn’t about having no flaws; it’s about embracing them so fully that they become part of your unique masterpiece.
This song feels like a warm hug and a powerful pep talk all at once. But that’s just my take on it. What does “Perfectly” mean to you? When you listen, what images or feelings come to mind? I’d love to hear how you interpret this beautiful piece of music.
